2015 Ram 1500 brake fluid

•Transmission Getting Hot Press Brake
•Trans. Hot Stop Safely Shift to Park Wait to Cool
•Transmission Cool Ready to Drive
•Trailer Brake Disconnected
•Service Transmission
•Service Shifter
•Engage Park Brake to Prevent Rolling
•Transmission Too cold Idle with Engine On
•Washer Fluid Low
•Service Air Suspension System
•Normal Ride Height Achieved
•Aerodynamic Ride Height Achieved
•Off Road 1 Ride Height Achieved
•Off Road 2 Ride Height Achieved
•Entry/Exit Ride Height Achieved
•Selected Ride Height Not Permitted
•Service Air Suspension System Immediately
•Reduce Speed To Maintain Selected Ride Height
•Air Suspension System Cooling Down Please Wait
•Vehicle Cannot Be Lowered Door Open
•Off Road 2 Watch For Clearance
•Entry/Exit Watch For Clearance
•Air Suspension Temporarily Disabled For Jacking And
Tire Change
•Battery Low Start Engine To Change Ride Height
•Stop/Start Ready – If Equipped
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 339

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
shift lever to the left (-) (console shift) or the ERS (-) switch
down (column shift). The transmission will shift to the
range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descend-
ing steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the
engine. Apply the brakes as needed to prevent en-
gine overspeed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fourth and fifth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
•the transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature,
•the engine coolant (antifreeze) has reached an ad-
equate temperature,
•vehicle speed is sufficiently high,
•the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated, and
•the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
480 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
ERS (-) switch. The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descend-
ing steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the
engine. Apply the brakes as needed to prevent en-
gine overspeed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth and sixth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
•The shift lever is in the DRIVE position.
•The transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature.
•The engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture.
•Vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
•The TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated.
•The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 491

something goes wrong. You should never stop or shut a
vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you ingested
water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls do not
attempt to restart it. Determine if it has ingested water
first. The key to any crossing is low and slow. You want
to use first gear in 4L (Low Range) and proceed very
slowly with a constant slow speed (3-5 mph [5–8 km/h]
maximum) and light throttle. Keep the vehicle moving;
do not try to accelerate through the crossing. After
crossing any water higher than the bottom of the axle
differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle fluids
for signs of water ingestion.
CAUTION!
Water ingestion into the axles, transmission, transfer
case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive
too fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
permanent damage to engine, driveline or other
vehicle components and your brakes will be less
effective once wet and/or muddy.
•Before You Cross Any Type Of Water–Asyou
approach any type of water you need to determine if
you can cross it safely and responsibly. If necessary, get
out and walk through the water or probe it with a
stick. You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle,
current and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or
muddy waters, check for hidden obstacles. Make sure
you will not be intruding on any wildlife and you can
recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe
crossing is the water depth, current and bottom con-
ditions. On soft bottoms the vehicle will sink in,
effectively increasing the water level on the vehicle. Be
sure to consider this when determining the depth and
the ability to safely cross.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 543

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED
This feature offers improved fuel economy by shutting
off four of the engine’s eight cylinders during light load
and cruise conditions. The system is automatic with no
driver inputs or additional driving skills required.
NOTE:This system may take some time to return to full
functionality after a battery disconnect.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave the
transmission in PARK.
The foot operated parking brake is located below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the
park brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To
release the parking brake, pull the parking brake release
handle.
578 STARTING AND OPERATING

BRAKE SYSTEM
If power assist is lost for any reason (for example,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, you will experience a
substantial increase in braking effort to stop the vehicle.
If either the front or rear hydraulic system loses normal
braking capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This
will be evident by increased pedal travel during applica-
tion, greater pedal force required to slow or stop, and
activation of the “Brake Warning Light” and the “ABS
Warning Light” (if equipped) during brake use.
Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon)
The brake system power assist is provided by a hydro-boost
unit which shares fluid with the power steering system. You
may experience some clicking or hissing noises from the
hydro-boost system during hard braking conditions.
NOTE:Under cold temperatures, pedal effort will be
higher than normal until the power steering fluid reaches
operating temperature.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System
(BAS), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Hill Start Assist
(HSA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) and Hill Decent Control (HDC [Power
Wagon only]). All of the systems work together to enhance
vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions,
and are commonly referred to as ESC.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is de-
signed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system operates
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 581

▫Adding Washer Fluid..................771
▫Exhaust System......................772
▫Cooling System......................774
▫Brake System........................782
▫Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level..............................784
▫Transfer Case........................785
▫Automatic Transmission................786
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................790
!FUSES..............................797
▫Power Distribution Center...............798
!VEHICLE STORAGE....................807
!REPLACEMENT BULBS.................808
!BULB REPLACEMENT..................809
▫Base Quad / Premium Bi-Halogen: Low Beam
Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp, Front Park
And Turn — If Equipped...............810
▫Fog Lamps — If Equipped..............812
▫Rear Tail/Stop, Turn Signal And Backup Lamps
..................................812
▫Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) With
Cargo Lamp.........................814
▫Cab Top Clearance Lamps — If Equipped . . . .816
▫Rear Lamp Bar ID Marker (Dual Rear Wheels) —
If Equipped..........................817
▫Side Marker Lamps (Dual Rear Wheels) —
If Equipped.........................818
746 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter5 — Battery2 — Engine Oil Dipstick6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir3 — Engine Oil Fill7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)4—BrakeFluidReservoir8—EngineCoolantReservoir
748 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE