2015 Ram 1500 ESP

1. Inspect the winch, winch mount, and wire rope for
damage. Do not use the winch if the mount is loose or
rope shows excessive wear or damage.
2. Put on gloves.
3. Disengage the clutch to allow free spooling of the
winch drum, rotate the clutch lever on the winch to
disengage. Freespooling conserves battery power.
Winch Rope
Free Spool
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Double Line
Because pulling power decreases with the number of
layers of wire rope on the winch drum, you can use a
snatch block to double line out more wire rope. This
decreases the number of layers of wire rope on the drum,
and increases pulling power. Start by feeding out enough
wire rope to free the winch hook. Attach the hook to your
vehicle’s frame/tow hook and run the wire rope through
a snatch block. Disengage the clutch and, using the
snatch block, pull out enough wire to reach your anchor
point. Do not attach the hook to the mounting kit. Secure
to the anchor point with a tree trunk protector or choker
chain. Attach the clevis/shackle. Attach the shackle to the
two ends of the strap/chain, being careful not to over
tighten (tighten and back-off 1/2 turn).
POWER STEERING — 1500 MODELS
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide
light efforts while parking and good feel while driving. If
the electric steering system experiences a fault that
prevents it from providing assist, you will still have the
ability to steer the vehicle manually.
Wire Rope Routing
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If the Steering icon is flashing, it indicates that the vehicle
needs to be taken to the dealer for service. It is likely the
vehicle has lost power steering assistance.
If the Steering icon is displayed and the “POWER STEER-
ING SYSTEM OVER TEMP” message is displayed on the
EVIC/DID screen, they indicate that extreme steering
maneuvers may have occurred which caused an over
temperature condition in the power steering system.
Once driving conditions are safe, pull over and let the
vehicle idle for a few moments until the icon and
message turn off. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
If the Steering icon is displayed and the “SERVICE
POWER STEERING – ASSIST OFF” message is displayed
the EVIC/DID screen, they indicate the vehicle needs to
be taken to the dealer for service. Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information
Display (DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
•Even if the power steering assistance is no longer
operational, it is still possible to steer the vehicle.
Under these conditions there will be a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds and
during parking maneuvers.
•If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer for
service.
POWER STEERING — 2500/3500 MODELS
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
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If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check — 2500/3500 Models
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
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During operation, HSA will activate the brake control
system and a clicking noise may occur. If your foot is on
the brake pedal during operation you may feel a slight
pedal movement. The clicking and pedal movement is
normal and both will stop when HSA becomes inactive.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•Vehicle must be stopped
•Vehicle must be on an approximate 7% or greater
incline
•Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills with a loaded
vehicle or while pulling a trailer where the system
will not activate and slight rolling may occur, which
could cause a collision with another vehicle or object.
Always remember the driver is responsible for brak-
ing the vehicle.
The system will only work if the intended direction of the
vehicle and vehicle gear match. For example, if the
intended direction is forward up a hill and the vehicle is
in DRIVE and the activation criteria are met, HSA will
activate.
The system will work in REVERSE and all forward gears,
and will not activate if the vehicle is placed in NEU-
TRAL.
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WARNING!(Continued)
•HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle
on a hill without putting the transmission in PARK
or using the parking brake, it will roll down the
incline and could collide with another vehicle,
object or person, and cause serious or fatal injury.
Always remember to use the parking brake while
parking on a hill and that the driver is responsible
for braking the vehicle.
HSA Off
HSA is a Customer Programmable Feature in the EVIC/
DID. If you wish to turn off the HSA feature, refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Driver
Information Display (DID)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The ESC system enhances directional control and stabil-
ity of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC
corrects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist
in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appro-
priate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
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Activating HDC
Once HDC is enabled it will activate automatically if
driven down a grade of sufficient magnitude (greater
than approximately 8%). The set speed for HDC is
selectable by the driver, and can be adjusted by using the
Electronic range switches located on steering column
shifter. The following summarizes the HDC set speed:
GearApproximate HDC Set Speed
PNo set speed. HDC may be en-
abled but will not activate
R0.6 mph (1 km/h)
N1.2 mph (2 km/h)
1st0.6 mph (1 km/h)
2nd1.2 mph (2 km/h)
GearApproximate HDC Set Speed
3rd1.8 mph (3 km/h)
4th2.5 mph (4 km/h)
5th3.1 mph (5 km/h)
6th3.7 mph (6 km/h)
7th4.3 mph (7 km/h)
8th5.0 mph (8 km/h)
9th5.6 mph (9 km/h)
NOTE:During HDC the ERS +/- shifter input is used for
HDC target speed selection but will not affect the gear
chosen by the transmission. During HDC the transmis-
sion will shift appropriately for the driver-selected set
speed and corresponding driving conditions.
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Feedback to the driver:
The instrument cluster has a HDC icon and a HDC
switch which has an LED which offers feedback to the
driver about the state HDC is in.
•While HDC is Enabled or Active the gear position
typically associated with ERS manual mode will indi-
cate target set speed not the top gear limit which is
typical of ERS manual mode.
•The cluster icon and switch lamp will illuminate and
remain on solid when HDC is enabled or activated.
This is the normal operating condition for HDC.
•The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash for several
seconds then extinguish when the driver presses the
HDC switch but enable conditions are not met.
•The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash for several
seconds then extinguish when HDC deactivates due to
excess speed.
•The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash when HDC
deactivates due to overheated brakes. The flashing will
stop and HDC will activate again once the brakes have
cooled sufficiently.
WARNING!
HDC is only intended to assist the driver in control-
ling vehicle speed when descending hills. The driver
must remain attentive to the driving conditions and
is responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle speed.
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