2015 Ram 1500 electronic

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .461
▫Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped.........................461
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped)...........470
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
2500/3500 Models Only................483
!FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED.........................494
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case —
If Equipped..........................494
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................498
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................504
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................509
!AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS) —
IF EQUIPPED.........................516
▫Description..........................516
▫Air Suspension Modes..................520
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID)
Display Messages.....................522
▫Operation...........................522
!AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS) —
IF EQUIPPED..........................524
▫Description..........................524
▫Air Suspension Modes..................526
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▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID)
Display Messages.....................527
▫Operation...........................528
!AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED)............528
!STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY........................531
!SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER
WAGON ONLY........................533
▫Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics.......................533
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........535
▫Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points).............................537
▫Hill Climbing........................540
▫Driving Through Water.................542
▫Airing Down For Off-Road Driving.........545
▫Vehicle Recovery......................545
▫After Driving Off-Road.................549
!LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.............551
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........551
▫Acceleration.........................551
▫Traction............................552
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............553
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................553
▫Shallow Standing Water.................553
!OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS...............555
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▫After Driving Off-Road.................555
!WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY —
(IF EQUIPPED)........................556
▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .556
▫Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .558
▫Winch Accessories....................560
▫Operating Your Winch..................561
▫Rigging Techniques....................573
!POWER STEERING — 1500 MODELS........575
▫POWER STEERING — 2500/3500 MODELS . .576
!FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED..................578
!PARKING BRAKE......................578
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................581
▫Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon)..................581
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .581
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............581
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............583
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............583
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA)..................584
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........587
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light................591
▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC)..............592
▫Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped . . .593
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............597
▫Tire Markings........................597
444 STARTING AND OPERATING

STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to save fuel and
reduce emissions. The system will stop the engine auto-
matically during a vehicle stop if the required conditions
are met. Releasing the brake pedal will automatically
re-start the vehicle.
Automatic Mode
The Stop/Start feature is enabled after every normal
customer engine start. It will remain in STOP/START
NOT READY until you drive forward with a vehicle
speed greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). At that time, the
system will go into STOP/START READY and if all other
conditions are met, can go into an STOP/START AUTO
STOP ACTIVE “Autostop” mode.
To Activate The Autostop Mode, The Following Must
Occur:
1.The system must be in STOP/START READY state. A
STOP/START READY message will be displayed in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/ Driver
Information Display (DID) within the Stop/Start section.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or
Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
2. The vehicle must be completely stopped.
3. The transmission Gear Selector must be in Drive and
the brake pedal depressed.
The engine will shut down, the tachometer will move to
the zero position and the stop/start telltale will illuminate
indicating you are in an Autostop. While in an Autostop,
the Climate Controls system may automatically adjust
airflow to maintain cabin comfort. Customer settings will
be maintained upon return to an engine running condition.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 453

The engine may then be restarted by moving the trans-
mission shift selector out of PARK (e.g. to DRIVE) or, in
some cases, only by a KEY START. The Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display
(DID) will display a SHIFT OUT OF PARK message, or a
STOP/START KEY START REQUIRED message, to indi-
cate which action is required. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display
(DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System
1. Press the STOP/START Off switch (located on the
switch bank). The light on the switch will illuminate.
STOP/START OFF Switch
456 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. The STOP/START OFF message will appear in Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Driver In-
formation Display (DID). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Dis-
play (DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
3. At the next vehicle stop (after turning off the STOP/
START system) the engine will not be stopped.
4. If the STOP/START system is manually turned off, the
engine can only be started and stopped by cycling the
ignition switch.
5. The STOP/START system will reset itself back to an
ON condition every time the key is turned off and
back on.
To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System
1. Press the STOP/START Off switch (located on the
switch bank).
2. The light on the switch will turn off.
System Malfunction
If there is a malfunction in the STOP/START system, the
system will not shut down the engine. A SERVICE
STOP/START SYSTEM message will appear in the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Driver Infor-
mation Display (DID). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display
(DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
The system will need to be checked by your authorized
dealer.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 457

Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/
OFF (key removal) position. The Key Fob can only be
removed from the ignition when the ignition is in the
LOCK/OFF position, and the transmission is locked in
PARK whenever the ignition switch is in the LOCK/OFF
position.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
Key Fob in the ignition switch to warn you that this
safety feature is inoperable. The engine can be started
and stopped but the Key Fob cannot be removed until
you obtain service.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the transmission gear
selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift
the transmission out of PARK, the ignition switch must
be turned to the ON/RUN position (engine running, for
vehicles with eight-speed transmission) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also be pressed
to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
The transmission is controlled using a rotary electronic
gear selector located on the instrument panel. The trans-
mission gear range (PRND) is displayed both above the
gear selector and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID). To
select a gear range, simply rotate the gear selector. You
must press the brake pedal to shift the transmission out
of PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or
REVERSE, when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low
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STARTING AND OPERATING 461

speeds (refer to#Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock Sys-
tem#in this section). To shift past multiple gear ranges at
once (such as Park to Drive), simply rotate the gear
selector to the appropriate detent. Select the DRIVE range
for normal driving.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector has only PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to#Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation#in this section for further information). Press-
ing the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the steering wheel)
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear in
the instrument cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
Electronic Transmission Gear Selector
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