2015 Ram 1500 Hill Descent

•Air Suspension Payload Protection Telltale — If
Equipped
This telltale will turn on to indicate that the
maximum payload may have been exceeded or
load leveling cannot be achieved at its current
ride height.
Protection Mode will automatically be selected in order
to “protect” the air suspension system, air suspension
adjustment is limited due to payload.
•Service Stop/Start System Telltale — If Equipped
This telltale will turn on to indicate that the
Stop/Start is Unavailable, service Stop/Start
system.
•Loose Fuel Filler Cap
This telltale will turn on to indicate that the fuel
filler cap may be loose.
EVIC White Telltales
•Electronic Speed Control ON
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is ON. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle.”
•Electronic Speed Control SET
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is SET. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle.”
•Hill Descent Control – If equipped
This indicator will illuminate when Hill Descent
Control (HDC) has been selected using the Hill
Descent Control Switch., refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating.”
316 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫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

fresh#bite#into the surface and will usually provide
enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not
make it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and
back straight down the grade using engine resistance
along with the vehicle brakes.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn
around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline
increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in
severe injury or death.
•Driving Down Hill– Before driving down a steep hill
you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe
descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too
steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there
obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty of
distance at the base of the hill to regain control if the
vehicle descends too fast? If you feel confident in your
ability to proceed then make sure you are in 4L (Low
Range) with the transmission in first gear (manually
select first gear on automatic transmissions) and pro-
ceed with caution. Allow engine braking to control the
descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not
allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking.
Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose
control and be seriously injured or killed.
•Driving Across An Incline– If at all possible avoid
driving across an incline. If it is necessary, know your
vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an incline places
more weight on the down hill wheels, which increases
the possibilities of a down hill slide or rollover. Make
sure the surface has good traction with firm and stable
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 541

TSC is only active in the default “ESC On” mode. TSC
can be disabled by pressing the “ESC Off” switch and
entering “ESC Partial Off” mode. It is not active in the
“ESC Partial Off” or “ESC Full Off” modes. Refer to the
ESC portion of this section for an explanation of the
different ESC operating modes.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped
HDC is intended for low speed off road driving while in
4WD Low Range. HDC maintains vehicle speed while
descending hills, during various driving situations. HDC
controls vehicle speed by actively controlling the brakes.
HDC has three states:
1. Off (feature is not enabled and will not activate).
2. Enabled (feature is enabled and ready but activation
conditions are not met, or driver is actively overriding
with brake or throttle application).
3. Active (feature is enabled and actively controlling
vehicle speed).
Enabling HDC
HDC is enabled by pressing the HDC switch, but the
following conditions must also be met to enable HDC:
•Driveline is in 4WD Low Range.
•Vehicle speed is below 5 mph (8 Km/h).
•Parking brake is released.
•Driver door is closed.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 593

Gear Ranges.............................471
Gear Select Lever Override..................736
General Information.......................634
Glass Cleaning...........................794
Grocery Bag Retainer.......................245
Gross Axle Weight Rating...................649
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating..................648
Guide, Body Builders........................6
GVWR.................................646
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water.........................553
Hazard Warning Flasher....................685
Headlights..............................810
Automatic............................167
Cleaning.............................794
High Beam............................178
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch.........178
Passing..............................177
Switch...............................166
Head Restraints..........................156
Heated Mirrors...........................139
Heater.................................400
Heater, Engine Block.......................458
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . .178
Hill Descent Control.......................593
Hill Descent Control Indicator................593
Hitches
Trailer Towing.........................656
Hoisting................................728
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener)............214
Hood Release............................164
Hub Caps...............................727
Ignition.................................16
Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Ignition Key Removal.......................1610
INDEX 855

Lead Free Gasoline........................634
Leaks, Fluid.............................118
Life of Tires.............................618
Light Bulbs..............................118
Lights.................................118
Airbag................................79
Alarm...............................294
Anti-Lock.............................289
Anti-Lock Warning......................583
Automatic Headlights....................167
Brake Assist Warning....................591
Brake Warning.........................291
Bulb Replacement.......................809
Cap Top Clearance......................816
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..176
Center Mounted Stop....................814
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator).........289
Courtesy/Reading......................174
Daytime Running.......................168
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator.....591
Exterior..............................118
Fog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..171
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator................497
Hazard Warning Flasher..................685
Headlights............................166
High Beam............................178
High Beam Indicator.....................293
High Beam/Low Beam Select...............178
Hill Descent Control Indicator..............593
Illuminated Entry........................23
Instrument Cluster......................289
Interior..............................172
Oil Pressure...........................294
Passing..............................177
Seat Belt Reminder......................293
Security Alarm.........................294
Service...............................808
SideMarker...........................81810
INDEX 857