2015 Ram 1500 TRANSFER

NOTE:If you are installing a Toolbox, Ladder Rack or
Headache Rack at the front of the Pickup Box, you must
use Mopar Box Reinforcement Brackets that are available
from your authorized dealer.
You can carry wide building materials (sheets of ply-
wood, etc.) by building a raised load floor. Place lumber
across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the
floor.
WARNING!
•The pickup box is intended for load carrying pur-
poses only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds
may need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough
roads may cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo
that may result in vehicle damage. If wide building
materials are to be frequently carried, the installa-
tion of a support is recommended. This will re-
strain the cargo and transfer the load to the pickup
box floor.
•If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup-
ports must be installed to transfer the weight of the
load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage may
result. The use of proper supports will permit
loading up to the rated payload.
•Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an
accident causing serious or fatal injury.
252 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 — Headlight Switch7 — 115v Power Inverter Outlet13 — Gear Selector/Transfer Case PositionSwitch — If Equipped2 — Instrument Cluster8 — Power Outlet — If Equipped14 — Ignition Switch3 — Radio9 — Lower Switch Bank15 — Hood Release4 — Hazard Switch10 — Instrument Panel Drawer16 — Parking Brake Release5—UpperGloveCompartment 11—ClimateControls6—LowerGloveCompartment 12—PowerOutlet/CigarLighter—IfEquipped
286 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫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
442 STARTING AND OPERATING

Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not Autostop
Prior to engine shut down, the system will check many
safety and comfort conditions to see if they are fulfilled.
In following situations the engine will not stop:
•Driver ’s seat belt is not buckled
•Driver ’s door is not closed
•Outside temperature is less than 1°F (–17°C) or greater
than 104°F (40°C)
•Battery temperature too warm or cold
•The vehicle is on a steep grade
•Cabin heating or cooling is in process and an accept-
able cabin temperature has not been achieved
•HVAC is set to full defrost mode at a high blower
speed
•Engine has not reached normal operating temperature
•Battery discharged
•The transmission is not in DRIVE
•Hood is open
•Vehicle is in 4LO transfer case mode
Other factors which can inhibit AutoStop include: fuel
level, accelerator pedal input, engine temp too high and
steering angle.
It may be possible for the vehicle to be driven several
times without the STOP/START system going into a
STOP/START READY state under more extreme condi-
tions of the items listed above.
454 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
NOTE:On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not in PARK. Make sure the transmission is
in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 463

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the transfer
case is in a drive position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
484 STARTING AND OPERATING

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further informa-
tion.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions.
•Two-wheel drive high range (2H)
•Four-wheel drive high range (4H)
•Neutral (N)
•Four-wheel drive low range (4L)
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the 4H and 4L
positions can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together and force the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by simply
moving the shift lever to the desired positions once the
appropriate speed and gear requirements are met refer to
“Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted Transfer Case” in
this section for further information. The 4H and 4L
positions are intended for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on dry, hard
surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and dam-
age to the driveline components.
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in the
instrument cluster will alert the driver that the vehicle is
in four-wheel drive and that the front and rear drive-
shafts are locked together. This light will illuminate when
the transfer case is shifted into either the 4H or 4L
position. There is no light for the 2H or NEUTRAL
positions on some models.
494 STARTING AND OPERATING

When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
can cause damage to the drivetrain.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The front and rear
driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift to take
place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
NOTE:Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low or uneven tire
pressures, excessive vehicle loading, or cold tempera-
tures.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear drive shafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 495