2015 Ram 2500 light

OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............549
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................549
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY —
(IF EQUIPPED) ....................... .550
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .550
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .552
▫ Winch Accessories ....................554
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................555
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................567
 POWER STEERING .....................569
▫ Electric Power Steering — 1500 Models .....569
▫ Hydraulic Power Steering —
2500/3500 Models ....................571 
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ..................572
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .572
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .575
▫ Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon) ..................575
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .575
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............576
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............577
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............577
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ..................578
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........581
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................585
438 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 theswitch bank). The light on the switch will illuminate. 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.STOP/START OFF Switch
450 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 theswitch 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.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 451

Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.
Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission
may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and
restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will
inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and
indicate what actions may be necessary.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:NOTE:
In cases where the instrument cluster message
indicates the transmission may not re-engage after en-
gine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired
location (preferably, at your authorized dealer).
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position. On vehicles with Keyless Enter-N-Go™, push and hold
the ignition switch until the engine turns OFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 461

The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode has
been activated. Pushing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. Normal operation is always the default
at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the
switch must be pushed each time the engine is started.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 1500
Models Only (If Equipped)
The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
The shift lever is mounted either on the right side of the
steering column (if equipped) or on the console (if
equipped). You must press the brake pedal to move the
shift lever out of PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission
Shift Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move
the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE
position. Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting
into REVERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK
(column shift only).
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).
TOW/HAUL Switch
464 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a
significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible
gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this
excess heat generation.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of both the torque converter clutch and the top overdrive gear are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the
“Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
During extremely cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or
below), operation may briefly be limited to first and
direct gears only. Normal operation will resume once the
transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in direct gear regardless of which forward gear is se-
lected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to
operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without dam-
aging the transmission.
470 STARTING AND OPERATING

The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode has
been activated. Pushing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. Normal operation is always the default
at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the
switch must be pushed each time the engine is started.
WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when driving
in icy or slippery conditions. The increased engine
braking can cause the rear wheels to slide, and the
vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of
vehicle control, which may cause an accident possi-
bly resulting in personal injury or death.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
TOW/HAUL Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 475

CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
and third gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and
sixth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section for further information) to select
a lower gear range. Under these conditions, using a lower
gear range will improve performance and extend transmis-
sion life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 481