2015 Ram ProMaster transmission

WARNING!(Continued)
Vehicle.” Follow the warnings under the “Cooling
System Pressure Cap” paragraph.
18. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. As
engine coolant temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proaches H, this indicator will illuminate, and a single
chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for further information. 19. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a
problem is detected, the light will come on
while the engine is running. Cycle the ignition
key when the vehicle has completely stopped and the
shift lever is placed in the NEUTRAL position, and apply
the parking brake. The light should turn off. If the light
remains lit with the engine running, your vehicle will
usually be drivable. However, see an authorized dealer
for service as soon as possible. If the light is flashing
when the engine is running, immediate service is re-
quired, and you may experience reduced performance,
an elevated/rough idle, or engine stall; your vehicle may
require towing. The light will come on when the ignition
is first turned to ON/RUN and remain on briefly as a
bulb check. If the light does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 135

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................200
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....200
▫ Normal Starting .......................200
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................201
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................201
▫ After Starting ........................201
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .202
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............202
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............203 ▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .204
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .........204
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........214
▫ Acceleration ........................ .214
▫ Traction ............................214
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............215
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................215
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................215
 POWER STEERING .....................217
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............218
5

TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......254
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....256
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................. .257
▫ Base System ........................ .259
▫ General Information ...................261
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................262
▫ 3.6L Engine ..........................262
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................262
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............263
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......263
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................264
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................264
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................265 ▫
Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............266
 ADDING FUEL ........................266
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............266
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............268
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................269
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............269
 TRAILER TOWING .....................271
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............272
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .282
 RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.) ............283
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .283
▫ Recreational Towing — Automatic
Transmission ........................ .284
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STARTING AND OPERATING 199

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec-
tor.
• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV/ACC (START)
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
200 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key.
(Continued)
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children). A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
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/
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STARTING AND OPERATING 203

OFF (key removal) position. The key can only be re-
moved from the ignition when the ignition is in the
LOCK/OFF position, and once removed the transmission
is locked in PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition switch to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key 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 shift lever 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 or not), and the
brake pedal must be pressed. NOTE:
Swivel seats that are unlocked can also prevent
the transmission shift lever from being moved out of the
PARK position. To shift the transmission out of the PARK
position the first time after the cranking is allowed,
ensure swivel seats are locked in forward facing position.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever
out of PARK (Refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Inter-
lock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
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).
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and Electronic Range Select (ERS) shiftpositions. Manual downshifts can be made using the ERS
shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section for further information). Mov-
ing the shift lever into the ERS (-/+) position (beside the
DRIVE position) displays the current gear in the instru-
ment cluster, and prevents automatic upshifts beyond
this gear. In ERS mode, toggling the shift lever forward (-)
or rearward (+) will change the highest available gear.
NOTE:
If the shift lever cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed for-
ward) it is probably in the ERS (+/-) position (beside the
DRIVE position). In ERS mode, the transmission gear
limit (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Move the shift lever to the right (into the DRIVE [D]
position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 205