2016 Ram 1500 4wd

towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation.
Shifting Procedure
NOTE:
•If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case
position have not been met, the transfer case will not
shift. The position indicator light for the previous
position will remain ON and the newly selected posi-
tion indicator light will continue to flash until all the
requirements for the selected position have been met.
•If all the requirements to select a new transfer case
position have been met, the current position indicator
light will turn OFF, the selected position indicator light
will flash until the transfer case completes the shift.When the shift is complete, the position indicator light
for the selected position will stop flashing and remain
ON.
2WD To 4WD AUTO Or 4WD LOCK
Push the desired position on the 4WD Control Switch to
shift the transfer case. Shifts between 2WD and 4WD
AUTO and 4WD LOCK can be done with the vehicle
stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion, the
transfer case will engage/disengage faster if you momen-
tarily release the accelerator pedal after turning the
control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition
switch must be in the ON position with the engine either
running or OFF. This shift cannot be completed if the
ignition switch is in the ACC position.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 543

2WD Or 4WD AUTO Or 4WD LOCK To 4WD LOW
NOTE:When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW some
gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. Use either of
the following procedures:
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine running, slow the vehicle to 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. While still rolling, push the desired position on the
transfer case control switch.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift the transmission back into gear.Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the ignition switch in the ON position and the
engine running, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. Push the desired position on the transfer case control
switch.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift the transmission back into gear.
NOTE:
•If Steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate
Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift
or if they no longer are being met while the shift
attempt is in process, the desired position indicator
light will flash continuously while the original position
indicator light is ON, until all requirements have been
met.
544 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. TSC will become
active automatically once an excessively swaying trailer
is recognized. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer
to “Trailer Towing” in this section for further informa-
tion. When TSC is functioning, the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power
may be reduced and you may feel the brakes being
applied to individual wheels to attempt to stop the trailer
from swaying. TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in
the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” 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).
632 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. Active (feature is enabled and actively controlling
vehicle speed).
Enabling HDC
HDC is enabled by pushing the HDC switch, but the
following conditions must also be met to enable HDC:
•Driveline is in 4WD Low Range
•Vehicle speed is below 5mph (8 km/h).
•Parking brake is released.
•Driver door is closed.
Activating HDC
Once HDC is enabled it will activate automatically if
driven down a grade of sufficient magnitude. The set
speed for HDC is selectable by the driver, and can be
adjusted by using the gear shift +/-. The following
summarizes the HDC set speeds:HDC Target Set Speeds
•P = No set speed. HDC may be enabled but will not
activate
•R = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
•N = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
•D = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
•1st = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
•2nd = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
•3rd = 1.8 mph (3 km/h)
•4th = 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
•5th = 3.1 mph (5 km/h)
•6th = 3.7 mph (6 km/h)
•7th = 4.3 mph (7 km/h)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 633

•8th = 5.0 mph (8 km/h)
•9th = 5.6 mph (9 km/h) – If Equipped
NOTE:During HDC the +/- shifter input is used for
HDC target speed selection but will not affect the gear
chosen by the transmission. When actively controlling
HDC the transmission will shift appropriately for the
driver-selected set speed and corresponding driving con-
ditions.
Driver Override
The driver may override HDC activation with throttle or
brake application at anytime.
Deactivating HDC
HDC will be deactivated but remain available if any of
the following conditions occur:
•Driver overrides HDC set speed with throttle or brake
application.•Vehicle speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h) but remains
below 40 mph (64 km/h).
•Vehicle is on a downhill grade of insufficient magni-
tude, is on level ground, or is on an uphill grade.
•Vehicle is shifted to park.
Disabling HDC
HDC will be deactivated and disabled if any of the
following conditions occur:
•The driver pushes the HDC switch.
•The driveline is shifted out of 4WD Low Range.
•The parking brake is applied.
•Driver door opens.
•The vehicle is driven greater than 20 mph (32 km/h)
for greater than 70 seconds.
634 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
•Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Do not disconnect the driveshaft because fluid may
leak from the transmission, causing damage to
internal parts.
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE:Both the manual shift and electronic shift transfer
cases must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) for recreational
towing. Automatic transmissions must be shifted into
PARK for recreational towing. Manual transmissions
must be placed in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recre-
ational towing. Refer to the following for the proper
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) shifting procedure for your
vehicle.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with
only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear)
will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case
damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the
ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
(Continued)
716 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing
ConditionWheels
OFF the
Ground2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is operable:
•Transmission inNEUTRAL
•30 mph (48 km/h)max speed
•15 miles (24 km)maxdistance (6–
speed transmission)
•30 miles (48 km)maxdistance (8–
speed transmission)See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•Automatic Transmission inPARK
•Manual Transmission in gear (NOT
NEUTRAL)
•Transfer Case inNEUTRAL (N)
•To w i nforwarddirection
Wheel Lift
or Dolly
To wFrontNOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED
FlatbedALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains ismandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
782 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES