2016 RAM CHASSIS CAB four wheel drive

Service 4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
Service 4WD Indicator Light
If the light stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the 4WD system is not func-
tioning properly and that service is required. We recommend you drive to the nearest ser-
vice center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
4 Low Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
4 Low Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive LOW mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the
same speed. Low range provides a greater gear reduction ratio to provide increased torque at the
wheels.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information on four-wheel drive operation and proper use.262 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
4WD Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive mode, and the front
and rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. 4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 263

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS  STARTING PROCEDURES ............... .402
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .402
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... .403
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or 29°C) . . .403
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ .403
▫ After Starting ....................... .405
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .405
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ........... .405
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock .............. .407
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .408 ▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .408
 POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY) ................. .420
▫ Stationary Mode ..................... .420
▫ Mobile Mode ........................ .422
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .423
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped.423
▫ Shifting Procedure — Manually Shifted Transfer
Case ............................. .4265

 SNOWPLOW ........................ .524
▫ Before Plowing ...................... .525
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . .525
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ........................... .526
▫ Operating Tips ...................... .526
▫ General Maintenance .................. .527  RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) .................. .528
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .528
▫ Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .529
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .5305STARTING AND OPERATING 401

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 gear selector 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.
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 (Continued) WARNING! (Continued)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. Check by trying to move the
gear selector out of PARK with the brake pedal
released. Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
• 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. (Continued)410 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE: For application specific information with respect
to PTO and pump requirements and additional vehicle
information (wiring schematics, preset idle values, en-
gine speed limits, and vehicle hardware and software
requirements) please refer to the Body Builders Guide by
accessing www.rambodybuilder.com and choosing the
appropriate links.
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 gear selector 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. 5STARTING AND OPERATING 423

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 damage 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.
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.424 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 roll,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for
normal street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced
roads. 4H
Four-Wheel Drive High Range — This range locks the
front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional
traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
Neutral (N)
Neutral — This range disengages the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation.
4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range locks the
front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional 5STARTING AND OPERATING 425