2017 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab wheel

•Trip B
• Stop/Start Info (If Equipped)
• Trailer Tow
• Audio
• Stored Messages
• Screen Setup
• Vehicle Settings (Not Equipped with a Uconnect 5.0 &
8.4 radio)
• Settings
• Turn Menu Off
The system allows the driver to select information by
pushing the following buttons mounted on the steering
wheel: •
UP Arrow Button
Push and release the UParrow button to scroll
upward through the main menu and submenus
(Fuel Economy, Trip A, Trip B, Audio, Stored
Messages, Screen Set Up).
• DOWN Arrow Button
Push and release the DOWNarrow button to
scroll downward through the main menu and
submenus (Fuel Economy, Trip A, Trip B, Audio,
Stored Messages, Screen Set Up).
Steering Wheel Buttons
110 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•RIGHT Arrow Button
Push and release the RIGHTarrow button to
access/select the information screens or sub-
menu screens of a main menu item. Push and
hold the RIGHTarrow button for two seconds to
reset displayed/selected features that can be reset.
• LEFT Arrow Button
Push the LEFTarrow button to access/select the
information screens or submenu screens of a
main menu item or to return to the main menu
from an info screen or submenu item.
Oil Life Reset
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change indi-
cator system. The “Oil Change Required” message will
display in the instrument cluster display after a single
chime has sounded, to indicate the next scheduled oil
change interval. The engine oil change indicator system is
duty cycle based, which means the engine oil change
interval may fluctuate, dependent upon your personal
driving style.
NOTE: Use the steering wheel instrument cluster display
controls for the following procedure(s). Vehicles Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE
START/STOP button and place the ignition to the
ON/RUN position (do not start the engine).
2. Push and release the down
arrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info.”
3. Push and release the right
arrow button to access the
”Oil Life” screen.
4. Push and hold the right
arrow button to select
“Reset”.
5. Push and release the appropriate arrow button to select “YES” to reset the Oil Life.
6. Push and release the up
arrow button to exit the
instrument cluster display screen.
Vehicles Not Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position (do not start the engine).
2. Push and release the down
arrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info.”
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 111

3. Push and release therightarrow button to access the
“Oil Life” screen.
4. Push and hold the right
arrow button to select the
Oil Life Reset.
5. Push and release the appropriate arrow button to select “YES” to reset the Oil Life.
6. Push and release the up
arrow button to exit the
instrument cluster display screen.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you start
the vehicle, the Oil Life indicator system did not reset. If
necessary, repeat this procedure.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
check the remaining fuel filter life, go to the “Fuel Filter
Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this message
appears, dealers should replace the fuel filter.
NOTE: Use the steering wheel button controls for the
following procedure(s) Vehicles Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE
START/STOP button and cycle the ignition to the ON/
RUN position (do not start the engine.)
2. Push and release the DOWN
arrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
3. Push and release the RIGHT
arrow button to access
the ”Fuel Filter Life” screen.
4. Push and release the appropriate arrow button to access the “Reset” screen.
5. Push and release the appropriate arrow to select the reset of the Fuel Filter Life.
6. Push and release the UP
arrow button to exit the
Instrument Cluster Display screen.
Vehicles Not Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position (do not start the engine.)
2. Push and release the DOWN
arrow button to scroll
downward through the main menu to “Vehicle Info”.
112 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

pressure from the accelerator pedal. Exhaust braking is
most effective when the engine RPM is higher. The auto-
matic transmission will downshift more aggressively in
TOW/HAUL mode when the exhaust brake is enabled to
increase brake performance.
CAUTION!
Use of aftermarket exhaust brakes is not recommended
and could lead to engine damage
WARNING!
Do not use the exhaust brake feature when driving in
icy or slippery conditions as 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 possibly
resulting in personal injury or death.
NOTE: For optimum braking power it is recommended to
use the exhaust brake while in TOW/HAUL mode. The exhaust brake feature can also be used to reduce the
engine warm up time. To use the exhaust brake as a
warm-up device, the vehicle must be stopped or moving
less than 5 mph (8 km/h), the
Exhaust Brake Indicator
must be on, and the coolant temperature must be below
180°F (82°C) and ambient temperature below 60°F (16°C).
Automatic Smart Exhaust Brake (Auto)
Automatic Exhaust Brake technology delivers smoother,
less aggressive exhaust braking characteristics during
downhill descents. Although it can apply full exhaust
braking force if needed, Automatic Exhaust Brake may not
apply obvious braking if the vehicle speed is not increas-
ing. Automatic Exhaust Brake is intended to maintain
vehicle speed, while Full Exhaust Brake is intended to
reduce vehicle speed.
Automatic Exhaust Brake can be enabled by pushing the
exhaust brake button again anytime after the normal Full
Exhaust Brake has been turned on. The “Exhaust Brake
Indicator” in the instrument cluster display will change
from Yellow to Green when Automatic Exhaust Brake is
enabled. Pushing the exhaust brake button again will
toggle the exhaust brake mode to off.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 139

precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
•Apply the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission into PARK.
• Turn the engine OFF.
• Remove the key fob.
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 movement 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 leav-
ing the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 key fob. When
the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF (key removal)
position (or, with Keyless Enter-N-Go, when the
ignition is in the OFF mode), the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the key fob from
the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 143

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip
and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
Transmission
Gear Limit
Display12 3 456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply push and hold the
ERS (-) switch. The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descending
steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the engine.
Apply the brakes as needed to prevent engine over-
speed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically con-
trolled Overdrive (fifth and sixth gears). The transmission
will automatically shift into Overdrive if the following
conditions are present:
• The gear selector is in the DRIVE position.
• The transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature.
• The engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture.
• The vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
• The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
push the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/HAUL
mode. This will improve performance and reduce the
potential for transmission overheating or failure due to
excessive shifting. When operating in TOW/HAUL mode,
transmission upshifts are delayed, and the transmission
148 STARTING AND OPERATING

will automatically downshift (for engine braking) when the
throttle is closed and/or during steady braking maneu-
vers.
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 brak-
ing 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 possibly result-
ing 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 automatically
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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 149

Maximum Recommended Up-Shift Speeds
Gear Selection 1 to 22 to 33 to 44 to 5 5 to 6
Maximum Speed 7 mph
(11 km/h) 15 mph
(24 km/h) 25 mph
(40 km/h) 40 mph
(64 km/h) 45 mph
(72 km/h)
Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is recom-
mended to preserve brakes when driving down steep hills.
In addition, downshifting at the right time provides better
acceleration when you desire to resume speed. Downshift
progressively. Do not skip gears to avoid overspeeding the
engine and clutch.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip
and the vehicle could skid.
CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the engine
which can cause valve damage, and/or clutch disc
damage even if the clutch pedal is pressed.
Maximum Recommended Downshift Speeds
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the recommended downshifting
speeds may cause the engine to overspeed and/or
damage the clutch disc even if the clutch pedal is
pressed.
152 STARTING AND OPERATING