2017 Ram ProMaster City Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................178
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................178
▫ Normal Starting ....................... .178
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ..................178
▫ Extended Park Starting ...................179
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................179
▫ After Starting ......................... .179
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .180
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............181
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................182
▫ Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System .....182
▫ Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission .........182
▫ Gear Ranges ......................... .183
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ..........189
▫ Acceleration .......................... .189
▫ Traction ............................ .189
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER ..............189
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ...................189
▫ Shallow Standing Water ..................190
 POWER STEERING ..................... .191
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ...............191
 PARKING BRAKE ...................... .192
 BRAKE SYSTEM ....................... .194
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM .....194
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . .194
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ................195
▫ T

raction Control System (TCS) .............196
5

▫Hill Start Assist (HSA) ...................196
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...........197
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ..............198
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ...........199
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ..............200
▫ Tire Markings ........................ .200
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............204
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ...........205
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ............206
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .........209
▫ Tire Pressure ......................... .209
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ..................211
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation ......211
▫ Radial Ply Tires ....................... .212
▫ Tire Types ........................... .212▫
Run Flat Tires — If Equipped ..............214
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................214
▫ Tire Spinning ........................ .216
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ...................217
▫ Life Of Tire .......................... .218
▫ Replacement Tires ..................... .218
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .........219
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS ......220
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES ..........220
▫ Treadwear ........................... .221
▫ Traction Grades ....................... .221
▫ T

emperature Grades .....................221
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) .............................. .222
▫ System Operation ...................... .223
▫ General Information ....................225
176 STARTING AND OPERATING

FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................226
▫ 2.4L Engine .......................... .226
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ..................226
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ...............226
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .........227
▫ CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications ......227
▫ MMT In Gasoline ...................... .227
▫ Materials Added To Fuel .................228
▫ Fuel System Cautions ....................228
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ...............229
 ADDING FUEL ........................ .229
VEHICLE LOADING .....................230
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ................230
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .232
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............233
▫ Towing Tips ......................... .240
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................241
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . .241
▫ Recreational Towing —
Automatic Transmission ..................242
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 177

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. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.
• 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
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
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) posi-
tion 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.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than -31°F (-35° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an engine
block heater has not been used. The message “plug in
engine heater” will be displayed in the instrument cluster
when the ambient temperature is below -25°F (-32° C) at
the time the engine is shut off as a reminder.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

Extended Park Starting
NOTE:Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 30 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Cycle the ignition in the START position and release it when the engine starts.
3. If the engine fails to start within 10 to 15 seconds, cycle the ignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait
five seconds to allow the starter to cool, then repeat the
Extended Park Starting procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight attempts, allow the starter to cool for at least 10 minutes, then repeat the
procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank continu-
ously for more than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start the
vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing serious
personal injury.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continuously
crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 179

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine and permits
quicker starts in cold weather.
Connect the cord to a 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with
a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), the engine
block heater is recommended. For ambient temperatures
below -20°F (-29°C), the engine block heater is required.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood,
behind to the driver ’s side headlamp. Follow the steps
below to properly use the engine block heater:
1. Locate the engine block heater cord (behind the driver ’sside headlamp).
2. Undo the Velcro strap that secures the heater cord in place.
3. Pull the cord to the front of the vehicle and plug it into a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
4. After the vehicle is running, reattach the cord to the Velcro strap and properly stow away behind the driver ’s
side headlamp. NOTE:
•
The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords are
available from your authorized MOPAR dealer.
• The engine block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
• 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.
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
Once the key is removed, the transmission is locked
in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 trans-
mission 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 following
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, NEUTRAL,
or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 181

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 Interlock
which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the
ignition can be turned to the full LOCK/OFF (key removal)
position. The key can only be removed from the ignition
when the ignition is in the full LOCK/OFF mode, and once
removed the transmission is locked in PARK.
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock system (BTSI) that holds the transmission gear
selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be turned to
the ON/RUN mode (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift from NEU-
TRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is
stopped or moving at low speeds.
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed both
beside the gear selector and in the instrument cluster. To
select a gear range, press the lock button on the gear
selector and move the lever rearward or forward. You must
also press the brake pedal to shift the transmission out of
PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE
when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds (refer
to Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System in this
section). Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a pre-
cise 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 or
kilometers.
The nine-speed transmission has been developed to meet
the needs of current and future FWD/AWD vehicles.
Software and calibration is refined to optimize the custom-
er ’s driving experience and fuel economy. By design, some
vehicle and driveline combinations utilize 9th gear only in
very specific driving situations and conditions.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING