2017 Ram ProMaster automatic transmission

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The key fob contains an integrated mechanical key. To use
the mechanical key, simply push the mechanical key re-
lease button.
The vehicle is supplied with a code card containing key
code numbers to order duplicate keys, and the authorized
studio that sold you your new vehicle has the key code
numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers can be
used to order duplicate keys.
Mechanical Ignition Key Removal
1. Place the gear selector in PARK (if equipped with anautomatic transmission).
2. Rotate the key to the OFF/LOCK position.
3. Remove the key from the mechanical ignition switch.
Key Fob With Integrated Mechanical Key
Mechanical Ignition Switch Positions
1 — STOP (OFF/LOCK)
2 — MAR (ACC/ON/RUN)
3 — AVV (START)
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
• For personal security and safety in the event of a
collision, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as well
as when you park and leave the vehicle.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and remove
the key fob from the vehicle. When leaving the
vehicle, always lock your 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 gear
selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in
a location accessible to children. A child could oper-
ate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation. Always remove
the key from the ignition and lock all of the doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Automatic Door Locks
The auto door lock feature default condition is enabled.
When enabled, the door locks will lock automatically when
the vehicle’s speed exceeds 12 mph (20 km/h). The auto
door lock feature can be enabled or disabled through the
Instrument Cluster Display or the Uconnect system.
Auto Unlock Doors
This feature unlocks all doors when the driver door is
open.
NOTE: If the passenger door is open, only the passenger
door is unlocked. This procedure is the same for the rear
and side doors as well.
WINDOWS
Power Windows
The control on the left front door panel has UP-DOWN
switches that give you fingertip control of all power
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur so it
may be preferable to drive without Electronic Speed Con-
trol.
WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle
could go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control and have an accident. Do not use Electronic
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered or slippery.
PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED
The ParkSense Rear Park Assist system provides an au-
dible indication of the distance between the rear fascia/
bumper and a detected obstacle when backing up, e.g.
during a parking maneuver. Refer to ParkSense System
Usage Precautions for limitations of this system and rec-
ommendations.The ParkSense Rear Park Assist is automatically activated
when the transmission is placed into REVERSE. As the
distance from an obstacle behind the vehicle decreases, the
audible alert becomes more frequent.
Interaction With Trailer Towing
The Rear Park Assist system is automatically deactivated
when a trailer is hitched to the vehicle. The system will be
automatically activated as soon as the trailer is removed.
ParkSense Rear Park Assist Sensors
The four ParkSense Rear Park Assist sensors, located in the
rear fascia/bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle
that is within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can
detect obstacles, in the horizontal direction, from approxi-
mately 12 inches (30 cm) up to 55 inches (140 cm) from the
center of the rear fascia/bumper and up to 24 inches
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85

your odometer needs to be repaired or serviced, the
repair technician should leave the odometer reading
the same as it was before the repair or service. If s/he
cannot do so, then the odometer must be set at zero,
and a sticker must be placed in the door jamb stating
what the mileage was before the repair or service. It is
a good idea for you to make a record of the odometer
reading before the repair/service, so that you can be
sure that it is properly reset, or that the door jamb
sticker is accurate if the odometer must be reset at zero.
• Gear Selector Status (PRND)
The gear selector status “P,R,N,D,1,2,3,4,5,6” are dis-
played indicating the gear selector position. Telltales
“1,2,3,4,5,6” indicate the manual mode has been en-
gaged and the gear selected is displayed. Refer to
“Six-Speed Automatic Transmission” in “Starting And
Operating” for further information on ERS.
3. Tachometer •This gauge measures engine revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000). Before the pointer reaches the red area,
ease up on the accelerator to prevent engine damage. 4. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather or up mountain
grades. It should not be allowed to exceed the upper
limits of the normal operating range.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer for
service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling System
Pressure Cap paragraph.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could dam-
age your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H”
(Continued)
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 101

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light
This light indicates the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off. For further information, refer to
“Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in “Starting And Operating.”
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic System
called OBD II that monitors engine and automatic transmission control systems. The light will
illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position before engine start. If the bulb does not come
on when turning the key from OFF to ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor quality fuel, etc., may illuminate the
light after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through several typical
driving styles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not require towing.
When the engine is running, the MIL may flash to alert serious conditions that could lead to im-
mediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................176
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......176
▫ Normal Starting ....................... .176
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –22°F Or 30°C) .176
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................176
▫ After Starting ......................... .177
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .177
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............177
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................178
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .179
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission ...........179
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ..........186
▫ Acceleration .......................... .186
▫ Traction ............................ .186
DRIVING THROUGH WATER ..............187
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ...................187
▫ Shallow Standing Water ..................187
 POWER STEERING ..................... .188
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ...............189
 PARKING BRAKE ...................... .189
 BRAKE SYSTEM ....................... .191
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM .....191
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . .191
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) .............192
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ................193
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...........193
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................196
▫ Hill

Start Assist (HSA) ...................197
5

ADDING FUEL ........................ .227
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................227
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message .............228
 VEHICLE LOADING .....................228
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ................228 
TRAILER TOWING ..................... .230
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............230
▫ Towing Tips ......................... .238
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................239
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . .239
▫ Recreational Towing —
Automatic Transmission ..................240
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STARTING AND OPERATING 175

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 — If Equipped
The gear selector 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) 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 –22°F Or 30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
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.
176 STARTING AND OPERATING