2018 Ram ProMaster stop start

Manual (M) (Manual Mode)
In the MANUAL (M) position the driver is
responsible for choosing the best gear ratio to
engage, depending on driving conditions.
NOTE:
Do not press the brake and accelerator pedals
at the same time. Use only one foot to operate
the brake and accelerator.
To operate in MANUAL (M) mode:
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Move the gear selector to the MANUAL (M)position. The current gear will be displayed
in the instrument cluster.
• To drive, release the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal.
• Tap the gear selector towards the (+) to engage a higher gear.
• Tap the gear selector towards the (–) posi- tion to engage a lower gear.
• The accelerator pedal need not be released during gear changes in MANUAL mode. • You can shift between DRIVE (D) and
MANUAL (M) positions at any speed, with-
out taking your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
• The system will shift down through the gears automatically (to prevent engine lug-
ging) during closed-throttle decelerations.
• The transmission will automatically down- shift to first gear when coming to a stop.
After a stop, the driver should manually
upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle
is accelerated.
• You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear. Tap (+) (at a stop) to select
second gear. Starting out in second gear
may be helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
• The system will ignore shift commands that would cause engine lugging or overspeed.
An audible beep will sound and a "Shift not
allowed" message will appear in the instru-
ment cluster if an inappropriate gear is
requested.
NOTE:
Avoid keeping your hand on the lever when
you are not requesting a gear shift.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer,
carrying a heavy load, etc., and frequent
transmission shifting occurs, press 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 oper-
ating in TOW/HAUL mode, the transmission
shift calibration is modified to accommodate
steep grades in the smoothest possible man-
ner. TOW/HAUL mode is only applicable in
the DRIVE (D) position.
Parking The Vehicle
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave
the vehicle unattended without fully ap-
plying the parking brake. The parking
brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
To ensure proper parking performance, it is
essential to engage MANUAL (1st) gear,
DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R) gear while your
foot is on the brake pedal. Once MANUAL
STARTING AND OPERATING
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(1st) gear, DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R) gear is
displayed in the instrument cluster display,
turn the engine off and engage the parking
brake. It is essential to wait until the gear
engaged appears in the display before turning
the engine off and releasing the brake pedal.
Always remember to apply your parking
brake.
NOTE:
NEVER leave your vehicle with the gearbox in
NEUTRAL (N) without the parking brake en-
gaged. Always remember to fully apply your
parking brake. Always remember to apply the
parking brake when the “Set Park Brake”
message is displayed.
General Warnings
• With the vehicle at a standstill and a gearengaged, keep the brake pedal pressed un-
til you decide to drive away. Then release
the brake and accelerate gradually. • When parked for long periods with the en-
gine running, it is advisable to place the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and apply
the parking brake.
• To avoid accelerated clutch wear, do not use the accelerator to keep the vehicle at a
standstill (for example, holding on a hill);
the clutch could be damaged by overheat-
ing. Use the brake pedal instead and oper-
ate the accelerator only when you are ready
to drive away.
• Only launch (from a stop) in second gear when you need more control on surfaces
with low traction.
• Only shift between DRIVE (D) and RE- VERSE (R) gears when the vehicle has
come to a stop and the brake pedal is
pressed. • Although very inadvisable, if the vehicle is
unexpectedly allowed to roll downhill with
the gearbox in NEUTRAL (N) the system
will automatically engage the gear best
suited to vehicle speed when a gear shift is
requested to allow drive to be correctly
transmitted to the wheels.
• If necessary, with the engine off, it is pos- sible to engage 1st, REVERSE (R) or NEU-
TRAL (N) with the key in ON/RUN/MAR
position and the brake pressed.
• During hill starts, accelerate immediately after releasing the parking brake or brake
pedal to allow the engine to increase its
rpm to a greater extent and overcome
higher gradients with more torque.
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Instrument Cluster Messages
Messages will be displayed in the instrument
cluster to alert the driver when certain un-
usual conditions occur. These messages are
described below.
MESSAGEDESCRIPTION
Service Transmission When the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN/MAR, the Transmission Fault Indicator light turns on and
should go off after a few seconds.
The Transmission Fault Indicator illuminates either steady or blinking (together with this message and a buzzer) to indicate a transmission fault.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Reduce Gear Changes This message indicates that the driver is operating the transmission incorrectly.
Incorrect use (by the driver) could automatically activate a procedure for protecting the system. Contact you authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Manual Unavailable MANUAL (M) mode is not available, due to a fault or other condition. Use the DRIVE (D) position to op-
erate the vehicle.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Automatic Unavailable Automatic (DRIVE) mode is not available due to a fault or other condition. Use MANUAL (M) mode to
operate the vehicle.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Transmission Temperature High This message appears, together with a buzzer, when the clutch overheats.
In this situation, limit stop and go driving and gear shifts or if necessary stop the vehicle and turn the engine off to allow the clutch to cool.
If the message continues to appear, contact your authorized dealer.
To avoid clutch malfunction, do not use the accelerator to keep the vehicle at a standstill (for example
holding on a hill); the clutch could be damaged by overheating. Use the brake pedal instead and operate the accelerator only when you are ready to drive away.
STARTING AND OPERATING
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The DEF injection system and SCR catalyst
enable the achievement of diesel emissions
requirements; while maintaining outstanding
fuel economy, drivability, torque and power
ratings.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
system messages and warnings.
NOTE:
• Your vehicle is equipped with a DEF injec-tion system. You may occasionally hear an
audible clicking noise from under the ve-
hicle at a stop. This is normal operation.
• The DEF pump will run for a period of time after engine shutdown to purge the DEF
system. This is normal operation and may
be audible from under the vehicle.
Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid
NOTE:
Driving conditions (altitude, vehicle speed,
load, etc.) will effect the amount of DEF that
is used by your vehicle.
DEF Fill Procedure
NOTE:
Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Techni-
cal Specifications” for the correct fluid type.
CAUTION!
It is extremely important to avoid any con-
tamination of the diesel fuel with Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF). Ensure that the die-
sel fuel filler cap is in place and com-
pletely tightened before opening or filling
the DEF.
1. Remove cap from DEF filler neck (located on drivers side of the vehicle in the fuel
door).
2. Insert DEF fill adapter/nozzle into DEF tank filler neck.
CAUTION!
•To avoid DEF spillage, and possible dam-
age to the DEF tank from overfilling, do
not “top off” the DEF tank after filling.
• DO NOT OVERFILL. DEF will freeze be- low 12ºF (-11ºC). The DEF system is
designed to work in temperatures below
the DEF freezing point, however, if the
tank is overfilled and freezes, the system
could be damaged.
Fuel/DEF Fill Locations
1 — Diesel Fuel Fill Location
2 — Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fill
Location
STARTING AND OPERATING
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CAUTION!
• When DEF is spilled, clean the areaimmediately with water and use an ab-
sorbent material to soak up the spills on
the ground.
• Do not attempt to start your engine if DEF is accidentally added to the diesel
fuel tank as it can result in severe dam-
age to your engine, including but not
limited to failure of the fuel pump and
injectors.
• Never add anything other than DEF to the tank – especially any form of hydro-
carbon such as diesel fuel, fuel system
additives, gasoline, or any other
petroleum-based product. Even a very
small amount of these, less than
100 parts per million or less than 1 oz.
per 78 gallons (295 liters) will contami-
nate the entire DEF system and will
require replacement. If owners use a
container, funnel or nozzle when refilling
the tank, it should either be new or one
that is has only been used for adding
DEF. Mopar provides an attachable
nozzle with its DEF for this purpose. 3. Stop filling the DEF tank immediately
when any of the following happen:
• DEF stops flowing from the fill bottle into the DEF tank.
• DEF splashes out the filler neck.
• DEF pump nozzle automatically shuts off.
4. Reinstall cap onto DEF filler neck.
Filling The Def Tank In Cold Climates
Since DEF will begin to freeze at 12°F
(-11°C), your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic DEF heating system. This allows
the DEF injection system to operate properly
at temperatures below 12°F (-11°C). If your
vehicle is not in operation for an extended
period of time with temperatures below 12°F
(-11°C), the DEF in the tank may freeze. If
the tank is overfilled and freezes, it could be
damaged. Therefore, do not overfill the DEF
tank.
Extra care should be taken when filling with
portable containers to avoid overfilling.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)
NOTE:
For trailer towing information (maximum
trailer weight ratings) refer to the following
website addresses:
• ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/
• ramtruck.ca (Canada)
• rambodybuilder.com
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CAUTION!
Be sure to mount the spare tire with the
valve stem facing outward. The vehicle
could be damaged if the spare tire is
mounted incorrectly.NOTE:
Do not install the wheel cover on the spare
tire.
7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
8. Refer to “Wheel And Tire Torque Specifi- cations” in “Technical Specifications” for
proper wheel lug bolt torque.
9. Lower the jack to its fully-closed position.
10. Stow the damaged wheel/spare tire with the cable and wheel spacer before driv-
ing the vehicle.
11. Install the winch extension and rotate the
wrench handle clockwise until the winch
mechanism operator hears “3 clicks” from
the device to indicate the wheel is properly
stowed under the vehicle. 12. Stow the jack, jack handle and winch
handle tools back in the storage
compartment.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the
jack parts and the spare tire in the places
provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire re-
paired or replaced immediately.
13. Check the spare tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct the tire pressure, as
required.
For vehicles with aluminum wheels:
The center cap must be pushed out from the
rear to install the retainer and stow the tire.
Wheel Covers
CAUTION!
Use a back-and-forth motion to remove the
hub cap. Do not use a twisting motion when
removing the hub cap, damage to the hub
cap finish may occur.
The wheel covers on the vehicle are held in
place by the wheel lug bolts and can be
removed after the wheel lug bolts are taken
off.
JUMP STARTING
If your vehicle has a discharged battery, it can
be jump started using a set of jumper cables
and a battery in another vehicle or by using a
portable battery booster pack. Jump starting
can be dangerous if done improperly, so
please follow the procedures in this section
carefully.
NOTE:
When using a portable battery booster pack,
follow the manufacturer’s operating instruc-
tions and precautions.
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3. Disconnect the positive end(+)of the
jumper cable from the positive (+)post of
the booster battery.
4. Disconnect the opposite end of the posi- tive (+)jumper cable from the remote
positive (+)post of the discharged
vehicle.
5. Close the cover of the Front Power Distri- bution Center.
If frequent jump starting is required to start
your vehicle you should have the battery and
charging system inspected at your authorized
dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehi-
cle’s battery, even when not in use (i.e.,
cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough without engine
operation, the vehicle’s battery will dis-
charge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent the engine from starting.
Battery Location
There are two remote jump starting posts
under the hood which is the recommended
jump start location. If access to the battery is
needed, an access panel on the driver’s side
floor will allow for battery access.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can
reduce the potential for overheating by taking
the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in NEUTRAL, but do not in-
crease the engine idle speed while prevent-
ing vehicle motion with the brakes.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow
down an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the engine
cooling system and turning the A/C off can
help remove this heat. • You can also turn the temperature control
to maximum heat, the mode control to floor
and the blower control to high. This allows
the heater core to act as a supplement to
the radiator and aids in removing heat from
the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from
your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, do not open
the hood until the radiator has had time to
cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator or coolant
bottle is hot.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads HOT (H), pull over and stop
the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on HOT (H), and you hear
continuous chimes, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE (GASOLINE
ENGINE ONLY)
If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector
cannot be moved out of the PARK position,
you can use the following procedure to tem-
porarily move the gear selector:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool,remove the gear selector override access
cover which is located below the gear
selector. 4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the
brake pedal.
5. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access port, and push and hold the
override release lever forward.
6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the gear selector override access cover.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand,
or snow, it can often be moved using a rock-
ing motion. Turn the steering wheel right and
left to clear the area around the front wheels.
Shift back and forth between DRIVE and
REVERSE, while gently pressing the accel-
erator. Use the least amount of accelerator
pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing
the engine. NOTE:
Vehicles with diesel engine (automated
manual transmission) cannot be rocked in
this manner, because the transmission will
not allow shifts between forward and RE-
VERSE gears while the wheels are turning.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels
may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the
transmission in NEUTRAL for at least one
minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of transmission failure dur-
ing prolonged efforts to free a stuck ve-
hicle.
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