2020 Ram 2500 tire pressure

SAFETY171
displayed, and a pressure value will display in
place of the dashes. A system fault can occur
due to any of the following:
Signal interference due to electronic devices
or driving next to facilities emitting the same
radio frequencies as the TPM sensors.
Installing aftermarket window tinting that
contains materials that may block radio wave
signals.
Accumulation of snow or ice around the
wheels or wheel housings.
Using tire chains on the vehicle.
Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM
sensors.
General Information
The following regulatory statement applies to all
Radio Frequency (RF) devices equipped in this
vehicle:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules and with Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada license-exempt
RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interfer
-
ence, and

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR
d`Innovation, Science and Economic Develop -
ment applicables aux appareils radio exempts
de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux
conditions suivantes:

1. l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouil -
lage, et

2. l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le
brouillage est susceptible d'en comprom -
ettre le fonctionnement.
La operación de este equipo está sujeta a las
siguientes dos condiciones:

1. es posible que este equipo o dispositivo no cause interferencia perjudicial y

2. este equipo o dispositivo debe aceptar cual -
quier interferencia, incluyendo la que
pueda causar su operación no deseada. NOTE:
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compli
-
ance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Some of the most important safety features in
your vehicle are the restraint systems:
Occupant Restraint Systems Features
Seat Belt Systems
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air
Bags
Child Restraints
Some of the safety features described in this
section may be standard equipment on some
models, or may be optional equipment on
others. If you are not sure, ask an authorized
dealer.
Important Safety Precautions
Please pay close attention to the information in
this section. It tells you how to use your restraint
system properly, to keep you and your passen -
gers as safe as possible.
4

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210SAFETY
(Continued)
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and
uneven wear patterns. Check for stones, nails,
glass, or other objects lodged in the tread or
sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks.
Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the
tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation
pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam indi -
cator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks.
Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that
cannot be properly attached and secured to
your vehicle. If a floor mat needs to be
replaced, only use a FCA approved floor
mat for the specific make, model, and year
of your vehicle.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the
driver’s side floor area. To check for inter -
ference, with the vehicle properly parked
with the engine off, fully depress the accel-
erator, the brake, and the clutch pedal (if
present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of
any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and
place the floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on
the passenger’s side floor area.
WARNING! (Continued)
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or
slide into the driver’s side floor area when
the vehicle is moving. Objects can become
trapped under accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals and could cause a loss of vehicle
control.
NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects
could change the position of the floor mat
and may cause interference with the accel -
erator, brake, or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed and
re-installed, always properly attach carpet
to the floor and check the floor mat
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet.
Fully depress each pedal to check for inter -
ference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat has
been properly installed and is secured to
your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
WARNING! (Continued)

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226STARTING AND OPERATING
Idle Shutdown
This feature can be enabled so that the truck
will automatically shutdown when the truck has
been idling for a set period of time when the
engine is at operating temperature. Idle time
can be set in 5 minute increments between 5
and 60 minutes. See an authorized dealer to
enable this feature.
NOTE:
The idle shut down timer is disabled while the
PTO is active.
Programmable Maximum Vehicle Speed
This feature allows the owner to set a maximum
vehicle speed for the vehicle. The 2500 and
3500 Series maximum vehicle speed can be set
between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 87 mph
(140 km/h). The 4500/5500 Series maximum
vehicle speed can be set between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 85 mph (136 km/h). See an
authorized dealer to enable this feature.
NOTE:
DO NOT set the maximum vehicle speed to a
value greater than what the vehicle tires are
rated for.
Operating Precautions
Avoid Overheating The Engine
The temperature of the engine coolant (anti
-
freeze) (a mixture of 50% ethylene-glycol and
50% water) must not exceed the normal range
of the temperature gauge 240°F (116°C) with
a 21 psi (145 kPa) coolant pressure cap.
Usually the engine coolant (antifreeze)
temperature indicated during operation will be
to the left of center in the normal range of the
gauge.
Avoid Low Coolant Temperature Operation
Continual operation at low engine coolant (anti -
freeze) temperature below the normal range on
the gauge 140°F (60°C) can be harmful to the
engine. Low engine coolant (antifreeze)
temperature can cause incomplete combustion
which allows carbon and varnish to form on
piston rings and injector nozzles. Also, the
unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting
the lubricating oil and causing rapid wear to the
engine.
Cooling System Tips
To reduce potential for engine and transmission
overheating in high ambient temperature condi -
tions, take the following actions:
City Driving — When stopped, shift the trans -
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine
idle speed.
Highway Driving — Reduce your speed.
City Traffic
Maximum GCWR -Three
Highway Speeds Maximum GCWR -Four
Uphill Grade Maximum GCWR HotFive
Driving Condition Load Turbocharger Temperature Idle Time (min.) Before Engine
Shutdown

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248STARTING AND OPERATING
vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further informa -
tion.
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 traction and maximum pulling
power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
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 driveshafts 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.
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 driveshafts 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 circum
-
ference 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, as this can
cause damage to driveline components. 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 temperatures.
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.

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250STARTING AND OPERATING
Transfer Case Position Indicator Light
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in
the instrument cluster is used to alert the driver
that the front axle is fully engaged and all four
wheels are driving.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
Description
This air suspension system is a rear leveling ride
height system. The main purpose of this system
is to maintain the truck’s rear ride height level.
There are two selectable heights that can be
chosen based on your operating conditions.
The system requires that the ignition be in the
ON/RUN position or the engine running with
zero vehicle speed for all user requested
changes and load leveling.
Rear Leveling Ride Height Switch

Normal Ride Height (NRH) – This is the standard
position of the suspension and is meant for
normal driving. It will automatically adjust to
maintain the rear ride height as conditions
change.
Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) – Lowers the
vehicle approximately 1 inch (25 mm) for a level
truck, to be used as required while trailer
towing. It will automatically adjust to maintain
the rear ride height as conditions change.
Trailer Decoupling/Unloading - The air suspen-
sion system will continue to load level after the
vehicle has been turned off for 10 minutes
without compressor activation. This allows for
easy removal of a trailer and/or load from the
back of the truck by maintaining the ride height.
After 10 minutes you will need to turn the igni -tion to the run position for the air suspension to
re-level due to addition/removal of load in the
vehicle. If the air suspension system is disabled
using the settings menu (Tire Jack Mode, Trans
-
port Mode, Alignment Mode, or Bed Lowering
Mode) the system will remain disabled when
the vehicle is turned off. Reactivating the air
suspension can be accomplished via the
settings menu or driving the vehicle above
5 mph (8 km/h) for Tire Jack Mode, Alignment
Mode, Transport Mode and Bed Lowering
Mode.
NOTE:
Most 3500 models will not lower to Alternate
Trailer Height (ATH) when unloaded.
Refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting And
Operating” for further information.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high
pressure volume of air to operate the system.
To avoid personal injury or damage to the
system, see your authorized dealer for
service.

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256STARTING AND OPERATING
firm grip on the steering wheel and maintain a
good driving posture. Avoid sudden accelera -
tions, turns or braking. In most cases there are
no road signs, posted speed limits or signal
lights. Therefore you will need to use your own
good judgment on what is safe and what isn't.
When on a trail you should always be looking
ahead for surface obstacles and changes in
terrain. The key is to plan your future driving
route while remembering what you are currently
driving over.
When To Use Low Range
When driving off-road, shift into 4WD LOW for
additional traction or to improve handling and
control on slippery or difficult terrain. Due to the lower gearing, low range will allow the engine to
operate in a higher power range. This will allow
you to idle over obstacles and down hills, with
improved control and less effort. Also, use 4WD
LOW in rain, ice, snow, mud, and sand to get
heavy loads rolling, improve traction, or when
-
ever 4WD HIGH traction will not do the job.
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
There is a drastic reduction in traction when
driving in snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be
less responsive to steering, acceleration and
braking inputs. Therefore you should accelerate
slowly, leave greater stopping distances and
avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to
keep a slow constant steady pace. The key is to
maintain the vehicle's momentum.
Snow – In heavy snow or for additional
control and traction at slower speeds, shift
the transmission to a low gear and shift the
transfer case to 4WD LOW if necessary. Do
not shift to a lower gear than necessary to
maintain headway. Over-revving the engine
can spin the wheels and traction will be lost.
If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your
steering wheel no more than a quarter turn
quickly back and forth, while still applying throttle. This will allow the tires to get a fresh
"bite" and help maintain your momentum.
Mud
– Deep mud creates a great deal of
suction around the tires and is very difficult to
get through. You should use 4WD LOW with a
gear low enough to maintain your momentum
without shifting. If you start to slow to a stop,
try turning your steering wheel no more than
a quarter turn quickly back and forth for addi -
tional traction. Mud holes pose an increased
threat of vehicle damage and getting stuck.
They are normally full of debris from previous
vehicles getting stuck. As a good practice
before entering any mud hole, get out and
determine how deep it is, if there are any
hidden obstacles and if the vehicle can be
safely recovered if stuck.
Sand – Soft sand is very difficult to travel
through with full tire pressure. When crossing
soft sandy spots in a trail, maintain your
vehicle's momentum and do not stop. The
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down
cargo. Unsecured cargo can become
projectiles in an off-road situation.
CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or
other combustible materials. The heat from
your vehicle exhaust system could cause a
fire.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at
high engine RPMs or vehicle speeds because
engine braking may cause skidding and loss
of control.

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STARTING AND OPERATING257
key to driving in soft sand is using the appro -
priate tire pressure, accelerating slowly,
avoiding abrupt maneuvers and maintaining
the vehicle's momentum. If you are going to
be driving on large soft sandy areas or dunes,
reduce your tire pressure to a minimum of
15 psi (103 kPa) to allow for a greater tire
surface area. Reduced tire pressure will dras -
tically improve your traction and handling,
while driving on the soft sand, but you must
return the tires to normal air pressure before
driving on pavement or other hard surfaces.
Be sure you have a way to air the tires back
up prior to reducing the pressure.
Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points)
While driving off road, you will encounter many
types of terrain. These varying types of terrain
bring different types of obstacles. Before
proceeding review the path ahead to determine the correct approach and your ability to safely
recover the vehicle if something goes wrong.
Keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel, bring
the vehicle to a complete stop and then inch the
vehicle forward until it makes contact with the
object. Apply the throttle lightly while holding a
light brake pressure and ease the vehicle up
and over the object.
Using A Spotter
There are many times where it is hard to see the
obstacle or determine the correct path. Deter
-
mining the correct path can be extremely diffi -
cult when you are confronting many obstacles.
In these cases have someone guide you over,
through, or around the obstacle. Have the
person stand a safe distance in front of you
where they can see the obstacle, watch your
tires and undercarriage, and guide you through.
Crossing Large Rocks
When approaching large rocks, choose a path
which ensures you drive over the largest with your tires. This will lift your undercarriage over
the obstacle. The tread of the tire is tougher and
thicker than the side wall and is designed to
take the abuse. Always look ahead and make
every effort to cross the large rocks with your
tires.
Crossing A Ravine, Gully, Ditch, Washout Or
Rut
When crossing a ravine, gully, ditch, washout or
a large rut, the angled approach is the key to
maintaining your vehicle's mobility. Approach
these obstacles at a 45-degree angle and let
each tire go through the obstacle inde
-
pendently. You need to use caution when
crossing large obstacles with steep sides. Do
not attempt to cross any large obstacle with
steep sides at an angle great enough to put the
vehicle at risk of a rollover. If you get caught in
a rut, dig a small trench to the right or left at a
45-degree angle ahead of the front tires. Use
CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressures may cause tire
unseating and total loss of air pressure. To
reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a
reduced tire pressure, reduce your speed and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
WARNING!
Crossing obstacles can cause abrupt steering
system loading which could cause you to
loose control of your vehicle.
CAUTION!
Never attempt to straddle a rock that is
large enough to strike your axles or under -
carriage.
Never attempt to drive over a rock which is
large enough to contact the door sills.5

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STARTING AND OPERATING261
around your tires putting you and your vehicle
in jeopardy. There is still a high risk of
personal injury and vehicle damage with
slower water currents in depths greater than
the vehicle's running ground clearance. You
should never attempt to cross flowing water
which is deeper than the vehicle's running
ground clearance. Even the slowest current
can push the heaviest vehicle downstream
out of control if the water is deep enough to
push on the large surface area of the
vehicle's body. Before you proceed deter -
mine the speed of the current, the water's
depth, approach angle, bottom condition and
if there are any obstacles, then cross at an
angle heading slightly upstream using the
low and slow technique.Airing Down For Off-Road Driving
Running lower tire pressure off-road can
improve your ride comfort and vehicle traction.
Reducing the tire air pressure allows the tire to
bulge slightly, improving its surface area for
better flotation and ability to mold or form to the
ground contour. Different terrain, tires, and
vehicles require different tire pressure. Hard
surfaces like rock and heavier vehicles require
higher pressures than softer surfaces such as
sand and lighter vehicles. You will need to
experiment to determine what is right for your
situation. It is easier and faster to let air out
than it is to replace it. Start high and lower it as
required. Remember you must return the tires
to normal air pressure before driving on road or
at highway conditions. Be sure you have a way
to return the tires to their normal on road air
pressure.
Vehicle Recovery
If you drive off-road, you may encounter a situa-
tion where you will need to recover your vehicle.
Vehicle recovery should always be given consid -
eration before attempting a questionable
obstacle. You should never go off-road driving
without the ability to recover your vehicle from a
situation. Having another vehicle with you
usually works best for most situations. The first
thing to do is assess the situation. Why are you
stuck? Are you hung up on something? Would it
be easier to go forward or to go backward? Can
you still move the vehicle? Is there an anchor
point to winch to? Are you alone or do you have
another vehicle to help? Is there high risk of
vehicle damage during the recovery process?
Answering these questions will help you deter -
mine the best method of recovery. If you can still
move the vehicle slightly and the only issue is
slick ground, then rock cycling your vehicle
would be the first choice. If you have ample
room, an additional vehicle and there is low risk
of vehicle impact on the surroundings, then
using a tow strap to the vehicle tow hooks would
be fast and easy. If the vehicle is severely hung
up or in a situation where great care needs to be
taken during the recovery, then nothing can do
the job better than a winch. If you are severely
WARNING!
Never drive through fast moving deep water. It
can push your vehicle downstream, sweeping
it out of control. This could put you and your
passengers at risk of injury or drowning.
CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of
tire damage and may cause tire unseating
with total loss of air pressure. To reduce the
risk of tire unseating, while at a reduced tire
pressure, drive at slower speeds and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
5

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