2020 Ram 2500 ECU

234STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
(Continued)
(Continued)
When parking on a level surface, you may shift
the transmission into PARK first, and then apply
the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake
before shifting the transmission to PARK. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward
the curb on a downhill grade and away from the
curb on an uphill grade.
NOTE:
On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
Apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into PARK.
Turn the engine OFF.
Remove the key fob.
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substi -
tute for the parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle
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 transmission gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released. Make
sure the transmission is in PARK before
exiting the vehicle.
The transmission may not engage PARK if
the vehicle is moving. Always bring the
vehicle to a complete stop before shifting to
PARK, and verify that the transmission gear
position indicator solidly indicates PARK (P)
without blinking. Ensure that the vehicle is
completely stopped, and the PARK position
is properly indicated, before exiting the
vehicle.
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 accel -
erate quickly forward or in reverse. 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.
WARNING! (Continued)
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 come to a complete stop,
then apply the parking brake, shift the
transmission into PARK, and turn the igni -
tion OFF. When the ignition is in the OFF
mode, the transmission is locked in PARK,
securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
When exiting the vehicle, always make sure
the ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the
key fob from the vehicle, and lock the
vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat -
tended 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.
WARNING! (Continued)

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STARTING AND OPERATING239
(Continued)
(Continued)
The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have properly engaged the
transmission into the PARK position:
When shifting into PARK, pull the gear
selector toward you and move it all the way
counterclockwise until it stops.
Release the gear selector and make sure it is
fully seated in the PARK gate.
Look at the transmission gear position
display and verify that it indicates the PARK
position (P).
With brake pedal released, verify that the
gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward.
Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The
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 come to a complete stop,
then 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 trans -
mission is locked in PARK, securing the
vehicle against unwanted 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.
WARNING! (Continued)
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat -
tended 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 chil -
dren), and do not leave the ignition (in a
vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go)
in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Before moving the transmission gear
selector out of PARK, you must turn the igni -
tion to the ON/RUN mode, and also press
the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the
gear selector could result.
WARNING! (Continued)
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range,
as this can damage the drivetrain.
CAUTION! (Continued)
5

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STARTING AND OPERATING253
The locking axles are controlled by the axle
locker switch.
Under normal driving conditions, the switch
should be left in the AXLE UNLOCK position.
NOTE:
Even when the axles are in the AXLE UNLOCK
position, the limited slip differential in the rear
axle still provides torque biasing capability for
moderate low traction environments.
During the command to lock the axle, the indi -
cator light will flash until the axle is locked. After
the lock command has been successfully
executed, the light will remain on solid.
To lock the rear axle, place the vehicle in 4WD
LOW, 4WD HIGH or 2WD. Refer to “Four Wheel
Drive Operation” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information. Push the REAR LOCK
button while traveling less than 10 mph (16 km/h). The RR indicator light will remain on
when the rear axle is locked.
NOTE:
Left to right wheel speed difference may be
necessary to allow the axle to fully lock. If the
indicator light is flashing after placing the switch
in the REAR LOCK or FRONT/REAR LOCK posi
-
tion, drive the vehicle in a turn or on loose gravel
to expedite the locking action.
To lock the front axle, push the FRONT/REAR
LOCK button while traveling less than 10 mph
(16 km/h) in 4WD LOW. The indicator light will
be solid when the front axle is locked.
NOTE:
The rear axle must be locked before the front
axle will lock. When both the axles are locked, to unlock the
front axle, push the REAR LOCK button while in
4WD LOW. The FRONT/REAR LOCK indicator
light will go out when the axle is unlocked.
NOTE:
The axle lockers could be torque locked due to
side to side loads on the axle. Driving slowly
while turning the steering wheel from a left
hand turn to a right hand turn or driving in
REVERSE for a short distance may be required
to release the torque lock and unlock the axles.
To unlock the rear axle, push the AXLE UNLOCK
button. The REAR LOCK indicator light will go
out when the rear axle is unlocked.
STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic
disconnecting stabilizer/sway bar. This system
allows greater front suspension travel in
off-road situations.
Due to the use of taller springs, this vehicle has
an increased ride height of approximately
1.9 inches (48.3 mm) in the front and
1.5 inches (38.1 mm) in the rear. A major
Do not try to lock the rear axle if the vehicle
is stuck and the tires are spinning. You can
damage drivetrain components. Lock the
rear axle before attempting situations or
navigating terrain, which could possibly
cause the vehicle to become stuck.
CAUTION! (Continued)
WARNING!
Do not use the locked axle position for normal
driving. A locked front axle is intended for
off-road driving only. Locking the front axle
during on-road driving will reduce the steering
ability. This could cause a collision and you
may be seriously injured.5

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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 OPERATING269
6. Secure to the anchor point. Once you have
established your anchor point, secure the
tree-trunk protector or choker-chain around
the object.

Tree Trunk Protector

NOTE:
How to choose an anchor point: A secure
anchor is critical to winching operations. An
anchor must be strong enough to hold while
winching. Natural anchors include trees,
stumps and rocks. Hook the cable as low as
possible. If no natural anchors are available
when recovering another vehicle, your vehicle becomes the anchor point. In this case, be sure
to put the transmission in NEUTRAL, apply the
hand brake and block its wheels to prevent your
vehicle from moving. Ideally, you'll want an
anchor point that will enable you to pull straight
in the direction the vehicle will move. This
allows the synthetic rope to wind tightly and
evenly onto the spooling drum. An anchor point
as far away as possible will provide the winch
with its greatest pulling power.
7. Attach the Clevis/D-Shackle and Tree Trunk
Protector. Attach the shackle to the two
ends of the strap or chain and through the
hook, being careful not to over tighten
(tighten and back-off 1/2 turn).

Clevis/D-Shackles
8. Lock the clutch. Lock the winch drum by
rotating the clutch lever on the winch to
engage.
NOTE:
Always ensure the clutch is fully engaged or
disengaged.
9. Connect the remote control to the winch control box, located on the front bumper. Be
careful not to let the remote control cord
dangle in front of the winch. If you choose to
control the winch from inside your vehicle,
always pass the remote through a window
to avoid pinching the cord in the door.
Always disconnect the remote control when
not in use.

Winch Box Remote Control Connector

CAUTION!
Always be certain the anchor you select will
withstand the load.
5

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270STARTING AND OPERATING
10. Put synthetic rope under tension. Using the
remote control switch, slowly wind the rope
until no slack remains. Once the rope is
under tension, stand well clear of it and
never step over it.

Pulling Synthetic Rope Under Tension

11. Check your anchor. Make sure all connec -
tions are secured and free of debris before
continuing with the winching procedure.
12. Check synthetic rope. The rope should be neatly wound around the spooling drum.
Improper winding can cause damage to the
synthetic rope.
Synthetic Rope Neatly Wound Around The Spooling
Drum
Heavy Blanket Over Rope

In certain situations you may decide to
throw a heavy blanket or similar object over
the rope. A heavy blanket can absorb ener -
gy should the synthetic rope break. Place it
on the rope midway between the winch and
the anchor point. Do this before the rope is put under tension. Do not approach or move
the blanket once tension is applied. Do not
allow it to get pulled into the fairlead. If it is
necessary to move or remove the blanket,
slack the tension on the rope first.
13. Establish "no people" zones: Make your
intentions clear. Be sure that everyone in
the immediate vicinity surrounding the
winching operation is completely aware of
your intentions before you pull. Declare
where the spectators should not stand —
never behind or in front of the vehicle and
never near the synthetic rope or snatch
block. Your situation may have other "no
people" zones.

No People Zones

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STARTING AND OPERATING271
14. Begin winching. With the winching vehicles
engine on and light tension already on the
synthetic rope, begin winching slowly and
steadily. Be sure that the rope is winding
evenly and tightly around the spooling
drum. For additional assistance, the
winched vehicle can be slowly driven while
being pulled by the winch. Continue pulling
until the vehicle is on stable ground. If you
are able to drive the vehicle, the winching
operation is complete.

Using The Remote Control

NOTE:
Avoid overheating the winch motor. For extended winching, stop at reasonable
intervals to allow the winch motor to cool
down.
What to look for under load: The synthetic rope must always spool onto the drum as
indicated by the drum rotation decal on
the winch. As you power-in, make sure
the synthetic rope winds evenly and
tightly on the drum. This prevents the
outer rope wraps from drawing into the
inner wraps, binding and damaging the
synthetic rope. Avoid shock loads by
using the control switch intermittently to
take up rope slack. Shock loads can
momentarily far exceed the winch and
synthetic rope ratings. During side pulls
the synthetic rope tends to stack up at
one end of the drum. This stack can
become large enough to cause serious
damage to the winch. So, line up pulls as
straight ahead as possible and stop
winching if the synthetic rope comes
close to the tie rods or mounting plate. To
fix an uneven stack, spool out that
section of the rope and reposition it to
the opposite end of the drum, which will
free up space for continued winching.
15. Secure vehicle. Once recovery of the vehicle is complete, be sure to secure the vehicle's
brakes and shift the transmission to PARK.
Release tension in the synthetic rope. 16. Disconnect the synthetic rope, and discon
-
nect from the anchor.
17. Rewind the synthetic rope. The person handling the synthetic rope should walk the
rope in and not let it slide through the hand,
control the winch at all times.

Rewinding The Synthetic Rope

WARNING!
To prevent serious injury, NEVER put your
fingers inside the hook area as you are
powering-in.
5

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272STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
How to spool under no load: Arrange the remote
control lead so it cannot be caught in the winch.
Arrange the synthetic rope so it will not kink or
tangle when spooled. Be sure any synthetic
rope already on the spooling drum is wound
tightly and evenly layered. Tighten and
straighten the layer if necessary. Keep the
synthetic rope under light tension and spool the
rope back and onto the winch drum in even
layers. Stop frequently to tighten and straighten
the layers as necessary. Repeat this process
until the winch hook is the same distance as the
full length of the remote control from the winch.
Pinch the hook between your thumb and fore -
finger and attach the hook strap. Hold the hook
strap between the thumb and forefinger to keep
tension on the synthetic rope. Walk the
synthetic rope towards the fairlead, carefully
spooling in the remaining rope by pulsing the
remote control switch.
18. Store the hook on the most outboard loop of the hawse fairlead.
Hook In Stored Position

19. Disconnect the remote control. Disconnect the remote control cord from the control box
and store in a clean and dry place. Winching
operations are now complete. Put the cap
on the solenoid plug-in.
NOTE:
Always store the remote control in a protected,
clean, dry area.
Rigging Techniques
Various winching situations will require applica-
tion of other winching techniques. These could
range from too little distance to achieve
maximum pull using straight line rigging, simply
increasing pulling power, or maintaining a
straight-line pulling situation. You will have to assess what technique is correct for your situa
-
tion. Think "safety" at all times.
How To Change The Pulling Direction

Change Pulling Directions

All winching operations should have a straight
line from the winch to the object being pulled.
This minimizes the synthetic rope collecting on
one side of the drum affecting pulling efficiency
and damaging synthetic rope. A snatch block,
secured to a point directly in front of the vehicle
will enable you to change your pulling direction
while still allowing the synthetic rope to be at
90° to wind properly onto the spooling drum.

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