snow chains Ram 1500 2011 Owner's Manual

▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 403
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped . . . 405
 Tire Safety Information ................. 406
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 406
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 409
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 410
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 411
 Tires — General Information ............. 415
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 415
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 416
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 417
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 418 ▫
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 419
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 419
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 420
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 420
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 421
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 422
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 422
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 423
 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information — If
Equipped ............................ 424
 Tire Chains .......................... 425
 Snow Tires .......................... 427
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 428
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appro-
priate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
All Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles And Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles In 2WD, 4WD AUTO, Or 4WD
LOCK Modes Can Choose The Following ESC
Operating Modes:
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 2WD/4WD
AUTO/4WD LOCK modes and in 2WD vehicles. When-
ever the vehicle is started or the transfer case (if
equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOW or Neutral, back to
4WD LOCK or 4WD AUTO, the ESC system will be inthis mode. This mode should be used for almost all
driving situations. ESC should only be turned to “Partial
Off” or “ESP Off” for specific reasons as noted below.
ESC Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESC
Off” switch. When in
Partial Offmode, the TCS portion
of ESC, except for the “limited slip” feature described in
the TCS section, has been disabled and the ESC Off
Indicator Light will be illuminated. All other stability
features of ESC function normally. This mode is intended
to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than ESC would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESC on
again, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch. This will
restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation.
NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 401

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not install tire chains on front wheels of 4x2
vehicles.
•Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
•Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instructions
on method of installation, operating speed, and
conditions for usage. Always use the lower sug-
gested operating speed of the chain manufacturer
if different than the speed recommended by the
manufacturer.
These cautions apply to all chain traction devices, includ-
ing link and cable (radial) chains.
NOTE:
•On 4x2 and 4x4 1500 model trucks, the use of class “S”
snow chains is permitted on the rear wheels only of
trucks equipped with P265/70R17 tires.
•On 4x2 2500 model trucks, the use of class “U” snow
chains is permitted on the rear wheels only of trucks
equipped with LT245/70R17E or LT265/70R17E tires.
•On 4x4 2500 model trucks, the use of class “U” snow
chains is permitted on the rear wheels only of trucks
equipped with LT245/70R17E, LT265/70R17E, or
LT285/70R17D tires.
•On 4x2 and 4x4 3500 SRW (Single Rear Wheel) model
trucks, the use of class “U” snow chains is permitted
on the rear wheels only of trucks equipped with
LT265/70R17E tires.
•On 4x2 and 4x4 3500 DRW (Dual Rear Wheel) model
trucks, the use of class “U” snow chains is permitted
on the front and rear wheels of trucks equipped with
LT235/80R17E tires.
426 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Do not use tire chains on the front wheels of any
model except for 3500 DRW (Dual Rear Wheel)
trucks equipped with LT235/80R17E tires. There may
not be adequate clearance for the chains and you are
risking structural or body damage to your vehicle. Do
not use tire chains on the rear wheels of 1500 model
trucks equipped with LT275/70R17, P275/60R20, or
285/45R22 tires. There may not be adequate clearance
for the chains and you are risking structural or body
damage to your vehicle.
SNOW TIRES
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the winter. All season tires can be identified by the
M+S designation on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may adversely affect the
safety and handling of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should
not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph
(120 km/h). For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to
original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for
recommended safe operating speeds, loading and cold
tire inflation pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid
and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states pro-
hibit studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 427

turn off. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to
20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the
TPMS to receive this information.
Check TPMS Warning
If a system fault is detected, the TPM Telltale Light will
flash on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.
The system fault will also sound a chime. If the ignition
switch is cycled, this sequence will repeat, providing the
system fault still exists. The TPM Telltale Light will turn
off when the fault condition no longer exists. A system
fault can occur due to any of the following:
1. Signal interference due to electronic devices or driving
next to facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as
the TPM sensors.
2. Installing aftermarket window tinting that contains
materials that may block radio wave signals.3. Accumulation of snow or ice around the wheels or
wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors.
Vehicles With Full Size Spare
1. The matching full size spare wheel and tire assembly
has a TPM sensor that can be monitored by the TPMS.
2. If you install the full size spare in place of a road tire
that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning limit,
upon the next ignition switch cycle, a chime will sound
and the TPM Telltale Light will turn ON.
3. Driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
(24 km/h) will turn off the TPM Telltale Light, as long as
no tire pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit
in any of the four active road tires.
434 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the ignition switch is cycled, this sequence will repeat,
providing the system fault still exists. If the system fault
no longer exists, the TPM Telltale Light will no longer
flash, and theCHECK TPM SYSTEM message will no
longer display, and a pressure value will display in place
of the dashes. A system fault can occur due to any of the
following:
1. Signal interference due to electronic devices or driving
next to facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as
the TPM sensors.
2. Installing aftermarket window tinting that contains
materials that may block radio wave signals.
3. Accumulation of snow or ice around the wheels or
wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors. Vehicles With Full Size Spare
1. The matching full size spare wheel and tire assembly
has a TPM sensor that can be monitored by the TPMS.
2. If you install the full size spare in place of a road tire
that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning limit,
upon the next ignition switch cycle, a chime will sound
and the TPM Telltale Light will turn ON. In addition, the
EVIC will display a low pressure message and a graphic
showing the low tire pressure value flashing.
3. After driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (24 km/h) the TPM Telltale Light will turn OFF,
as long as no tire pressure is below the low-pressure
warning limit in any of the four active road tires.
438 STARTING AND OPERATING

Sliding Rear WindowPower ............................ 181
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 425
Snow Plow ............................ 474
Snow Tires ............................ 427
Spare Tire .......................... 419,420
Spark Plugs ............................ 582
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 134
Speedometer ........................... 211
Stabilizer/Sway Bar System ................ 344
Starting ............................. 26,309
Automatic Transmission ................ 309
Cold Weather ....................... 310
Engine Fails to Start .................. 310
Remote ............................ 26
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines) ............ 309
Steering Power .......................... 390,391
Wheel, Heated ...................... 132 Wheel, Tilt
......................... 131
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 288
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls .............................. 288
Storage Compartment, Center Seat ........... 174
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 301,569
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 569
Sun Roof .............................. 158
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information ........ 424
Sway Control, Trailer ..................... 405
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 535
System, Remote Starting .................... 26
Tachometer ............................ 210
Tailgate ............................... 198
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 295
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 210
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint .............72,76
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 131
10
INDEX 629

Tip Start.............................. 309
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...... 411,424
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 409
Tire Markings .......................... 406
Tire Safety Information .................... 406
Tires ............................ 85,415,611
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 422
Air Pressure ........................ 415
Chains ............................ 425
Compact Spare ...................... 419
Dual ........................... 429,507
General Information .................. 415
High Speed ......................... 417
Inflation Pressures .................... 416
Life of Tires ........................ 422
Load Capacity .................... 41 1,412
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 430
Pressure Warning Light ................ 221
Quality Grading ..................... 611 Radial
............................ 418
Replacement ........................ 423
Rotation ........................... 428
Safety .......................... 406,415
Sizes ............................. 407
Snow Tires ......................... 427
Spinning ........................... 421
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 422
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 462
Torque Converter Clutch ................318,324
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 515
Towing ............................ 456,518
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 518
Guide ............................. 461
Recreational ........................ 478
Weight ............................ 461
Traction .............................. 365
Traction Control ......................... 396
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................. 405
630 INDEX