Ram 2500 2013 Owner's Manual

10. AUTO Temperature Control
Controls airflow temperature, distribution, volume, and
the amount of air recirculation automatically. Press and
release to select. Refer to “Automatic Operation” for
more information. Performing this function will cause
the ATC to switch between manual mode and automatic
modes.
11. SYNC
Press the Sync soft-key to toggle the Sync feature On/Off.
The Sync indicator is illuminated when this feature is
enabled. Sync is used to synchronize the passenger
temperature setting with the driver temperature setting.
Changing the passenger temperature setting while in
Sync will automatically exit this feature.
Automatic Operation
1. Press the AUTO hard-key or soft-key button on theAutomatic Temperature Control (ATC) Panel. 2. Next, adjust the temperature you would like the
system to maintain by adjusting the driver and pas-
senger temperature hard or soft control buttons. Once
the desired temperature is displayed, the system will
achieve and automatically maintain that comfort level.
3. When the system is set up for your comfort level, it is not necessary to change the settings. You will experi-
ence the greatest efficiency by simply allowing the
system to function automatically.
NOTE:
• It is not necessary to move the temperature settings for
cold or hot vehicles. The system automatically adjusts
the temperature, mode, and blower speed to provide
comfort as quickly as possible.
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•The temperature can be displayed in U.S. or Metric
units by selecting the US/M customer-programmable
feature. Refer to the “Uconnect® System Settings” in
this section of the manual.
To provide you with maximum comfort in the Automatic
mode, during cold start-ups the blower fan will remain
on low until the engine warms up. The blower will
increase in speed and transition into Auto mode.
Recirculation Control
When outside air contains smoke, odors, or
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired,
you may wish to recirculate interior air by
pressing the RECIRCULATION control button.
Recirculation mode should only be used temporarily. The
recirculation LED will illuminate on the soft and hard
keys when either button is selected. Push either soft or hard key a second time to turn off the Recirculation mode
LED and allow outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:
In cold weather, use of Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The recirculation
feature may be unavailable (soft-key button greyed out)
if conditions exist that could create fogging on the inside
of the windshield. On systems with Manual Climate
Controls, the recirculation mode is not allowed in Defrost
mode to improve window clearing operation. Recircula-
tion will be disabled automatically if this mode is se-
lected. Attempting to use Recirculation while in this
mode will cause the LED in the control button to blink
and then turn off.
330 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
A solution of 50% ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant and
50% water is recommended. Refer to “Maintenance Pro-
cedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper cool-
ant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 331

NOTE:Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will au-
tomatically adjust the climate control settings to reduce
or eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, can cause
odor, and if they enter the plenum they could plug the
water drains. In Winter months make sure the air intake
is clear of ice, slush and snow.
332 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Tips Chart
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 333

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................342
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .342
▫ Automatic Transmission ................342
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................343
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .343
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C) ......................... .345
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................345
▫ After Starting ....................... .346
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......346▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .346
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP............................. .347
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .348
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Start Stop System . .350
▫ To Manually Turn On The Start Stop System . .350
▫ System Malfunction ....................351
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .351
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............352
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............354
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .354
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission – If
Equipped .......................... .355
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission If Equipped —
1500 Models Only .....................364
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission (5.7L Engine)
— 2500/3500 Models Only ..............377
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .388
▫
Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If Equipped . . .388
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................392
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................398 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................404
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED . .410
▫ Description ......................... .410
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................414
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................416
▫ Operation .......................... .416
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM (POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ...........418
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .420
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .422
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... .422
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........425
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .427
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .429
▫ Driving Through Water .................432
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving .........435
▫ Vehicle Recovery ..................... .436
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................440
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............441
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........442
▫ Acceleration ........................ .442
▫ Traction ........................... .442
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............443
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................443
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................443
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............445
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................445
 WINCH USAGE (POWER WAGON ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .446
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .446
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .448
▫ Winch Accessories ....................450
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................451
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................464
 POWER STEERING .....................466
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STARTING AND OPERATING 337

▫Power Steering Fluid Check ..............467
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE ONLY
– IF EQUIPPED ....................... .468
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .468
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .470
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........471
▫ Hydraulic Brake Assist – 2500/3500 Models Only
– Except Power Wagon ..................472
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .473
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............473
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) – If Equipped . .474
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped . . . .474
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ........475▫
Hill Descent Control (HDC) – If Equipped (Power
Wagon Only) ....................... .479
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – If
Equipped .......................... .480
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ............484
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped . . . .485
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............487
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .487
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........490
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........492
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........493
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........498
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .498
338 STARTING AND OPERATING