spare tire Ram 3500 2014 Owner's Manual

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 nuts 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 indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 119

16. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light — If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and in-
flated to the inflation pressure recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
284 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

a check-mark appears next to the feature showing the
system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
Key-Off Power Delay
When this feature is selected, the power window
switches, radio, hands-free system (if equipped), DVD
video system (if equipped), power sunroof (if equipped),
and power outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned OFF. Opening either
front vehicle door will cancel this feature. To make your
selection, scroll up or down until the preferred setting is
highlighted, then press and release the SELECT button
until a check-mark appears next to the setting, showing
that the setting has been selected.
Air Suspension Display Alerts – If Equipped
When All is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will be
displayed. When Warnings Only is selected only the Air
Suspension Warnings will be displayed. To make yourselection, scroll up or down until the preferred setting is
highlighted, then press and release the SELECT button
until a check-mark appears next to the setting, showing
that the setting has been selected.
Aero Ride Height Mode (1500 Only) – If Equipped
When this feature is selected the Ride Height will auto-
matically be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed. To
make your selection, press and release the SELECT
button until a check-mark appears next to the feature
showing the system has been activated or the check-mark
is removed showing the system has been deactivated.
Tire/Jack Mode – If Equipped
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with changing a spare tire. To make
your selection, press and release the SELECT button until
a check-mark appears next to the feature showing the
system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 329

•ParkSense® Rear Park Assist Chime Volume
Rear Park Assist chime volume settings can be selected
from the EVIC or Uconnect® System (if equipped). The
chime volume settings include LOW, MEDIUM, and
HIGH. The factory default volume setting is MEDIUM.
Refer to “EVIC settings” or “Uconnect® Settings” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
• Rain Sensing Auto Wipers
When this feature is selected, the system will automati-
cally activate the windshield wipers if it senses moisture
on the windshield. To make your selection, touch the
“Rain Sensing” soft-key, until a check-mark appears next
to the setting, showing that setting has been selected.
Touch the back arrow soft-key to return to the previous
menu. •
Hill Start Assist — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the Hill Start Assist (HSA)
system is active. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Starting And Operating” for system function
and operating information. To make your selection, touch
the “Hill Start Assist” soft-key, until a check-mark ap-
pears next to the setting, showing that the setting has
been selected. Touch the back arrow soft-key to return to
the previous menu.
• Four Corner Air Suspension Modes — If Equipped
There are four air suspension modes designed to protect
the system in unique situations. Tire Jack Mode is se-
lected to assist in changing a spare tire. Transport Mode
is selected to assist when the vehicle is being flat bed
towed. Wheel Alignment Mode is selected before per-
forming a wheel alignment, refer to your authorized
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 341

Air Suspension — If Equipped
After pressing the “Suspension” soft-key the following
settings will be available.
•Sound Horn With Remote Lower
When this feature is selected, a short horn sound will
occur when the RKE transmitter REMOTE LOWER but-
ton is pressed. Touch the box next to your selection and
a check-mark appears next to the feature showing the
system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
• Flash Lights With Remote Lower
When this feature is selected, the front and rear turn
signals will flash when the RKE transmitter REMOTE
LOWER button is pressed twice. This feature may be
selected with or without the Sound Horn on Lower
feature selected. Touch the box next to your selection and
a check-mark appears next to the feature showing the system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
•
Suspension Display Messages
When All is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will be
displayed. When Warnings Only is selected only the Air
Suspension Warnings will be displayed.
• Automatic Aero Mode (1500 Model Only)
When this feature is selected the Ride Height will auto-
matically be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed.
Touch the box next to your selection and a check-mark
appears next to the feature showing the system has been
activated or the check-mark is removed showing the
system has been deactivated.
• Tire Jack Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with changing a spare tire. Touch the
box next to your selection and a check-mark appears next
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 351

▫Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........533
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........534
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........535
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........540
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .540
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................541
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .543
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .543
▫ Tire Types .......................... .544
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............545
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............546
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .548
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................548 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ .549
▫ Replacement Tires .....................550
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .551
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......552
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....554
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped ...........555
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ..........555
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .557
▫ Base System ........................ .560
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........562
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks ........................ .566
▫ General Information ...................567
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STARTING AND OPERATING 381

15 mph (24 km/h). Entry/Exit mode may not be
available due to vehicle payload, an EVIC message
will be displayed when this occurs. Refer toElectronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) inUnderstanding
Your Instrument Panel for further information.
NOTE: Entry/Exit mode may be achieved using your
key fob for easier entry/loading. Refer to “A Word About
Your Keys” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.
• When in ENTRY/EXIT setting, be aware of your
surroundings, you may not have the clearance re-
quired for certain areas and vehicle damage may
occur.
The system requires that the ignition be in ON/RUN
position or the engine running for all user requested
changes. When lowering the vehicle all of the doors, must be closed. If a door is opened at any time while the
vehicle is lowering the change will not be completed
until the open door(s) is closed.
This system uses a lifting and lowering pattern which
keeps the headlights from incorrectly shining into on-
coming traffic. When raising the vehicle, the rear of the
vehicle will move up first and then the front. When
lowering the vehicle, the front will move down first and
then the rear.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed that the
air suspension system operates briefly, this is normal. The
system is correcting the position of the vehicle to ensure
a proper appearance.
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling
to be disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
454 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:If equipped with a touch screen radio all
enabling/disabling of air suspension features must be
done through the radio. Refer to “Uconnect® Access
Settings” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pressure
volume of air to operate the system. To avoid per-
sonal injury or damage to the system, see your
authorized dealer for service.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect
the system in unique situations:
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Transport Mode
To assist with flat bed towing, the air suspension system
has a feature which will put the vehicle into Entry/Exit
height and disable the automatic load leveling system.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE: This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 455

including towing a trailer. The trailer button will blink
continuously until trailer height has been achieved.
The system requires that the ignition be in ON/RUN
position or the engine running for all user requested
changes.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed that the
air suspension system operates briefly, this is normal. The
system is correcting the position of the vehicle to ensure
a proper appearance.
NOTE:If equipped with a touch screen radio all
enabling/disabling of air suspension features must be
done through the radio. Refer to “Uconnect® Access
Settings” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pressure
volume of air to operate the system. To avoid per-
sonal injury or damage to the system, see your
authorized dealer for service.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect
the system in unique situations:
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling
to be disabled. This mode is intended to be used with
engine running. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 459

•Winching (Refer To “Winch Operation” For Addi-
tional Information) – Winching is most commonly
used in the following situations: there is no support
vehicle available, a high controlled force is required to
recover the vehicle, there is a high risk of environmen-
tal or vehicle damage, or where nothing else seems to
work. A winch can deliver a high pulling force with a
great deal of control. It allows you to walk the vehicle
out of the situation in a slow controlled manner. This
control works well for avoiding further vehicle dam-
age. Once you decide it is time to use the winch look
for a good anchor point. It needs to be strong enough
to hold more than the vehicle’s weight and provide a
direction of pull as straight as possible. Use block and
tackle if necessary to improve the angle of pull or
increase the winch’s pulling force. If the anchor point
is a tree use a strap around its base and hook the cable
to the strap. If it is another vehicle, then place that
vehicle in PARK and block the front tires. If you cannot find an anchor point within reach try using your spare
tire by burying it. Once you have determined an
anchor point hook up the cable, ensuring there are a
least five wraps of cable left on the drum, and place a
floor mat or something else over the strung out cable.
Placing something over the strung out cable helps
keep the cable on the ground if it breaks. Next, place
the vehicle in first gear and apply a very light throttle
as you power the winch in. Be careful not to allow
slack in the cable as you recover the vehicle. Do not try
to guide the cable into the drum. If it starts to bunch up
on one end, let it. You can re-spool the cable after-
wards. Never use a winch cable as a tow strap and
always stand back while winching.
482 STARTING AND OPERATING