wheel RAM CHASSIS CAB 2007 Owner's Manual

Page 226 of 532

NOTE: Pressing the  SEEK  or  SCAN  button, while
performing a music type scan, will change the channel by
one and stop the search. Pressing a pre-set memory
button during a music type scan, will call up the memory
channel and stop the search.
PTY Button  SEEK 
When the desired program is obtained, press the  SEEK 
button within five seconds. The channel will change to
the next channel that matches the program type selected.
Satellite Antenna
To ensure optimum reception on vehicles available with
a luggage rack, do not place items on the roof around the
rooftop antenna location. Metal objects placed within the
line of sight of the antenna will cause decreased perfor-
mance. Larger luggage items should be placed as far
forward as possible. Do not place items directly on or
above the antenna. Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons.
• The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
• Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception.
• Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
• Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.226 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Page 244 of 532

▫ Operating Precautions ..................263
▫ Cooling System Tips — Automatic Transmission 263
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........265
 Diesel Exhaust Brake (Engine Braking) – If
Equipped ............................265
 Automatic Transmission ..................266
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive (5 Speed
545RFE) — If Equipped .................267
▫ Automatic Transmission (6 Speed AS68RC) — If
Equipped ...........................273
 Manual Transmission ....................279
▫ Manual Transmission — 6 Speed (G56) ......280
▫ Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds ........280
▫ Downshifting – Gas Engine ..............281 ▫ Downshifting – Diesel Engine ............282
 Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 283
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ................283
▫ Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case ..............................286
▫ Transfer Case Reminder Light ............287
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch)—If
Equipped ...........................288
▫ Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case ..............................292
 Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped .......295
 Power Take Off Operation – If Equipped ......296
▫ Stationary Mode ......................296244 STARTING AND OPERATING

Page 245 of 532

▫ MobileMode ........................297
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............298
 Driving Off-Road .......................298
 Parking Brake .........................299
 Brake System ..........................301
▫ Brake Noise .........................302
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........302
 Power Steering ........................304
 Tire Safety Information ...................305
▫ Tire Markings ........................305
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........308
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........310
 Tires — General Information ...............314 ▫ Tire Pressure .........................314
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................315
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ......................317
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........318
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........319
▫ Tire Spinning ........................319
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................320
▫ LifeOfTire .........................321
▫ Replacement Tires .....................321
▫ Alignment And Balance .................322
 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information – If
Equipped ............................323
 Tire Chains ...........................323 STARTING AND OPERATING 245
5

Page 246 of 532

 Snow Tires ...........................324
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ............325
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .....................326
 Engine Runaway .......................327
 Fuel Requirements ......................327
▫ Fuel Requirements (Gas Engines) ..........327
▫ Fuel Requirements (6.7L Diesel Engines) .....331
 Adding Fuel ..........................333
▫ Adding Fuel (Gas Engines) ..............333
▫ Adding Fuel (Diesel Engines) .............335
 Vehicle Loading ........................338
▫ Certification Label .....................338
 TrailerTowing .........................341 ▫ Common Towing Definitions .............341
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............345
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................346
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............346
▫ Towing Requirements ..................347
▫ TowingTips .........................352
▫ Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped ......354
 Snowplow ............................355
▫ Before Plowing .......................356
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 357
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ...........................358
▫ Methods For Removing Snow ............358246 STARTING AND OPERATING

Page 247 of 532

▫ Operating Tips .......................358
▫ General Maintenance ...................359
 Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 360 ▫ Recreational Towing – 2 Wheel Drive Models . 360
▫ Recreational Towing – 4 Wheel Drive Models . 360 STARTING AND OPERATING 247
5

Page 267 of 532

WARNING!It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (5 Speed
545RFE) — If Equipped
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.
“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position! STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5

Page 273 of 532

Automatic Transmission (6 Speed AS68RC) — If
Equipped
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.
“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
WARNING!Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage. STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

Page 278 of 532

WARNING!Do not use the Tow/Haul feature when driving in icy
or slippery conditions as the increased engine brak-
ing can cause the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle
to swing around with the possible loss of vehicle
control, which may cause an accident possibly result-
ing in personal injury or death.
When To Lock Out Overdrive
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent 6–5–6 or 5–4–5 transmis-
sion shifting occurs, press the “TOW/HAUL” button.
This will improve performance and reduce the potential
for transmission overheating or failure due to excessive
shifting. Torque Converter Clutch
A feature, designed to improve fuel economy, has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
high gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to 1st
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE: The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the “TOW/HAUL” button, when the transmis-
sion is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of overdrive.278 STARTING AND OPERATING

Page 283 of 532

To prevent clutch and transmission damage, your vehicle
should be downshifted at speeds no greater than those
listed in the Maximum Recommended Downshifting
Speed chart.
Maximum Recommended Downshifting Speeds
Gear
Selec-
tion 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Maxi-
mum
Speed 10 mph
(16
km/h) 19 mph
(31
km/h) 32 mph
(51
km/h) 50 mph
(80
km/h) 68 mph
(109
km/h)
FOUR-WHEEL- DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-Wheel-Drive Dodge Ram Trucks are equipped with
either a Manually Shifted transfer case or an Electroni-
cally Shifted transfer case. See the operating instructions
for your transfer case, located within this section. Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The transfer case provides 4 mode position s-2(r ear)-
wheel-drive high range, 4-wheel-drive high range, neu-
tral, and 4-wheel-drive low range.
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel-
drive position (2H) for normal street and highway con-
ditions such as dry hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required the transfer case 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 shift lever to the desired positions.
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. STARTING AND OPERATING 283
5

Page 284 of 532

The 4-wheel-drive light (4WD), located in the instrument
cluster, alerts the driver that the vehicle is in 4-wheel
drive and that the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. This light illuminates when the transfer case is
shifted to either the 4H or 4L positions. There is no light
for the 2H or N (Neutral) positions.
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 4-wheel-drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference will adversely affect shifting and can
cause damage to the transfer case. NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the front and
rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift to take
place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
Because 4-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 tempera-
tures.284 STARTING AND OPERATING

Page:   < prev 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 ... 100 next >