trailer Ram ProMaster 2016 Owner's Manual

WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your ve-
hicle could go too fast for the conditions, and you
could lose control and have an accident. Do not use
Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, icy, snow-covered or slippery.
PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST — IF
EQUIPPED
The ParkSense Rear Park Assist system provides an
audible indication of the distance between the rear
fascia/bumper and a detected obstacle when backing up,
e.g. during a parking maneuver. Refer to ParkSense
System Usage Precautions for limitations of this system
and recommendations.The ParkSense Rear Park Assist is automatically acti-
vated when the transmission is placed into REVERSE. As
the distance from an obstacle behind the vehicle de-
creases, the audible alert becomes more frequent.
Interaction With Trailer Towing
The Rear Park Assist system is automatically deactivated
when a trailer is hitched to the vehicle. The system will be
automatically activated as soon as the trailer is removed.
ParkSense Rear Park Assist Sensors
The four ParkSense Rear Park Assist sensors, located in
the rear fascia/bumper, monitor the area behind the
vehicle that is within the sensors’ field of view. The
sensors can detect obstacles, in the horizontal direction,
from approximately 12 inches (30 cm) up to 55 inches
(140 cm) from the center of the rear fascia/bumper and
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107

PARKING BRAKE ..................... .239
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .241
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .241
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .241
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............243
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............244
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........244
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............248
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................249
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............251
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .251
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........254
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........256▫
Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........257
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........262
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .262
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................263
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .265
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .265
▫ Tire Types .......................... .266
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............268
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............268
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .271
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................271
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .272
▫ Replacement Tires .....................273
218 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......274
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....276

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) . .277
▫ Base System ........................ .279
▫ General Information ...................281
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................282
▫ 3.6L Engine ......................... .282
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................283
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............283
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......284
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................284
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................284
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................285 ▫
Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............286
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .287
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............287
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............288
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................289
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............289
 TRAILER TOWING .....................292
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............292
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .304
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................305
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .305
▫ Recreational Towing — Automatic
Transmission ........................ .306
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STARTING AND OPERATING 219

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), select Tow/Haul mode or
use the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control (refer
to
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation in this
section for further information) to select a lower gear
range. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range
will improve performance and extend transmission life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 229

When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, push the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/
HAUL mode. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission overheating or failure due
to excessive shifting. When operating in TOW/HAUL
mode, transmission upshifts are delayed, and the trans-
mission will automatically downshift (for engine brak-
ing) during steady braking maneuvers.
The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode
has been activated. Pushing the switch a second time
restores normal operation. Normal operation is always
the default at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is
desired, the switch must be pushed each time the engine
is started.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
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
•
The torque converter clutch will not engage, until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is
normal. Using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift
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STARTING AND OPERATING 233

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic brake
systems. If either of the two hydraulic systems loses
normal capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion. However, there will be some loss of overall braking
effectiveness. You may notice increased pedal travel
during application, greater pedal force required to slow
or stop, and potential activation of the “Brake System
Warning Light”.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine off) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Traction Control
System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS) and Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), Trailer Sway Control (TSC), and
Hill Start Assist (HSA). These systems complement the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) by optimizing the vehicle
braking capability during emergency braking maneu-
vers.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Four-Wheel ABS is designed to aid the driver in
maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking con-
ditions. The system operates with a separate computer to
modulate hydraulic pressure, to prevent wheel lock-up
and to help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 241

WARNING!(Continued)
enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC sys-
tem is reduced.
• Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is disabled when the
ESC system is in the Partial Offmode.
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”
mode by pushing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situa-
tion requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pushing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. It should turn off with the engine
running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this
light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the
vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 247

The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac-
celeration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions.
NOTE:
•The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen-
tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
• Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation. The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate
actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system may
reduce engine power and apply the brake of the appro-
priate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC
will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. Note that TSC cannot stop
all trailers from swaying. Always use caution when
towing a trailer and follow the trailer tongue weight
recommendations. Refer to “Trailer Towing” in this sec-
tion for further information. When TSC is functioning,
the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will
flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may
feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESC system is in the “Partial Off” mode.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the
brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. Thesystem will release brake pressure in proportion to the
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•
Vehicle must be stopped.
• Vehicle must be on a 6% (approximate) grade or
greater hill.
• Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
HSA will work in REVERSE and all forward gears when
the activation criteria have been met. The system will not
activate if the vehicle is placed in NEUTRAL or PARK.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 249

WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills with a loaded
vehicle, or while pulling a trailer, when the system
will not activate and slight rolling may occur. This
could cause a collision with another vehicle or object.
Always remember the driver is responsible for brak-
ing the vehicle.
Towing With HSA
HSA will provide assistance when starting on a grade
when pulling a trailer.
WARNING!
•If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
brake pedal is released, there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a
hill and this could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid
rolling down the hill while resuming acceleration,
manually activate the trailer brake prior to releas-
ing the brake pedal. Always remember the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
• HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle
on a hill without putting the transmission in PARK
and using the parking brake, it will roll down the
hill and could cause a collision with another ve-
hicle or object. Always remember to use the park-
ing brake while parking on a hill, and that the
driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
250 STARTING AND OPERATING