DODGE RAM 1500 GAS 2005 3.G Owners Manual

Operating Tips Chart
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 221
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Ignition/Starter Switch...................228
▫Lock..............................228
▫Off ...............................228
▫On................................228
▫Start..............................228
▫ACC ..............................229
▫Manual Transmission Key Release Button....229
▫Key Reminder.......................229

Starting Procedures.....................229▫Manual Transmission..................229
▫Automatic Transmission................230
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................230
▫Engine Block Heater— If Equipped.........231
▫After Starting........................232

Transmission Shifting....................232
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive.....232
▫Manual Transmission..................238

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 241
5

▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................242
▫Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case..............................244
▫Transfer Case Reminder Light............245
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................246
▫Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................250

Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped.......253

Parking Brake.........................254

Brake System..........................255
▫3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only........256
▫Brake Noise.........................256▫Rear Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System — RWAL.....................256
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System — If Equipped..................257

Power Steering........................259

Tire Safety Information...................259
▫Tire Markings........................259
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........263
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........264

Tires—General Information................268
▫Tire Pressure.........................268
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................269
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................272
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........272
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........273
▫Tire Spinning........................274
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................275
▫Replacement Tires.....................276
▫Alignment And Balance.................277

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information.......277

Tire Chains...........................278

Snow Tires...........................280

Tire Rotation Recommendations............280
▫Dual Rear Wheels.....................281

Fuel Requirements......................282
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................283▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............284
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................284
▫Materials Added To Fuel................285
▫Adding Fuel.........................285
▫Fuel System Cautions..................287
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............288

Flexible Fuel—(Fleet Vehicles Only)..........289
▫E-85 General Information................289
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................289
▫Fuel Requirements....................290
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......290
▫Starting............................290
STARTING AND OPERATING 225
5

▫Cruising Range.......................291
▫Replacement Parts.....................291
▫Maintenance.........................291

Catalytic Converter.....................291

Vehicle Loading........................293
▫Certification Label.....................293

Trailer Towing.........................296
▫Definitions..........................296
▫Axle Lubricant And Trailer Towing.........298
▫Trailer Towing Recommendations..........298
▫Trailer Towing — Hitches...............299
▫Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric
Trailer Brakes........................300▫Trailer Weight And Trailer Tongue Weight....301
▫Trailer Towing Information
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........302
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......303
▫Cooling System Tips — Trailer Towing......303
▫Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature
Warning Light.......................304
▫Towing With An Automatic Transmission....304

Snowplow............................305
▫Dodge Ram 1500 Models................305
▫Before Plowing.......................306
▫Snowplow Model Prep Package Availability . . 306
▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached...........................307
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Methods For Removing Snow............308
▫Operating Tips.......................308
▫General Maintenance...................308

Recreational Towing — 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................309
▫Recreational Towing – 2 Wheel Drive
Models............................309
▫Recreational Towing Procedure — Manual
Shift Transfer Case — If Equipped.........310▫Returning To Normal Operation — Manual
Shift Transfer Case....................311
▫Recreational Towing Procedure — Electronic
Shift Transfer Case — If Equipped.........313
▫Returning To Normal Operation — Electronic
Shift Transfer Case....................315

Driving Off-Road.......................317

Traction.............................318

Equipment Identification Plate.............318
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5

IGNITION/STARTER SWITCH
LOCK
Locks the automatic transmission shift control into the
PARK position. It also engages the steering wheel lock (if
equipped) when the steering wheel is turned.NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
OFF
Unlocks the steering wheel (if equipped with locking
wheel) and the automatic transmission shift control with
engine off.
ON
This is the normal running position.
START
Starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key.
The ignition key will return to the ON position for
normal driving.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

ACC
Allows the electrical accessories to be used when the
engine is not running.
Manual Transmission Key Release Button
To remove the key on vehicles equipped with manual
transmissions, turn the key to the Lock position and press
the button to remove the ignition key.
Key Reminder
An alarm will sound to remind you if the key is left in the
ignition and the driver’s door is opened.
STARTING PROCEDURES
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch is fully depressed.
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5

Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Startingof either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
normal starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15–seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
230 STARTING AND OPERATING