wheel DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2005 3.G Owner's Manual

▫Operating Precautions..................235
▫Cooling System Tips — Automatic
Transmission........................236

Transmission Shifting....................237
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive— If
Equipped...........................237
▫Manual Transmission — 6-Speed — If
Equipped...........................241

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 243
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................243
▫Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case..............................246
▫Transfer Case Reminder Light............247
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................247▫Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................251

Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped.......254

Parking Brake.........................255

Brake System..........................256
▫Brake Noise.........................257
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System........257

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

Tire Safety Information...................260
▫Tire Markings........................260
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........263
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........264

Tires—General Information................268
▫Tire Pressure.........................268
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................269
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................271
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........272
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........273
▫Tire Spinning........................273
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................274
▫Replacement Tires.....................275
▫Alignment And Balance.................276

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information.......276

Tire Chains...........................276

Snow Tires...........................278

Tire Rotation Recommendations............279
▫Dual Rear Wheels.....................280

Engine Runaway.......................281
Fuel Requirements......................281
▫Adding Fuel.........................282
▫Bulk Fuel Storage.....................284
▫Fuel Specifications....................284

Vehicle Loading........................286
▫Certification Label.....................286

Trailer Towing.........................289
▫Definitions..........................289
▫Axle Lubricant And Trailer Towing.........291
▫Trailer Towing Recommendations..........291
▫Trailer Towing — Hitches...............292
▫Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric
Trailer Brakes........................293
▫Trailer Weight And Trailer Tongue Weight....294
STARTING AND OPERATING 221
5

▫Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................295
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......296
▫Cooling System Tips — Trailer Towing......297
▫Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature
Warning Light.......................298
▫Towing With An Automatic Transmission....298

Snowplow............................298
▫Before Plowing.......................299
▫Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 299
▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached...........................300
▫Methods For Removing Snow............301
▫Operating Tips.......................301
▫General Maintenance...................301
Recreational Towing — 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................302
▫Recreational Towing – 2 Wheel Drive
Models............................302
▫Recreational Towing Procedure — Manual
Shift Transfer Case — If Equipped.........303
▫Returning To Normal Operation — Manual
Shift Transfer Case....................305
▫Recreational Towing Procedure — Electronic
Shift Transfer Case — If Equipped.........306
▫Returning To Normal Operation — Electronic
Shift Transfer Case....................308

Driving Off-Road.......................310

Traction.............................311

Engine Data Plate......................311
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
5

“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!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in P. Make
sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.
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.
“R” Reverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch. For accelera-
tion at speeds less than 15 mph (25 km/h), 2nd gear is
recommended.
CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the
engine which can cause valve damage.
FOUR-WHEEL- DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
•
Four-Wheel-Drive Dodge Ram Trucks are equipped
with either a Manually Shifted transfer case or an
Electronically 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 positions-2(rear)-
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 243
5

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.
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2H
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4H
4-Wheel-Drive High Range - Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
N
Neutral - Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle. See Recreational Towing for more infor-
mation.
4L
4-Wheel-Drive Low Range - Low speed 4-wheel-drive.
Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces the
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.
Additional traction and maximum pulling power for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
STARTING AND OPERATING 245
5

NOTE:Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty may oc-
cur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch
teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The pre-
ferred method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5
km/h).
NOTE:Do not attempt to shift to or from 4L while the
transmission is in gear or clutch is engaged.
Transfer Case Reminder Light
The four-wheel-drive operating light (4WD), located in
the instrument cluster, is used to alert the driver that the
front axle is fully engaged and all four wheels are
driving.
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
This is an electric shift transfer case and is operated by
the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case Switch), which is
located on the instrument panel.
The Electronically Shifted transfer case provides 4 mode
positions: 2 (rear) wheel drive high range or all wheel
drive high range, 4 wheel drive high range, 4 wheel drive
low range, and neutral.
The Electronically Shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the 2 wheel drive position (2WD) or all wheel
drive position (AWD) for normal street and highway
conditions (dry hard surfaced roads).
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4HI and 4LO 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 rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the desired
STARTING AND OPERATING 247
5

position - see Shifting Procedure section for specific
shifting instructions. The 4HI and 4LO positions are
designed for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving
in the 4HI and 4LO positions on dry hard surfaced roads
may cause increased tire wear and damage to the driv-
eline components.
NOTE:The transfer case Neutral (N) position is selected
by depressing the recessed button located on the lower
left hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The transfer
case Neutral (N) position is to be used for recreational
towing only. See the Recreational Towing section for
specific procedures on shifting into and out of Neutral
(N).
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights —
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
Four-Wheel-Drive Control Switch, found on your instru-
ment panel, and indicate the current and desired transfercase selection. When you select a different transfer case
position, the indicator lights will do the following:
If All Shift Conditions are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If One or More Shift Conditions are not Met
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain
ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will con-
tinue to flash.
3. The transfer casewill notshift.
248 STARTING AND OPERATING