traction control DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2009 4.G User Guide

freshbite into the surface and will usually provide
enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not
make it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and
back straight down the grade using engine resistance
along with the vehicle brakes.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn
around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline
increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in
severe injury.•
Driving Down Hill – Before driving down a steep hill
you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe
descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too
steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there
obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty of
distance at the base of the hill to regain control if the
vehicle descends too fast? If you feel confident in your ability to proceed then make sure you are in 4L (Low
Range) with the transmission in 1st gear (manually
select 1st gear on automatic transmissions) and pro-
ceed with caution. Allow engine braking to control the
descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not
allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking.
Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose
control and be seriously injured.•
Driving Across An Incline
– If at all possible avoid
driving across an incline. If it is necessary, know your
vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an incline places
more weight on the down hill wheels, which increases
the possibilities of a down hill slide or rollover. Make
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

sure the surface has good traction with firm and stable
soils. If possible transverse the incline at an angle
heading slightly up or down.
WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of a
rollover, which may result in severe injury.•
If You Stall Or Begin To Lose Headway– If you stall
or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep hill,
allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately
apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift into
REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill allowing the
compression braking of the engine and transmission to
help regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid
locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle, which may result in
severe injury. Always back carefully straight down a
hill in REVERSE. Never back down a hill in NEU-
TRAL using only the vehicle brakes. Never drive
diagonally across a hill, always drive straight up or
down.Driving Through WaterExtreme care should be taken crossing any type of water.
Water crossings should be avoided if possible and only
be attempted when necessary, in a safe responsible
manner. You should only drive through areas which are
designated and approved. You should tread lightly and
avoid damage to the environment. You should know
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

downstream out of control if the water is deep enough
to push on the large surface area of the vehicle’s body.
Before you proceed determine the speed of the current,
the water’s depth, approach angle, bottom condition
and if there are any obstacles, then cross at an angle
heading slightly upstream using the low and slow
technique.
WARNING!
Never drive through fast moving deep water. It can
push your vehicle downstream, sweeping it out of
control. This could put you and your passengers at
risk of injury or drowning.Airing Down For Off-Road DrivingRunning lower tire pressure off-road can improve your
ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing the tire air
pressure allows the tire to bulge slightly, improving its
surface area for better flotation and ability to mold orform to the ground contour. Different terrain, tires, and
vehicles require different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like
rock and heavier vehicles require higher pressures than
softer surfaces such as sand and lighter vehicles. You will
need to experiment to determine what is right for your
situation. It is easier and faster to let air out than it is to
replace it so, start high and lower it as required. Remem-
ber you must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on road or at highway conditions. Be sure
you have a way to return the tires to their normal on road
air pressure.
CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of tire dam-
age and may cause tire unseating with total loss of air
pressure. To reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at
a reduced tire pressure, drive at slower speeds and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL – IF EQUIPPEDThe limited-slip differential provides additional traction
on snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel, particularly when
there is a difference between the traction characteristics
of the surface under the right and left rear wheels. During
normal driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit per-
forms similarly to a conventional differential. On slip-
pery surfaces, however, the differential delivers more of
the driving effort to the rear wheel having the better
traction.
The limited-slip differential is especially helpful during
slippery driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a
slippery surface, a slight application of the accelerator
will supply maximum traction. When starting with only
one rear wheel on an excessively slippery surface, slight
momentary application of the parking brake may be
necessary to gain maximum traction.
WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differential
never run the engine with one rear wheel off the
ground since the vehicle may drive through the rear
wheel remaining on the ground. You could lose
control of the vehicle.
Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could
cause both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to
slide sideways on the crowned surface of a road or in a
turn.DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACESWhen driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition
of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded.
•
The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•
The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPEDYour vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist
System (BAS), HSA (Hill Start Assist), Electronic Roll
Mitigation (ERM), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and
Trailer Sway Control (TSC). All six systems work to-
gether to enhance vehicle stability and control in various
driving conditions, and are commonly referred to as ESP.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)The ABS aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
For more information about ABS, refer to “Anti-Lock
Brake System” under “Brake System” in Section 5 of this
manual.
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5

NOTE:ABS improves steering control of the vehicle
during hard braking maneuvers.
WARNING!
•
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.
•
The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•
The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Traction Control System (TCS)The TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s), and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS functions similar to a
limited-slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESP are in the
“Partial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Pro-
gram (ESP)” in this section of this manual. This brake
pressure modulation transfers drive torque from slipping
to non-slipping wheels to provide optimal forward
traction.
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•
ERM cannot prevent all wheel lift or rollovers,
especially those that involve leaving the roadway
or striking objects or other vehicles. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
•
The capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)The ESP system enhances directional control and stability
of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP
corrects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist
in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•
Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•
Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESP/TCS Indicator
Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
340 STARTING AND OPERATING

TreadwearThe Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction GradesThe Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 507
9

Dealer Service.......................... 430
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 172
Defroster, Windshield ................76,235,238
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 138
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 304
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................. 450
Power Steering ........................ 328
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 445
Door Locks ............................. 27
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 153
Driving Off-Pavement ......................... 284
Off-Road ............................ 284
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water .............................. 305
Dual Rear Wheels ..................... 365,416
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 231Electric Rear Window Defrost
............... 172
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 162
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 333
Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 333
Brake Assist System .................... 335
Electronic Roll Mitigation ................ 339
Electronic Stability Program ............... 340
Traction Control System ................. 334
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ............. 339
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 142
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) .........197,340
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........264,272
Emergency Brake ........................ 329
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 421
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 406
Jacking ............................. 409
Jump Starting ......................... 419
Tow Hooks .......................... 422
INDEX 513
10

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Indicator......................... 197,340
Engine Temperature Warning .............. 200
Exterior .............................. 76
Fog .......................... 135,193,468
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator ............... 264
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 406
Headlights ........................... 134
High Beam ........................ 137,189
High Beam Indicator .................... 189
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 137
Illuminated Entry ....................... 20
Instrument Cluster ..................... 188
Interior .......................... 132,145
Lights On Reminder .................... 135
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 194
Oil Pressure .......................... 201
Passing ............................. 137
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 189 Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)
.............. 191
Service ........................... 464,465
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 194
Side Marker .......................... 477
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 191
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........... 197
Traction Control ....................... 340
Transfer Case ......................... 264
Transmission Warning ................... 199
Turn Signal ................... 76,136,465,469
Voltage ............................. 201
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 188
Limited-Slip Differential ................... 304
Loading Vehicle ......................... 381
Tires ............................... 350
Locks ................................. 27
Child Protection ........................ 30
Door ................................ 27
Keys ................................ 12518 INDEX