DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Owners Manual

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information —
If Equipped .......................... 276
 Tire Chains .......................... 276
 Snow Tires .......................... 278
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 279
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .................... 280
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 281
▫ 5.7L Gas Engine ..................... 281
 Adding Fuel ......................... 285
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) Message . . . 286
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 287
▫ Certification Label ................... 287
 Trailer Towing ........................ 289 ▫
Common Towing Definitions ............ 289
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 292
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 293
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 294
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 295
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 299
 Snowplow .......................... 300
▫ Before Plowing ...................... 301
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . 302
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached .......................... 303
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 303
▫ General Maintenance .................. 303
STARTING AND OPERATING 219
5

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . 304
▫ Recreational Towing –
2-Wheel Drive Models ................. 304 ▫
Recreational Towing –
4-Wheel Drive Models ................. 305
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
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.
WARNING!
•Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your vehicle. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the shift lever or by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive
heat in the exhaust system, resulting in overheat-
ing and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of 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 five
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
STARTING AND OPERATING 221
5

NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of PARK.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage when
the engine is running.
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.
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle.
(Continued)
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in Section 6.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver’s side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
5

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL 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
reverse. 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
The gear shift lever display located in the instrument
panel cluster indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The shift lever is
mounted on the right side of the steering column. You
must depress the brake pedal to pull the shift lever out of
PARK position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, move
the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the desired
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVE position. Pull the shift 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.
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 shift lever into the PARK position. On
4-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the transfer case is in
a drive position!
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply parking brake
fully when parked to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in
PARK. Make sure it is in PARK before leaving the
vehicle.(Continued)
STARTING AND OPERATING 225
5

WARNING! (Continued)
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL 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 reverse. 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.
REVERSE
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Shift into NEUTRAL when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle. DRIVE
This position provides all forward gears, including 3rd
gear direct and 4th or 5th gear overdrive (see Overdrive
Operation). Use this range for most city and highway
driving.
SECOND
Use this position for driving slowly in heavy city traffic
or on mountain roads where more precise speed control
is desirable. Use it also when climbing long grades, and
for engine braking when descending moderately steep
grades. To prevent excessive engine speed do not exceed
45 mph (72 km/h) in this range.
FIRST
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds 20 mph (32 km/h) or less
when going downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed,
do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in SECOND or FIRST gear selections in high
ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed
(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from DRIVE to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” switch has not been
activated;
•transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
NOTE: If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5

The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at
vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use “TOW HAUL” and “O/D OFF”
Modes
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button once to
select TOW HAUL.This will improve performance and reduce the potential
for transmission overheating or failure due to excessive
shifting. When operating in “TOW HAUL” mode, 5th
gear (if equipped) is disabled and 2-3 and 3-4 shift
patterns are modified. Shifts into Overdrive (4th gear) are
allowed during steady cruise (for improved fuel
Tow Haul O/D Off Switch
228 STARTING AND OPERATING