four wheel drive DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Owners Manual

9. Oil Pressure GaugeThe pointer should always indicate some oil pres-
sure when the engine is running. A continuous
high or low reading, under normal driving conditions,
may indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immedi-
ate service should be obtained.
NOTE: If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the “Check Gauges” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
10. Transfer Case Position
This display indicator shows the transfer case position
selection.
For additional information refer to “Four-Wheel Drive
Operation” in Section 5 of this manual. 11 .
TOW HAUL
The TOW HAUL button is located at the end of
the shift lever. This light will illuminate when
the TOW HAUL OD/OFF button is pushed
once.
12. OD/OFF
the OD/OFF button is located at the end of the shift lever.
This light will illuminate when the TOW HAUL OD/OFF
button is pushed twice.
13. Temperature Gauge The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range
indicates that the engine cooling system is operat-
ing satisfactorily.
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 221
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 221
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 221
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 222
▫ After Starting ....................... 223
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 223
 Automatic Transmission ................. 224
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive .... 224
Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 230
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ............... 230
▫ Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 233
▫ Transfer Case Reminder Light ........... 234
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
Operating Information/Precautions (5
Position Switch) — If Equipped .......... 234
▫ Shifting Procedure — Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 239
5

the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds of shifting from
PARK into any other gear position.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in 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.
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 NEUTRAL positions.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
230 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 231
5

•Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the vehicle
completely stopped, however difficulty may occur 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 preferred
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).
•Do not attempt to shift to or from 4L while the
transmission is in gear.
Transfer Case Reminder Light
The 4-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 (5 Position Switch) — If
Equipped
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.
5 Position Switch
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch) — If
Equipped
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.This Electronically Shifted transfer case provides four
mode positions: 2 (rear)-wheel drive high range, 4-wheel
drive lock range, 4-wheel drive low range, and NEU-
TRAL.
The Electronically Shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the 2-wheel drive position (2WD) for normal
street and highway conditions (dry, hard surfaced roads).
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW 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 position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for spe-
cific shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD
LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW
Transfer Case Switch
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System
WARNING!
•Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS) contain sophisti-
cated electronic equipment. It may be susceptible
to interference caused by improperly installed or
high output radio transmitting equipment. This
interference can cause possible loss of anti-lock
braking capability. Installation of such equipment
should be performed by qualified professionals.
•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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
This ABS is designed to aid the driver in maintaining
vehicle control under adverse braking conditions. The
system operates with a separate computer to modulate
hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel lockup and help
avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi-
mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capac-
ity at continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h).
Radial Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident result-
ing in serious injury or death. Always use radial ply
tires in sets of four (or six, in case of trucks with dual
rear wheels). Never combine them with other types
of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
PARK. With 4-wheel drive vehicles, make sure the
transfer case is not in NEUTRAL. Always, block or
chockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight.)
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires–General Information” in this section.
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fabric Care............................ 361
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 340
Engine Fuel .......................... 378
Engine Oil ..................... 338,340,378
Flashers Turn Signal .......................... 127
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 326
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 222
Fluid, Brake ........................... 379
Fluid Capacities ......................... 377
Fluid Level Checks Brake .............................. 353
Manual Transmission ................... 356
Power Steering ........................ 253
Transfer Case ......................... 356
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 378
Fog Lights ....................... 126,167,374
Fold Flat Load Floor ..................... 154 Four Wheel Drive
....................... 230
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 314
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 330
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 355
Fuel ................................. 281
Adding ............................. 285
Diesel .............................. 378
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 286
Filter ............................... 378
Gauge .............................. 171
Light ............................... 172
Octane Rating ........................ 281
Requirements ......................... 281
Tank Capacity ........................ 377
Fuses ................................ 364
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............286,336
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 281
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 281
414 INDEX