overheating Ram 1500 2011 User Guide

Operating Tips
Under ideal snow plowing conditions, 20 mph (32 km/h)
should be maximum operating speed. The operator
should be familiar with the area and surface to be
cleaned. Reduce speed and use extreme caution when
plowing unfamiliar areas or under poor visibility.
NOTE:During snowplow usage on vehicles equipped
with outside temperature display, the display may show
higher temperatures than the outside ambient tempera-
ture. The higher displayed temperature is due to blocked
or reduced airflow to the underhood ambient tempera-
ture sensor caused by the snowplow. In addition, on
vehicles equipped with Automatic Temperature Control
(ATC), it is suggested that the interior cabin temperature
be manually controlled should the system not perform as
desired while in automatic mode. Both the outside tem-
perature display and ATC operation will return to nor-
mal when the snowplow is removed.
General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery
terminals clean and free of corrosion.
When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drivetrain
damage, the following precautions should be observed.
•Operate with transfer case in 4L when plowing small or
congested areas where speeds are not likely to exceed
15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in 4H.
•Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4L
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
•Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal before shifting
the transmission.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 477

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the shift lever
rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE while ap-
plying slight pressure to the accelerator. In general, the
least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to maintain
the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or racing
the engine is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
514 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 543

Navigation System (Uconnect™ gps).......... 147
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 81
Occupant Restraints ................... 38,59,63
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .............56,59,62
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 443
Odometer .......................... 214,215
Trip ........................... 214,215
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ..........347,369
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ..........347,369
Oil Change Indicator .................. 217,235
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............217,235
Oil, Engine ......................... 533,582
Capacity ........................... 580
Change Interval ..................... 533
Dipstick ........................... 533
Disposal ........................... 535
Filter .......................... 535,582
Filter Disposal ....................... 535 Identification Logo
................... 534
Materials Added to ................... 535
Pressure Gauge ...................... 214
Recommendation .................. 534,580
Synthetic .......................... 535
Viscosity ........................ 534,580
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............529,530
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 152
Operating Precautions .................... 529
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 95
Overdrive .......................... 315,323
Overdrive OFF Switch .................315,323
Overhead Console ....................... 150
Overheating, Engine ...................... 211
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,609
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Park Sense System, Rear ................... 138
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INDEX 625