Ram 1500 2014 Owner's Manual

hard key a second time to turn off the Recirculation mode
LED and allow outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:In cold weather, use of Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The recirculation
feature may be unavailable (soft-key button greyed out)
if conditions exist that could create fogging on the inside
of the windshield. On systems with Manual Climate
Controls, the recirculation mode is not allowed in Defrost
mode to improve window clearing operation. Recircula-
tion will be disabled automatically if this mode is se-
lected. Attempting to use Recirculation while in this
mode will cause the LED in the control button to blink
and then turn off.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating. OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106) is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 379

adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
NOTE:Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will au-
tomatically adjust the climate control settings to reduce
or eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, can cause
odor, and if they enter the plenum they could plug the
water drains. In winter months, ensure the air intake is
clear of ice, slush and snow.
380 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Tips Chart
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 381

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................390
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .390
▫ Automatic Transmission ................391
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................391
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .391
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................393
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................393
▫ After Starting ....................... .394
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......395▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .395
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP............................. .396
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .396
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .398
▫ To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .399
▫ System Malfunction ....................399
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .399
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............400
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............402
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .403
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .403
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 1500 Models
Only (If Equipped) ....................412
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only ....................... .425
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .436
▫
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .436
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................440
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................447 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................452
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS ONLY)
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .459
▫ Description ......................... .459
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................463
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................464
▫ Operation .......................... .464
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ..................466
▫ Description ......................... .466
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................467
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................469
384 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Operation .......................... .469
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED) ............469
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .472
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .474
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... .474
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........477
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .478
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .481
▫ Driving Through Water .................484
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving .........487▫
Vehicle Recovery ..................... .487
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................491
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............492
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........493
▫ Acceleration ........................ .493
▫ Traction ........................... .494
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............494
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................494
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................495
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............496
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................497
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY — (IF
EQUIPPED) ......................... .498
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STARTING AND OPERATING 385

▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .498
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .501
▫ Winch Accessories ....................503
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................504
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................516
 POWER STEERING — 1500 MODELS ........518
 POWER STEERING — 2500/3500 MODELS . . . .519
▫ Power Steering Fluid
Check — 2500/3500 Models .............520
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ..................521
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .521
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .524
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........524▫
Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon) ..................526
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .526
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............527
▫
Traction Control System (TCS) — If Equipped . .527
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped . . . .528
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) — If Equipped .......529
▫ Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) — If Equipped ..................532
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................536
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) — If Equipped . . .538
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............539
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .539
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........542
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........544
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........545
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........550
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .550
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................552
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .553
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .553
▫ Tire Types .......................... .554
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............555
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............556
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .558
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................559 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ .559
▫ Replacement Tires .....................560
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .561
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......562
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....564
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped ...........565
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ..........565
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .567
▫ Base System ........................ .569
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........571
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks ........................ .575
▫ General Information ...................577
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STARTING AND OPERATING 387

FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................577
▫ 3.6L/6.4L Engine ..................... .577
▫ 5.7L Engines ........................ .577
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................578
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............578
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......579
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................580
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................580
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................581
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............582
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .582
▫ E-85 General Information ...............582 ▫
Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................584
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................584
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............585
▫ Starting ........................... .585
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .585
▫ Replacement Parts ....................586
▫ Maintenance ....................... .586
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .586
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............588
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................588
▫ Certification Label ....................588
 TRAILER TOWING .....................591
388 STARTING AND OPERATING