wheel Ram 1500 2014 Service Manual

Soft-Key
Use the small blower icon to reduce the blower setting
and the large blower icon to increase the blower setting.
Blower can also be selected by pressing the blower bar
area between the icons.
11. Modes
The airflow distribution mode can be adjusted so air
comes from the instrument panel outlets, floor outlets,
demist outlets and defrost outlets. The Mode settings are
as follows:•Panel Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the instrument
panel. Each of these outlets can be individu-
ally adjusted to direct the flow of air. The air vanes of
the center outlets and outboard outlets can be moved
up and down or side to side to regulate airflow direction. There is a shut off wheel located below the
air vanes to shut off or adjust the amount of airflow
from these outlets.
• Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from the instrument panel outlets
and floor outlets. A slight amount of air is
directed through the defrost and side window demis-
ter outlets.
NOTE: BI-LEVEL mode is designed under comfort con-
ditions to provide cooler air out of the panel outlets and
warmer air from the floor outlets.
• Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight
amount of air is directed through the defrost
and side window demister outlets.
376 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫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

▫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
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

▫Common Towing Definitions .............591
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum
Trailer Weight ...................... .594
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .595
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............599
▫ Towing Requirements ..................600
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .610
 SNOWPLOW ........................ .612▫
1500 Models Only .....................612
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only .................613
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................617
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .617
▫ Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .618
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .619
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 389

The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector has only PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) switches (described later in this section). Pressing
the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the steering wheel)
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear in
the instrument cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Electronic Transmission Gear Selector
404 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade. NOTE:
On four-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 the 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 in PARK. Make sure the transmission is
in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 405

4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is nolonger detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation —
Eight-Speed Transmission
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) switches allow the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the
transmission is in DRIVE. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will not
shift above third gear (except to prevent engine over-
speed), but will shift down into second and first gears
normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the gear selector is in DRIVE, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
all available gears. Tapping the GEAR- switch (on the
steering wheel) will activate ERS mode, display the
current gear in the instrument cluster, and maintain that
gear as the top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping
the GEAR- or GEAR+ switch will change the top avail-
able gear.
410 STARTING AND OPERATING

To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the GEAR+
switch until “D” is once again displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/
HAUL mode. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission overheating or failure due
to excessive shifting.
1 — ERS (-) Switch2 — ERS (+) Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 411

When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever out of PARK with the brake
pedal released. Make sure the transmission is in
PARK before leaving the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
414 STARTING AND OPERATING