four wheel drive Ram 1500 2014 Owner's Manual

If the light remains lit with the engine running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable. However, see an autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immediate service is
required. You may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing.
28. Air Suspension Normal Ride Height Indicator Lamp
– If Equipped
This light will illuminate when the air suspension system
is set to the Normal Ride Height setting. For further
information, refer to “Air Suspension System” in “Start-
ing And Operating”.
29. Air Suspension Off-Road 1 Indicator Lamp – If
Equipped
This light will illuminate when the air suspension system is
set to the Off-Road 1 setting. For further information, refer to
“Air Suspension System” in “Starting And Operating”.
30. Air Suspension Off-Road 2 Indicator Lamp – If
Equipped
This light will illuminate when the air suspension system
is set to the Off-Road 2 setting. For further information,
refer to “Air Suspension System” in “Starting And
Operating”.
31. 4 LOWThis light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive LOW mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Low range provides a greater
gear reduction ratio to provide increased torque at the
wheels.
For further information on four-wheel drive operation
and proper use, refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation —
If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating”.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 295

32. 4WD AUTO Indicator Light — If EquippedThis light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive auto mode, and the front
axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent
to the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive will be
automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of
traction.
For further information on four-wheel drive operation
and proper use, refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation —
If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating”. 33. 4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
For further information on four-wheel drive operation
and proper use, refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation —
If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating”.
296 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Four Corner Air Suspension Modes — If Equipped
There are four air suspension modes designed to protect
the system in unique situations. Tire Jack Mode is se-
lected to assist in changing a spare tire. Transport Mode
is selected to assist when the vehicle is being flat bed
towed. Wheel Alignment Mode is selected before per-
forming a wheel alignment, refer to your authorized
dealer for information. Protection Mode will automati-
cally be selected to “protect” the air suspension system
when the payload has been exceeded or load leveling
cannot be achieved.
Lights
After pressing the Lights soft-key the following settings
will be available.
• Headlight Off Delay
When this feature is selected, the driver can choose to
have the headlights remain on for 0, 30, 60, or 90 seconds when exiting the vehicle. To make your selection, scroll
up or down until the preferred setting is highlighted,
then press and release the SELECT button until a check-
mark appears next to the setting, showing that the setting
has been selected.
•
Headlight Illumination On Approach
When this feature is selected, the headlights will activate
and remain on for 0, 30, 60, or 90 seconds when the doors
are unlocked with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. To change the Illuminated Approach status,
touch the + or - soft-key to select your desired time
interval. Touch the back arrow soft-key to return to the
previous menu.
• Headlights With Wipers — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, and the headlight switch is
in the AUTO position, the headlights will turn on ap-
proximately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on.
The headlights will also turn off when the wipers are
346 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

▫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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 389

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)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 405

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.
NOTE:
To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
shift lever to the left (-) (console shift) or the ERS (-) switch
down (column shift). The transmission will shift to the
range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descend-
ing steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the
engine. Apply the brakes as needed to prevent en-
gine overspeed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fourth and fifth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
• the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
• the transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature,
• the engine coolant (antifreeze) has reached an ad-
equate temperature,
• vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
• the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated.
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
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, 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.
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.
(Continued)
426 STARTING AND OPERATING

cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
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 for further informa-
tion.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions.
•Two-wheel drive high range (2H)
• Four-wheel drive high range (4H)
• Neutral (N)
• Four-wheel drive low range (4L) This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the 4H and 4L
positions can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts 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 once the
appropriate speed and gear requirements are met refer to
“Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted Transfer Case” in
this section for further information. 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 dam-
age to the driveline components.
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in the
instrument cluster will alert the driver that the vehicle is
in four-wheel drive and that the front and rear drive-
shafts are locked together. This light will illuminate when
436 STARTING AND OPERATING

the transfer case is shifted into either the 4H or 4L
position. There is no light for the 2H or NEUTRAL
positions on some models.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-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 drivetrain.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. 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 four-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 or killed 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 drive shafts 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 437