towing Ram 1500 2015 Diesel Supplement

Remote Start Comfort Systems — If Equipped
When remote start is activated, the heated steering
wheel, and driver heated seat features will automatically
turn on in cold weather. In warm weather, the driver
vented seat feature will automatically turn on when the
remote start is activated. These features will stay on
through the duration of remote start or until the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
The Remote Start Comfort System can be activated and
deactivated through the EVIC/DID. For more informa-
tion on Remote Start Comfort System operation refer to
your Owners Manual.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The Cummins® turbocharged diesel engine does not
require a break-in period due to its construction. Normal
operation is allowed, providing the following recommen-
dations are followed:
•Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
• Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged
periods.
• Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent
engine lugging.
• Observe vehicle oil pressure and temperature indica-
tors.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 147

NOTE:Light duty operation such as light trailer towing
or no load operation will extend the time before the
engine is at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and
power may be seen at this time.
For additional vehicle break-in requirements, refer to
“Trailer Towing” in “Starting And Operating” of the
Owners Manual. Because of the construction of the Cummins® turbo-
charged diesel engine, engine run-in is enhanced by
loaded operating conditions which allow the engine
parts to achieve final finish and fit during the first 6,000
miles (10 000 km).
148 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) on could cause damage to the engine
control system. It also could affect fuel economy and
driveability. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or
others.
4. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light — If Equipped The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON/RUN position. It should go out with the
engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction In-
dicator Light” comes on continuously with the engine
running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC
system. If this light remains on after several ignition
cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles
152 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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.
14. Alternate Trailer Height
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”.
15. 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”.
16. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour (mph/km/h).
17. 4WD AUTO Indicator Light — If Equipped
This 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.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 157

testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for 5
seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If the
bulb does not come on during starting, have the condi-
tion investigated promptly.
If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) on could cause damage to the engine
control system. It also could affect fuel economy and
driveability. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
converter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or
others.
4. Turn Signal Indicators The arrow will flash with the exterior turn
signal when the turn signal lever is operated.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 165

•If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer —
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
• Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer — This message
will display when the fault is initially detected, each
time the vehicle is started, and periodically during
driving. The message will be accompanied by a single
chime. We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible. NOTE:
When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.
RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the EVIC/DID displays the message
“Active Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle
performance may be reduced until service is performed
by an authorized RAM dealer.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
check the remaining fuel filter life, go to the “Fuel Filter
Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this
message appears, dealers should replace both frame
mounted and engine mounted fuel filters.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185

•If the vehicle is idled for an extended period of time,
approximately one hour or greater.
• If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank
has increased.
• 5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See Dealer —
This message will continuously display, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. Although the ve-
hicle can be started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if DEF system
issue detected is not serviced during the allowed
period. Your engine will not restart unless your vehicle
is serviced by your authorized dealer. This message
will be displayed when under 1 mile until engine will
not start and each time the vehicle is started, and will be continuously displayed. The message will be ac-
companied by a single chime. Your Malfunction Indi-
cator Light will be continuously illumined. We highly
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer if the message appears while engine is running.
NOTE: When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.
RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the DID displays the message “Active
Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle perfor-
mance may be reduced until service is performed by an
authorized RAM dealer.
198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

limited to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle
braking can be achieved by the internal engine power,
thereby sparing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle.
Benefits of the exhaust brake are:
•vehicle driving control
• reduced brake fade
• longer brake life
• faster cab warm-up
The exhaust brake feature will only function when the
driver toggles it on by pushing the exhaust brake button
until the Exhaust Brake Indicator is illuminated. Nor-
mal (Full Strength) exhaust brake mode is indicated by a
yellow Exhaust Brake Indicator. Once the
Exhaust Brake Indicator” is illuminated and
the vehicle is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h); the
exhaust brake will automatically operate when the driver
removes pressure from the accelerator pedal. Exhaust
braking is most effective when the engine RPM is higher.
Exhaust Brake Switch
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
and third gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and
sixth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation” in this section for further infor-
mation) to select a lower gear range. Under these condi-
tions, using a lower gear range will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat buildup.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 237

If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a
significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible
gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this
excess heat generation. During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). On Pickup models with 68RFE
transmission, top overdrive gear is also inhibited until
the transmission fluid is warm, and during extremely
cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation
may briefly be limited to first and direct gears only. On
trucks with AS69RC transmission, fifth and sixth gears
may be inhibited briefly on cold starts below 41°F (5°C),
and during very cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or
below), operation may briefly be limited to third gear
only. During this condition, the ability of the vehicle to
238 STARTING AND OPERATING