towing Ram 1500 2015 User Guide

•Windshield Washer Fluid Low Indicator
This telltale will turn on to indicate the wind-
shield washer fluid is low.
•Low Coolant Level Indicator
This telltale will turn on to indicate the vehicle
coolant level is low.
•Transmission Temperature Warning Telltale
This telltale indicates that the transmission
fluid temperature is running hot. This may
occur with severe usage, such as trailer towing.
If this telltale turns on, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEU-
TRAL and run the engine at idle or faster until the light
turns off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illumi-
nated you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in
contact with hot engine or exhaust components and
cause a fire.
344 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Auto Entry/Exit Suspension
When this feature is selected, the vehicle automatically
lowers from ride height position when vehicle shifted to
park for easy entry/exit. To make your selection, press
the “Auto Entry/Exit” button on the touchscreen, select
“On” or “Off” followed by pressing the back arrow/
Done button on the touchscreen.
•Display Suspension Messages
When “All” is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will
be displayed. When “Warning Only” is selected only the
Air Suspension Warnings will be displayed.
•Automatic Aero Mode (1500 Model Only)
When this feature is selected the Ride Height will auto-
matically be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed. To
make your selection, press the “Aero Mode” button on
the touchscreen, select “On” or “Off” followed by press-
ing the back arrow/Done button on the touchscreen.
•Tire Jack Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to prevent auto leveling of the suspension, while
the vehicle is on a jack changing a tire. To make your
selection, press the “Tire Jack Mode” button on the
touchscreen, select “On” or “Off” followed by pressing
the back arrow/Done button on the touchscreen.
•Transport Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with flat bed towing. To make your
selection, press the “Transport Mode” button on the
touchscreen, select “On” or “Off” followed by pressing
the back arrow/Done button on the touchscreen.
•Wheel Alignment Mode
This feature prevents auto leveling of the air suspension
while performing a wheel alignment service. Before per-
forming a wheel alignment this mode must be enabled.
Refer to your authorized dealer for further information.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 369

the feature showing the system has been activated or the
check-mark is removed showing the system has been
deactivated.
•Transport Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with flat bed towing. Press the box next
to your selection and a check-mark appears next to the
feature showing the system has been activated or the
check-mark is removed showing the system has been
deactivated.
•Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment this mode must be
enabled. Refer to your authorized dealer for further
information.
Trailer Brake
After pressing the “Trailer Brake” button on the touch-
screen the following settings will be available:
•Trailer Select
When this feature is selected, the Trailer Type can be
selected between “Trailer 1,” “Trailer 2,” “Trailer 3” and
“Trailer 4.” 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.
•Trailer Brake Type
When this feature is selected, the Trailer Brake Type can
be changed between “Light Electric,” “Heavy Electric,”
“Light EOH” and “Heavy EOH.”. To make your selec-
tion, scroll up or down until the preferred setting is
highlighted, then press and release the SELECT button
390 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫3.6L Engine..........................634
▫5.7L/6.4L Engines.....................635
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................635
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............636
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......636
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................637
▫Materials Added To Fuel................637
▫Fuel System Cautions...................637
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............638
!FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) —
IF EQUIPPED.........................639
▫E-85 General Information...............639
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................640
▫Fuel Requirements....................641
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.............641
▫Starting............................642
▫Cruising Range.......................642
▫Replacement Parts....................642
▫Maintenance........................643
!ADDING FUEL........................643
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............645
!VEHICLE LOADING....................646
▫Certification Label....................646
!TRAILER TOWING.....................648
▫Common Towing Definitions.............648
446 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight.............................656
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................657
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............657
▫Towing Requirements..................658
▫Towing Tips.........................667
!SNOWPLOW.........................669
▫1500 Models Only.....................669
▫2500/3500 Models Only.................670
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................673
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . .673
▫Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models.............................674
▫Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models.............................6755
STARTING AND OPERATING 447

REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Apply the parking
brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must
leave the vehicle.
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 all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
466 STARTING AND OPERATING

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), select TOW/HAUL mode
or use the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
(refer to#Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation#in this
section for further information) to select a lower gear
range. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range
will improve performance and extend transmission life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or
below), transmission operation may be modified depend-
ing on engine and transmission temperature as well as
vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the
transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.
Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission
may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and
restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will
inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and
indicate what actions may be necessary.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
NOTE:In cases where the instrument cluster message
indicates the transmission may not re-engage after en-
gine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired
location (preferably, at your authorized dealer).
1. Stop the vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 467

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 469

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 and sec-
ond gears, direct third gear and overdrive fourth and
fifth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
To access all six available gears, you must use the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control, described
below.
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
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 475

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.
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 both the
torque converter clutch and the top overdrive gear are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the
“Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
During extremely cold temperatures (-16°F [-27°C] or
below), operation may briefly be limited to first and
476 STARTING AND OPERATING