four wheel drive Ram 1500 2015 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 LOW
This 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”.
300 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

32. 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.
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”.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 301

•Hill Start Assist — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the Hill Start Assist (HSA)
system is active. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Starting And Operating” for system function
and operating information. To make your selection, press
the “Hill Start Assist” button on the touchscreen to select
from on or off. Press the back arrow button on the
touchscreen to return to the previous menu.
•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 selected
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 performing a
wheel alignment, refer to your authorized dealer for infor-
mation. Protection Mode will automatically 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” button on the touchscreen 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, press
the “+” or “–” buttons on the touchscreen to adjust the
seconds up or down. Press the back arrow button on the
touchscreen to return to the previous menu.
•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) trans-
mitter. To make your selection, To make your selection,
press the “+” or “–” buttons on the touchscreen to adjust
the seconds up or down. Press the back arrow button on
the touchscreen to return to the previous menu.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 383

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .461
▫Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped.........................461
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped)...........470
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
2500/3500 Models Only................483
!FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED.........................494
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case —
If Equipped..........................494
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................498
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................504
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................509
!AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS) —
IF EQUIPPED.........................516
▫Description..........................516
▫Air Suspension Modes..................520
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID)
Display Messages.....................522
▫Operation...........................522
!AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS) —
IF EQUIPPED..........................524
▫Description..........................524
▫Air Suspension Modes..................526
442 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

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. 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 463

2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not,
shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine
turns OFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer 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) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the
transmission is in DRIVE. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 4 (fourth gear), the transmission will
not shift above fourth gear (except to prevent engine
overspeed), but will shift through the lower gears nor-
mally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the transmission gear selector is in
DRIVE, the transmission will operate automatically, shift-
ing 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 available gear.
468 STARTING AND OPERATING

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,
•the TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated, and
•the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
480 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)
484 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
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.
494 STARTING AND OPERATING