Ram 1500 2016 Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES................477
▫Normal Starting.......................477
▫Automatic Transmission................478
▫Keyless Enter-N-Go...................478
▫Normal Starting.......................478
▫Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –22°F Or 30°C)................480
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................480
▫After Starting........................481
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED......481▫Automatic Mode......................482
▫Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not
Autostop...........................482
▫To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .483
▫To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .485
▫To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .485
▫System Malfunction....................486
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .486
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............487
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............489
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▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .489
▫Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped...........................490
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 1500 Models
Only (If Equipped)....................499
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only........................511
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED...........................522
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If
Equipped...........................522
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................526
▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................533▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped.................538
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS) — IF
EQUIPPED...........................545
▫Description..........................545
▫Air Suspension Modes..................549
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) Display
Messages...........................551
▫Operation...........................551
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS)
— IF EQUIPPED.......................553
▫Description..........................553
▫Air Suspension Modes..................554
470 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) Display
Messages...........................556
▫Operation...........................556
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (REBEL MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED.................557
▫Description..........................557
▫Air Suspension Modes..................561
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Infromation Display (DID) Display
Messages...........................562
▫Operation...........................563
AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED)............564STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY........................567
SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY...............................569
▫Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics.......................569
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........572
▫Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points).............................573
▫Hill Climbing........................576
▫Driving Through Water.................579
▫Airing Down For Off-Road Driving.........581
▫Vehicle Recovery......................582
▫After Driving Off-Road.................586
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STARTING AND OPERATING 471

LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.............587
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........588
▫Acceleration.........................588
▫Traction............................589
DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............589
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................589
▫Shallow Standing Water.................590
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS...............591
▫After Driving Off-Road.................591
WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY —
(IF EQUIPPED)........................593
▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch. . . .593
▫Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .595▫Winch Accessories....................597
▫Operating Your Winch..................598
▫Rigging Techniques....................611
POWER STEERING.....................613
▫Electric Power Steering — 1500 Models.....613
▫Hydraulic Power Steering — 2500/3500
Models............................614
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED..................616
PARKING BRAKE......................616
BRAKE SYSTEM.......................618
▫Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon)..................618
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM. . . .619
472 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). . . .619
▫Brake System Warning Light..............619
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............620
▫Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light............621
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............622
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................622
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............625
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........626
▫Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)..........631
▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC)..............632
▫Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped . . .632
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............636
▫Tire Markings........................636▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........639
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........641
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........642
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........647
▫Tire Pressure........................647
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................648
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation. . . .650
▫Radial Ply Tires......................650
▫Tire Types...........................651
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............653
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............653
▫Tire Spinning........................656
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................656
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STARTING AND OPERATING 473

▫Life Of Tire.........................657
▫Replacement Tires.....................657
SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED.......................659
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......659
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....662
▫Directional Tires — If Equipped...........663
▫Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped..........663
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .665
▫Premium System......................667
▫Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks.........................672
▫General Information...................674
FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................674▫3.6L Engine..........................674
▫5.7L Engine..........................675
▫6.4L Engine..........................675
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................676
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............676
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......677
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................677
▫Materials Added To Fuel................678
▫Fuel System Cautions...................678
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............679
FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED...........................680
▫E-85 General Information...............680
474 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................680
▫Fuel Requirements....................681
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.............681
▫Starting............................682
▫Cruising Range.......................682
▫Replacement Parts....................682
▫Maintenance........................683
ADDING FUEL........................683
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............685
VEHICLE LOADING....................686
▫Certification Label....................686TRAILER TOWING.....................688
▫Common Towing Definitions.............688
▫Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight.............................696
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................697
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............697
▫Towing Requirements..................698
▫Towing Tips.........................708
SNOWPLOW.........................710
▫1500 Models Only.....................710
▫2500/3500 Models Only.................711
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................714
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .714▫Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models.............................715
▫Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models.............................716
476 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
The starter should not be operated for more than 10-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear
selector.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal. Cycle the ignition to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, cycle the ignition to the OFF position,
wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 477

Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission in PARK position.
Apply the brake before shifting into any driving range.
NOTE:
•This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift
interlocking system. The brake pedal must be pressed
to shift out of PARK.
•If equipped with an 8 speed transmission starting the
vehicle in NEUTRAL is not possible unless the Manual
Park Release has been activated. For the Manual Park
Release operation refer to Manual Park Release in
“What To Do In Emergencies”.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
Keyless Enter-N-Go
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go Key Fob is
in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the
ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the
vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
478 STARTING AND OPERATING