power steering Ram 1500 2016 Owner's Manual

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 121

Electric Power Steering Fail Warning — If Equipped
Red Telltale
LightWhat It Means
Electric Power Steering Fail Warning
This light is used to manage the electrical warning of the EPS (Power Steering System). Re-
fer to “Power Steering” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
Trailer Brake Disconnected Warning Light
Red Warning
LightWhat It Means
Trailer Brake Disconnected Warning Light
This telltale is on when the Trailer Brake has been disconnected.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 307

•Oil Pressure Low
•Oil Change Due
•Fuel Low
•Service Anti-lock Brake System
•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Service Power Steering
•Cruise Off
•Cruise Ready
•Cruise Set To XXX MPH
•Tire Pressure Screen With Low Tire(s) “Inflate Tire to
XX”
•Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS)
•Service Tire Pressure System•Parking Brake Engaged
•Brake Fluid Low
•Service Electronic Braking System
•Engine Temperature Hot
•Battery Voltage Low
•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Lights On
•Right Turn Signal Light Out
•Left Turn Signal Light Out
•Turn Signal On
•Sound Horn with Remote Lock: Off; 1st Push; 2nd
Push
•Vehicle Not In Park
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 343

•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Service Power Steering
•Cruise Off
•Cruise Ready
•Cruise Set To XXX MPH
•Tire Pressure Screen With Low Tire(s) “Inflate Tire to
XX”
•Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS)
•Service Tire Pressure System
•Parking Brake Engaged
•Brake Fluid Low
•Service Electronic Braking System
•Engine Temperature Hot•Battery Voltage Low
•Service Electronic Throttle Control
•Lights On
•Right Turn Signal Light Out
•Left Turn Signal Light Out
•Turn Signal On
•Sound Horn with Remote Lock: Off; 1st Push; 2nd
Push
•Vehicle Not in Park
•Key in Ignition
•Key in Ignition Lights On
•Remote Start Active Key to Run
•Remote Start Active Push Start Button
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 361

Auto Comfort Systems — If Equipped
After pressing the “Auto-On Comfort” button on the
touchscreen the following settings will be available:
•Auto-On Driver Heated/Ventilated Seat & Steering
Wheel With Vehicle Start — If Equipped
When this feature is selected the driver’s heated seat and
heated steering wheel will automatically turn ON when
temperatures are below 40° F (4.4° C). When tempera-
tures are above 80° F (26.7° C) the driver vented seat will
turn ON. To make your selection, press the “Auto Heated
Seats” button on the touchscreen, then select either “On”
or “Off.”
Engine Off Options
After pressing the “Engine Off Options” button on the
touchscreen the following settings will be available.•Easy Exit Seats — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the Driver ’s seat will
automatically move rearward once the engine is shut off.
To make your selection, press the “Easy Exit Seats”
button on the touchscreen and make your selection.
•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. Press the “Headlight Off Delay”
button on the touchscreen and choose from “0,” “30,”
“60,” or “90” seconds to select your desired time interval.
•Engine Off Power Delay
When this feature is selected, the power window
switches, radio, Uconnect phone system (if equipped),
DVD video system (if equipped), power sunroof (if
equipped), and power outlets will remain active for up to
10 minutes after the ignition is cycled to OFF. Opening
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 391

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

WARNING!
If the stabilizer/sway bar will not return to On-Road
mode, vehicle stability is reduced. Do not attempt to
drive the vehicle over 18 mph (29 km/h). Driving
faster than 18 mph (29 km/h) may cause loss of
control of the vehicle, which could result in serious
injury or death. Contact your local service center for
assistance.
SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY
Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle Characteristics
Your vehicle has excellent on and off-road capabilities.
These off-road capabilities will allow you to explore
those wilderness trails where few travel, providing a
source of exciting and satisfying recreation. Before you
venture out, you should contact your local governmentalagency to determine the designated off-road vehicle
(ORV) trails or recreation areas. You should always tread
lightly and only use established roads, trails or ORV
recreational areas. The National Forest Service, Bureau of
Land Management or local Department of Natural Re-
sources are a wealth of information and usually have
maps with marked trails.
Skid Plates And Underbody Protection
Steel skid plates protect the major driveline components
of the truck including the fuel tank, transfer case and
steering damper. In addition, this vehicle is equipped
with boxed cross members and fore/aft rails. This addi-
tional protection allows the vehicle to be utilized in
severe off-road situations that would be considered im-
passable by a normal truck.
Ramp Travel Index (RTI)
The ramp travel index is the distance, in inches, that you
can drive your vehicle with one wheel on a 20-degree
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STARTING AND OPERATING 569

conditions: hard packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand,
mud, snow and ice. Every surface has a different effect on
your vehicle’s steering, handling and traction. Control-
ling your vehicle is one of the keys to successful off-road
driving, so always keep a firm grip on the steering wheel
and maintain a good driving posture. Avoid sudden
accelerations, turns or braking. In most cases there are no
road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights. Therefore
you will need to use your own good judgment on what is
safe and what isn’t. When on a trail you should always be
looking ahead for surface obstacles and changes in
terrain. The key is to plan your future driving route while
remembering what you are currently driving over.
CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combustible materials. The heat from your vehicle
exhaust system could cause a fire.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down
cargo. Unsecured cargo can become projectiles in an
off-road situation.
When To Use Low Range
When driving off-road, shift into 4L (Low Range) for
additional traction or to improve handling and control on
slippery or difficult terrain. Due to the lower gearing, low
range will allow the engine to operate in a higher power
range. This will allow you to idle over obstacles and
down hills, with improved control and less effort. Also,
use 4L (Low Range) in rain, ice, snow, mud, sand, to get
heavy loads rolling, improve traction, or whenever 4H
(High Range) traction will not do the job.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 571

apply more power as you start up the hill. Do not race
forward into a steep grade, the abrupt change of grade
could cause you to lose control. If the front end begins
to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring all four
tires back on the ground. As you approach the crest of
the hill ease off the throttle and slowly proceed over
the top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach the
crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain
headway by turning the steering wheel no more than
a ¼ turn quickly back and forth. This will provide a
freshbiteinto the surface and will usually provide
enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not
make it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and
back straight down the grade using engine resistance
along with the vehicle brakes.WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn
around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline
increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in
severe injury or death.
•Driving Down Hill– Before driving down a steep hill
you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe
descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too
steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there
obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty of
distance at the base of the hill to regain control if the
vehicle descends too fast? If you feel confident in your
ability to proceed then make sure you are in 4L (Low
Range) with the transmission in first gear (manually
select first gear on automatic transmissions) and pro-
ceed with caution. Allow engine braking to control the
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 577

keep the cable on the ground if it breaks. Next, place
the vehicle in first gear and apply a very light throttle
as you power the winch in. Be careful not to allow
slack in the cable as you recover the vehicle. Do not try
to guide the cable into the drum. If it starts to bunch up
on one end, let it. You can re-spool the cable after-
wards. Never use a winch cable as a tow strap and
always stand back while winching.
WARNING!
Winch cables are under high tension when in use and
can become a projectile if they fail. Never stand over
or straddle the winch cable. Never jerk or overload
the winch cable. Never stand in front of the vehicle
while winching. Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious or fatal injury.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
•Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as
required.
•Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
586 STARTING AND OPERATING