heating Ram 1500 2017 Owner's Guide

TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Four primary areas
are affected by improper tire pressure:
•Safety and Vehicle Stability
• Economy
• Tread Wear
• Ride Comfort
Safety
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause collisions.
• Underinflation increases tire flexing and can result
in overheating and tire failure.
• Overinflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can cause
damage that result in tire failure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems.
You could lose control of your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle
to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right
or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect the stability
of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of sluggish
response or over responsiveness in the steering.
NOTE:
• Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause
erratic and unpredictable steering response.
• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the
vehicle to drift left or right.
518 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping and
backing the trailer up in an area away from heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to avoid
frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent shift-
ing does occur while in DRIVE, select TOW/HAUL mode
or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control).
NOTE:Using TOW/HAUL mode or selecting a lower
gear range (using the ERS shift control) while operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions will improve per-
formance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
When towing a loaded trailer up steep grades at low
speeds (20 mph [32 km/h] or below), holding your vehicle
in first gear (using the ERS shift control) can help to avoid
transmission overheating. If you regularly tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes of
continuous operation, then change the automatic transmis-
sion fluid and filter(s) as specified for
police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. Refer to the “Maintenance Sched-
ule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE: Check the automatic transmission fluid level be-
fore towing (6-speed automatic only).
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly
areas, or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 567

Operating Tips
Under ideal snow plowing conditions, 20 mph (32 km/h)
should be maximum operating speed. The operator should
be familiar with the area and surface to be cleaned. Reduce
speed and use extreme caution when plowing unfamiliar
areas or under poor visibility.
General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery ter-
minals clean and free of corrosion.When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drivetrain
damage, the following precautions should be observed.
•
Operate with transfer case in 4LO when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to exceed
15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in 4HI.
• Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4LO
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
• Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal while shifting the
transmission.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 571

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the upper
switch bank just below the radio.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic
of an emergency. Push the switch a second time to turn off
the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed
while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
580 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce the
risk of clutch or transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode, before
rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information. Once
the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC Offswitch again
to restore ESC Onmode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
622 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded
fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effective-
ness of the catalyst as an emissions control device
and may seriously reduce engine performance and
cause serious damage to the engine.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems can result in civil penalties being assessed against
you. In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe and
abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool. Service,
including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•
Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough idle
or malfunctioning operating conditions.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 661

KeyFob................................32
Remote................................32
Remote Keyless Entry ......................32
Door Locks, Automatic .......................34
Door Opener, Garage ....................... .175
Driving Off-Pavement .......................... .457
Off-Road ............................. .457
Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water ................................ .472
Dual Rear Wheels ...................... .532, 581
E-85 Fuel ............................... .545
Electrical Power Outlets ..................... .184
Electric Rear Window Defrost ..................200
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case . . . .417, 422, 427, 432
Electronic Brake Control System ................495
Anti-Lock Brake System ....................495
Electronic Roll Mitigation ...................504
Traction Control System ....................500
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............393, 401, 410
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........154
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............500
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........246
Emergency Brake .......................... .492Emergency, In Case Of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck .................621
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................580
Jump Starting .......................... .618
Tow Hooks ............................ .623
Emission Control System Maintenance ............637
Engine .............................. .634, 635
Air Cleaner ............................ .643
Block Heater ........................... .385
Break-In Recommendations ..................94
Compartment .......................... .633
Compartment Identification ...........633, 634, 635
Coolant (Antifreeze) ..................... .698
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................95, 545
Flooded, Starting ........................ .384
Fuel

Requirements ....................541, 697
Jump Starting .......................... .618
Oil ........................... .640, 697, 698
Oil Filler Cap .......................... .642
Oil Filter .............................. .642
Oil Selection ........................ .641, 697
Oil Synthetic ........................... .642
Overheating ........................... .580
Engine Oil Viscosity .....................641, 642
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ....................641
10
INDEX 719

Memory Seat............................. .132
Methanol ............................... .542
Mirrors ................................. .104
Electric Powered .........................114
Heated ................................115
Memory .............................. .132
Outside ................................111
Rearview .......................... .104, 110
Trailer Towing ...........................116
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ................7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................535
MOPAR Parts ......................... .639, 713
MTBE/ETBE ............................. .542
Multi-Function Control Lever ..................146
Navigation System (Uconnect GPS) ..............171
New Vehicle Break-In Period ...................94
Occupant Restraints .........................42
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .................541
Off-Pavement Driving (Off-Road) ............457, 473
Off-Road Driving (Off-Pavement) ............457, 473
Oil, Engine ........................... .640, 698
Capacity .............................. .697
Change Interval ........................ .640Dipstick
.............................. .640
Disposal .............................. .642
Filter ............................. .642, 698
Filter Disposal .......................... .642
Identification Logo ...................... .641
Pressure Warning Light ....................245
Recommendation .....................641, 697
Synthetic ............................. .642
Viscosity ....................... .641, 642, 697
Oil Filter, Change ......................... .642
Oil Filter, Selection ......................... .643
Oil Pressure Light ......................... .245
Onboard Diagnostic System ...................636
Operating Precautions ...................... .636
Operator
Manual (Owner’s Manual) ...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .....................111
Overdrive ........................... .403, 412
Overdrive OFF Switch ....................403, 412
Overhead Console ......................... .173
Overheating, Engine ....................... .580
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........4,714
Paint Care ............................... .672
Panic Alarm ...............................24
Parking Brake ............................ .492
724 INDEX