air condition Ram 2500 2013 User Guide

CLIMATE CONTROLS
The Climate Control System allows you to regulate the
temperature, amount, and direction of air circulating
throughout the vehicle. The controls are located on the
instrument panel below the radio.
Manual Climate Controls Without Touch-Screen
— If Equipped
The controls for the manual heating and air conditioning
system in this vehicle consist of a series of outer rotary
dials and inner push knobs. These comfort controls can
be set to obtain desired interior conditions.
1 – Front Blower4 – RECIRCULATION Control
2 – Temperature Control 5 – Air Conditioning (A/C)
3 – MODE Control 6 – DEFROST Mode
314 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Front Blower Control
There are four blower speeds. Use this
control to regulate the amount of air
forced through the system in any
mode you select. The blower speed
increases as you move the control
clockwise from the OFF position.
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Remote Start, the
climate controls will not function during Remote Start
operation if the blower control is left in the OFF position.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. Rotating the knob coun-
terclockwise, from top center into the
blue area of the scale, indicates cooler
temperatures. Rotating the knob clock-
wise, into the red area, indicates
warmer temperatures.
Air Conditioning Operation
Push the A/C button to engage the Air
Conditioning (A/C). A LED will illu-
minate when the A/C system is
engaged.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 315

MAX A/C
For maximum cooling, when MAX A/C is selected the
A/C is turned on automatically and the air is
recirculated.
NOTE:A/C cannot be deselected when in MAX A/C
position. The LED will blink three times if the A/C
button is pushed. If your air conditioning performance
seems lower than expected, check the front of the A/C
condenser (located in front of the radiator), for an accu-
mulation of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water
spray from behind the radiator and through the con-
denser. Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce airflow
to the condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
Mode Control (Air Direction)
Mode control allows you to choose from
several patterns of air distribution. You
can select either a primary mode, as
identified by the symbols, or a blend of
two of these modes. The closer the con-
trol is to a particular mode, the more air
distribution you receive from that mode.
Panel Mode
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct
airflow.
316 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Bi-Level Mode
Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets.
NOTE: There is a difference in temperature (in any
conditions other than full cold or full hot), between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
Floor Mode
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
small amount through the defrost and side win-
dow demist outlets.
Mix Mode
Air is directed through the floor, defrost and side
window demist outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat at the
windshield. This setting is good for maintaining comfort,
while reducing moisture on the windshield.
Defrost Mode
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use the DEFROST mode
with maximum blower and warm temperature settings
for best windshield and side window defrosting.
NOTE: The air conditioning compressor operates in MIX
and DEFROST, or a blend of these modes even if the A/C
button is not pressed. This dehumidifies the air to help
dry the windshield. To improve fuel economy, use these
modes only when necessary.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 317

Economy Mode
If ECONOMY mode is desired, press the A/C button to
turn off the LED indicator and the A/C compressor.
Rotate the temperature control knob to the desired tem-
perature. Also, make sure to select only Panel, Bi-Level or
Floor modes.
Stop/Start System – If Equipped
While in an Autostop, the Climate Controls system may
automatically adjust airflow to maintain cabin comfort.
Customer settings will be maintained upon return to an
engine running condition.
Manual Climate Controls With Touch-Screen — If
Equipped
Hard-Keys
The hard-keys are located below the radio touch-screen.
Climate Controls — Hard-keys
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 319

5. Modes
The airflow distribution mode can be adjusted so air
comes from the instrument panel outlets, floor outlets,
demister outlets and defrost outlets. The Mode settings
are as follows:•Panel Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the instrument
panel. Each of these outlets can be individually
adjusted to direct the flow of air. The air vanes of
the center outlets and outboard outlets can be moved up
and down or side to side to regulate airflow direction.
There is a shut off wheel located below the air vanes to
shut off or adjust the amount of airflow from these
outlets.
•Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from the instrument panel outlets and
floor outlets. A slight amount of air is directed
through the defrost and side window demister
outlets. NOTE:
BI-LEVEL mode is designed under comfort con-
ditions to provide cooler air out of the panel outlets and
warmer air from the floor outlets.
•Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount
of air is directed through the defrost and side
window demister outlets.
• Mix Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demister outlets. This mode works best in cold or
snowy conditions.
NOTE: The air conditioning compressor operates in MIX
and DEFROST modes even if the A/C button is not
pressed. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the wind-
shield. To improve fuel economy, utilize these modes
only when required.
322 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

5. Modes
The airflow distribution mode can be adjusted so air
comes from the instrument panel outlets, floor outlets,
demister outlets and defrost outlets. The Mode settings
are as follows:•Panel Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the instrument
panel. Each of these outlets can be individually
adjusted to direct the flow of air. The air vanes of
the center outlets and outboard outlets can be moved up
and down or side to side to regulate airflow direction.
There is a shut off wheel located below the air vanes to
shut off or adjust the amount of airflow from these
outlets. •
Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from the instrument panel outlets and
floor outlets. A slight amount of air is directed
through the defrost and side window demister
outlets.
NOTE: BI-LEVEL mode is designed under comfort con-
ditions to provide cooler air out of the panel outlets and
warmer air from the floor outlets.
•Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A slight amount
of air is directed through the defrost and side
window demister outlets.
• Mix Mode
Air comes from the floor, defrost and side window
demister outlets. This mode works best in cold or
snowy conditions.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 327

•The temperature can be displayed in U.S. or Metric
units by selecting the US/M customer-programmable
feature. Refer to the “Uconnect® System Settings” in
this section of the manual.
To provide you with maximum comfort in the Automatic
mode, during cold start-ups the blower fan will remain
on low until the engine warms up. The blower will
increase in speed and transition into Auto mode.
Recirculation Control
When outside air contains smoke, odors, or
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired,
you may wish to recirculate interior air by
pressing the RECIRCULATION control button.
Recirculation mode should only be used temporarily. The
recirculation LED will illuminate on the soft and hard
keys when either button is selected. Push either soft or hard key a second time to turn off the Recirculation mode
LED and allow outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:
In cold weather, use of Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The recirculation
feature may be unavailable (soft-key button greyed out)
if conditions exist that could create fogging on the inside
of the windshield. On systems with Manual Climate
Controls, the recirculation mode is not allowed in Defrost
mode to improve window clearing operation. Recircula-
tion will be disabled automatically if this mode is se-
lected. Attempting to use Recirculation while in this
mode will cause the LED in the control button to blink
and then turn off.
330 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
A solution of 50% ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant and
50% water is recommended. Refer to “Maintenance Pro-
cedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper cool-
ant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in
fresh air with the blower setting in high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging and Frosting
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the glass in
mild, rainy and/or humid weather. Windows may frost
on the inside of the glass in very cold weather. To clear
the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode and increase
the front blower speed. Do not use the Recirculation
mode without A/C for long periods, as fogging may
occur.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 331

To Activate The Autostop Mode, The Following Must
Occur:
1. The system must be in STOP/START READY state. ASTOP/START READY message will be displayed in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
within the Stop/Start section. Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
2. The vehicle must be completely stopped.
3. The transmission Gear Selector must be in Drive and the brake pedal depressed.
The engine will shut down, the tachometer will move to
the zero position and the stop/start telltale will illumi-
nate indicating you are in an Autostop. While in an Autostop, the Climate Controls system may automati-
cally adjust airflow to maintain cabin comfort. Customer
settings will be maintained upon return to an engine
running condition.
Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP
Prior to engine shut down, the system will check many
safety and comfort conditions to see if they are fulfilled.
In following situations the engine will not stop:
•
Driver ’s seat belt is not buckled
• Driver ’s door is not closed
• Outside temperature is less than 1°F (–17°C) or greater
than 104°F (40°C)
• Battery temperature too warm or cold
• The vehicle is on a steep grade5
STARTING AND OPERATING 347