Ram 2500 2015 Owner's Manual

▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............586
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped . . .587
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............591
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .591
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........594
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........596
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........597
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........601
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .601
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................602
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .604
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .604▫
Tire Types .......................... .605
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............607
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............607
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .610
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................610
▫ Life Of Tire .........................611
▫ Replacement Tires .....................611
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .613
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......613
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....616
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped ...........617
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ..........617
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TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .619
▫ Premium System ..................... .621
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks ........................ .626
▫ General Information ...................627
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................627
▫ 3.6L Engine ......................... .627
▫ 5.7L/6.4L Engines .....................628
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................629
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............629
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......630
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................630
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................631 ▫
Fuel System Cautions ...................631
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............632
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .633
▫ E-85 General Information ...............633
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................633
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................634
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............634
▫ Starting ........................... .635
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .635
▫ Replacement Parts ....................635
▫ Maintenance ....................... .636
440 STARTING AND OPERATING

ADDING FUEL ....................... .636
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............638
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................639
▫ Certification Label ....................639
 TRAILER TOWING .....................641
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............641
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight ............................ .648
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) .........649
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............650
▫ Towing Requirements ..................651 ▫
Towing Tips ........................ .661
 SNOWPLOW ........................ .663
▫ 1500 Models Only .....................663
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only .................663
 RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.) ............667
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .667
▫ Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .668
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .669
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STARTING AND OPERATING 441

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.
442 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 not press 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 443

4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior tothe engine starting, push the button again.
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever/gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short pushes in a row with the vehicle
speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever/gear selector is
in PARK and the button is pushed twice to the OFF
position. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed
once, the EVIC/DID will display a “Vehicle Not In
Park” message and the engine will remain running.
Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK position, or it
could roll.
NOTE: If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
444 STARTING AND OPERATING

ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has three positions, OFF, ACC, RUN.
To change the ignition switch positions without starting
the vehicle and use the accessories follow these steps:
1. Starting with the ignition in the OFF position:
2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once tochange the ignition to the ACC position.
3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to change the ignition to the RUN position.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF position.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there while the engine is cranking. This should clear any
excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
The starter motor will engage automatically, run for 10
seconds, and then disengage. Once this occurs, release
the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 445

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the igni-
tion button/key is released. If this occurs, continue
cranking with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the ignition
button/key once the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after a 10 second
period of engine cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
446 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to save fuel and
reduce emissions. The system will stop the engine auto-
matically during a vehicle stop if the required conditions
are met. Releasing the brake pedal will automatically
re-start the vehicle.
Automatic Mode
The Stop/Start feature is enabled after every normal
customer engine start. It will remain in STOP/START
NOT READY until you drive forward with a vehicle
speed greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). At that time, the
system will go into STOP/START READY and if all other
conditions are met, can go into an STOP/START AUTO
STOP ACTIVE “Autostop” mode.To Activate The Autostop Mode, The Following Must
Occur:
1. The system must be in STOP/START READY state. A
STOP/START READY message will be displayed in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Driver Information Display (DID) within the Stop/
Start section. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)”
in “Understanding 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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 447

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 Autostop
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 grade •
Cabin heating or cooling is in process and an accept-
able cabin temperature has not been achieved
• HVAC is set to full defrost mode at a high blower
speed
• Engine has not reached normal operating temperature
• Battery discharged
• The transmission is not in DRIVE
• Hood is open
• Vehicle is in 4LO transfer case mode
Other factors which can inhibit AutoStop include: fuel
level, accelerator pedal input, engine temp too high and
steering angle.
It may be possible for the vehicle to be driven several
times without the STOP/START system going into a
STOP/START READY state under more extreme condi-
tions of the items listed above.
448 STARTING AND OPERATING