suspension Ram 2500 2015 Service Manual

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.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed. Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Air Suspension System
To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle,
the air suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air
Suspension System” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.
NOTE:
The vehicle must remain in the engine running
position while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of
the air suspension system.
662 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•When recreationally towing your vehicle, always fol-
low applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state
and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional
details.
• Vehicles equipped with air suspension must be placed
in Transport mode before tying them down (from the
body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to “Air
Suspension – If Equipped” for more information. If the
vehicle cannot be placed in Transport mode (for ex-
ample, engine will not run), tie-downs must be fas-
tened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow
these instructions may cause fault codes to be set
and/or cause loss of proper tie-down tension.Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is
allowed ONLYif the rear wheels are OFFthe ground.
This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle
trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with air suspension, ensure
the vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place automatic trans- mission in PARK, manual transmission in gear (not in
NEUTRAL).
668 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave
the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle
to roll, even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, with the engine
running. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with air suspension, ensure
the vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
•With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer
case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
• With electronic shift transfer case, press and hold the
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) button. Some models
have a small, recessed Nbutton (at the center of the
transfer case switches) that must be pushed using a
ballpoint pen or similar object. Other models have a
rectangular NEUTRAL switch, below the rotary
transfer case control knob. The NEUTRAL (N) indi-
cator light will blink while the shift is in progress.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 671

during the shift, the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will
flash continuously until all requirements are met or
until the NEUTRAL (N) button is released.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position
for a shift to take place and for the position indicator
lights to be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the
ON/RUN position, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
• If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, the
engine should be started and left running for a mini-
mum of 60 seconds (with all the doors closed) at least
once every 24 hours. This process allows the air
suspension to adjust the vehicle’s ride height to com-
pensate for temperature effects.Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con- nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Start the engine. Shift the transmission into NEU- TRAL. Depress the clutch pedal on a manual trans-
mission.
• With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer
case lever to the desired position.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 673

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles
may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting and Operating” section.
NOTE:Vehicles equipped with air suspension must be
placed in Transport mode, before tying them down (from
the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to Air
Suspension inStarting and Operating for more infor-
mation. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Transport mode
(for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be
fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow
these instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or
cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 737

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” or “Shift
Lever Override” in this section for instructions on shift-
ing the automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do
not attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, this vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)
for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8-speed transmission.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km) for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8-speed transmission, tow with the rear
wheels OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 739

Power Distribution Center
The Power Distribution Center is located in the engine
compartment near the battery. This center contains car-
tridge fuses, micro fuses, relays, and circuit breakers. A
description of each fuse and component may be stamped
on the inside cover, otherwise the cavity number of each
fuse is stamped on the inside cover that corresponds to
the following chart.
Cavity Cartridge Fuse Micro FuseDescription
F01 80 Amp Black Rad Fan Control Module – If equipped
F03 60 Amp Yellow Rad Fan – If Equipped
F05 40 Amp Green Compressor for Air Suspension – If Equipped
F06 40 Amp Green Antilock Brakes/Electronic Stability Control Pump
Power Distribution Center Location
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 795

Cavity Cartridge Fuse Micro FuseDescription
F41 10 Amp RedActive Grill Shutter — If Equipped
F42 20 Amp Yellow Horn
F44 10 Amp Red Diagnostic Port
F46 10 Amp Red Tire Pressure Monitor
F49 10 Amp RedInstrument Panel Cluster
F50 20 Amp Yellow Air Suspension Control Module – If Equipped
F51 10 Amp RedIgnition Node Module / Keyless Ignition
F52 5 Amp Tan Battery Sensor
F53 20 Amp YellowTrailer Tow – Left Turn/Stop Lights
F54 20 Amp Yellow Adjustable Pedals
F56 15 Amp BlueAdditional Diesel Content – If Equipped
F57 20 Amp Yellow Transmission
F58 20 Amp Yellow Spare Fuse
F59 10 Amp RedSCR Relay – If Equipped
F60 15 Amp Blue Underhood Lamp
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 799

Cavity Cartridge Fuse Micro FuseDescription
F85 10 Amp Red Airbag Module
F86 10 Amp Red Airbag Module
F87 10 Amp Red Air Suspension-If Equipped / Trailer Tow / Steering
Column Control Module
F88 15 Amp BlueInstrument Panel Cluster
F90/F91 20 Amp Yellow Power Outlet (Rear seats) Customer Selectable
F93 20 Amp Yellow Cigar Lighter
F94 10 Amp RedShifter / Transfer Case Module
F95 10 Amp RedRear Camera / Park Assist
F96 10 Amp RedRear Seat Heater Switch
F97 25 Amp Clear Rear Heated Seats & Heated Steering Wheel – If
Equipped
F98 25 Amp ClearFront Heated Seats – If Equipped
F99 10 Amp Red Climate Control
F100 10 Amp RedUpfitters – If Equipped
802 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintenance Chart
Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X XX X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod
ends, and replace if necessary. XXX X X X X
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level.
If using your vehicle for police,
taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing, change axle fluid. XXX X X X X
826 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES