spare tire Ram 2500 2015 Owner's Manual

WARNING!(Continued)
•Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top
of already installed floor mats. Additional floor
mats and other coverings will reduce the size of the
pedal area and interfere with the pedals.
• Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Always
properly reinstall and secure floor mats that have
been removed for cleaning.
•
Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Objects
can become trapped under the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle control.
• If required, mounting posts must be properly in-
stalled, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss of
control of the vehicle.
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.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 117

16. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light — If
EquippedEach tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 291

•Rain Sensing Auto Wipers
When this feature is selected, the system will automati-
cally activate the windshield wipers if it senses moisture
on the windshield. To make your selection, press the
“Rain Sensing” button on the touchscreen to select from
on or off. Press the back arrow button on the touchscreen
to return to the previous menu.
• Hill Start Assist — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the Hill Start Assist (HSA)
system is active. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Starting And Operating” for system function
and operating information. To make your selection, press
the “Hill Start Assist” button on the touchscreen to select
from on or off. Press the back arrow button on the
touchscreen to return to the previous menu. •
Two Or Four Corner Air Suspension Modes — If
Equipped
There are four air suspension modes designed to protect
the system in unique situations. Tire Jack Mode is se-
lected to assist in changing a spare tire. Transport Mode
is selected to assist when the vehicle is being flat bed
towed. Wheel Alignment Mode is selected before per-
forming a wheel alignment, refer to your authorized
dealer for information. Protection Mode will automati-
cally be selected to “protect” the air suspension system
when the payload has been exceeded or load leveling
cannot be achieved.
Lights
After pressing the “Lights” button on the touchscreen the
following settings will be available.
378 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
•Suspension Display Messages
When “All” is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will
be displayed. When “Warning” is selected only the Air
Suspension Warnings will be displayed.
• Automatic Aero Mode (1500 Model Only)
When this feature is selected the Ride Height will auto-
matically be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed.
Press the box next to your selection and a check-mark
appears next to the feature showing the system has been
activated or the check-mark is removed showing the
system has been deactivated.
• Tire Jack Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with changing a spare tire. Press the box
next to your selection and a check-mark appears next to the feature showing the system has been activated or the
check-mark is removed showing the system has been
deactivated.
•
Transport Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system
lowers and then disables to assist with flat bed towing.
Press the box next to your selection and a check-mark
appears next to the feature showing the system has been
activated or the check-mark is removed showing the
system has been deactivated.
• Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment this mode must be
enabled. Refer to your authorized dealer for further
information.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 385

▫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
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 439

After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed that the
air suspension system operates briefly, this is normal. The
system is correcting the position of the vehicle to ensure
a proper appearance.
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling
to be disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
NOTE:If equipped with a touch screen radio all
enabling/disabling of air suspension features must be
done through the radio. Refer to “Uconnect® Settings” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pressure
volume of air to operate the system. To avoid per-
sonal injury or damage to the system, see your
authorized dealer for service.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect
the system in unique situations:
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling
to be disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect®
514 STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Ride Height (NRH)– This is the standard
position of the suspension and is meant for normal
driving.
Trailer Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately 1 in (25
mm) – This position will lower the rear suspension and
provide load leveling for all loading conditions including
towing a trailer. After the “ALT TRAILER HEIGHT”
button has been pushed, it will blink continuously until
the trailer height has been achieved.
The system requires that the ignition be in ON/RUN
position or the engine running with zero vehicle speed
for all user requested changes.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed that the
air suspension system operates briefly, this is normal. The
system is correcting the position of the vehicle to ensure
a proper appearance. NOTE:
If equipped with a touch screen radio all
enabling/disabling of air suspension features must be
done through the radio. Refer to “Uconnect® Settings” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pressure
volume of air to operate the system. To avoid per-
sonal injury or damage to the system, see your
authorized dealer for service.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect
the system in unique situations:
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 519

out of the situation in a slow controlled manner. This
control works well for avoiding further vehicle dam-
age. Once you decide it is time to use the winch look
for a good anchor point. It needs to be strong enough
to hold more than the vehicle’s weight and provide a
direction of pull as straight as possible. Use block and
tackle if necessary to improve the angle of pull or
increase the winch’s pulling force. If the anchor point
is a tree use a strap around its base and hook the cable
to the strap. If it is another vehicle, then place that
vehicle in PARK and block the front tires. If you cannot
find an anchor point within reach try using your spare
tire by burying it. Once you have determined an
anchor point hook up the cable, ensuring there are a
least five wraps of cable left on the drum, and place a
floor mat or something else over the strung out cable.
Placing something over the strung out cable helps
keep the cable on the ground if it breaks. Next, place
the vehicle in first gear and apply a very light throttleas 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 543

•Temporary spare tires are designed for temporary
emergency use only. Temporary high pressure com-
pact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into
the sidewall preceding the size designation. Example:
T145/80D18 103M. •
High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Example Size Designation: P215/65R15XL 95H, 215/65R15 96H, LT235/85R16C, T145/80D18 103M, 31x10.5 R15 LT
P = Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards, or
....blank.... = Passenger car tire based on European design standards, or
LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards, or
TorS= Temporary spare tire or
31 = Overall diameter in inches (in)
215, 235, 145 = Section width in millimeters (mm)
65, 85, 80 = Aspect ratio in percent (%)
– Ratio of section height to section width of tire, or
10.5 = Section width in inches (in)
592 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
Tire And Loading Information Placard
598 STARTING AND OPERATING