starting Ram 2500 2017 Owner's Manual

4WD AUTO Indicator Light — If Equipped
Green TelltaleLight What It Means
4WD AUTO Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive auto mode, and the front
axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive will be auto-
matically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of traction.
For further information on four-wheel drive operation and proper use, refer to “Four-Wheel
Drive Operation — If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating.”
White Telltale Indicator Lights
Cruise Control Ready Indicator Light
White Telltale
Light What It Means
Cruise Control Ready Indicator Light
This light will turn on when the speed control is on, but not set.
264 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Cruise Control SET Indicator Light — If Equipped
White TelltaleLight What It Means
Cruise Control SET Indicator Light
This light will turn on when the speed control is set. Refer to “Speed Control” in “Understanding
The Features Of Your Vehicle” for further information.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) Indicator Light — If Equipped
White Telltale
Light What It Means
Hill Descent Control (HDC) Indicator Light
This indicator will illuminate when Hill Descent Control (HDC) has been selected using the Hill
Descent Control Switch. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 265

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES .................381
▫ Normal Starting ....................... .381
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................382
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition .............382
▫ Normal Starting ....................... .382
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –22°F Or 30°C) ..................384
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................384
▫ After Starting ......................... .385
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .385
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............386
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................387
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .387 ▫
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ......................... .388
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) ............395
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
2500/3500 Models Only ..................405
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .414
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case —
If Equipped .......................... .414
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) — If Equipped ........417
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) — If Equipped ........422
▫ Four-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case (Eight Speed Transmission Only) —
If Equipped ......................... .427
5

▫Five-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case (Eight Speed Transmission Only) —
If Equipped ......................... .432
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS) —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .438
▫ Description .......................... .438
▫ Air Suspension Modes ...................441
▫ Instrument Cluster Display Messages .........442
▫ Operation ........................... .443
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
(REBEL MODELS ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED .....444
▫ Description .......................... .444
▫ Air Suspension Modes ...................447
▫ Instrument Cluster Display Messages .........449
▫ Operation ........................... .449
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
(2500/3500 MODELS) — IF EQUIPPED .........450
▫ Description .......................... .450
▫ Air Suspension Modes ...................452 ▫
Instrument Cluster Display Messages .........453
▫ Operation ........................... .453
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED) ..............453
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM —
POWER WAGON ONLY ...................455
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER
WAGON ONLY ........................ .457
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips And
Vehicle Characteristics ...................457
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ............459
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other
High Points) ......................... .460
▫ Hill Climbing ......................... .462
▫ Driving
Through Water ...................464
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving ..........466
▫ Vehicle Recovery ...................... .467
▫ After Driving Off-Road ...................470
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL ..............470
376 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ..........471
▫ Acceleration .......................... .471
▫ Traction ............................. .471
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER ..............472
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ...................472
▫ Shallow Standing Water ..................472
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS .................473
▫ After Driving Off-Road ...................474
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY
(IF EQUIPPED) ........................ .474
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your Winch .....474
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . . .476
▫ Winch Accessories ..................... .478
▫ Operating Your Winch ...................479
▫ Rigging Techniques .....................489
 POWER STEERING ...................... .490
▫ Electric Power Steering — 1500 Models .......490▫
Hydraulic Power Steering —
2500/3500 Models ..................... .491
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ....................492
 PARKING BRAKE ...................... .492
 BRAKE SYSTEM ....................... .494
▫ Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon) ...................494
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM .....495
▫ Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) ......495
▫ Brake System Warning Light ...............495
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............495
▫ Anti-Lock

Brake Warning Light .............497
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ................497
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ...................498
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) .............500
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...........500
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ...........504
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STARTING AND OPERATING 377

▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC) — If Equipped . . . .504
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped . . . .505
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ..............508
▫ Tire Markings ........................ .508
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............511
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ...........512
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ............513
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .........518
▫ Tire Pressure ......................... .518
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ..................519
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation .....520
▫ Radial Ply Tires ....................... .520
▫ Tire Types ........................... .521
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped ..............522
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................523
▫ Tire Spinning ........................ .525
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ...................526 ▫
Life Of Tire .......................... .526
▫ Replacement Tires ..................... .527
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .........528
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS ......530
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped .............531
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ...........532
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES ..........533
▫ Treadwear ........................... .533
▫ Traction Grades ....................... .534
▫ T

emperature Grades .....................534
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . . .535
▫ Premium System ...................... .536
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS)
3500 Series Trucks ..................... .539
▫ General Information ....................540
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................541
▫ 3.6L Engine .......................... .541
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫5.7L Engine .......................... .541
▫ 6.4L Engine .......................... .542
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ..................542
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ...............542
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .........543
▫ CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications ......543
▫ MMT In Gasoline ...................... .543
▫ Materials Added To Fuel .................544
▫ Fuel System Cautions ....................544
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ...............545
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .545
▫ E-85 General Information .................545
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ..................... .546
▫ Fuel Requirements .....................546
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ........546▫
Starting ............................ .547
▫ Cruising Range ....................... .547
▫ Replacement Parts ..................... .547
▫ Maintenance ......................... .547
 ADDING FUEL ........................ .548
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message .............549
 VEHICLE LOADING .....................549
▫ Certification Label ..................... .549
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .551
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............551
▫ T

railer Hitch Type and Maximum
Trailer Weight ........................ .558
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings) ..................559
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............559
▫ Towing Requirements ...................559
▫ Towing Tips .......................... .567
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STARTING AND OPERATING 379

SNOWPLOW .......................... .568
▫ 1500 Models Only ..................... .568
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only ..................569
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................572 ▫
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle. . . .572
▫ Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................. .573
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................. .573
380 STARTING AND OPERATING

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!
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in the OFFmode, remove
the key fob from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be 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 controls, or move the
vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 381

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 inter-
locking 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 — Ignition
This feature allows the driver to operate
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
To Turn On The Engine 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.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push the button again.
382 STARTING AND OPERATING