four wheel drive Ram 2500 2017 Owner's Manual

Air Suspension Ride Height Lowering Indicator Light— If Equipped
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Air Suspension Ride Height Lowering Indicator Light
This light will blink and alert the driver that the vehicle is changing to a lower ride height.
4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
4WD Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive mode, and the front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed.
4WD Lock Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
4WD Lock Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is locked in the four-wheel drive mode, and the front
and rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate
at the same speed.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 259

NEUTRAL Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
NEUTRAL Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the NEUTRAL mode and the front and rear
driveshafts are disengaged from the powertrain.
4 Low Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
4 Low Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive LOW mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at
the same speed. Low range provides a greater gear reduction ratio to provide increased torque at
the wheels.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information on four-wheel drive operation and proper use.
260 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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

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

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

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This
is especially important when the engine is cold. PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
NOTE:
On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
• Apply the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission into PARK.
• Turn the engine OFF.
• Remove the key fob.
Electronic Transmission Gear Selector
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 389

3. Turn the ignition to the OFF position. On vehicles withKeyless Enter-N-Go, push and hold the ignition until
the engine turns OFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has diagnos-
tic equipment to determine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation —
Eight-Speed Transmission
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the trans-
mission is in DRIVE. For example, if you set the transmis-
sion gear limit to 4 (fourth gear), the transmission will not
shift above fourth gear (except to prevent engine over-
speed), but will shift through the lower gears normally. You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the transmission gear selector is in
DRIVE, the transmission will operate automatically, shift-
ing between all available gears. Tapping the GEAR- switch
(on the steering wheel) will activate ERS mode, display the
current gear in the instrument cluster, and set that gear as
the top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping the
GEAR- or GEAR+ switch will change the top available
gear.
1 — GEAR - Switch
2 — GEAR + Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 393

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This
is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
NOTE: On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position. When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult
to move the gear selector out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
•
Apply the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission into PARK.
• Turn the engine OFF.
• Remove the key fob.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully
when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the gear
selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released.
(Continued)
396 STARTING AND OPERATING

When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult
to move the gear selector out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
NOTE:On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
• Apply the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission into PARK.
• Turn the engine OFF.
• Remove the key fob.WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully
when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the gear
selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK before leav-
ing the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if
the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your
foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you
should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
(Continued)
406 STARTING AND OPERATING

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a manu-
ally shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted trans-
fer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further information.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions:
•Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2H)
• Four-Wheel Drive Lock High Range (4H)
• Neutral (N)
• Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4L)
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H
Two-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry, hard surfaced roads. 4H
Four-Wheel Drive Lock High Range — This range locks the
front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
NEUTRAL (N)
Neutral — This range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing
behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such as
dry, hard surfaced roads.
414 STARTING AND OPERATING