wheel Ram 2500 (Diesel) 2007 Owner's Guide

Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
19. Brake System Warning Light
This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the
parking brake has not been released. This light willilluminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when
braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if
the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will
flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on.
If the light remains on when the parking brake is
released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until
the cause is corrected.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary
and continued operation of the vehicle in this condition is
dangerous.
Acceleration which causes the rear wheels to slip for a
period of time may result in the red brake light illumi-
nating and a brake switch code being set on ABS
equipped vehicles. Depressing the brake pedal should
extinguish the red brake light.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 203
4

23. SERV 4WD Indicator
The 4WD indicator will be illuminated whenever the
4WD mode is engaged for either the manual or electric
shift 4WD systems. The SERV 4WD indicator monitors
the electric shift 4WD system. If the SERV 4WD light
stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
24. Water In Fuel Indicator
Indicates there is water detected in the fuel
filter. Refer to the Maintenance section, Drain-
ing Fuel/Water Separator Filter, for water
drain procedure. (See page 427 for more information.)
25. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It mayalso occur when operating the vehicle in a high torque
converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive operation
(e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If this light
comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle or
faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the light
goes off.
26. Wait To Start Indicator
The Wait To Start Indicator will illuminate when
the ignition is turned to the run position and the
intake manifold temperature is below 66 degrees F.
Follow engine starting procedure for proper engine start-
ing and operating. Wait until the Wait To Start Indicator
turns OFF then start the vehicle.
NOTE:The Wait To Start Indicator may not illuminate if
the engine coolant temperature is warm enough.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 205
4

Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
208 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons.
•The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
•Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception.
•Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
•Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a
button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will
increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume. The center button of the
right hand control will allow you to change the mode.
Remote Sound System Controls
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 253
4

Transmission Shifting....................291
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
(68RFE) — If Equipped.................291
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
(48RE) — If Equipped..................297

Manual Transmission....................303
▫Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........304
▫Downshifting........................305

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 306
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................306
▫Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted
Transfer Case........................308
▫Transfer Case Reminder Light............309▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions–If Equipped.......310
▫Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................314

Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped.......317

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............318

Driving Off-Road.......................319

Parking Brake.........................320

Brake System..........................321
▫Brake Noise.........................322
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System........322

Power Steering........................324

Tire Safety Information...................325
▫Tire Markings........................325
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........329
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........330

Tires — General Information...............334
▫Tire Pressure.........................334
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................335
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................337
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........338
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........338
▫TireSpinning ........................339
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................340
▫LifeOfTire .........................340
▫Replacement Tires.....................341
▫Alignment And Balance.................342
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information — If
Equipped............................343

Tire Chains...........................343

Snow Tires...........................345

Tire Rotation Recommendations............345
▫Dual Rear Wheels.....................347

Engine Runaway.......................348

Fuel Requirements......................348
▫Fuel Requirements (5.9L Diesel Engine)......348
▫Fuel Requirements (6.7L Diesel Engines).....350

Adding Fuel (Diesel Engines)..............352
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............352
▫Bulk Fuel Storage.....................353
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

Vehicle Loading........................355
▫Certification Label.....................355

TrailerTowing .........................358
▫Common Towing Definitions.............358
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............362
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings).................363
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............363
▫Towing Requirements..................364
▫TowingTips .........................370
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......371

Snowplow............................373▫Before Plowing.......................374
▫Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 374
▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached...........................375
▫Methods For Removing Snow............375
▫Operating Tips.......................375
▫General Maintenance...................376

Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................377
▫Recreational Towing –
2 Wheel Drive Models..................377
▫Recreational Towing –
4 Wheel Drive Models..................377
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (68RFE)
— If Equipped
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, or Park, or when shifting out
of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in P. Make
sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

delayed. Shifts into 5th and 6th gear are still allowed
under steady cruise conditions. Closed throttle down-
shifts (for improved engine braking) may occur during
steady braking maneuvers. Pressing the switch a second
time restores normal operation. Normal operation is
always the default at engine start-up.
The “TOW HAUL” light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster to indicate when the switch has been activated. If
the “TOW HAUL” modes are desired, the button must be
pressed each time the engine is started.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Auto–6 Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
allows you to move the switch down (-) or up (+) when
the shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the
selection of the desired top gear. For example, if the
driver shifts the transmission into 3rd gear, the transmis-
sion will never shift above 3rd gear, but can shift down to
2nd or 1st gear, when needed.Switching from ERS to D-Mode can be done at any
vehicle speed. To switch from “Drive” mode to “ERS”
mode, press the switch down (-) once. The selected gear
will be maintained as the top gear. To disable ERS, simply
press and hold the switch up (+) until “D” is displayed in
the instrument cluster odometer.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12 3456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in P. Make
sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
“R” Reverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING