Ram 3500 2014 Owner's Manual

▫Operation .......................... .461
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY — (IF EQUIPPED) ..........461
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .464
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .466
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... .466
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........469
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .470
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .473
▫ Driving Through Water .................476
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving .........478▫
Vehicle Recovery ..................... .479
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................483
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............484
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........485
▫ Acceleration ........................ .485
▫ Traction ........................... .485
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............486
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................486
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................486
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............488
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................488
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON
ONLY — (IF EQUIPPED) .................490
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▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .490
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .492
▫ Winch Accessories ....................494
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................495
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................507
 POWER STEERING — 1500 MODELS ........509
 POWER STEERING — 2500/3500 MODELS . . . .510
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check — 2500/3500
Models ............................511
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ..................512
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .512
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .515
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ........515▫
Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models
Only (Except Power Wagon) ..............517
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .517
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............517
▫
Traction Control System (TCS) — If Equipped . .518
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped . . . .518
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) — If Equipped .......519
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) —
If Equipped ........................ .523
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ............527
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) — If Equipped . . .528
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............529
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .529
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▫Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........533
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........534
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........535
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........540
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .540
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................541
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .543
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .543
▫ Tire Types .......................... .544
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............545
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............546
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .548
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................548 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ .549
▫ Replacement Tires .....................550
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .551
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......552
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....554
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped ...........555
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ..........555
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .557
▫ Base System ........................ .560
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........562
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks ........................ .566
▫ General Information ...................567
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STARTING AND OPERATING 381

FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................568
▫ 3.6L/6.4L Engine ..................... .568
▫ 5.7L Engines ........................ .568
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................569
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............569
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......570
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................570
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................571
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................571
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............572
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .573
▫ E-85 General Information ...............573 ▫
Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................574
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................574
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............575
▫ Starting ........................... .575
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .576
▫ Replacement Parts ....................576
▫ Maintenance ....................... .576
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .577
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............579
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................579
▫ Certification Label ....................579
 TRAILER TOWING .....................581
382 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Common Towing Definitions .............582
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight ............................ .585
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .586
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............589
▫ Towing Requirements ..................590
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .600
 SNOWPLOW ........................ .601▫
1500 Models Only .....................601
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only .................602
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................606
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .606
▫ Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .607
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .608
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STARTING AND OPERATING 383

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 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children 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 shift
lever. Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle,
or in a location accessible to children, and do not
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
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.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the Key Fob to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the Key Fob to the OFF position,
wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
384 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK. Apply the brake before shifting into any driving
range.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
pressed to shift out of PARK.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn 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™
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate 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
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pressing 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 385

4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior tothe engine starting, press the button again.
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever/shift selector in PARK, then press and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/shift selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short presses in a row with the
vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain
in the ACC position until the shift lever/shift selector
is in PARK and the button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shift lever/shift selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pressed
once, the EVIC (if equipped) will display a “Vehicle
Not In Park” message and the engine will remain
running. Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK
position, or it could roll.
NOTE: If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has four positions, OFF, ACC, RUN and
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

START. To change the ignition switch positions without
starting the vehicle and use the accessories follow these
steps:
1. Starting with the ignition in the OFF position:
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button once tochange the ignition to the ACC position (EVIC dis-
plays “ACC”).
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to change the ignition to the RUN position (EVIC
displays “RUN”).
4. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF position (EVIC
displays “OFF”).
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there while cranking the engine. This should clear any
excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information. If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the igni-
tion button/key is released. If this occurs, continue
cranking with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the ignition
button/key once the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
388 STARTING AND OPERATING