wheel Ram 3500 2014 Service Manual

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .396
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ........................ .397
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) ...........406
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only ....................... .418
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .429
▫
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .429
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................433
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................439 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................444
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS ONLY)
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .451
▫ Description ......................... .451
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................455
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................456
▫ Operation .......................... .456
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ..................458
▫ Description ......................... .458
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................459
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................461
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫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
380 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫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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▫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

In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also be pressed
to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
The transmission is controlled using a rotary electronic
gear selector located on the instrument panel. The trans-
mission gear range (PRND) is displayed both above the
gear selector and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). To select a gear range, simply rotate the
gear selector. You must press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL
into DRIVE or REVERSE, when the vehicle is stopped or
moving at low speeds (refer toBrake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System in this section). To shift past multiple
gear ranges at once (such as Park to Drive), simply rotate
the gear selector to the appropriate detent. Select the
DRIVE range for normal driving. The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector has only PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) switches (described later in this section). Pressing
the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the steering wheel)
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear in
the instrument cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 397

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.
Electronic Transmission Gear Selector
398 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position.
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 move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not in PARK. Make sure the transmission is
in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 399

transmission is in DRIVE. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will not
shift above third gear (except to prevent engine over-
speed), but will shift down into second and first gears
normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the gear selector is in DRIVE, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting 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 maintain that
gear as the top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping
the GEAR- or GEAR+ switch will change the top avail-
able gear.To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the GEAR+
switch until “D” is once again displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
1 — ERS (-) Switch2 — ERS (+) Switch
404 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/
HAUL mode. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission overheating or failure due
to excessive shifting.The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode
has been activated. Pressing the switch a second time
restores normal operation. Normal operation is always
TOW/HAUL Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 405

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, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever 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.
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 move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
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