Ram 3500 2016 Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................477
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .477
▫ Automatic Transmission ................478
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go ...................478
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .479
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –22°F Or 30°C) ................480
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................480
▫ After Starting ....................... .482
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......482▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .482
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not
Autostop .......................... .483
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .484
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .485
▫ To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .486
▫ System Malfunction ....................486
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .486
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............487
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............489
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .489
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .490
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 1500 Models
Only (If Equipped) ....................499
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only ........................511
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .522
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case —
If Equipped ......................... .522
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................526
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................533 ▫
Five-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Eight Speed Transmission Only ) — If
Equipped .......................... .538
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .545
▫ Description ......................... .545
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................550
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) Display
Messages .......................... .552
▫ Operation .......................... .552
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS)
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .554
▫ Description ......................... .554
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................556
470 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) Display
Messages .......................... .557
▫ Operation .......................... .558
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (REBEL MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED .................558
▫ Description ......................... .558
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................562
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Infromation Display (DID) Display
Messages .......................... .564
▫ Operation .......................... .564
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED) ............565
STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .568
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .570
▫ Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics ...................... .570
▫ Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand ..........573
▫ Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points) ............................ .575
▫ Hill Climbing ....................... .577
▫ Driving Through Water .................580
▫ Airing Down For Off-Road Driving .........583
▫ Vehicle Recovery ..................... .584
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................588
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STARTING AND OPERATING 471

LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............589
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........590
▫ Acceleration ........................ .590
▫ Traction ........................... .590
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............591
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................591
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................591
 OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS ...............593
▫ After Driving Off-Road .................593
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY — (IF
EQUIPPED) ......................... .594
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . .594
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . .596 ▫
Winch Accessories ....................598
▫ Operating Your Winch ..................599
▫ Rigging Techniques ....................611
 POWER STEERING .....................613
▫ Electric Power Steering — 1500 Models .....613
▫ Hydraulic Power Steering — 2500/3500
Models ........................... .615
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ..................616
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .616
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .619
▫ Hydraulic Brake Assist — 2500/3500 Models Only
(Except Power Wagon) ..................619
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .619
472 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . .620
▫ Brake System Warning Light ..............620
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............620
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light ............622
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............622
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................623
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............626
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........626
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........631
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............632
▫ Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped . . .632
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............636
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .636▫
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........640
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........642
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........643
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........648
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .648
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................649
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .651
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .651
▫ Tire Types .......................... .652
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............654
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............654
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .657
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................657
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STARTING AND OPERATING 473

▫Life Of Tire ........................ .658
▫ Replacement Tires .....................658
 SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .660
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......660
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....663
▫ Directional Tires — If Equipped ...........664
▫ Dual Rear Wheels — If Equipped ..........664
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .666
▫ Premium System ..................... .668
▫ Tire Pressure Information System (TPIS) 3500
Series Trucks ........................ .673
▫ General Information ...................675
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................675 ▫
3.6L Engine ......................... .675
▫ 5.7L Engine ......................... .676
▫ 6.4L Engine ......................... .676
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................677
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............677
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......678
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................678
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................679
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................679
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............680
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .681
▫ E-85 General Information ...............681
474 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................681
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................682
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............682
▫ Starting ........................... .683
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .683
▫ Replacement Parts ....................683
▫ Maintenance ....................... .684
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .684
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............686
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................687
▫ Certification Label ....................687 
TRAILER TOWING .....................689
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............689
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight ............................ .697
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ........................... .698
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............698
▫ Towing Requirements ..................699
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .709
 SNOWPLOW .........................711
▫ 1500 Models Only .....................711
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only .................712
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STARTING AND OPERATING 475

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................716
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .716 ▫
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .717
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .718
476 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
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the gear selector.
• 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 con-
trols, 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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 477

within 10 seconds, cycle the ignition to the OFF position,
wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
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
interlocking 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
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.
478 STARTING AND OPERATING