esc Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2015 User Guide

WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illumi-
nated you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in
contact with hot engine or exhaust components and
cause a fire.
• Loose Fuel Filler Cap
This telltale will turn on to indicate that the fuel
filler cap may be loose.
EVIC White Telltales
•Electronic Speed Control ON
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is ON. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle.”
• Electronic Speed Control SET
This light will turn on when the electronic
speed control is SET. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle.”
• Hill Descent Control – If equipped
This indicator will illuminate when Hill Descent
Control (HDC) has been selected using the Hill
Descent Control Switch., refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating.”
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 225

The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a
push-button in the center. Pushing the top of the switch
will increase the volume, and pushing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume.
The button located in the center of the right hand control
will switch modes to Radio, CD or other valid audio
sources.
The left hand control is a rocker type switch with a
push-button in the center. The function of the left hand
control is different depending on which mode you are in.
The following describes the left hand control operation in
each mode.
Radio Operation
Pushing the top of the switch will SEEK up for the next
listenable station and pushing the bottom of the switch
will SEEK down for the next listenable station.The button located in the center of the left hand control
will tune to the next pre-set station that you have
programmed in the radio pre-set buttons.
CD Player — If Equipped
Pushing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within eight
seconds after the current track begins to play.
If you push the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep a CD/DVD in good condition, take the following
precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
280 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Buttons On The Touchscreen
Buttons on the touchscreen are accessible on the radio.Button Descriptions (Applies To Both Buttons On The
Faceplate and Buttons On The Touchscreen)
1. MAX A/C Button
Press and release to toggle between MAX A/C and the
prior settings. The button on the touchscreen illuminates
when MAX A/C is ON. In MAX A/C, the blower level
and mode position can be adjusted to desired user
settings. Pressing other settings will cause the MAX A/C
operation to switch to the prior settings and the MAX
A/C indicator will turn off.
2. A/C Button
Press and release to change the current setting, the
indicator illuminates when A/C is ON. Performing this
function again will cause the A/C operation to switch
into manual mode and the A/C indicator will turn off.
Temperature Controls — Buttons On The Touchscreen
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 289

Buttons On The Touchscreen
Buttons on the touchscreen are accessible on the
Uconnect® system screen.
Button Descriptions (Applies To Both Buttons On
The Faceplate And Buttons On The Touchscreen)
1. MAX A/C Button
Press and release to change the current setting, the
indicator illuminates when MAX A/C is ON. Performing
Uconnect® 5.0 Automatic Temperature Controls —Buttons On The Touchscreen
Uconnect® 8.4 Automatic Temperature Controls —Buttons On The Touchscreen
294 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Shifting Procedure — Manually Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... .354
▫ Transfer Case Position Indicator Light ......355
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) — If Equipped .......355
▫ Shifting Procedure .....................359
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL .............361
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........362
▫ Acceleration ........................ .362
▫ Traction ........................... .363
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............363
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................363
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................364
 POWER STEERING .....................365 ▫
Power Steering Fluid Check ..............366
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .367
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .370
▫ Hydraulic Brake Assist ..................370
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .371
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............371
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............372
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ..................373
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........375
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ............379
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............381
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............382
326 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.
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
ERS (-) switch. The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
CAUTION!
When using ERS for engine braking while descend-
ing steep grades, be careful not to overspeed the
engine. Apply the brakes as needed to prevent en-
gine overspeed.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth and sixth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
• The shift lever is in the DRIVE position.
• The transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature.
• The engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture.
• Vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
• The TOW/HAUL switch has not been activated.
• The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 345

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist
System (BAS), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Hill
Start Assist (HSA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) and Hill Decent Control
(HDC [Power Wagon only]). All of the systems work
together to enhance vehicle stability and control in vari-
ous driving conditions, and are commonly referred to as
ESC.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is de-
signed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system operates
with a separate computer to modulate hydraulic pressure
to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on
slippery surfaces.The system’s pump motor runs during an ABS stop to
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation. This is
normal.
The ABS conducts a low-speed selftest at about 10 mph
(16 km/h). If you have your foot lightly on the brake
while this test is occurring, you may feel slight pedal
movement. The movement can be more apparent on ice
and snow. This is normal.
When you are in a severe braking condition involving
use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop as
the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This is the result of
the system reverting to the base brake system and is
normal.
Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal, and indicate that the
system is functioning.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 371

WARNING!
•Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to a collision.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
• The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of
the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
• The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning.
• The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
ABS Warning Light
The ABS includes an amber warning light. When the light
is illuminated, the ABS is not functioning. The system
reverts to standard, non-anti-lock brakes.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s), and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system, Brake Limited
Differential (BLD), controls the wheel spin across a
driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning
faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of
the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque
to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This
feature remains active even if TCS and ESC are in the
“Partial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)” in this section of this manual. This brake pressure
372 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle
on a hill without putting the transmission in PARK
or using the parking brake, it will roll down the
incline and could collide with another vehicle,
object or person, and cause serious or fatal injury.
Always remember to use the parking brake while
parking on a hill and that the driver is responsible
for braking the vehicle.
HSA Off
HSA is a Customer Programmable Feature in the EVIC/
DID. If you wish to turn off the HSA feature, refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Driver
Information Display (DID)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The ESC system enhances directional control and stabil-
ity of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC
corrects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist
in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appro-
priate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
• Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 375

•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
WARNING!
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. ESC also cannot prevent accidents resulting
from loss of vehicle control due to inappropriate
driver input for the conditions. Only a safe, attentive,
and skillful driver can prevent accidents. The capa-
bilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety of
others.
All Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles And Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles In 2WD, 4WD AUTO, Or 4WD
LOCK Modes Can Choose The Following ESC
Operating Modes:
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 2WD/4WD
AUTO/4WD LOCK modes and in 2WD vehicles. When-
ever the vehicle is started or the transfer case (if
equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOW or Neutral, back to
4WD LOCK or 4WD AUTO, the ESC system will be in
this mode. This mode should be used for almost all
driving situations. ESC should only be turned to ESC
Partial Off or “ESC Full Off” for specific reasons as noted
below.
ESC Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESC
Partial Off” switch. When in Partial Offmode, the TCS
376 STARTING AND OPERATING