trailer Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2015 Owner's Guide

Trailer Brake
After pressing the “Trailer Brake” button on the touch-
screen the following settings will be available:
•Trailer Select
When this feature is selected, the Trailer Type can be
selected between “Trailer 1,” “Trailer 2,” “Trailer 3” and
“Trailer 4.” To make your selection, scroll up or down
until the preferred setting is highlighted, then press and
release the SELECT button until a check-mark appears
next to the setting, showing that the setting has been
selected.
• Trailer Brake Type
When this feature is selected, the Trailer Brake Type can
be changed between “Light Electric,” “Heavy Electric,”
“Light EOH” and “Heavy EOH.” To make your selection,
scroll up or down until the preferred setting is high-
lighted, then press and release the SELECT button until a check-mark appears next to the setting, showing that the
setting has been selected. Refer to “Integrated Trailer
Brake Module” in “Starting And Operating.”
SiriusXM Setup — If Equipped
After pressing the “SiriusXM Setup” button on the touch-
screen, the following settings will be available:
•
Channel Skip
SiriusXM can be programmed to designate a group of
channels that are the most desirable to listen to or to
exclude undesirable channels while scanning. To make
your selection, press the “Channel Skip” button on the
touchscreen, select the channels you would like to skip
followed by pressing the back arrow button on the
touchscreen.
• Subscription Information
New vehicle purchasers or lessees will receive a free
limited time subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 277

▫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

▫General Information ...................421
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................421
▫ 5.7L/6.4L Engines .....................421
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................422
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............422
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......423
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................423
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................424
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................424
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............425
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .426
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............427
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................427 ▫
Certification Label ....................427
 TRAILER TOWING .....................430
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............430
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............435
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .436
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............436
▫ Towing Requirements ..................437
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .446
 SNOWPLOW ........................ .448
▫ Before Plowing ...................... .448
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . .449
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ........................... .449
328 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
and third gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and
sixth gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range
Select (ERS) Operation” in this section for further infor-
mation) to select a lower gear range. Under these condi-
tions, using a lower gear range will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shift-
ing and heat buildup.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 341

If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot or is in danger
of overheating, the “Transmission Temperature Warning
Light” may illuminate and the transmission may operate
differently until the transmission cools down.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle at low speeds (such as towing a trailer up a steep
grade, or in stop-and-go traffic) during hot weather. In
these conditions, torque converter slip can impose a
significant additional heat load on the cooling system.
Downshifting the transmission to the lowest possible
gear (when climbing a grade), or shifting to NEUTRAL
(when stopped in heavy traffic) can help to reduce this
excess heat generation. During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch is inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” in this section). On models with 66RFE transmis-
sion, top overdrive gear is also inhibited until the trans-
mission fluid is warm, and during extremely cold tem-
peratures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly
be limited to first and direct gears only. On trucks with
AS66RC transmission, fifth and sixth gears may be
inhibited briefly on cold starts below 41°F (5°C), and
during very cold temperatures (-4°F [-20°C] or below),
operation may briefly be limited to third gear only.
During this condition, the ability of the vehicle to accel-
erate under heavily loaded conditions may be reduced.
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. When operating in TOW/HAUL
mode, transmission upshifts are delayed, and the trans-
mission will automatically downshift (for engine brak-
ing) when the throttle is closed and/or during steady
braking maneuvers.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
the default at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is
desired, the switch must be pressed each time the engine
is started.
TOW/HAUL Switch
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

modulation transfers drive torque from slipping to non-
slipping wheels to provide optimal forward traction.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver in
launching a vehicle on an incline. HSA will maintain the
level of brake pressure the driver inputs for a short
duration once the driver takes his foot off of the brake
pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle during this
short duration, the system will release brake pressure
and the vehicle will roll down the incline. The system will
release brake pressure in proportion to the amount of
throttle applied.
During operation, HSA will activate the brake control
system and a clicking noise may occur. If your foot is on
the brake pedal during operation you may feel a slight
pedal movement. The clicking and pedal movement is
normal and both will stop when HSA becomes inactive.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•Vehicle must be stopped
• Vehicle must be on an approximate 7% or greater
incline
• Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills with a loaded
vehicle or while pulling a trailer where the system
will not activate and slight rolling may occur, which
could cause a collision with another vehicle or object.
Always remember the driver is responsible for brak-
ing the vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 373

The system will only work if the intended direction of the
vehicle and vehicle gear match. For example, if the intended
direction is forward up a hill and the vehicle is in DRIVE and
the activation criteria are met, HSA will activate.
The system will work in REVERSE and all forward gears,
and will not activate if the vehicle is placed in NEUTRAL.
Towing And Hauling With HSA
The HSA system does not know if your vehicle is loaded
or towing a trailer unless the TOW/HAUL switch, lo-
cated on the center stack, is selected. When activated, the
“TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Refer to “Automatic Transmission” in
“Starting and Operating” for further information. In
order to accommodate the extra weight entailed under
towing and hauling conditions and to increase driver
comfort while launching on a hill, the system recognizes
when the TOW/HAUL switch is activated and compen-
sates by releasing brake pressure at a slower rate whilethrottle is applied in order to prevent the vehicle from
rolling down the hill.
WARNING!
•
If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the
brake pedal is released, there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a
hill and this could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid
rolling down the incline while resuming accelera-
tion, manually activate the trailer brake or apply
more vehicle brake pressure prior to releasing the
brake pedal. Always remember the driver is re-
sponsible for braking the vehicle.
(Continued)
374 STARTING AND OPERATING

portion of ESC, except for the “limited slip” feature
described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the
ESC Off Indicator Lightwill be illuminated. All other
stability features of ESC function normally. This mode is
intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand,
or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than TCS
would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESC on again, momentarily press the “ESC Off”
switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of
operation.
NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “ESC Partial
Off” mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the
situation requiring ESC to be switched to the “ESC Partial
Off” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momen-
tarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.WARNING!
• When in “ESC Partial Off” mode, the TCS func-
tionality of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature
described in the TCS section), has been disabled
and the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be illumi-
nated. When in “ESC Partial Off” mode, the engine
power reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC
system is reduced.
• Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is disabled when the
ESC system is in the ESC Partial Offmode.
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