ECO mode Ram Cargo Van 2014 Workshop Manual

NOTE:The air conditioning compressor may operate in
Mix and Defrost, even if the A/C button is not pressed.
This dehumidifies the air to help dry the windshield. To
improve fuel economy, use these modes only when
necessary.
8. Electronic Rear Window Defrost
Press this button to turn on the rear window
defroster and the heated outside mirrors (if
equipped). An indicator in the button will illuminate
when the rear window defroster is on. The rear window
defroster automatically turns off after approximately 10
minutes.
NOTE:
•You can turn off the heated mirror feature at anytime
by pressing the rear window defroster switch a
second time. •
To prevent excessive battery drain, use the rear
window defroster only when the engine is operating.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
• Use care when washing the inside of the rear
window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on
the interior surface of the window. Use a soft cloth
and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to the
heating elements. Labels can be peeled off after
soaking with warm water.
• Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abrasive
window cleaners on the interior surface of the
window.
• Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.
(Continued)
418 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

9. Recirculation Control ButtonPress this button to choose between outside air
intake or recirculation of the air inside the
vehicle. An indicator light will illuminate when
you are in Recirculation mode. Only use the
Recirculation mode to temporarily block out any outside
odors, smoke, or dust, and to cool the interior rapidly
upon initial start-up in very hot or humid weather.
NOTE:
•If the Recirculation button is pressed when the
system is in Defrost mode the Recirculation LED
indicator will flash 3 times to indicate Recirculation
mode is not allowed.
• Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may make
the inside air stuffy and window fogging may occur.
Extended use of this mode is not recommended. •
In cold or damp weather, the use of the Recirculation
mode will cause windows to fog on the inside
because of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. For
maximum defogging, select the outside air position.
• In order to prevent fogging, when the Recirculation
button is pressed and the mode control is set to
Panel, the A/C will engage automatically.
• The A/C can be deselected manually without dis-
turbing the mode control selection.
10. Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Press and release to change the current setting.
The indicator illuminates when ON.
NOTE: If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser (located in front of the radiator), for an accumu-
lation of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 419

from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce airflow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
11. Floor Mode ButtonAir is directed through the floor outlets with a
small amount through the defrost and side win-
dow demist outlets.
12. Bi-Level Mode Button
Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets.
NOTE: There is a difference in temperature (in
any conditions other than full cold or full hot), between
the upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The
warmer air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives
improved comfort during sunny but cool conditions. 13. Panel Mode Button
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted for
direction, and turned on or off to control airflow.
NOTE: For maximum airflow to the rear, the center
instrument panel outlets can be directed toward the rear
seat passengers.
Economy Mode
If ECONOMY mode is desired, press the A/C button to
turn off the indicator light and the A/C compressor.
Rotate the temperature control knob to the desired tem-
perature. Also, make sure to select only Panel, Bi-Level or
Floor modes.
Max A/C
For maximum cooling use the A/C and Recirculation
mode buttons at the same time.
420 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Only when the front control for the rear blower is in the
REARposition do the second row seat occupants have
control of the rear blower speed.
The rear blower control, located in the rear overhead
console, has an off position and a range of blower speeds.
This allows the second row seat occupants to control the
volume of air circulated in the rear of the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Interior air enters the Rear Manual Climate Control
system through an intake grille, located in the right
side trim panel behind the third row seats. The
heater outlets are located in the right side trim panel,
just behind the sliding door. Do not block or place
objects directly in front of the inlet grille or heater
outlets. The electrical system could overload, causing
damage to the blower motor.
Rear Temperature Control
The rear mode selection REAR,allows the settings to be
controlled by the rear mode control knob.
To change the temperature in the rear of the vehicle,
rotate the temperature control knob counterclockwise for
cold air, and clockwise for heated air.
When rear controls are locked by the front system, the
lock symbol on the temperature knob is illuminated, and
the rear overhead adjustments are inoperable.
Rear Mode Control
Headliner Mode
Air comes from the outlets in the headliner. Each
of these outlets can be individually adjusted to
direct the flow of air. Moving the air vanes of the outlets
to one side will shut off the airflow.
422 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Air Conditioning (A/C)
The Air Conditioning (A/C) button allows the operator
to manually activate or deactivate the air conditioning
system. When in A/C mode and the ATC is set to a cool
temperature, dehumidified air flows through the air
outlets. If Economy mode is desired, press the A/C
button to turn off the A/C mode in the ATC display and
deactivate the A/C system.
NOTE:
• If the system is in Mix, Floor or Defrost Mode, the A/C
can be turned off, but the A/C system shall remain
active to prevent fogging of the windows.
• If fog or mist appears on the windshield or side glass,
select Defrost mode and increase blower speed.Controlling The Rear Climate Controls From The
Front ATC Panel
The Three-Zone ATC system allows for adjustment of the
rear climate controls from the front ATC panel.
To change the rear system settings:
• Press REAR button to change control to rear control
mode, Rear display (below) will appear. Control func-
tions now operate rear system.
• To return to Front screen, press REARbutton again,
or it will revert to the Front screen after six seconds.
428 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:In many temperature positions, the Bi-Level
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets.
Rear Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If
Equipped
The rear ATC system has floor air outlets at the rear of the
right side sliding door, and overhead outlets at each
outboard rear seating position. The system provides
heated air through the floor outlets or cool, dehumidified
air through the headliner outlets.
The rear system temperature control is on the front ATC
panel located on the instrument panel. Pressing the Rear Temperature Lock button on the front
ATC panel, illuminates a lock symbol in the rear display.
The rear temperature and air source are controlled from
the front ATC panel.
Rear second row occupants can only adjust the rear ATC
control when the Rear Temperature Lock button is turned
off.
The rear ATC system is located in the headliner, near the
center of the vehicle.
430 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from both the headliner outlets and the
floor outlets.
NOTE: In many temperature positions, the Bi-Level
mode is designed to provide cooler air out of the head-
liner outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
• Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106) is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended, because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Before you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes, in
fresh air with the blower setting on high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 433

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................441
▫ Automatic Transmission ................441
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .441
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................442
▫ If The Engine Fails To Start ..............442
▫ After Starting ....................... .443
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .443
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............444
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............446 ▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .446
▫ Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode .............447
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .........448
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .449
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........457
▫ Acceleration ........................ .457
▫ Traction ........................... .457
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............458
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................458
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................458
5

Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode
The Fuel Economy (ECON) mode can improve the vehi-
cle’s overall fuel economy during normal driving condi-
tions. Press the “econ” switch in the center stack of the
instrument panel and a green light will indicate the
ECON mode is engaged.When the Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode is engaged, the
vehicle control systems will change the following:
•
The transmission will upshift sooner and downshift
later.
• The transmission will skip select gears during shifts to
allow the engine to operate at lower speeds.
• The torque converter clutch may engage at lower
engine speeds and remain on longer.
• The engine idle speed will be lower.
• The overall driving performance will be more conser-
vative.
• Some ECON mode functions may be temporarily
inhibited based on temperature and other factors.
Fuel Economy Mode Switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 447

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). During extremely cold tempera-
tures (-16°F [-27°C] or below), operation may briefly be
limited to third gear only. Normal operation will resume
once the transmission temperature has risen to a suitable
level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains
in third gear regardless of which forward gear is selected.PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illu-
minated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without dam-
aging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
454 STARTING AND OPERATING