wheel RAM CHASSIS CAB 2012 Owner's Guide

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS  Starting Procedures .................... 273
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 273
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 273
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or  29°C) ............... 274
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 274
▫ After Starting ....................... 275
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 275
 Automatic Transmission ................. 276
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 278 ▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 278
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission
(5.7L Engine) — If Equipped ............ 278
 Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 288
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If
Equipped .......................... 288
▫ Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 290
▫ Transfer Case Position Indicator Light ...... 291
5

▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) – If Equipped ....... 292
▫ Shifting Procedure ................... 296
 Limited-Slip Differential ................. 298
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 299
▫ Acceleration ........................ 299
▫ Traction ........................... 299
 Driving Through Water ................. 300
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 300
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 300
 Power Steering ....................... 302
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 303
 Parking Brake ........................ 304  Brake System ........................ 306
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System ....... 307
 Tire Safety Information ................. 309
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 309
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 312
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 313
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 314
 Tires — General Information ............. 318
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 318
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 319
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 324
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 324270 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 325
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 326
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 326
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 327
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 327
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 328
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 328
 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information — If
Equipped ............................ 330
 Tire Chains .......................... 330
 Snow Tires .......................... 332
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 333
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .................... 334  Fuel Requirements ..................... 335
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 336
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 336
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 336
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 337
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 338
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 338
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 339
 Adding Fuel ......................... 340
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 341
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 342
▫ Certification Label ................... 342
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 271

 Trailer Towing ........................ 344
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 344
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 347
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 348
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 349
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 351
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 360
 Snowplow .......................... 361
▫ Before Plowing ...................... 362
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model
Availability ......................... 362 ▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached .......................... 363
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 363
▫ General Maintenance .................. 364
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 365
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind
Another Vehicle ..................... 365
▫ Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 366
▫ Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive
Models ........................... 367272 STARTING AND OPERATING

The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select
(ERS)” in this section). Pressing the ERS (-/+) switches on
the shift lever while in the DRIVE position will select the
highest available transmission gear, and will display that
gear in the instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving vehicle in this
range. When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift
lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the
parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of 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
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
movement and possible injury or damage.
(Continued)
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 279

switch 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 ERS (-) or (+)
will change the top available gear. To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the ERS (+)
switch until “D” is once again displayed in the shift lever
position indicator in the instrument cluster.
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 an accident
or personal injury.
Screen Display 123456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
ERS (-) switch down. The transmission will shift to the
range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.Column Shift Lever
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 285

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further informa-
tion.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions.
• Two-wheel drive high range (2H)
• Four-wheel drive high range (4H)
• Neutral (N)
• Four-wheel drive low range (4L)
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as dry, hard surfaced roads. When additional traction is required, the 4H and 4L
positions can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together and force the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by simply
moving the shift lever to the desired positions. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on dry,
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to the driveline components.
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in the
instrument cluster will alert the driver that the vehicle is
in four-wheel drive and that the front and rear drive-
shafts are locked together. This light will illuminate when
the transfer case is shifted into either the 4H or 4L
position. There is no light for the 2H or NEUTRAL
positions.288 STARTING AND OPERATING

When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends
on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each
wheel. Any difference will adversely affect shifting and
can cause damage to the drivetrain.
NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the front and
rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift to take
place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction,
there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping
speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit. NOTE: Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low or uneven tire
pressures, excessive vehicle loading, or cold tempera-
tures.
WARNING!You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 289

For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced roads.
4H
Four-Wheel Drive High Range - This range locks the
front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional
traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
N
Neutral - This range disengages the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat
towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information. 4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
and maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Shifting Procedure – Manually Shifted Transfer
Case
2H ⇔ 4H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the
vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in motion,
shifts can be made up to 55 mph (88 km/h). With the
vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera-
tor pedal after completing the shift. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever.290 STARTING AND OPERATING

2H or 4H ⇔ 4L
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift
the transmission into NEUTRAL. While the vehicle is
coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer
case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in
transfer case NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
• Pausing in transfer case NEUTRAL in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission may require
shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while
completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL, hold foot on brake, and
turn the engine OFF. Make shift to the desired mode. • Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the vehicle
completely stopped, however difficulty may occur due
to the mating clutch teeth not being properly aligned.
Several attempts may be required for clutch teeth
alignment and shift completion to occur. The preferred
method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h).
• Do not attempt to shift into or from 4L while the
transmission is in gear.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Light
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in the
instrument cluster is used to alert the driver that the front
axle is fully engaged and all four wheels are driving.
5 STARTING AND OPERATING 291