weight Ram ProMaster 2014 Owner's Guide

NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to “Tire Safety
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to sway severelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer collisions. Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 271

Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
• The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE: Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or dealer-installed options must
be considered as part of the total load on your vehicle.
Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information” placard for
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo
for your vehicle.Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components, the following guidelines are recommended.
CAUTION!
• Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle
or other parts could be damaged.
• Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps
the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule.” Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals. When towing a trailer,
never exceed the GAWR or GCWR ratings.
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.
Towing Requirements — Tires
• Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire. •
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting And Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting And Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting And Operating” for the proper
tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gauge.............................. .137
Light ............................... .137
Materials Added ....................... .258
Methanol ............................ .256
Octane Rating ......................... .255
Requirements ......................... .255
Tank Capacity ......................... .370
Fueling ............................... .260
Fuses ................................. .355
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................260
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .256
Gasoline (Fuel) .......................... .255
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................256
Gauges Fuel ................................ .137
Odometer ............................ .129
Speedometer ......................... .128
Tachometer ........................... .131Gear Ranges
............................ .200
Gear Select Lever Override ..................315
General Information ...................... .255
General Maintenance ...................... .129
Glass Cleaning .......................... .353
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................262
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................262
Guide, Body Builders ........................6
GVWR ................................ .262
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ .209
Hazard Warning Flasher ....................283
Headlights Cleaning ............................ .353
High Beam ............................93
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ..........93
Passing ...............................94
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INDEX 397

Synthetic Engine Oil...................... .329
Tachometer ............................. .131
Telescoping Steering Column .................100
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...........231
TIREFIT ............................... .286
Tire Markings ........................... .225
Tires...................................67 Aging (Life of Tires) .....................244
Air Pressure .......................... .235
Chains .............................. .247
Compact Spare ........................ .241
General Information .....................235
High Speed .......................... .238
Inflation Pressures ...................... .236
Life of Tires .......................... .244
Load Capacity ........................ .231
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............249
Pressure Warning Light ...................138 Quality Grading
....................... .389
Radial .............................. .238
Replacement .......................... .245
Rotation ............................. .248
Safety .............................. .225
Sizes ............................... .226
Snow Tires ........................... .239
Spinning ............................ .243
Trailer Towing ........................ .274
Tread Wear Indicators ....................244
Tire Safety Information .....................225
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................271
Torque Converter Clutch ....................207
Towing ............................... .264
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .316
Guide .............................. .268
Recreational .......................... .279
W

eight .............................. .268
Traction ............................... .208
404 INDEX

Traction Control......................... .216
Traction Control Switch .....................216
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................222
Trailer Towing .......................... .264
Cooling System Tips .....................279
Hitches ............................. .267
Minimum Requirements ..................272
Tips................................ .278
Trailer and Tongue Weight .................271
Wiring .............................. .276
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .268
Trailer Weight ........................... .268
Transaxle Automatic .............................12
Transmission Automatic ........................... .196
Fluid ............................... .346
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . .20
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .244Trip Odometer
.......................... .129
Turn Signals ............................ .128
Uniform Tire Quality Grades .................389
Unleaded Gasoline ....................... .255
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt ................33
Upholstery Care ......................... .352
Vehicle Certification Label ...................262
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .............6
Vehicle Loading ......................... .232
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations ...............7
Vehicle Storage .......................... .365
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... .328
Wait to Start Light ........................ .130
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .128
Warnings and Cautions .......................6
Warranty Information ..................... .386
10
INDEX 405