automatic transmission Ram ProMaster 2015 Owner's Manual

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The Key Fob contains the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter with an integrated key. To use the mechanical
key, simply push the mechanical key release button.
The vehicle is supplied with a code card containing key
code numbers to order duplicate keys, and the autho-
rized studio that sold you your new vehicle has the key
code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers can
be used to order duplicate keys.
Ignition Key Removal
1. Place the shift lever in PARK (if equipped with anautomatic transmission).
2. Rotate the key to the OFF/LOCK position.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control system maintains
speed up and down hills. A slight speed change on
moderate hills is normal.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without Electronic Speed
Control.
WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your ve-
hicle could go too fast for the conditions, and you
could lose control and have an accident. Do not use
Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, icy, snow-covered or slippery.
PARKSENSE® REAR PARK ASSIST — IF
EQUIPPED
The ParkSense® Rear Park Assist system provides an
audible indication of the distance between the rear
fascia/bumper and a detected obstacle when backing up,
e.g. during a parking maneuver. Refer to ParkSense®
System Usage Precautions for limitations of this system
and recommendations.
The ParkSense® Rear Park Assist is automatically acti-
vated when the transmission is placed into REVERSE. As
the distance from an obstacle behind the vehicle de-
creases, the audible alert becomes more frequent.
Interaction With Trailer Towing
The Rear Park Assist system is automatically deactivated
when a trailer is hitched to the vehicle. The system will be
automatically activated as soon as the trailer is removed.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105

6. Park/Headlight ON Indicator — If EquippedThis indicator will illuminate when the park
lights or headlights are turned on.
7. Odometer/Trip Odometer/Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) Display Area
This display indicates the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. Federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. If your
odometer needs to be repaired or serviced, the repair
technician should leave the odometer reading the same
as it was before the repair or service. If s/he cannot do so,
then the odometer must be set at zero, and a sticker must
be placed in the door jamb stating what the mileage was
before the repair or service. It is a good idea for you to
make a record of the odometer reading before the repair/ service, so that you can be sure that it is properly reset, or
that the door jamb sticker is accurate if the odometer
must be reset at zero.
Shift Lever Status (PRND)
The shift lever status “P,R,N,D,1,2,3,4,5,6” are displayed
indicating the shift lever position. Telltales “1,2,3,4,5,6”
indicate the manual mode has been engaged and the gear
selected is displayed. Refer to “Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information on ERS.
8. External Light Failure Indicator — If Equipped
The External Light Failure Indicator will come
on when a failure to one of the following lights
is detected:
• Direction Indicators
• Backup Lights
• Parking Lights
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 129

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................200
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....200
▫ Normal Starting .......................200
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................201
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................201
▫ After Starting ........................201
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .202
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............202
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............203 ▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .204
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .........204
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........214
▫ Acceleration ........................ .214
▫ Traction ............................214
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............215
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................215
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................215
 POWER STEERING .....................217
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............218
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TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......254
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....256
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................. .257
▫ Base System ........................ .259
▫ General Information ...................261
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................262
▫ 3.6L Engine ..........................262
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................262
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............263
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......263
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................264
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................264
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................265 ▫
Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............266
 ADDING FUEL ........................266
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............266
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............268
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................269
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............269
 TRAILER TOWING .....................271
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............272
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .282
 RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.) ............283
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .283
▫ Recreational Towing — Automatic
Transmission ........................ .284
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STARTING AND OPERATING 199

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec-
tor.
• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV/ACC (START)
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
200 STARTING AND OPERATING

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key.
(Continued)
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

OFF (key removal) position. The key can only be re-
moved from the ignition when the ignition is in the
LOCK/OFF position, and once removed the transmission
is locked in PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition switch to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in PARK
unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission
out of PARK, the ignition switch must be turned to the
ON/RUN position (engine running or not), and the
brake pedal must be pressed. NOTE:
Swivel seats that are unlocked can also prevent
the transmission shift lever from being moved out of the
PARK position. To shift the transmission out of the PARK
position the first time after the cranking is allowed,
ensure swivel seats are locked in forward facing position.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever
out of PARK (Refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Inter-
lock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and Electronic Range Select (ERS) shiftpositions. Manual downshifts can be made using the ERS
shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section for further information). Mov-
ing the shift lever into the ERS (-/+) position (beside the
DRIVE position) displays the current gear in the instru-
ment cluster, and prevents automatic upshifts beyond
this gear. In ERS mode, toggling the shift lever forward (-)
or rearward (+) will change the highest available gear.
NOTE:
If the shift lever cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed for-
ward) it is probably in the ERS (+/-) position (beside the
DRIVE position). In ERS mode, the transmission gear
limit (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Move the shift lever to the right (into the DRIVE [D]
position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 205

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 all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics 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), select Tow/Haul mode or
use the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control (refer
to
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation in this
section for further information) to select a lower gear
range. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range
will improve performance and extend transmission life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 209