Ram ProMaster City 2016 Owner's Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................223
▫ Automatic Transmission ................223
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .223
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................224
▫ Extended Park Starting ..................224
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................225
▫ After Starting ....................... .225
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .225
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............226▫
Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............228
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .228
▫ Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission ........228
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .230
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........237
▫ Acceleration ........................ .237
▫ Traction ........................... .237
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............238
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................238
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................238
5

POWER STEERING .....................239
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............240
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .241
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .244
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .244
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .244
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............246
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............246
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................247
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........248
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................249
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........252
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............253
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .253
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........257
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........258
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........260
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........265
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .265
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................266
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .268
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .268
▫ Tire Types .......................... .269
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............270
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............271
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Spinning ....................... .273
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................274
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .275
▫ Replacement Tires .....................276
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......277
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....278
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................. .279
▫ System Operation .....................281
▫ General Information ...................284
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................284
▫ 2.4L Engine ......................... .284
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................285 ▫
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............285
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......286
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................286
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................286
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................287
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............288
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .289
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................291
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............291
 TRAILER TOWING .....................293
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............294
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .305
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STARTING AND OPERATING 221

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................307
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .307
▫ Recreational Towing — Automatic
Transmission ........................ .308
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 223

Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than -31°F (-35° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. The message
“plug in engine heater” will be displayed in the instru-
ment cluster when the ambient temperature is below
-25°F (-32° C) at the time the engine is shut off as a
reminder.
Extended Park Starting
NOTE:Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 30 days. 1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery
to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Cycle the ignition in the START position and release it when the engine starts.
3. If the engine fails to start within ten seconds, cycle the ignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait five
seconds to allow the starter to cool, then repeat the
Extended Park Starting procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight attempts, allow the starter to cool for at least 10 minutes, then repeat
the procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank con-
tinuously for more than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 10
to 15 seconds before trying again.
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-
ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at
a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine and permits
quicker starts in cold weather.
Connect the cord to a 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet
with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
For ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), the engine
block heater is recommended. For ambient temperatures
below -20°F (-29°C), the engine block heater is required.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood,
behind to the driver ’s side headlamp. Follow the steps
below to properly use the engine block heater:
1. Locate the engine block heater cord (behind the driv- er ’s side headlamp).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 225

2. Undo the Velcro strap that secures the heater cord inplace.
3. Pull the cord to the front of the vehicle and plug it into a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
4. After the vehicle is running, reattach the cord to the Velcro strap and properly stow away behind the
driver ’s side headlamp.
NOTE:
• The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords
are available from your authorized MOPAR dealer.
• The engine block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
• 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.
(Continued)
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•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 shift the
transmission into PARK, apply the parking brake,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key.
Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• 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. Children should be
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children). A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•
Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL,
or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 227

NOTE:You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the full
LOCK/OFF (key removal) position. The key can only be
removed from the ignition when the ignition is in the full
LOCK/OFF position, and once removed the transmission
is locked in PARK.
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 must be turned to the ON/
RUN position (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed. The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift from
NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is
stopped or moving at low speeds.
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed both
beside the shift lever and in the Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC). To select a gear range, push the
lock button on the shift lever and move the lever rear-
ward or forward. You must also press the brake pedal to
shift the transmission out of PARK, or to shift from
NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the vehicle is
stopped or moving at low speeds (refer to
Brake/
Transmission Shift Interlock System in this section).
Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
228 STARTING AND OPERATING