2009 Dodge RAM Chassis Cab Owners Manual

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If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 䡵 Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 䡵 Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 䡵 Tire Rotation Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . 279 ▫ Dual Rear Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 䡵 Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 ▫ 5.7L Gas Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 ▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) Message . . . 286 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 䡵 Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 ▫ Certification Label 䡵 Vehicle Loading 䡵 Adding Fuel STARTING AND OPERATING 219 ▫ Common Towing Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 ▫ Trailer Hitch Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292 ▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 ▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 ▫ Towing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 ▫ Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 䡵 Snowplow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 ▫ Before Plowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 ▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . 302 ▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow Attached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 ▫ Operating Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 ▫ General Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 220 STARTING AND OPERATING 䡵 Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . 304 ▫ Recreational Towing – 2-Wheel Drive Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 ▫ Recreational Towing – 4-Wheel Drive Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 STARTING PROCEDURES Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts. The starter should not be operated for more than 15- second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such intervals will protect the starter from overheating. WARNING! • Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep in your vehicle. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently moving the shift lever or by press- ing the accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in overheat- ing and vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 221 WARNING! (Continued) • Do not leave children or animals inside parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup may cause serious injury or death. Normal Starting Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait five seconds, then repeat the starting procedure. Automatic Transmission Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any driving range. 222 STARTING AND OPERATING NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be depressed to shift out of PARK. Tip Start Feature Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly to START position, and release it. The starter motor will continue to run, but will automatically disengage when the engine is running. If Engine Fails To Start If the engine fails to start after you have followed the “Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded. CAUTION! To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again. 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. • Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission 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. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Starting” in Section 6. If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not have enough power to continue running when the key is released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel- erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running smoothly. If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15- second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should be repeated. STARTING AND OPERATING 223 After Starting The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de- crease 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 standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord. The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that is located on the driver’s side of the Integrated Power Module. WARNING! Remember to disconnect the cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause electrocution. 224 STARTING AND OPERATING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUTION! a complete stop. Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow- ing precautions are not observed: • Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to • Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle speed. • Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed. • Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. WARNING! It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. Automatic Transmission with Overdrive The gear shift lever display located in the instrument panel cluster indicates the transmission gear range (the selector is illuminated for night driving). The shift lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column. You must depress the brake pedal to pull the shift lever out of PARK position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, move the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the desired DRIVE position. Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting into REVERSE, SECOND, FIRST or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK. Gear Ranges DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL position into another gear range. PARK This gear position supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the shift lever into the PARK position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the transfer case is in a drive position! STARTING AND OPERATING 225 WARNING! • Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle move- ment and possible injury or damage. • Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to move the shift lever back and forth without first pulling it toward you after you have set it in PARK. Make sure it is in PARK before leaving the vehicle. (Continued) 226 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. REVERSE Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. NEUTRAL Shift into NEUTRAL when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must leave the vehicle. DRIVE This position provides all forward gears, including 3rd gear direct and 4th or 5th gear overdrive (see Overdrive Operation). Use this range for most city and highway driving. SECOND Use this position for driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain roads where more precise speed control is desirable. Use it also when climbing long grades, and for engine braking when descending moderately steep grades. To prevent excessive engine speed do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) in this range. FIRST Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for engine braking at low speeds 20 mph (32 km/h) or less when going downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed, do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range. NOTE: Use caution when operating a heavily loaded vehicle in SECOND or FIRST gear selections in high ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant additional heat load on the cooling system. Overdrive Operation The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec- tronically controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed (Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift from DRIVE to Overdrive if the following conditions are present: • the shift lever is in DRIVE; • the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem- • vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph • the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” switch has not been (48 km/h); perature; activated; • transmission temperature. STARTING AND OPERATING 227 has reached normal operating If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem- NOTE: peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive and will automatically select the most desirable gear for operation at this temperature. Normal operation will resume when the transmission fluid temperature has risen to a suitable level. Refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section. If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the transmission will automatically select the most desirable gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera- tion. 228 STARTING AND OPERATING from Overdrive to The transmission will downshift DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h). When To Use “TOW HAUL” and “O/D OFF” Modes When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc- curs, press the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button once to select TOW HAUL. Tow Haul O/D Off Switch This will improve performance and reduce the potential for transmission overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. When operating in “TOW HAUL” mode, 5th gear (if equipped) is disabled and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are modified. Shifts into Overdrive (4th gear) are allowed during steady cruise (for improved fuel economy) and automatic closed-throttle downshifts to 3rd gear are performed (for improved braking) when driving conditions warrant. Pressing the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button a second time to select O/D OFF will disable 4th and 5th gear completely, which should elimi- nate any excessive transmission shifting. The “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF” light will illuminate in the instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has been activated. Pressing the switch a third time restores normal operation. If the “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF” modes are desired, the button must be pressed each time the engine is started. Torque Converter Clutch A feature, designed to improve fuel economy, has been included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle. A clutch within the torque converter engages automati- cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly different feeling or response during normal operation in STARTING AND OPERATING 229 the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during acceleration when the transmission downshifts to second gear, the clutch automatically disengages. NOTE: • The torque converter clutch will not engage until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu- ally after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because the engine speed is higher when the torque converter clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis- sion is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal. Pressing the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button, when the transmission is sufficiently warm, will dem- onstrate that the transmission is able to shift into and out of overdrive. • If the vehicle has not been driven in several days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans- mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into 230 STARTING AND OPERATING the transmission. This condition is normal and will not cause damage to the transmission. The torque con- verter will refill within five seconds of shifting from PARK into any other gear position. 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. Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating Information/Precautions The transfer case provides 4 mode positions - 2 (rear)- wheel drive high range, 4-wheel drive high range, neu- tral, and 4-wheel drive low range. This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel drive position (2H) for normal street and highway con- ditions such as dry, hard surfaced roads. When additional traction is required, the transfer case 4H and 4L positions can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts 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 4-wheel drive light (4WD), located in the instrument cluster, alerts the driver that the vehicle is in 4-wheel drive and that the front and rear driveshafts are locked together. This light illuminates when the transfer case is shifted to either the 4H or 4L positions. There is no light for the 2H or NEUTRAL positions. 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 4-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 transfer case. 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 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit. STARTING AND OPERATING 231 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. 232 STARTING AND OPERATING For additional information on the appropriate use of each transfer case mode position see the information below: 2H Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads. 4H 4-Wheel Drive High Range - Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only. NEUTRAL - Disengages both the front and rear drive- shafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this section. 4L 4-Wheel Drive Low Range - Low speed 4-wheel drive. Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces 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 Manual Transfer Case Shifter 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 STARTING AND OPERATING 233 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. 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 auto- matic transmission to NEUTRAL, hold foot on brake, and turn engine OFF. Make shift to the desired mode. 234 STARTING AND OPERATING • 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 to or from 4L while the transmission is in gear. Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating Information/Precautions (5 Position Switch) — If Equipped This is an electric shift transfer case and is operated by the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case Switch), which is located on the instrument panel. Transfer Case Reminder Light The 4-wheel drive operating light (4WD), located in the instrument cluster, is used to alert the driver that the front axle is fully engaged and all four wheels are driving. 5 Position Switch This Electronically Shifted transfer case provides 5 mode positions: 2-wheel drive (2WD), 4WD AUTO, 4WD LOCK, NEUTRAL and 4WD LOW. The Electronically Shifted transfer case is designed to be driven in the 2 wheel drive position (2WD) or 4-wheel drive position (4WD AUTO) for normal street and high- way conditions (dry hard surfaced roads). Driving the vehicle in 2WD will have greater fuel economy benefits, as the front axle is not engaged in 2WD. For variable driving conditions the 4WD AUTO mode can be used. In this mode the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. 4-wheel drive will be automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of traction. Because the front axle is en- gaged, this mode will result in lower fuel economy than the 2WD mode. STARTING AND OPERATING 235 When additional traction is required, the transfer case 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts together and force the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for spe- cific shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause in- creased tire wear and damage to the driveline compo- nents. 236 STARTING AND OPERATING NEUTRAL Button NOTE: The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected by depressing the recessed button located on the lower left hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The transfer case NEUTRAL position is to be used for recreational towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this section for specific procedures on shifting into and out of NEUTRAL. Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights — Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the instrument cluster and indicate the current and desired transfer case selection. When you select a different trans- fer case position, the indicator lights will do the follow- ing: If All Shift Conditions are Met 1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF. 2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the transfer case completes the shift. 3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON. If One or More Shift Conditions are not Met 1. The indicator light for the current position will remain ON. 2. The newly selected position indicator light will con- tinue to flash. 3. The transfer case will not shift. NOTE: Before retrying a selection, make certain that all the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn the control knob back to the current position, wait five seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require- ments, refer to the ⬙Shifting Procedure⬙ for your transfer case, located in this section of the owner’s manual. The “SERVICE 4WD” warning light monitors the electric shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine STARTING AND OPERATING 237 start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD system is not functioning properly and that service is required. WARNING! Always engage the parking brake when powering down the vehicle if the ⴖService 4WDⴖ light is illu- minated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow the vehicle to roll which may cause personal injury. NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front or rear wheels are spinning. This could cause damage to driveline components. When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD, 4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK positions at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h). 238 STARTING AND OPERATING Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the transfer case. Because 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit. 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. For additional information on the appropriate use of each transfer case mode position see the information below: 2WD Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads. 4WD AUTO Automatic 4–wheel drive sends power to the rear wheels. 4–wheel drive will be automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional traction for varying road conditions. 4WD LOCK 4-Wheel Drive Lock Range - Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only. 4WD LOW 4-Wheel Drive Low Range - Low speed 4-wheel drive. Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces 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). NEUTRAL - Disengages both the front and rear drive- shafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this section for more information. STARTING AND OPERATING 239 Shifting Procedure — Electronically Shifted Transfer Case 5 Position Switch NOTE: • If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case will not shift. The indicator light for the previous position will 240 STARTING AND OPERATING remain ON and the newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash until all the requirements for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift: return the control knob back to the original position, make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait five seconds and try the shift again. • If all the requirements to select a new transfer case position have been met, the current position indicator light will turn OFF, the selected position indicator light will flash until the transfer case completes the shift. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON. 2WD ⇔ 4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position. Shifts between 2WD and 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOCK can be done with the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/ disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera- tor pedal after turning the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition key must be in the ON position with the engine either RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be completed if the key is in the accessory position. 2WD or 4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK ⇔ 4WD LOW NOTE: When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW some gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental to the vehicle or occupants. Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES: Preferred Procedure 1. With engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h). 2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. STARTING AND OPERATING 241 3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired position. 4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift transmission back into gear. Alternate Procedure 1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop. 2. With the key ON and the engine either OFF or RUNNING, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired position. 4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift transmission back into gear. NOTE: • If steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift or if they no longer are being met while the shift attempt is in process then the desired position indica- tor light will flash continuously while the original position indicator light is ON, until all requirements have been met. • The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing. • If your are leaving your vehicle stored for longer than 21 days, refer to the section on “Vehicle Storage.” 242 STARTING AND OPERATING Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch) — If Equipped This is an electric shift transfer case and is operated by the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case Switch), which is located on the instrument panel. Transfer Case Switch This Electronically Shifted transfer case provides four mode positions: 2 (rear)-wheel drive high range, 4-wheel drive lock range, 4-wheel drive low range, and NEU- TRAL. The Electronically Shifted transfer case is designed to be driven in the 2-wheel drive position (2WD) for normal street and highway conditions (dry, hard surfaced roads). When additional traction is required, the transfer case 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock the front and rear driveshafts together and force the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for spe- cific shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause in- creased tire wear and damage to the driveline compo- nents. NEUTRAL Button NOTE: The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected by depressing the recessed button located on the lower left hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The transfer STARTING AND OPERATING 243 case NEUTRAL position is to be used for recreational towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this section. Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights — Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only Transfer case position indicator lights are located in the instrument cluster and indicate the current and desired transfer case selection. When you select a different trans- fer case position, the indicator lights will do the follow- ing: If All Shift Conditions Are Met: 1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF. 2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the transfer case completes the shift. 3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON. 244 STARTING AND OPERATING If One or More Shift Conditions Are Not Met: 1. The indicator light for the current position will remain ON. 2. The newly selected position indicator light will con- tinue to flash. 3. The transfer case will not shift. NOTE: Before retrying a selection, make certain that all the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn the control knob back to the current position, wait five seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require- ments, refer to the ⬙Shifting Procedure⬙ for your transfer case, located in this section of the owner’s manual. The “SERVICE 4WD” warning light monitors the electric shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the 4WD system is not functioning properly and that service is required. WARNING! Always engage the parking brake when powering down the vehicle if the ⴖSERVICE 4WDⴖ light is illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow the vehicle to roll, which may cause personal injury. NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front or rear wheels are spinning, as this can cause damage to driveline components. When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD or 4WD LOCK 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 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel. Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the transfer case. Because 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road conditions permit. STARTING AND OPERATING 245 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. For additional information on the appropriate use of each transfer case mode position see the information below: 2WD Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and highway driving. Dry, hard surfaced roads. 246 STARTING AND OPERATING 4WD LOCK 4-Wheel Drive Lock Range - Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only. 4WD LOW 4-Wheel Drive Low Range - Low speed 4-wheel drive. Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces 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). Neutral - Disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this section for more information. Shifting Procedure — Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Transfer Case Switch NOTE: • If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case will not shift. The indicator light for the previous position will remain ON and the newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash until all the requirements for the selected position have been met. To retry a shift: return the control knob back to the original position, make certain all shift requirements have been met, wait five seconds and try the shift again. • If all the requirements to select a new transfer case position have been met, the current position indicator light will turn OFF, the selected position indicator light will flash until the transfer case completes the shift. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON. 2WD⇔ 4WD LOCK Rotate the 4WD control switch to the desired position. Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be done with the vehicle stopped or in motion. With the vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/disengage faster if STARTING AND OPERATING 247 you momentarily release the accelerator pedal after turn- ing the control switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition key must be in the ON position with the engine either running or off. This shift cannot be completed if the key is in the ACC position. NOTE: The 4x4 system will not allow shifts between 2WD/4WD LOCK if the front and/or rear wheels are spinning (no traction). In this situation the selected position indicator light will flash and the original posi- tion indicator light will remain ON. At this time, reduce speed and stop spinning the wheels to complete the shift. 2WD or 4WD LOCK⇔ 4WD LOW NOTE: When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW some gear noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detrimental to the vehicle or occupants. 248 STARTING AND OPERATING Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES: Preferred Procedure 1. With engine running, slow vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h). 2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired position. 4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift transmission back into gear. Alternate Procedure 1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop. 2. With the key ON and the engine either OFF or running, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired position. 4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift transmission back into gear. NOTE: • If steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift then the desired position indicator light will flash continuously while the original position indicator light is ON, until all requirements have been met. • The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing. • If your are leaving your vehicle stored for longer than 21 days, refer to the section on “Vehicle Storage.” LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL – IF EQUIPPED The limited-slip differential provides additional traction on snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel, particularly when there is a difference between the traction characteristics of the surface under the right and left rear wheels. During normal driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit per- forms similarly to a conventional differential. On slip- pery surfaces, however, the differential delivers more of the driving effort to the rear wheel having the better traction. The limited-slip differential is especially helpful during slippery driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a slippery surface, a slight application of the accelerator will supply maximum traction. When starting with only one rear wheel on an excessively slippery surface, slight momentary application of the parking brake may be necessary to gain maximum traction. STARTING AND OPERATING 249 WARNING! On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differential never run the engine with one rear wheel off the ground since the vehicle may drive through the rear wheel remaining on the ground. You could lose control of the vehicle. Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could cause both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to slide sideways on the crowned surface of a road or in a turn. 250 STARTING AND OPERATING DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a wedge of water to build up between the tire and road surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau- tions should be observed: 1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are slushy. 2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles. 3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become visible. 4. Keep tires properly inflated. 5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden stop. DRIVING THROUGH WATER Driving through water more than a few inches/ centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent damage to your vehicle. Flowing/Rising Water WARNING! Do not drive on or cross a road or a path where water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flow- ing water can wear away the road or path’s surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this warning may result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you. Shallow Standing Water Although your vehicle is capable of driving through shallow standing water, consider the following Caution and Warning before doing so. CAUTION! • Always check the depth of the standing water before driving through it. Never drive through standing water that is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the vehicle. • Determine the condition of the road or the path that is under water and if there are any obstacles in the way before driving through the standing wa- ter. • Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through standing water. This will minimize wave effects. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 251 CAUTION! (Continued) • Driving through standing water may cause dam- age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al- ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmission/transaxle, axle, etc.) for signs of con- tamination (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance) after driving through standing water. Do not continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as this may result in further damage. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. • Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. 252 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! • Driving through standing water limits your vehi- cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through standing water. • Driving through standing water limits your vehi- cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop- ping distances. Therefore, after driving through standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes. • Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you stranded. • Failure to follow these warnings may result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you. POWER STEERING The standard power steering system will give you good vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical steering capability if power assist is lost. If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi- tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during parking maneuvers. Increased noise levels at the end of the steering NOTE: wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate that there is a problem with the power steering system. Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any way damage the steering system. WARNING! Continued operation with reduced power steering assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others. Service should be obtained as soon as possible. CAUTION! Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering fluid temperature and it should be avoided when possible. Damage to the power steering pump may occur. Power Steering Fluid Check Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined service interval is not required. The fluid should only be checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are STARTING AND OPERATING 253 apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici- pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho- rized dealer. No chemical flushes should be used in any power steering system; only the approved lubricant may be used. WARNING! Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and with the engine off to prevent injury from moving parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended power steering fluid. If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in Section 7 for the correct fluid type. 254 STARTING AND OPERATING PARKING BRAKE The foot-operated parking brake is positioned below the lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle. NOTE: The instrument cluster red brake warning light will come on and flash to indicate that the parking brake is applied. You must be sure that the parking brake is fully applied before leaving the vehicle. Parking Brake Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and the shift lever is in the PARK position. When parking on a hill you should 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. WARNING! • Always fully apply the parking brake when leav- ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage or injury. Also be certain to leave the transmission in PARK. Failure to do so may allow the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury. • Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in the ignition. A child could operate power win- dows, other controls, or move the vehicle. • Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before driving, failure to do so can lead to brake problems due to excessive heating of the rear brakes. STARTING AND OPERATING 255 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade. The parking brake should always be applied whenever the driver is not in the vehicle. BRAKE SYSTEM If power assist is lost for any reason (for example, repeated brake applications with the engine off), the brakes will still function. However, you will experience a substantial increase in braking effort to stop the vehicle. If either the front or rear hydraulic systems lose normal capability, the remaining system will still function with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by increased pedal travel during application, greater pedal force required to slow or stop, and activa- tion of the BRAKE warning light and the ABS light (if equipped) during brake use. 256 STARTING AND OPERATING Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System WARNING! • Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS) contain sophisti- cated electronic equipment. It may be susceptible to interference caused by improperly installed or high output radio transmitting equipment. This interference can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation of such equipment should be performed by qualified professionals. • ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency beyond that af- forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too closely, or hydro- planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. • The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. This ABS is designed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking conditions. The system operates with a separate computer to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces. The system’s pump motor runs during an ABS stop to provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor makes a low humming noise during operation. This is normal. When you are in a severe braking condition involving use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop as the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This is the result of the system reverting to the base brake system and is normal. Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a pulsing sensation in the brake pedal. You may also hear a clicking noise. These occurrences are normal, and indicate that the system is functioning. STARTING AND OPERATING 257 ABS Warning Light The ABS includes an amber warning light, located in the instrument cluster. When the light is illuminated, the ABS is not functioning. The system reverts to standard non- anti-lock brakes. WARNING! Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish their effectiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or stop. 258 STARTING AND OPERATING TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION Tire Markings 1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan- dards Code (TIN) 2 — Size Designation 3 — Service Description 4 — Maximum Load 5 — Maximum Pressure 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades NOTE: • P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa- tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H. • European-Metric tire sizing is based on European design standards. Tires designed to this standard have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with the section width. The letter ⬙P⬙ is absent from this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H. • LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced- ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16. • Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact spares designed for temporary emergency use only. Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa- tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M. STARTING AND OPERATING 259 • High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. Tire Sizing Chart Size Designation: EXAMPLE: P = Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards ⴖ....blank....ⴖ = Passenger car tire based on European design standards LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards T = Temporary spare tire 31 = Overall diameter in inches (in) 215 = Section width in millimeters (mm) 65 = Aspect ratio in percent (%) — Ratio of section height to section width of tire 10.5 = Section width in inches (in) R = Construction code — ⬙R⬙ means radial construction —⬙D⬙ means diagonal or bias construction 15 = Rim diameter in inches (in) 260 STARTING AND OPERATING Service Description: 95 = Load Index H = Speed Symbol EXAMPLE: — A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry — A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index under certain operating conditions — The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under specified operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits) Load Identification: ⴖ....blank....ⴖ = Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire Extra Load (XL) = Extra load (or reinforced) tire Light Load = Light load tire C, D, E = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure Maximum Load — Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry Maximum Pressure — Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire Tire Identification Number (TIN) The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire, however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires with white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including the date code, located on the white sidewall side of the tire. STARTING AND OPERATING 261 Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side, then you will find it on the inboard side of the tire. EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301 DOT = Department of Transportation — This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards and is approved for highway use MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits) L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits) ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits) 03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits) —03 means the 3rd week. 01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits) —01 means the year 2001 — Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991 262 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Loading and Tire Pressure Tire Placard Location NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver’s side B-Pillar. Tire and Loading Information Placard Tire and Loading Information Placard This placard tells you important information about the: 1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle 2) total weight your vehicle can carry 3) tire size designed for your vehicle 4) cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare tires. Loading The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section of this manual. NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in this section. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced here. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu- pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg” on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 263 3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas- sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg. 4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (295 kg) (since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs [295 kg]). 5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4. 264 STARTING AND OPERATING 6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. NOTE: • The following table shows examples on how to calcu- late total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle. • For the following example, the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392 kg). STARTING AND OPERATING 265 266 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Safety Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them. TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION Tire Pressure Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary areas are affected by improper tire pressure: WARNING! cause accidents. sult in tire failure. • Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can • Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can re- • Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can cause damage that result in tire failure. • Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob- • Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control. lems. You could lose control of your vehicle. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve- hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right or left. • Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom- mended cold tire inflation pressure. Economy Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases tire rolling resistance and results fuel consumption. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride. Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride. in higher STARTING AND OPERATING 267 Tire Inflation Pressures The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver’s side “B” Pillar. Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure Information for vehicle loads that are less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con- ditions will be found in the “Supplemental Tire Pressure Information” section of this manual. The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they are under-inflated. 268 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al- ways reinstall the valve stem cap (if equipped). This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the valve stem. Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always “cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1 km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum infla- tion pressure molded into the tire sidewall. Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with temperature changes. Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per 12°F (7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the winter. Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the outside temperature = 32°F (0°C) then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa), which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this outside temperature condition. Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa) during operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will be too low. Tire Inflation Pressure — 4500/5500 with Steel Carcass Ply Tires This type of tire utilizes steel cords in the sidewall. As such, they cannot be treated like normal light truck tires. Adjusting tire pressure must be performed by personnel trained, supervised and equipped accordingly. Inflation Pressure Adjustment When Mounted to Vehicle During procedures when adding tire inflation pressure, the technician or individual must utilize a remote infla- tion device, and ensure that all persons are clear of the trajectory area. STARTING AND OPERATING 269 270 STARTING AND OPERATING 4500/5500 Tire Inflation When adjusting inflation pressure to a tire and wheel assembly mounted on a vehicle, use Remote Mount Automatic Inflation Kit (similar to model number #27- cc1021234, available from TEAM PSE (PENTASTAR Ser- vice Equipment-Phone number 1-800-734-4334). NOTE: Never attempt to re-inflate a tire and wheel assembly which has been run flat or is extremely under- inflated without first removing the tire from the wheel assembly for inspection. Personnel trained, supervised, and equipped according to Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administra- tion (OSHA) should perform this work. STARTING AND OPERATING 271 Inflation Pressure Adjustment When Not Mounted to Vehicle When adjusting inflation pressure to a tire and wheel assembly not mounted on a vehicle, use a Remote Mount Automatic Inflation Kit and a Tire Inflation Cage similar to model number #174-2240 available from TEAM PSE (PENTASTAR Service Equipment – 1-800-223-5623). Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi- tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera- tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures. 272 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Radial Ply Tires High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi- mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your tires could cause them to fail. You could have a serious accident resulting in serious injury or death. Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capac- ity at continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h). WARNING! Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle poorly. The instability could cause an accident result- ing in serious injury or death. Always use radial ply tires in sets of four (or six, in case of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine them with other types of tires. Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs. Tire Spinning When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping when you are stuck. Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in Section 6 of this manual. WARNING! Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener- ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam- age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some- one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for more than 30 seconds continuously when you are stuck, and don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed. STARTING AND OPERATING 273 Tread Wear Indicators Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires to help you in determining when your tires should be replaced. 1 — Worn Tire 2 — New Tire 274 STARTING AND OPERATING These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth becomes 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced. Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this point. Life of Tire The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying factors including, but not limited to: • Driving style • Tire pressure • Distance driven WARNING! Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You could lose control and have an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact with oil, grease, and gasoline. Replacement Tires The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu- facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva- lent to the originals in size, quality and performance when replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the Tire and Loading Information placard for the size designation of your tire. The service description and load identification will be found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you contact your original equipment or an autho- rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifications or capability. STARTING AND OPERATING 275 WARNING! • Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus- pension dimensions and performance characteris- tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict- able handling and stress to steering and suspen- sion components. You could lose control and have an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your vehicle. (Continued) 276 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity, other than what was originally equipped on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose control and have an accident result- ing in serious injury or death. • Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle control resulting in serious injury or death. CAUTION! Replacing original tires with tires of a different size may result in false speedometer and odometer read- ings. SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION — IF EQUIPPED A light load vehicle condition is defined as two passen- gers [150 lbs (68 kg) each] plus 200 lbs (91 kg) of cargo. Cold tire inflation pressures for a lightly loaded vehicle will be found on the face of the driver’s door. TIRE CHAINS Use “Class U” chains or other traction aids that meet SAE Type “U” specifications. NOTE: Chains must be the proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain manufacturer. CAUTION! To avoid damage to your vehicle, tires or chains, observe the following precautions: (Continued) CAUTION! (Continued) • Because of limited chain clearance between tires and other suspension components, it is important that only chains in good condition are used. Bro- ken chains can cause serious vehicle damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs that could suggest chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of the chain before further use. • Install chains as tightly as possible and then • Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h). • Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large • Do not install tire chains on front wheels of 4x2 • Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pave- retighten after driving about 1/2 mi (0.8 km). bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle. vehicles. ment. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 277 CAUTION! (Continued) • Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instructions on method of installation, operating speed, and conditions for usage. Always use the lower sug- gested operating speed of the chain manufacturer if different than the speed recommended by the manufacturer. These cautions apply to all chain traction devices, includ- ing link and cable (radial) chains. Tire chain use is permitted only on the rear tires of your 4X2 trucks. NOTE: • The use of class “U” chains is permitted on the front and rear of 4X4 vehicles, trucks with dual rear wheels and LT235/80R17E tires. 278 STARTING AND OPERATING • On 4X2 vehicles, class “U” snow chains are permitted on the rear wheels only of vehicles equipped with LT245/70R17, LT265/70R17, and LT235/80R17 size tires. • On 4X4 Single Rear Wheel (SRW) vehicles, class “U” snow chains are permitted on the rear wheels only on vehicles equipped with LT265/70R17. CAUTION! Do not use tire chains on the 4X2 front wheels of SRW (Single Rear Wheels) equipped with LT245/ 70R17, LT265/70R17 tires or 4X4 front tires of vehicles equipped with LT265/70R17tires. There may not be adequate clearance for the chains and you are risking structural or body damage to your vehicle. SNOW TIRES Snow tires should be of the same size and type construc- tion as the front tires. Consult the manufacturer of the snow tire to determine any maximum vehicle speed requirement associated with the tire. These tires should always be operated at the vehicle maximum capacity inflation pressures under any load condition. While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states pro- hibit studded tires; laws should be local checked before using these tire types. therefore, TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at different loads and perform different steering, driving, and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal rates, and develop irregular wear patterns. These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires. The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with aggressive tread designs such as those on On/Off Road type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to main- tain mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth, quiet ride. Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this manual for the proper maintenance intervals. More fre- quent rotation is permissible if desired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should be corrected prior to rotation being performed. STARTING AND OPERATING 279 NOTE: On Canadian vehicles only, if your vehicle is equipped with All-Season type tires on the front and On/Off Road type tires mounted on the rear, do not use a front to back rotation pattern. Instead, rotate your tires side to side at the recommended intervals. 280 STARTING AND OPERATING Dual Rear Wheels The tires used on dual wheel assemblies should be matched for wear to prevent overloading one tire in a set. To check if tires are even, lay a straight edge across all four tires. The straight edge should touch all the tires. CAUTION! 4500/5500 Dual Rear Tires have only one approved direction of rotation. This is to accommodate the asymmetrical design (tread pattern) of the On/Off road tire. • When replacing a flat, the spare tire may have to be remounted on the rim or installed at a different location to maintain the correct placement of the tire on the wheel relative to the tire/wheel position on the vehicle. For example, if the spare is used to replace an outer rear tire it will have to be re- mounted on the rim so that the wheel is dished inward. That way the tread design of asymmetrical tires will maintain proper position. FUEL REQUIREMENTS 5.7L Gas Engine The 5.7L engine is designed to meet all emissions regulations and provide satisfac- tory fuel economy and performance when using high quality unleaded gasoline hav- ing an octane range of 87 to 89. The manu- facturer recommends the use of 89 octane for optimum performance. The use of premium gasoline is not recommended. Under normal conditions, the use of premium gasoline will not provide a benefit over high quality regular and mid-grade gasolines, and in some circumstances may result in poorer performance. Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is required. STARTING AND OPERATING 281 Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard starting, stalling and hesitations. If you experience these symptoms, try another brand of “regular” gasoline be- fore considering service for the vehicle. Over 40 auto manufacturers world-wide have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifications (the World- wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions, performance and durability for your vehicle. We recommend the use of gasolines that meet the WWFC specifications if they are available. Reformulated Gasoline Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner burning gasoline referred to as “Reformulated Gasoline.” Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are spe- cifically blended to reduce vehicle emissions and im- prove air quality. 282 STARTING AND OPERATING We strongly support the use of reformulated gasolines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines will provide excellent performance and durability for the engine and fuel system components. Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with oxy- genates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE, and ETBE. Oxygen- ates are required in some areas of the country during the winter months to reduce carbon monoxide emissions. Fuels blended with these oxygenates may be used in your vehicle. CAUTION! DO NOT use gasolines containing Methanol or E85 Ethanol. Use of these blends may result in starting and driveability problems and may damage critical fuel system components. Problems that result from using methanol/gasoline or E85 ethanol blends are not the responsibility of the manufacturer. While MTBE is an oxygenate made from methanol, it does not have the negative effects of methanol. MMT In Gasoline MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gasoline blended with MMT provides no performance advantage beyond gasoline of the same octane number without MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT reduces spark plug life and reduces emission system performance in some vehicles. The manufacturer recommends that gasoline without MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT content of gasoline may not be indicated on the gasoline pump, therefore, you should ask your gasoline retailer whether or not his/her gasoline contains MMT. It is even more important to look for gasolines without MMT in Canada, because MMT can be used at levels higher than those allowed in the United States. MMT is prohibited in Federal and California reformulated gasoline. Materials Added To Fuel All gasolines sold in the United States are required to contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional detergents or other additives is not needed under normal conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There- fore, you should not have to add anything to the fuel. Fuel System Cautions CAUTION! Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle’s performance: • The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law. Using leaded gasoline can impair engine perfor- mance, and damage the emission control system. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 283 CAUTION! (Continued) • An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to overheat. If you notice a pungent burning odor or some light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or malfunctioning and may require immediate service. Contact your authorized dealer for service assistance. • When pulling a heavy load or driving a fully loaded vehicle when the humidity is low and the temperature is high, use a premium unleaded fuel to help prevent spark knock. If spark knock per- sists, lighten the load, or engine piston damage may result. (Continued) 284 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! (Continued) • The use of fuel additives which are now being sold as octane enhancers is not recommended. Many of these products contain high concentra- tions of methanol. Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not the responsibility of the manufacturer. NOTE: systems can result against you. Intentional tampering with emissions control in civil penalties being assessed Carbon Monoxide Warnings WARNING! Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is deadly. Follow the precautions below to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: • Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill. Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the engine running for an extended period. If the vehicle is stopped in an open area with the engine running for more than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to force fresh, outside air into the vehicle. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • Guard against carbon monoxide with proper maintenance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time the vehicle is raised. Have any abnor- mal conditions repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side windows fully open. ADDING FUEL The fuel tank filler tube has a restricting door about 2 in (50 mm) inside the opening. If using a portable fuel container, it should have a flexible nozzle long enough to force open the restricting door. STARTING AND OPERATING 285 CAUTION! • Damage to the fuel system or emissions control system could result from using an improper fuel tank filler tube cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap could let impurities into the fuel system. Also, a poorly-fitted aftermarket cap can cause the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) to illuminate due to fuel vapors escaping from the system. • A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the MIL to turn • To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top on. off” the fuel tank after filling. NOTE: When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off the fuel tank is full. 286 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! • Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the tank filled. • Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is running. This is in violation of most state and federal fire regulations and will cause the MIL to turn on. NOTE: Tighten the gas cap 1/4 turn until you hear one click. This is an indication that the cap is properly tightened. If the gas cap is not tightened properly, the Malfunction Indicator Light will come on, Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time the vehicle is refueled. WARNING! A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be burned. Always place gas containers on the ground while filling. Loose Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) Message If the vehicle’s diagnostic system determines that the fuel filler cap in loose, improperly installed or damaged, a GASCAP message will be displayed in the instrument cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a “clicking” sound is heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is properly tightened. Press the odometer reset button to turn the message off. If the problem persists, the message will appear the next time the vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will turn on the MIL. Resolving the problem will turn the MIL off. VEHICLE LOADING Certification Label As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- istration regulations, your vehicle has a certification label affixed to the driver’s side door or pillar. This label contains the month and year of manufacture, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) front and rear, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A Month-Day-Hour (MDH) number is included on this label and indicates the Month, Day and Hour of manufacture. The bar code that appears on the bottom of the label is your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle including driver, passengers, vehicle, options and cargo. The label also specifies maximum capacities of front and STARTING AND OPERATING 287 rear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded. Payload The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the driver, all passengers, options and cargo. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded. Each axle GAWR is determined by the components in the system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle, springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension components sometimes specified by purchasers for in- creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi- cle’s GVWR. 288 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Size The tire size on the Label represents the actual tire size on your vehicle. Replacement tires must be equal to the load capacity of this tire size. Rim Size This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size listed. Inflation Pressure This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for all loading conditions up to full GAWR. Curb Weight The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are added. Loading The actual total weight and the weight of the front and rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation. The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer- cial scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded. The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should then be determined separately to be sure that the load is properly distributed over front and rear axle. Weighing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the front or rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier items down low and be sure that the weight is distributed equally. Stow all loose items securely before driving. Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way the brakes operate. CAUTION! Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the way your vehicle handles. This could cause you to lose control. Also overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle. TRAILER TOWING In this section you will find safety tips and information on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully review this information to tow your load as efficiently and safely as possible. STARTING AND OPERATING 289 To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements and recommendations in this manual concerning ve- hicles used for trailer towing. Common Towing Definitions The following trailer towing related definitions will assist you in understanding the following information: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR. Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem- porary) loaded in or on the trailer in its ⬙loaded and ready for operation⬙ condition. The recommended way to 290 STARTING AND OPERATING measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported by the scale. Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer when weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratings include a 150 lbs (68 kg) allowance for the presence of a driver). Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or rear GAWR. WARNING! It is important that you do not exceed the maximum front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose control of the vehicle and have an accident. Tongue Weight (TW) The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer is the tongue weight. In most cases it should not be less than 10% or more than 15% of the trailer load. You must consider this as part of the load on your vehicle. Frontal Area The frontal area is the maximum height and maximum width of the front of a trailer. Trailer Sway Control The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue that typically provides adjustable friction associated with the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer swaying motions while traveling. Weight-Carrying Hitch A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or some other connecting point of the truck. These kind of hitches are the most popular on the market today and they’re commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized trailers. Weight-Distributing Hitch A weight-distributing system works by applying lever- age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used for heavier loads, to distribute trailer tongue weight to the tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When STARTING AND OPERATING 291 used in accordance with the manufacturers’ directions, it provides for a more level ride, offering more consistent steering and brake control, thereby enhancing towing safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability. Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue Weights (TW) and may be required depending on Vehicle and Trailer configuration/loading to comply with gross axle weight rating (GAWR) requirements. WARNING!

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2009 Dodge RAM Chassis Cab Owners Manual