2005 Dodge RAM SRT10 Owners Manual

It heats when pushed in and pops out automatically when ready for use. To preserve the heating element, do not hold the lighter in the heating position.

CIGAR LIGHTER AND ASH RECEIVER The ash receiver is opened and closed by pushing on the front surface of the receiver and then allowing the receiver to open. The cigar lighter is located in the instrument panel below the ash receiver. NOTE: This outlet has a fused direct feed from the battery so it receives power whether the ignition is ON or OFF. Leaving items such as cell phones in this outlet when the engine is not running will cause the battery to run down.

124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CUPHOLDERS

Front Cupholders The cupholders consist of two cupwells for passenger convenience.

STORAGE

Center Storage Compartment

The center portion of the seat folds down to provide an armrest with unique storage compartments under the lid. Push the button on the front of the armrest to raise the cover. Inside there is a power outlet (if equipped), removable coin holder (if equipped), and two dividers to

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125

Storage and Seats Located in the center of the front 40/20/40 seat cushion below the armrest storage is a second storage compart- ment. This lower bin of the 20% seat has additional storage and for the vehicles equipped with the RDQ audio system (if equipped) it will also contain the sub- woofer audio amplifier in the lower bin.

configure the storage area into compartments. For ex- ample, compartments can be configured to hold a lap-top computer, a cellular telephone, CD’s and miscellaneous items. The top of the cover provides a generous firm surface to serve as a desktop for your “mobile office.”

WARNING!

• This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle operation, or an accident. Only use the center seating position when the armrest is fully upright. • In an accident, the latch may open if the total weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs (4.5 kg). These items could be thrown about endangering occupants of Items stored should not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).

the vehicle.

126 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

There is also storage behind the seat. This storage area contains the 10 inch subwoofer (if equipped).

PICKUP BOX

The pickup box on your new Ram has many features designed for utility and convenience. If you are installing a toolbox to the front of the NOTE: pickup box, you must use Mopar威 toolbox brackets available from your dealer.

You can carry wide building materials (sheets of ply- wood, etc.) by building a raised load floor. Place lumber across the box in the indentations provided above the wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the floor.

WARNING!

The pickup box is intended for load carrying pur- poses only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and use seat belts.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127

WARNING!

• Care should always be exercised when operating a vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds may need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough roads may cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo that may result in vehicle damage. If wide building materials are to be frequently carried, the installa- tion of a support is recommended. This will restrain the cargo and transfer the load to the pickup box floor. • If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup- ports must be installed to transfer the weight of the load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage may result. The use of proper supports will permit loading up to the rated payload. • Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an

accident causing serious or fatal injury.

128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

There are stampings in the sheet metal on the inner side bulkheads of the box in front of and behind both wheel housings. Place wooden boards across the box from side to side to create separate load compartments in the pickup box. There are four tie-down cleats bolted to the lower sides of the pickup box that can sustain loads up to 1000 lbs (450
kg) total.

SLIDE-IN CAMPERS DO NOT use slide-in campers on SRT-10 models.

EASY-OFF TAILGATE Unlatch the tailgate and remove the support cables by releasing the lock tang from the pivot, then rotate and pull away from the box. Once the cables are free, move to the right side of the tailgate hinge bracket. Raise the right side of the tailgate until the right side pivot clears the hanger bracket. Slide the entire tailgate to the right to free the left side pivot. Remove the tailgate from the vehicle entirely. Do not carry the tailgate loose in the truck pickup box.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CONTENTS

䡵 Instruments And Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
䡵 Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
䡵 Instrument Cluster Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
䡵 Electronic Digital Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
▫ Clock Setting Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

䡵 Sales Code RBQ—AM/FM Stereo Radio With 6 -

Disc CD Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
▫ Radio Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
▫ CD Player Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

䡵 Remote Sound System Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
▫ Radio Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
▫ CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
䡵 Compact Disc Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
䡵 Radio Operation And Cellular Phones . . . . . . . . 151
䡵 Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

▫ Air Conditioning With Dual Zone Temperature

Control

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
▫ Operating Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
▫ Operating Tips Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

132 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 133

134 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION

1. Malfunction Indicator Light

This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system which monitors the emissions and engine control system. If the vehicle is ready for emissions testing the light will come on when the ignition is first turned on and remain on, as a bulb check, until the engine is started. If the vehicle is not ready for emissions testing the light will come on when the ignition is first turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for 5
seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If the bulb does not come on during starting, have the condi- tion investigated promptly. If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it suggests a potential engine control problem and the need for system service.

Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as possible.

CAUTION!

Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause damage to the engine control system. It also could affect fuel economy and driveability. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is required.

2. Voltage Gauge

When the engine is running, the gauge indicates the electrical system voltage. The pointer should stay within the normal range if the battery is charged. Typically this would be between 12 and 14 volts. If the pointer moves to either extreme left or right and remains there during normal driving, the electrical system should be serviced. If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of NOTE: the gauge, the “Check Gages” indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound. 3. Turn Signal Indicators Lights in instrument cluster flash when outside turn signals are operating. 4. Tachometer The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per minute.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 135

CAUTION!

Do not operate the engine with the tachometer pointer at high rpm for extended periods. Engine damage may occur.

5. Airbag Indicator Light The indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition is first turned on. If the light stays on, flickers or comes on while driving, have the airbag system checked by an authorized dealer. 6. High Beam Indicator

This indicator shows that headlights are on high beam.

7. Seat Belt Reminder Light

When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this light will turn on for 5 to 8 seconds as a bulb check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat belt is

136 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb check or when driving, if the driver seat belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt Warning Light will flash or remain on continuously. Refer to ⬙Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Re- minder System (BeltAlert)⬙ in the Occupant Restraints section for more information. 8. Speedometer The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per hour and/or kilometers per hour. 9. Oil Pressure Gauge

The pointer should always indicate some oil pres- sure when the engine is running. Typically this would be between 40 and 100 psi. A continuous high or low reading, under normal driving conditions, may indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immediate service should be obtained.

If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of NOTE: the gauge, the “Check Gages” indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound. 10. CARGO LAMP The Cargo Lamp light will illuminate when the Cargo Lamp is activated from the dimmer control switch, located next to the headlight switch. 11. DOOR AJAR

The Door Ajar light will illuminate when any door is opened. When the ignition is ON the Door Ajar light will stay illuminated until the open door is closed. When the ignition is OFF the Door Ajar light will stay illuminated until the open door is closed or the battery saver feature automatically turns the light off.

12. Temperature Gauge

The temperature gauge indicates engine coolant temperature. Any reading within the normal range (less that the red zone) indicates that the cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The gauge needle will likely indicate a higher temperature when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in heavy traffic. If the needle rises into the red zone, stop the vehicle, shift into N (Neutral), and increase the engine idle speed for 2 to 3 minutes. If the temperature reading does not return to normal, shut your engine OFF and allow it to cool. Seek authorized service immediately. See Cooling System information in the section on “Maintain- ing Your Vehicle.” If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of NOTE: the gauge, the “Check Gages” indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137

CAUTION!

Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running as you would not be able to react to the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.

13. Security The light will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will flash at a slower rate after the alarm is set. The security light will also come on for about two seconds when the ignition is first turned ON. 14. CRUISE Light This indicator lights when the electronic speed control system is turned on.

138 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

15. CHECK GAGES

This light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature gages indicate a reading either too high or too low. Examine the gages carefully, and follow the instructions above for each indicated problem. NOTE: When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the Fuel Gage, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant Temperature gages may not show accurate readings. When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch to ON to obtain accurate readings. 16. BRAKE System Warning Light This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the parking brake has not been released. This light will illuminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if

the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on. If the light remains on when the parking brake is released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until the cause is corrected. If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary and continued operation of the vehicle in this condition is dangerous. Acceleration which causes the rear wheels to slip for a period of time may result in the red brake light illumi- nating and a brake switch code being set on ABS equipped vehicles. Depressing the brake pedal should extinguish the red brake light. 17. ABS Warning Light

This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System which is described elsewhere in this manual. This light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the

ON position and may stay on for five seconds. If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving, it indicates that the anti-lock portion of the brake system is not functioning and that service is required. See your autho- rized dealer immediately. The ABS light could also illuminate during loss of traction and remain illuminated until the brake pedal is pressed. 18. Odometer/Trip Odometer The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has been driven. If the odometer reading is changed during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading before and after the service so that the correct mileage can be determined. The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 139

press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button. To reset the Trip Odometer, press and hold the button while in trip mode, until the Trip Odometer resets. NOTE: There is also an engine hour function. This indicates the number of hours the engine has been running. To display the engine hours perform the follow- ing: Place the ignition in RUN, but do not start the engine. With the odometer value displayed, hold the trip button down for a period of 6 seconds. The odometer will change to trip value first, then it will display the engine hour value. The engine hours will be displayed for a period of 30 seconds until the ignition is turned off or the engine is started. 19. LAMP OUT Light The LAMP OUT indicator in the instrument cluster alerts the driver if a defective bulb or wiring circuit is detected for most of the exterior lamps - headlamps, turn signal lamps, and stop lamps.

140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

20. LOW WASH Light This light comes on when the washer fluid level falls below approximately 1/4 filled. The light will remain on until fluid is added and one minute has elapsed. 21. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the trip odometer reading when in trip mode. 22. Fuel Gauge Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the ON position. 23. Low Fuel Warning Light

Illuminates when the pointer is between “E” and 1/8 indication mark (approximately 15% of tank volume) on the fuel gauge. When the fuel gauge pointer is on “E” (equivalent to Distance To Empty [DTE] = 0 on the overhead console if so equipped) there is reserve fuel capacity, which corresponds to approxi- mately 8% of tank volume. This reserve capacity was put

in place to prevent the likelihood of customers running out of fuel when operating at maximum load conditions in areas where there aren’t many gas stations. Ram SRT-10 fuel tank volume is as follows: • 26 gallons (98L) 24. Oil Temperature Gauge – if equipped This gauge shows the oil temperature. The gauge pointer will likely show higher temperatures when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, or in heavy stop and go traffic. If this gauge reaches the red zone you should stop the vehicle, shift into Neutral, and increase the engine idle speed for 2 to 3 minutes. If the temperature reading does not return to normal, shut OFF your engine and allow it to cool. NOTE: The oil temperature gauge will not illuminate the CHECK GAGES Light.

ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK

The clock and radio each use the display panel built into the radio. A digital readout shows the time in hours and minutes whenever the ignition switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position. When the ignition switch is in the “OFF” position, or when the radio frequency is being displayed, time keep- ing is accurately maintained. Clock Setting Procedure

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” or “ACC” position. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object, press either the “H” (Hour) or “M” (Minute) buttons on the radio. The display will show the time. 2. Press the “H” button to set hours or the “M” button to set minutes. The time setting will increase each time you press a button.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141

SALES CODE RBQ—AM/FM STEREO RADIO WITH 6 - DISC CD CHANGER

RBQ Radio

142 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Radio Operation

Power/Volume Control Press the PWR/VOL control to turn the radio on. Turn the volume control clockwise to increase the volume. NOTE: Power to operate the radio is controlled by the ignition switch. It must be in the ON or ACC position to operate the radio. Mode Press the MODE button repeatedly to select between AM, FM, the CD changer and Sirius Satellite Radio™ (if equipped). The display will show ST when a stereo station is received. To select Sirius Satellite Radio™ (if equipped), press the MODE button until the word SIRIUS appears. The fol- lowing will be displayed in this order: After three sec- onds, the current channel name and number will be displayed for five seconds. The current program type and

channel number will then be displayed for five seconds. The current channel name and number will then be displayed until an action occurs. CD’s may remain in the player while in the Satellite Radio mode. Seek Press and release the SEEK button to search for the next station in either the AM or FM mode. Press the top of the button to seek up and the bottom to seek down. The radio will remain tuned to the new station until you make another selection. Holding the button in will by- pass stations without stopping until you release it. Tune Press the TUNE control up or down to increase or decrease the frequency. If the button is pressed and held, the radio will continue to tune until the button is released. The frequency will be displayed and continu- ously updated while the button is pressed.

To Set The Radio Push-Button Memory When you are receiving a station that you wish to commit to push-button memory, press the SET RND button. SET 1 will show in the display window. Select the “1–6” button you wish to lock onto this station and press and release that button. If a button is not selected within 5 seconds after pressing the SET RND button, the station will continue to play but will not be locked into push- button memory. You may add a second station to each push-button by repeating the above procedure with this exception: Press the SET button twice and SET 2 will show in the display window. Each button can be set for SET 1 and SET 2 in both AM and FM. This allows a total of 12 AM and 12 FM stations to be locked into push-button memory. The stations stored in SET 2 memory can be selected by pressing the corresponding push-button twice. Every time a preset button is used, a corresponding button number will be displayed.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 143

Audio The audio button controls the BASS, TREBLE, BAL- ANCE, and FADE. Press the AUDIO button and BASS will be displayed. Press the SEEK + or SEEK – to increase or decrease the Bass tones. Press the AUDIO button a second time and TREB will be displayed. Press the SEEK + or SEEK – to increase or decrease the Treble tones. Press the AUDIO button a third time and BAL will be displayed. Press the SEEK + or SEEK – to adjust the sound level from the right or left side speakers. Press the AUDIO button a fourth time and FADE will be displayed. Press the SEEK + or SEEK – to adjust the sound level between the front and rear speakers. Press the AUDIO button again or wait 5 seconds to exit setting tone, balance, and fade.

144 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Time Button Press the TIME button to change the display between radio frequency and time. General Information This radio complies with Part 15 of FCC rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference, 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired opera- tion. NOTE: Changes or modifications not expressively ap- proved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

CD Player Operation

NOTE: The ignition switch must be in the ON or ACC position and the Power / Volume control pushed ON before the CD player will operate. Inserting The Compact Disc

CAUTION!

This CD player will accept 4 3⁄4 inch (12 cm) discs only. The use of other sized discs may damage the CD player mechanism.

You may either insert or eject a disc with the radio OFF. If you insert a disc with the ignition ON and the radio OFF, the display will show the time of day. If you insert a disc with the ignition OFF, the display will show the time of day for about 5 seconds, then go out.

If you insert a disc with the ignition ON and the radio ON, the unit will switch from radio to CD mode and begin to play when you insert the disc. The display will show the disc number, the track number, and index time in minutes and seconds. Play will begin at the start of track 1. LOAD/ EJT — Load Press the LOAD/ EJT button and the button with the corresponding number where the CD is being loaded. After the radio displays “load” insert the CD into the player. Radio display will show “loading” when it is being loaded. LOAD / EJT — Eject Press the LOAD/ EJT button and the button with the corresponding number where the CD was loaded and the disc will unload and move to the entrance for easy removal.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 145

Radio display will show “ejecting” when it is being ejected. If you have ejected a disc and have not removed it within 15 seconds, it will be reloaded. If the CD is not removed, the radio will continue to play the non-removed CD. If the CD is removed and there are other CD’s in the radio, the radio will play the next CD. If the CD is removed and there are no other CD’s in the radio, the radio will return to the last selected AM or FM mode. The disc can be ejected with the radio and ignition OFF. Seek Press the top of the SEEK button for the next selection on the CD. Press the bottom of the button to return to the beginning of the current selection, or return to the beginning of the previous selection if the CD is within the first second of the current selection.

146 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Scan Press the Scan button to scan through each track on the CD currently playing. FF/TUNE/RW Press FF (Fast Forward) and the CD player will begin to fast forward until FF is released. The RW ( Reverse) button works in a similar manner. Random Play — SET / RND Press the RND button while the CD is playing to activate Random Play. This feature plays the tracks on the disc in random order to provide an interesting change of pace. Press the SEEK button to move to the next randomly selected track. Press the SET / RND button a second time to stop Random Play.

PTY (Program Type) Button Pressing this button once will turn on the PTY mode for 5 seconds. If no action is taken during the 5 second time out the PTY icon will turn off. Pressing the PTY button repeatedly within 5 seconds will allow the program format type to be selected. Many radio stations do not currently broadcast PTY information. Toggle the PTY button to select the following format types:

Program Type

Radio Display

Adult Hits Classical Classic Rock College Country Emergency Emergency Test

Adlt Hit Classicl Cls Rock College Country ALERT! Test

Program Type

Information Jazz Foreign Language News Nostalgia Oldies Personality Public Rhythm and Blues Religious Music Religious Talk Rock Soft Soft Rock Soft Rhythm and Blues Sports

Radio Display

Program Type

Radio Display

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 147

Inform Jazz Language News Nostalga Oldies Persnlty Public R & B Rel Musc Rel Talk Rock Soft Soft Rck Soft R&B Sports

Talk Top 40
Weather

Talk Top 40
Weather By pressing the SEEK button when the PTY icon is displayed, the radio will be tuned to the next frequency station with the same selected PTY name. The PTY function only operates when in the FM mode. The radio display will flash “SEEK” and the selected PTY program type when searching for the next PTY station. If no station is found with the selected PTY program type, the radio will return to the last station. If a preset button is activated while in the PTY (Program Type) mode, the PTY mode will be exited and the radio will tune to the preset station.

148 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

By pressing the SCAN button when the PTY icon is displayed, the radio will stop at every PTY station on the band and list each corresponding program type in the radio display. Time Press the TIME button to change the display from elapsed CD playing time to time of day. Operating Instructions - Satellite Radio Mode (If Equipped) Refer to the Satellite Radio section of Manual. CD Diagnostic Indicators When driving over a very rough road, the CD player may skip momentarily. Skipping will not damage the disc or the player, and play will resume automatically. As a safeguard and to protect your CD player, one of the following warning symbols may appear on your display.

the Owner’s

A CD HOT symbol indicates the player is too hot. CD HOT will pause the operation. Play can be resumed when the operating temperature is corrected or another MODE is selected. CD ERROR will appear on the display if the laser is unable to read the Disc data for the following reasons: • Warped disc • Excessive vibration • Disc inserted upside down • Damaged disc • Water condensation on optics

REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS The remote sound system controls are located on the rear surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to access the switches.

The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 149

switch will decrease the volume. The center button of the right hand control will allow you to change the mode. The left hand control is a rocker type switch with a push button in the center. The function of the left hand control is different depending on which mode you are in. The following describes the left hand control operation in each mode. Radio Operation Pressing the top of the left side switch will SEEK up for the next listenable station and pressing the bottom of the switch will SEEK down for the next listenable station. The button located in the center of the left hand control will tune to the next pre-set station that you have programmed in the radio pre-set push-buttons.

150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CD Player Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once will go to the beginning of the current track or to the beginning of the previous track if it is within one second after the current track begins to play. If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the second track, three times, it will play the third, etc. The button in the center of the left hand switch has no function in this mode.

COMPACT DISC MAINTENANCE To keep the compact discs in good condition, take the following precautions: 1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the surface. 2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth, wiping from center to edge.

3. Do not apply paper or tape to the disc; avoid scratch- ing the disc. 4. Do not use solvents such as benzene, thinner, cleaners, or antistatic sprays. 5. Store the disc in its case after playing. 6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight. 7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become too high. If you experience difficulty in playing a particu- NOTE: lar disc, it may be damaged, oversized, or have theft protection encoding. Try a known good disc before considering disc player service.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 151

RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES Under certain conditions, the operation of a cellular phone in your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy perfor- mance from your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated by relocating the cellular phone antenna. This condition is not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance does not satisfactorily “clear” by the repo- sitioning of the antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be turned down or off during cellular phone operation.

CLIMATE CONTROLS

Air Conditioning with Dual Zone Temperature Control With the Dual Zone Temperature Control System, each front seat occupant can independently control the tem- perature of air coming from the outlets on their side of the vehicle.

152 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Conditioning Operation To turn on the Air Conditioning, set the fan control at any speed and press the snowflake button located on the control panel. Conditioned air will be directed through the outlets selected by the mode control. A light in the

snowflake button shows that the air conditioning is on. Press the button a second time to turn the air condition- ing off. A/C Pushbutton

With the fan control in the ON posi- tion, pushing the A/C button turns on the air conditioning compressor. An indicator light on the button shows that the Air Conditioning compressor is on. Conditioned air is now directed through the mode outlets selected. Pushing the button a second time turns the compressor OFF.

Recirculation Pushbutton

Pushing the Recirculation button al- lows interior air to recirculate continu- ously in any position except defrost and defrost/floor mode for rapid cool down of interior. See “Fast Cooldown” later in this section.

the

Mode Control

The mode control allows you to choose from several patterns of air distribution.

NOTE: To improve your selection choices, the system allows you to operate at intermediate positions between

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 153

the major modes. These intermediate positions are iden- tified by the small dots and give an even blend of both modes. Panel

Outside air flows through the outlets located in the instrument panel. These outlets can be adjusted to

direct the airflow. Bi-Level

Air flows through the outlets located in the instru- ment panel and those located on the floor.

NOTE: There is a difference in temperature between the upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved comfort during sunny but cool conditions. Heat

Outside air flows primarily through the floor out- lets located under the instrument panel.

154 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Mix

Outside air flows in equal proportions through the floor and defroster outlets.

Blower Control

Defrost

Outside air is primarily directed to the windshield through the defroster outlets located at the base of

the windshield and side window demist outlets. NOTE: The air conditioning compressor operates in both Mix and Defrost or a blend of these modes, even if the A/C button has not been pressed. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the windshield.

is

control panel

The rotary knob on the left of the the blower control. Turn the knob clockwise to one of the four positions to obtain the blower speed you desire. To turn the blower off, turn the knob to the far left position.

Dual Zone Temperature Control

Use this control to regulate the temperature of the air inside the passenger compartment. This is accomplished by having separate temperature control slides for both the driver and front passenger. The blue area of the scale indicates cooler temperatures while the red area indicates warmer temperatures.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 155

Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated Sideview Mirrors — If Equipped

The Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated side view mirrors are activated by pressing the heated grid button, located on the Climate Control panel, with the ignition On. Turning Off the ignition will deactivate the Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated side view mirrors feature. These features also turn off after activation, when 15 minutes have elapsed. To reactivate, simply press the button again. Circulation The cab is designed with features to promote outside air circulation. There are grilles in the cab back panel. These are air exhausters that provide the means for regular exchange of cab air. Side window demisters direct air flow specifically to the window glass to help prevent interior fogging of the glass. They are located in the extreme outside upper

156 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

edges of the instrument panel. The demisters also pro- vide extra air ducts for circulation. They are in operation whenever the Floor, Mix or Defrost modes are in use. NOTE: When you turn off the engine you may hear a hissing sound from under the hood for a short period of time. This is a normal condition that occurs if the air conditioning system has been on. It is not an indication of a problem with the air conditioning system. Operating Tips

Fast Cooldown For a fast cooldown, turn the blower fan rotary knob to the extreme right position, turn the mode control to the panel fresh position, press the snowflake button to turn on the air conditioning, and drive with the windows open for the first few minutes. Once the hot air has been expelled, close the windows and press the Recirculation pushbutton. When a comfortable condition has been

reached, choose a mode position and adjust the tempera- ture control slide and blower speed as necessary to maintain comfort. For high humidity conditions it may be necessary to remain in the Recirculation mode to maintain comfort. Window Fogging Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases turning on the Air-conditioning (pressing the snowflake button) will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control, air direction and blower speed to maintain comfort. As the temperature gets colder it may be necessary to direct air onto the windshield by using MIX Mode position on the control. Adjust the temperature control and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher blower

speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the defrost mode. Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows. Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging. Summer Operation Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 % concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type. When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi- tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 157

encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed. NOTE: On models equipped with Diesel engines, the idle speed will automatically increase to 1000 rpm at elevated coolant temperatures to improve engine cooling. Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an automatic recirculation system. When the system senses a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort. Winter Operation When operating the system during the winter months, make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc- tions.

158 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Tips Chart

STARTING AND OPERATING

CONTENTS

䡵 Ignition/Starter Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
▫ Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
▫ Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
▫ On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
▫ ACC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
▫ Manual Transmission Key Release Button . . . . 162
▫ Key Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
䡵 Starting Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
▫ Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

▫ If Engine Fails To Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
▫ After Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
䡵 Transmission Shifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive . . . . . 165
▫ Manual Transmission — 6-Speed . . . . . . . . . . 171
䡵 Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
䡵 Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
䡵 Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
▫ Brake Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

160 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

. . . 177
䡵 Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
䡵 Tire Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
▫ Tire Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . . . . . . 183
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . 184
䡵 Tires—General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
▫ Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
▫ Radial-Ply Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 192
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 193
▫ Tire Spinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

▫ Tread Wear Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
▫ Replacement Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
▫ Alignment And Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
䡵 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information . . . . . . . 197
䡵 Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
䡵 Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
䡵 Tire Rotation Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
䡵 Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
▫ Reformulated Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
▫ MMT In Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
▫ Sulfur In Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
▫ Materials Added To Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

䡵 Adding Fuel

▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)

▫ Fuel System Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
䡵 Catalytic Converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
䡵 Vehicle Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
▫ Certification Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
䡵 Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
▫ Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
▫ Axle Lubricant And Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . 213
▫ Trailer Towing Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . 214
▫ Trailer Towing — Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

STARTING AND OPERATING 161

▫ Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer

Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
▫ Trailer Weight And Trailer Tongue Weight . . . . 217
▫ Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer

Weight Ratings)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
▫ Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped . . . . . . 219
▫ Cooling System Tips — Trailer Towing . . . . . . 219
▫ Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature

Warning Light

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
▫ Towing With An Automatic Transmission . . . . 220
䡵 Snowplow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
▫ Dodge SRT-10 Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
䡵 Traction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
䡵 Equipment Identification Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

162 STARTING AND OPERATING

IGNITION/STARTER SWITCH

LOCK Engages the steering wheel lock (if equipped) when the steering wheel is turned.

OFF Unlocks the steering wheel (if equipped with locking wheel). ON This is the normal running position. ACC Allows the electrical accessories to be used when the engine is not running. Manual Transmission Key Release Button To remove the key on vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, turn the key to the Lock position and press the button to remove the ignition key. Key Reminder An alarm will sound to remind you if the key is left in the ignition and the driver’s door is opened.

STARTING PROCEDURES 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. Manual Transmission Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch is fully depressed. Place the ignition switch in the ON position.

STARTING AND OPERATING 163

Start Button Locator Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does not require pump- ing or depressing the accelerator pedal. To start the vehicle, turn the key to the ON position and press the red ENGINE START button located on the

164 STARTING AND OPERATING

instrument panel and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5 seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure. 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.

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.

CAUTION!

WARNING!

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.

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.

After Starting The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de- crease as the engine warms up.

CAUTION!

Long periods of engine idling, especially at high engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera- tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running.

WARNING!

Do not leave children or animals inside parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may cause serious injury or death.

STARTING AND OPERATING 165

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING

Automatic Transmission with Overdrive The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column. You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or when shifting out of Park. NOTE: The automatic transmission shift quality has been matched to the SRT-10 performance resulting in a more firm feeling shift. Gear Ranges DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or Neutral position into another gear range.

166 STARTING AND OPERATING

“P” 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 selector in Park position. On 4-wheel-drive vehicles be sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!

WARNING!

Never use Park position on an automatic transmis- sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.

WARNING!

Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to move the gearshift lever back and forth without first pulling it toward you after you have set it in P. Make sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.

WARNING!

It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or “N” 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 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 when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

“R” Reverse Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

STARTING AND OPERATING 167

“N” Neutral Shift to Neutral when the vehicle is standing for pro- longed periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must leave the vehicle. “D” Drive This position provides all forward gears, including 3rd gear direct and 4th gear overdrive (see Overdrive Opera- tion). Use this range for most city and highway driving. “2” 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. NOTE: Do not exceed maximum engine speed.

168 STARTING AND OPERATING

“1” 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. NOTE: Do not exceed a maximum engine speed of 5500
rpm. Overdrive Operation The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec- tronically controlled fourth speed (Overdrive). The trans- mission will automatically shift from Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are present: • the transmission selector is in Drive; • the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem- • vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48

perature;

km/h);

• the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated; • transmission has reached normal operating tempera-

ture. 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 also to the Note under torque converter clutch, later 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.

The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h). Overdrive Operation The four-speed overdrive automatic transmission con- tains an electronically controlled fourth speed (Over- drive). The transmission will automatically shift from Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are present:

STARTING AND OPERATING 169

perature;

• the transmission selector is in Drive; • the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem- • vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
• the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated;

km/h);

170 STARTING AND OPERATING

• transmission has reached normal operating tempera-

ture.

The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h). Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the “TOW/ HAUL” button located on the selector lever. The “TOW/ HAUL” light will illuminate in the instrument cluster to indicate that the switch has been activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores the Overdrive function. If the “TOW/HAUL” feature is desired, the“TOW/HAUL” button must be pressed each time the engine is started. 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 temperature. Refer also to the Note under torque converter clutch, later 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 “TOW/HAUL” and/or TRANS TEMP light(s) may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After cooldown, the transmis- sion will resume normal operation. When To Lock Out Overdrive When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, etc., and frequent 4–3–4 transmission shifting occurs, press the “TOW/HAUL” button. This will im- prove performance and reduce the potential for transmis- sion overheating or failure due to excessive shifting. The “TOW/HAUL” light will illuminate in the instru- ment cluster to indicate when the switch has been

activated. Pressing the switch a second time restores normal operation. If the “TOW/HAUL” mode is 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 high gear. 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 [usually 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 transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING 171

is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal. Pressing the “TOW/HAUL” button, when the transmis- sion is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the transmission is able to shift into and out of overdrive. If the vehicle has not been driven in several NOTE: days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into the transmission. This condition is normal and will not cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into any other gear position. Manual Transmission — 6-Speed

NOTE: The parking brake should be engaged before leaving the vehicle, especially on an incline.

172 STARTING AND OPERATING

This model is equipped with a clutch interlocking igni- tion system. The clutch pedal must be fully depressed to start the vehicle. Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera- tor pedal. When launching a stationary vehicle, keep the engine speed low until the clutch is fully engaged.

Damage to the clutch can re- sult from starting in 2nd or 3rd gear with a loaded ve- hicle. Use each gear in nu- merical order – do not skip a gear.

For improved clutch life, all six forward gears should be used. For steady highway driving with light acceleration, 6th gear is recommended. When shifting from 4th to 5th gear, apply side effort away and forward without push- ing hard enough to engage Reverse gear. Shifting from 5th to 6th requires the same side effort or the lever will return to center resulting in a shift into 4th gear and damage the transmission, clutch, or engine. You should use low gear when starting from a standing position if under a heavy load. To shift into Reverse, come to a complete stop. Depress the clutch and pause briefly to allow the gear train to stop. Move the shift lever from the Neutral position straight across and up into Reverse. Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will cause abnormal wear on the clutch.

Recommended Shift Speeds To use your manual transmission for fuel economy it should be upshifted as listed below. Shift at the vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. Earlier upshifts during cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS

1-2
15
(24)

2-3
25
(40)

MPH (km/h) Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired acceleration rate.

3-4
40
(65)

4-5
45
(72)

5-6
50
(80)

STARTING AND OPERATING 173

Downshifting Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is recommended to preserve brakes when driving down steep hills. In addition, downshifting at the right time provides better acceleration when you desire to resume speed. Downshifting progressively. Do not skip gears to avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch. For accelera- tion at speeds less than 15 mph (25 km/h), 2nd gear is recommended.

CAUTION!

When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the engine which can cause valve damage.

174 STARTING AND OPERATING

LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL 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.

WARNING!

On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differen- tial, 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.

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.

STARTING AND OPERATING 175

Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and the gear shift lever is in the REVERSE position.

176 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 a manual transmission in Reverse or first gear. Failure to do so may allow the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury. • Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan- gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be injured. Children should be warned not to touch the parking brake or the gear selector lever. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition. A child could operate power windows, 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.

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 lamp and the ABS lamp (if equipped) during brake use.

Brake Noise During normal operation of the brake system certain noises may be present from time to time. Occasional ⬙groan⬙ or ⬙squeal⬙ noises may occur during normal operation of the brake system which may not be indica- tive of a problem. These noises may be heard at any time the brakes are applied but may be more noticeable during the first few brake applications in the morning. Moisture, hot or cold temperature, dust, and or other debris may also contribute to the noise condition. Repeated or con- tinuous noises during braking may be an indication that the brake linings are worn and in need of replacement. Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) This Anti-lock Brake System is designed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking conditions. The system operates with a separate com- puter to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.

STARTING AND OPERATING 177

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 Anti-lock Brake System, 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 Anti-lock Brake System may be accompanied by a pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise. These occurrences are normal, and indi- cate that the system is functioning. ABS Warning Light The Anti-lock Brake System includes an amber warning light. When the light is illuminated, the Anti-lock Brake System is not functioning. The system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes.

178 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!

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.

• Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu- ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency be- yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.

• 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.

POWER STEERING Your power steering system will provide mechanical steering capability if power assist is lost. If for any reason the hydraulic pressure is interrupted, it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these conditions you will experience a substantial increase in steering effort.

STARTING AND OPERATING 179

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION

Tire Markings

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 designation. Ex- ample: P215/65R15 95H.

180 STARTING AND OPERATING

• 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. • High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards and 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 Milimeters (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)

STARTING AND OPERATING 181

182 STARTING AND OPERATING

Service Description:

EXAMPLE:

95 = Load Index

—A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.

H = Speed Symbol

—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 un- der specified operating conditions. (ie. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions and posted speed limits).

Load Identification:

ⴖ....blank....ⴖ = Absence of any text on 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 date code located on the white sidewall side of the tire.

STARTING AND OPERATING 183

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.(2 digits) L9 = Code representing the tire size.(2 digits) ABCD = Code used by tire manufacturer.(1 to 4 digits) 03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured.(2 digits)

—03 means the 3rd week.

01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured.(2 digits)

—01 means the year 2001. —Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have 1 number to represent the year in which the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991.

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Tire Loading and Tire Pressure

Tire Placard Location NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure for pas- senger cars is listed on either the face of the driver’s door or the driver’s side “B” pillar. For vehicles other than passenger cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed on either the “B” pillar, the Certification Label or in the Tire Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compart- ment.

Tire Placard Location

Tire and Loading Information Placard

Tire and Loading Information

This placard tells you important information about the: 1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle 2) the total weight your vehicle can carry 3) the tire size designed for your vehicle 4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear and spare tires.

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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 the Vehicle Loading section of this manual. NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further information on GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the Vehicle Loading section of this manual. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The

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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 pounds” on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas- sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds. 4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 – 750 = 650 lb.)

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. 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 calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra- tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle. NOTE: For the following example the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).

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188 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!

1. 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!

Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause accidents. • Under inflation increases tire flexing and can result in tire failure. • Over inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause damage that results in tire failure. • Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You could lose control of your vehicle. • Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control. • Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle 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.

2. 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. Underinflation also increases tire rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consumption. 3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability— Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride. Overinflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride. Tire Inflation Pressures The proper cold tire inflation pressure for passenger cars is listed on either the face of the driver’s door or the driver’s side “B” pillar. For vehicles other than passenger cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed on either the “B” pillar, the Certification Label or in the Tire Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compartment. Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure Information for vehicle loads that are less than the

STARTING AND OPERATING 189

maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con- ditions will be found in the “Supplemental Tire Pressure Information” section of this manual.

Tire Placard Location

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

190 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.

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 3 hours, or driven less than 1mile (1 km) after a 3 hour period. The cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres- sure molded into the tire side wall.

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 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.

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WARNING!

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. Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75
mph (120 km/h).

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Radial-Ply Tires

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. Al- ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, 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.

Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein- stalled at the first opportunity.

WARNING!

Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited tread life. When two or more tread wear indicators appear in adjacent grooves, the temporary use spare tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings which apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.

Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare. Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel on the vehicle at any given time.

CAUTION!

Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may result.

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Limited Use Spare — If Equipped The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire, replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on vehicle at the first opportunity.

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WARNING!

WARNING!

The limited use spare tires are for emergency use only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more than 60 mph (100 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly. Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.

Tire Spinning When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not spin your vehicle’s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h). See the paragraph on Freeing A Stuck Vehicle in Section 6 of this manual.

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 someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.

Tread Wear Indicators Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires to help you in determining when your tires should be replaced.

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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 (see the paragraph on tread wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa- tion 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, han- dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you contact your original equipment or an authorized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi- cations or capability.

These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear in 2 or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced. Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this point.

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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 suspension 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. • 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. • Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle control.

CAUTION!

Replacing original tires with tires of a different size may result in false speedometer and odometer read- ings.

Alignment And Balance Poor suspension alignment may result in: • Fast tire wear. • Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided • Vehicle pull to right or left. Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right. Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer for proper diagnosis.

wear.

Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration. Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of- balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.

SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION A light load vehicle condition is defined as two passen- gers {150 lbs (68 kg) each} plus 200 lbs (91kg) of cargo. Cold tire inflation pressures for a lightly loaded vehicle will be found on a “Supplemental Tire Pressure Inflation” label located on the face of the driver’s door or in the Tire Information Pressures pamphlet in the glove box.

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TIRE CHAINS Use “Class S” chains on SRT–10 models, or other traction aids that meet SAE Type “S” specifications. Tire chain use is permitted only on the rear tires of SRT–10 models. NOTE: Chains must be the proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain manufacturer.

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CAUTION!

To avoid damage to your vehicle, tires or chains, observe the following precautions:

• Because of limited chain clearance between tires and other

driving about 1/2 mile (0.8 km).

suspension components, it is important that only chains in good condition are used. Broken 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 retighten after • Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h). • Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps, • Do not install tire chains on front wheels of 4x2 vehicles. • Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pavement. • Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instructions on method

especially with a loaded vehicle.

of installation, operating speed, and conditions for usage. Always use the lower suggested 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 SRT–10 Models. NOTE: The use of class “S” chains is permitted on SRT– 10 Models with the use of 17 x 8 steel wheels (part number 52113265AC) available from your authorized dealer.

CAUTION!

Do not use tire chains on the front wheels. 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; local laws should be checked before using these tire types.

therefore,

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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.

200 STARTING AND OPERATING

Follow the recommended tire rotation frequency for your type of driving found in the “Maintenance Schedules” Section of this manual. More frequent rotation is permis- sible if desired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should be corrected prior to rotation being per- formed.

NOTE: On Canadian vehicles only, if your Ram truck 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.

FUEL REQUIREMENTS

Your vehicle is designed to meet all emis- sion regulations and provide excellent fuel economy when using high quality pre- mium unleaded gasoline having an octane rating of 91 or higher.

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.

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 automobile manufacturers around the world have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifica- tions (the World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions, engine performance, and durability for your vehicle. The manufacturer recommends 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 fuel referred to as Reformulated Gasoline. Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are spe- cially blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.