2012 RAM 1500 Owners Manual

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or other obstacles on the path? Can you safely recover the vehicle if something goes wrong? If everything looks good and you feel confident, then change trans- mission into a lower gear, shift the transfer case into 4L (Low) and proceed with caution. You should use first gear and 4L (Low Range) for very steep hills. • Driving Up Hill – Once you have determined your ability to proceed and have shifted into the appropri- ate gear, line your vehicle up for the straightest possible run. Accelerate with an easy constant throttle and apply more power as you start up the hill. Do not race forward into a steep grade, the abrupt change of grade could cause you to lose control. If the front end begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring all four tires back on the ground. As you approach the crest of the hill ease off the throttle and slowly proceed over the top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by turning the steering wheel no more than a 1⁄4 turn quickly back and forth. This will provide a fresh ⬙bite⬙ into the surface and will usually provide enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not make it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE and back straight down the grade using engine resistance along with the vehicle brakes. WARNING! Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in severe injury. • Driving Down Hill – Before driving down a steep hill you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty of distance at the base of the hill to regain control if the vehicle descends too fast? If you feel confident in your ability to proceed then make sure you are in 4L (Low Range) with the transmission in first gear (manually select first gear on automatic transmissions) and pro- ceed with caution. Allow engine braking to control the descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock. WARNING! Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking. Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose control and be seriously injured. STARTING AND OPERATING 441 • Driving Across An Incline – If at all possible avoid driving across an incline. If it is necessary, know your vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an incline places more weight on the down hill wheels, which increases the possibilities of a down hill slide or rollover. Make sure the surface has good traction with firm and stable soils. If possible transverse the incline at an angle heading slightly up or down. WARNING! Driving across an incline increases the risk of a rollover, which may result in severe injury. • If You Stall Or Begin To Lose Headway – If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift into REVERSE. Back slowly down the hill allowing the compression braking of the engine and transmission to 442 STARTING AND OPERATING help regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid locking or skidding the tires. WARNING! If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle, which may result in severe injury. Always back carefully straight down a hill in REVERSE. Never back down a hill in NEU- TRAL using only the vehicle brakes. Never drive diagonally across a hill, always drive straight up or down. Driving Through Water Extreme care should be taken crossing any type of water. Water crossings should be avoided if possible and only be attempted when necessary, in a safe responsible manner. You should only drive through areas which are designated and approved. You should tread lightly and avoid damage to the environment. You should know your vehicle’s abilities and be able to recover it if something goes wrong. You should never stop or shut a vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you ingested water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls do not attempt to restart it. Determine if it has ingested water first. The key to any crossing is low and slow. You want to use first gear in 4L (Low Range) and proceed very slowly with a constant slow speed (3-5 mph [5–8 km/h] maximum) and light throttle. Keep the vehicle moving; do not try to accelerate through the crossing. After crossing any water higher than the bottom of the axle differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle fluids for signs of water ingestion. CAUTION! Water ingestion into the axles, transmission, transfer case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive too fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause permanent damage to engine, driveline or other vehicle components and your brakes will be less effective once wet and/or muddy • Before You Cross Any Type Of Water – As you approach any type of water you need to determine if you can cross it safely and responsibly. If necessary, get out and walk through the water or probe it with a stick. You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle, current and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or muddy waters, check for hidden obstacles. Make sure you will not be intruding on any wildlife and you can recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe crossing is the water depth, current and bottom con- ditions. On soft bottoms the vehicle will sink in, STARTING AND OPERATING 443 effectively increasing the water level on the vehicle. Be sure to consider this when determining the depth and the ability to safely cross. • Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or Other Standing Water – Puddles, pools, flooded or other standing water areas normally contain murky or muddy waters. These water types normally contain hidden obstacles and make it difficult to determine an accurate water depth, approach angle, and bottom condition. Murky or muddy water holes are where you want to hook up tow straps prior to entering. This makes for a faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery. If you are able to determine you can safely cross, than proceed using the low and slow method. CAUTION! Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system effec- tiveness by depositing debris onto the radiator. 444 STARTING AND OPERATING • Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or Other Flowing Water – Flowing water can be extremely dangerous. Never attempt to cross a fast running stream or river even in shallow water. Fast moving water can easily push your vehicle downstream sweeping it out of control. Even in very shallow water, a high current can still wash the dirt out from around your tires putting you and your vehicle in jeopardy. There is still a high risk of personal injury and vehicle damage with slower water currents in depths greater than the vehicle’s running ground clearance. You should never attempt to cross flowing water which is deeper than the vehicle’s running ground clearance. Even the slowest current can push the heaviest vehicle downstream out of control if the water is deep enough to push on the large surface area of the vehicle’s body. Before you proceed determine the speed of the current, the water’s depth, approach angle, bottom condition and if there are any obstacles, then cross at an angle heading slightly upstream using the low and slow technique. WARNING! Never drive through fast moving deep water. It can push your vehicle downstream, sweeping it out of control. This could put you and your passengers at risk of injury or drowning. Airing Down For Off-Road Driving Running lower tire pressure off-road can improve your ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing the tire air pressure allows the tire to bulge slightly, improving its surface area for better flotation and ability to mold or form to the ground contour. Different terrain, tires, and vehicles require different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like rock and heavier vehicles require higher pressures than softer surfaces such as sand and lighter vehicles. You will need to experiment to determine what is right for your situation. It is easier and faster to let air out than it is to replace it so, start high and lower it as required. Remem- ber you must return the tires to normal air pressure before driving on road or at highway conditions. Be sure you have a way to return the tires to their normal on road air pressure. CAUTION! Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of tire dam- age and may cause tire unseating with total loss of air pressure. To reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a reduced tire pressure, drive at slower speeds and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. Vehicle Recovery If you drive off-road, you may encounter a situation where you will need to recover your vehicle. Vehicle recovery should always be given consideration before STARTING AND OPERATING 445 attempting a questionable obstacle. You should never go off-road driving without the ability to recover your vehicle from a situation. Having another vehicle with you usually works best for most situations. The first thing to do is assess the situation. Why are you stuck? Are you hung up on something? Would it be easier to go forward or to go backward? Can you still move the vehicle? Is there an anchor point to winch to? Are you alone or do you have another vehicle to help? Is there high risk of vehicle damage during the recovery process? Answering these questions will help you determine the best method of recovery. If you can still move the vehicle slightly and the only issue is slick ground, then rock cycling your vehicle would be the first choice. If you have ample room, an additional vehicle and there is low risk of vehicle impingement on the surroundings, then using a tow strap to the vehicle tow hooks would be fast and easy. If the vehicle is severely hung up or in a situation where great care needs to be taken during the recovery, 446 STARTING AND OPERATING then nothing can do the job better than a winch. If you are severely hung up on something you should jack the vehicle up and stack something under the wheels to allow the vehicle to roll off the object without causing further damage. This should be tried before attempting any recovery method. CAUTION! Pulling the vehicle off an obstacle, without first clearing the object, may result in additional under- body damage. • Rock Cycling Your Vehicle – Rock cycling your ve- hicle is one of the easiest, fastest and most commonly used methods. This simply involves shifting your vehicle from DRIVE to REVERSE, while applying throttle after each shift. During this process, for addi- tional traction, try turning your steering wheel quickly back and forth no more than a 1⁄4 turn. If you are stuck in mud, sand, or snow try spinning your tires during this process to clean the debris from the tread and improve the traction. You want to create a rocking motion with the vehicle. This helps build vehicle momentum, which hopefully gets you out. Remember to ease off and on the accelerator before and after the shift. If after a few rock cycles your vehicle is not free, stop and try another method of recovery. Continuous rock cycling will only cause unnecessary damage to your vehicle and the environment. CAUTION! Damage can occur when spinning your tires at an excessive high speed. Do not spin your tires faster than an indicated 35 mph (56 km/h). • Using The Tow Hooks With A Tow Strap – Tow straps are a quick and easy way to recover your vehicle from minor situations if you have a secondary vehicle which is not stuck. The tow hooks on your vehicle are designed to take the abusive force gener- ated during vehicle recovery. Do not use the bumper or any other vehicle component as an attachment point. Using tow straps requires coordination between the two drivers. Good communication and line of sight are required for a safe recovery. First connect the tow strap to the correct attachment points on both vehicles. There should be a least 20 to 30 feet between the vehicles to allow for a safe recovery. If necessary join two tow straps together using a 1 1⁄2 inch hard wood dowel. This will keep the straps from becoming knot- ted and is safer than using a clevis pin if the strap breaks. Next have the tow vehicle backup, leaving two to three feet worth of slack in the strap. Then the tow vehicle, using light throttle, should accelerate tighten- ing the strap providing the pulling force needed to free the vehicle. The vehicle being recovered should assist in the recovery, at the time of the snap, by slowly STARTING AND OPERATING 447 spinning the tires in the same direction as the pulling vehicle. After the vehicle becomes free, the driver of the previously stuck vehicle should signal they are free and should hit their brakes stopping both vehicles. The driver of the pulling vehicle should let off the throttle without using the brakes, once signaled by the other driver. This sequence is important to avoid having the recovered vehicle hit the pulling vehicle. WARNING! Never use tow straps with end hooks or link two straps with a clevis pin. These heavy metal objects could become projectiles if a strap breaks, which could cause severe injury. Never leave more than two or three feet of slack in the strap. More slack than this greatly increases the risk of injury and vehicle dam- age. Always keep everyone at least 30 feet away from a strapping or winching situation. 448 STARTING AND OPERATING • Winching (Refer To “Winch Operation” For Addi- tional Information) – Winching is most commonly used in the following situations: there is no support vehicle available, a high controlled force is required to recover the vehicle, there is a high risk of environmen- tal or vehicle damage, or where nothing else seems to work. A winch can deliver a high pulling force with a great deal of control. It allows you to walk the vehicle out of the situation in a slow controlled manner. This control works well for avoiding further vehicle dam- age. Once you decide it is time to use the winch look for a good anchor point. It needs to be strong enough to hold more than the vehicle’s weight and provide a direction of pull as straight as possible. Use block and tackle if necessary to improve the angle of pull or increase the winch’s pulling force. If the anchor point is a tree use a strap around its base and hook the cable to the strap. If it is another vehicle, then place that vehicle in PARK and block the front tires. If you cannot find an anchor point within reach try using your spare tire by burying it. Once you have determined an anchor point hook up the cable, ensuring there are a least five wraps of cable left on the drum, and place a floor mat or something else over the strung out cable. Placing something over the strung out cable helps keep the cable on the ground if it breaks. Next, place the vehicle in first gear and apply a very light throttle as you power the winch in. Be careful not to allow slack in the cable as you recover the vehicle. Do not try to guide the cable into the drum. If it starts to bunch up on one end, let it. You can re-spool the cable afterwards. Never use a winch cable as a tow strap and always stand back while winching. WARNING! Winch cables are under high tension when in use and can become a projectile if they fail. Never stand over or straddle the winch cable. Never jerk or overload the winch cable. Never stand in front of the vehicle while winching. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious or fatal injury. After Driving Off-Road Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is always a good idea to check for damage. That way you can get any problems taken care of right away and have your vehicle ready when you need it. • Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and exhaust system for damage. STARTING AND OPERATING 449 required. • Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as • Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus- pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the values specified in the Service Manual. • Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and to fuel propeller shafts. • After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon as possible. 450 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not have full braking power when you need it to prevent a collision. If you have been operating your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as necessary. • If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation. 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 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. STARTING AND OPERATING 451 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES Acceleration Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip- pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a difference in the surface traction under the rear (driving) wheels. WARNING! Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.). 452 STARTING AND OPERATING Traction 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 the 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 vehicle 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 across a road or 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 453 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, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance) after driving through standing water. Do not con- tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as this may result in further dam- age. 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. 454 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. OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS Care should be taken when attempting to climb steep hills or driving diagonally across a hill or slope. If natural obstacles force you to travel diagonally up or down a hill, choose a mild angle and keep as little side tilt as possible. Keep the vehicle moving and make turns slowly and cautiously. If you must back down a hill, back straight down using REVERSE gear. Never back down in NEUTRAL or diago- nally across the hill. When driving over sand, mud, and other soft terrain, shift to low gear and drive steadily. Apply the accelerator slowly to avoid spinning the wheels. Do not reduce the tire pressures for this type of driving. After Driving Off-Road Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is always a good idea to check for damage. That way you can get any problems taken care of right away and have your vehicle ready when you need it. • Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and exhaust system for damage. • Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as • Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus- pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the values specified in the Service Manual. required. STARTING AND OPERATING 455 • Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and to fuel propeller shafts. • After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon as possible. WARNING! Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not have full braking power when you need it to prevent a collision. If you have been operating your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as necessary. 456 STARTING AND OPERATING • If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation. WINCH USAGE (POWER WAGON ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED Things To Know Before Using Your Winch General Winch Information Your vehicle is equipped with an electric vehicle recovery winch. This winch uses the electrical power from the vehicle charging system to power a motor that winds wire rope into the winch drum via planetary gear reduc- tion. By nature, a winch is capable of generating very high forces and should be used with care. Do not operate the winch without reading and understanding the com- plete winch owner’s manual. Tensioning The Wire Rope The winch rope must be properly tensioned before use. Follow the instructions below to tension the rope: 1. Un-spool the wire rope leaving five wraps of rope on the winch drum. 2. Attach the hook to a suitable anchor point. CAUTION! Be certain the anchor will withstand the load re- quired to tension the wire rope. 3. Apply at least 500 lbs (227 kg) of tension to the rope while winding the rope. Always use care to ensure the rope does not pile up on one side of the drum and is neatly wound onto the drum. CAUTION! Wire rope must spool on the winch drum in the direction indicated on the drum rotation decal on the winch. Low Voltage Interrupt Your winch is equipped with a device that will interrupt winch function if the vehicle charging system voltage drops to a low level. The winch will not power-in or out for 30 seconds if this device is tripped. If the interrupt is tripped, the vehicle should be operated at high idle for a few minutes to allow the vehicle charging system to recover before continuing to winch. STARTING AND OPERATING 457 Winch Motor Thermal Protection Your winch is equipped with a thermal protection device in the motor. If the winch is operated for an excessive duration, the device may interrupt motor function to protect the winch motor. During this time the winch will power-out but will not power-in. Allow the winch motor to cool for a few minutes before continuing to winch. The winch will resume normal function once the motor cools. 458 STARTING AND OPERATING Understanding The Features Of Your Winch Winch Components 1. Motor: The winch motor is powered by the vehicle charging system and features a thermal protection switch that automatically stops motor function in the power-in direction if the motor gets too hot. 2. Remote Socket: The remote socket allows the remote control to be attached to the control pack to allow the winch to function. 3. Winch Drum With Integral Brake: The winch drum allows the wire rope to be stored on the winch and transmits force to the wire rope. The winch is equipped with an integral brake that will stop rotation of the winch drum if the winch motor is stopped. 4. 3-Stage Planetary Gear Set: Provides balance between speed and pulling power. 5. Wire Rope: The wire rope allows the winch to be connected to an anchor to provide a pulling force. STARTING AND OPERATING 459 6. Clutch Lever: The clutch lever allows the winch drum to be disconnected from the winch motor to allow the wire rope to be pulled from the winch by hand. 7. Remote Control: The remote control provides the interface between the winch operator and the winch. The remote control provides the ability to power the winch in, out, and stop the winch. To operate the winch, the toggle switch is pressed down to power the winch in and up to power the winch out. The winch will stop if the switch is left in the neutral (center) position. CAUTION! If not installed, the hook strap must be placed on the hook. Fairlead: The fairlead acts as a guide for the wire rope and minimizes damage to the rope. 460 STARTING AND OPERATING Winch Accessories The following accessories are necessary to attach the winch to anchors, change direction of pull, and for safe winching. Gloves: Wire rope, through use, will develop ⬙barbs⬙ which can slice skin. It is ex- tremely important to wear protective gloves while oper- ating the winch or handling the wire rope. Avoid loose fit- ting clothes or anything that could become entangled in the wire rope and other mov- ing parts. Snatch/Block Pulley: Used properly, the multi-purpose snatch block allows you to (1) increase the winch’s pulling power; and (2) change your direction without pulling damaging the wire rope. Proper use of the snatch block is covered in ⬙Before You Pull.⬙ The Clevis/D-Shackles: D-Shackle is a safe means of connecting the looped ends of cables, and snatch blocks. The shackle’s pin is threaded to allow easy re- moval. straps Tree Trunk Protector: Typi- cally made of tough, high- quality nylon, it provides the operator an attachment point for the winch rope to a wide variety of anchor points and objects, as well as protect liv- ing trees. STARTING AND OPERATING 461 Operating Your Winch WARNING! when spooling wire rope in or out. Failure to observe any of these warnings regarding proper winch usage may result in severe injury. • Always use supplied hook strap to hold the hook • Never use as a hoist. • Never use to move persons. • Never exceed winch or wire rope rated capacity. • Always wear heavy leather gloves when handling • Never touch wire rope or hook while in tension or • Never engage or disengage clutch if winch is under load, wire rope is in tension, or wire rope drum is moving. the wire rope. under load. (Continued) 462 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) others away during winching. • Always stand clear of wire rope and load and keep • Always keep hands and clothing clear of the wire rope, hook and fairlead opening during operation and when spooling. • Never wrap wire rope back onto itself. Always use a choker chain, wire choker rope or tree trunk protector on the anchor. • Never attach a recovery strap to the winch hook to • Never attempt to tow a vehicle with the recovery increase the length of a pull. strap attached directly to the winch hook. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) use. • Never use ⴖbungeeⴖ straps that develop tremen- dous and potentially dangerous amounts of force when stretched. • Always disconnect the remote control when not in • Never winch when there are less than five wraps • Always pass remote control through a window to avoid pinching lead in door, then using remote inside a vehicle. • Never leave the remote control plugged into the winch while free spooling, rigging or sitting idle. of wire rope around the winch drum. General Information Practice using your winch before you get stuck. Some key points to remember when using your winch are: 1. Always take your time to assess the situation and plan your pull carefully. 2. Always take your time when using a winch. 3. Use the right equipment for the situation. 4. Always wear leather gloves and do not allow the wire rope to slip through your hands when handling the rope. 5. Only the operator should handle the wire rope and remote control. 6. Think safety at all times. Vehicle Recovery Using The Winch STARTING AND OPERATING 463 CAUTION! • Always Know Your Winch: Take the time to fully read and understand the included Installation and Operations Guide, and Basic Guide to Winching Techniques, in order to understand your winch and the winching operation. • Always inspect winch installation and wire rope condition before operating the winch. Frayed, kinked or damaged wire rope must be replaced immediately. Loose or damaged winch installation must be corrected immediately. • Always be sure any element which can interfere with safe winching operations is removed prior to initiating winching. (Continued) 464 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! (Continued) drum, wire rope and rigging. • Always keep remote control lead clear of the • Inspect for cracks, pinches, frayed wires, or loose • Be careful not to pull the Winch Cable Collar through the rollers. Watch and listen to Winch for proper snugness. connections. Replace if damaged. 1. Inspect the winch, winch mount, and wire rope for damage. Do not use the winch if the mount is loose or rope shows excessive wear or damage. 2. Put on gloves. 3. Disengage the clutch to allow free spooling of the winch drum, rotate the clutch lever on the winch to disengage. Freespooling conserves battery power. STARTING AND OPERATING 465 4. Free the winch hook and attach the hook strap. Free the winch hook from its anchor point. Attach the hook strap to the hook (if not attached). Free Spool Hook Strap 466 STARTING AND OPERATING 5. Pull the wire to the anchor point. Pull out enough wire rope to reach your anchor point. Be sure to keep a certain amount of tension on the wire as it can become twisted and over-wrapped when slackened, leading to wire rope damage. To prevent losing the end, hold the hook strap while you work. 6. Secure to the anchor point. Once you have established your anchor point, secure the tree-trunk protector or choker-chain around the object. Tree Trunk Protector CAUTION! Always be certain the anchor you select will with- stand the load. NOTE: How to choose an anchor point: A secure anchor is critical to winching operations. An anchor must be strong enough to hold while winching. Natural an- chors include trees, stumps and rocks. Hook the cable as low as possible. If no natural anchors are available when recovering another vehicle, your vehicle becomes the anchor point. In this case, be sure to put the transmission in NEUTRAL, apply the hand brake and block its wheels to prevent your vehicle from moving. Ideally, you’ll want an anchor point that will enable you to pull straight in the direction the vehicle will move. This allows the wire rope to wind tightly and evenly onto the spooling drum. An anchor point as far away as possible will provide the winch with its greatest pulling power. STARTING AND OPERATING 467 7. Attach the Clevis/D-shackle and Tree Trunk Protector. Attach the shackle to the two ends of the strap or chain and through the hook loop, being careful not to over tighten (tighten and back-off 1/2 turn). Clevis/D-Shackles 8. Lock the clutch. Lock the winch drum by rotating the clutch lever on the winch to engage. 468 STARTING AND OPERATING NOTE: Always ensure the clutch is fully engaged or disengaged. 9. Connect the remote control to the winch control box, located behind the front bumper. Be careful not to let the remote control cord dangle in front of the winch. If you choose to control the winch from inside your vehicle, always pass the remote through a window to avoid pinching the cord in the door. Always disconnect the remote control when not in use. 10. Put wire rope under tension. Using the remote con- trol switch, slowly wind the wire rope until no slack remains. Once the wire rope is under tension, stand well clear of it and never step over it. STARTING AND OPERATING 469 12. Check wire rope. The wire rope should be neatly wound around the spooling drum. Improper winding can cause damage to the wire rope. 11. Check your anchor. Make sure all connections are secured and free of debris before continuing with the winching procedure. 470 STARTING AND OPERATING 13. In certain situations you may decide to throw a heavy blanket or similar object over the wire rope. A heavy blan- ket can absorb energy should the wire rope break. Place it on the wire rope midway be- tween the winch and the an- chor point. Do this before the wire rope is put under ten- sion. Do not approach or move the blanket once tension is applied. Do not allow it to get pulled into the fairlead. If it is necessary to move or remove the blanket, slack the tension on the wire rope first. 14. Establish ⴖno peopleⴖ zones: Make your intentions clear. Be sure that everyone in the immediate vicinity surrounding the winching operation is completely aware of your intentions before you pull. Declare where the spectators should not stand - never behind or in front of the vehicle and never near the wire rope or snatch block. Your situation may have other ⴖno peopleⴖ zones. No People Zones 15. Begin winching. With the winching vehicles engine on and light tension already on the wire rope, begin winching slowly and steadily. Be sure that the wire rope is winding evenly and tightly around the spooling drum. For additional assistance, the winched vehicle can be slowly driven while being pulled by the winch. Continue pulling until the vehicle is on stable ground. If you are able to drive the vehicle, the winching operation is complete. Using The Remote Control STARTING AND OPERATING 471 NOTE: • Avoid overheating the winch motor. For extended winching, stop at reasonable intervals to allow the winch motor to cool down. • What to look for under load: The wire rope must always spool onto the drum as indicated by the drum rotation decal on the winch. As you power-in, make sure the wire rope winds evenly and tightly on the drum. This prevents the outer wire wraps from draw- ing into the inner wraps, binding and damaging the wire rope. Avoid shock loads by using the control switch intermittently to take up wire rope slack. Shock loads can momentarily far exceed the winch and wire rope ratings. During side pulls the wire rope tends to stack up at one end of the drum. This stack can become large enough to cause serious damage to the winch. So, line up pulls as straight ahead as possible and stop winching if the wire rope comes close to the tie rods or mounting plate. To fix an uneven stack, spool out that 472 STARTING AND OPERATING section of the rope and reposition it to the opposite end of the drum, which will free up space for continued winching. 16. Secure vehicle. Once recovery of the vehicle’s is complete, be sure to secure the vehicle’s brakes and put the transmission in PARK. Release tension in the wire rope. 17. Disconnect the wire rope, and disconnect from the anchor. 18. Rewind the wire rope. The person handling the wire rope should walk the rope in and not let it slide through the hand, control the winch at all times. WARNING! To prevent serious injury, NEVER put your fingers inside the hook area as you are powering-in. NOTE: How to spool under no load: Arrange the remote control lead so it cannot be caught in the winch. Arrange the wire rope so it will not kink or tangle when spooled. Be sure any wire rope already on the spooling drum is wound tightly and evenly layered. Tighten and straighten the layer if necessary. Keep the wire rope under light tension and spool the wire rope back and onto the winch drum in even layers. Stop frequently to tighten and straighten the layers as necessary. Repeat this process until the winch hook is the same distance as the full length of the remote control from the winch. Pinch the hook between your thumb and forefinger and attach the hook strap. Hold the hook strap between the thumb and forefinger to keep tension on the wire rope. Walk the wire rope towards the fairlead, carefully spooling in the remaining wire rope. By pulsing the remote control switch. 19. Store the hook on the most outboard loop of the tow hook. STARTING AND OPERATING 473 20. Disconnect the remote control. Disconnect the remote control cord from the control box and store in a clean and dry place. Winching operations are now complete. Put the cap on the solenoid plug-in. NOTE: Always store the remote control in a protected, clean, dry area. 474 STARTING AND OPERATING Rigging Techniques Various winching situations will require application of other winching techniques. These could range from too little distance to achieve maximum pull using straight line rigging, simply increasing pulling power, or main- taining a straight-line pulling situation. You will have to assess what technique is correct for your situation. Think ⬙safety⬙ at all times. How To Change The Pulling Direction Change Pulling Directions All winching operations should have a straight line from the winch to the object being pulled. This minimizes the wire rope collecting on one side of the drum affecting pulling efficiency and damaging wire rope. A snatch block, secured to a point directly in front of the vehicle will enable you to change your pulling direction while still allowing the wire rope to be at 90° to wind properly onto the spooling drum. Increasing Pulling Power In some cases, you may find yourself needing more pulling power. The use of snatch blocks increases me- chanical advantage and that increases your pulling power. Double Line STARTING AND OPERATING 475 Because pulling power decreases with the number of layers of wire rope on the winch drum, you can use a snatch block to double line out more wire rope. This decreases the number of layers of wire rope on the drum, and increases pulling power. Start by feeding out enough wire rope to free the winch hook. Attach the hook to your 476 STARTING AND OPERATING vehicle’s frame/tow hook and run the wire rope through a snatch block. Disengage the clutch and, using the snatch block, pull out enough wire to reach your anchor point. Do not attach the hook to the mounting kit. Secure to the anchor point with a tree trunk protector or choker chain. Attach the clevis/shackle. Attach the shackle to the two ends of the strap/chain, being careful not to over tighten (tighten and back-off 1/2 turn). 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. NOTE: • Increased noise levels at the end of the steering 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 steer- ing 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! CAUTION! STARTING AND OPERATING 477 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 apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici- pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho- rized dealer. Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering system as the chemicals can damage your power steering components. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. 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 “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information. 478 STARTING AND OPERATING MULTI-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM (MDS) (IF EQUIPPED) — 5.7L ENGINE ONLY This feature offers improved fuel economy by shutting off four of the engine’s eight cylinders during light load and cruise conditions. The system is automatic with no driver inputs or additional driving skills required. NOTE: The MDS system may take some time to return to full functionality after a battery disconnect. PARKING BRAKE Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave the transmission in PARK. The foot operated parking brake is located below the lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the park brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To release the parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle. Parking Brake Release When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument cluster will illuminate. NOTE: • When the parking brake is applied and the transmis- sion is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake before attempting to move the vehicle. • This light only shows that the parking brake is ap- plied. It does not show the degree of brake application. When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade. 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. The parking brake should always be applied whenever the driver is not in the vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 479 WARNING! • Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage. • 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 fob in the vehicle. 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 failure and a collision. (Continued) 480 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • 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 cause the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury. CAUTION! If the Brake System Warning Light remains on with the parking brake released, a brake system malfunc- tion is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately. 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 system loses normal braking capability, the remaining system will still func- tion with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by increased pedal travel during applica- tion, greater pedal force required to slow or stop, and activation of the “Brake Warning Light” and the “ABS Warning Light” (if equipped) during brake use. 3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only The brake system power assist is provided by a hydro- boost unit which shares fluid with the power steering system. You may experience some clicking or hissing noises from the hydro-boost system during hard braking conditions. NOTE: Under cold temperatures, pedal effort will be higher than normal until the power steering fluid reaches operating temperature. ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake Sys- tem (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Trailer Sway Control (TSC). All of the systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions, and are commonly referred to as ESC. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) The ABS aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking conditions. The system controls hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking. NOTE: ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during hard braking maneuvers. STARTING AND OPERATING 481 WARNING! • 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. • The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too closely, or hydro- planing. • 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. Traction Control System (TCS) – If Equipped The TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake 482 STARTING AND OPERATING pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s), and engine power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS functions similarly to a limited-slip differential and controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if TCS and ESC are in the “Partial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in this section of this manual. This brake pressure modulation transfers drive torque from slipping to non-slipping wheels to provide optimal forward traction. Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The BAS detects an emergency braking situation by sensing the rate and amount of brake application and then applies optimum pressure to the brakes. The system applies optimum pressure to the brakes in emergency braking conditions. This can help reduce braking dis- tances. The BAS complements the ABS. Applying the brakes very quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of BAS, you must apply continuous braking pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated. WARNING! • The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys- ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too closely, or hydro- planing. • The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped The HSA system is designed to assist the driver in launching a vehicle on an incline. HSA will maintain the level of brake pressure the driver inputs for a short duration once the driver takes his foot off of the brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle during this short duration, the system will release brake pressure STARTING AND OPERATING 483 and the vehicle will roll down the incline. The system will release brake pressure in proportion to the amount of throttle applied. During operation, HSA will activate the brake control system and a clicking noise may occur. If your foot is on the brake pedal during operation you may feel a slight pedal movement. The clicking and pedal movement is normal and both will stop when HSA becomes inactive. HSA Activation Criteria The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to activate: • Vehicle must be stopped • Vehicle must be on a 7% or greater incline • Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back- ing uphill is in REVERSE gear). 484 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than 7%), with a loaded vehicle or while pulling a trailer where the system will not activate and slight rolling may occur, which could cause a collision with an- other vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle. The system will only work if the intended direction of the vehicle and vehicle gear match. For example, if the intended direction is forward up a hill and the vehicle is in DRIVE and the activation criteria are met, HSA will activate. The system will work in REVERSE and all forward gears, and will not activate if the vehicle is placed in NEUTRAL. Towing And Hauling With HSA The HSA system does not know if your vehicle is loaded or towing a trailer unless the TOW/HAUL switch, lo- cated on the center stack, is selected. When activated, the “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the instrument cluster. Refer to “Automatic Transmission” in “Starting and Operating” for further information. In order to accommodate the extra weight entailed under towing and hauling conditions and to increase driver comfort while launching on a hill, the system recognizes when the TOW/HAUL switch is activated and compen- sates by releasing brake pressure at a slower rate while throttle is applied in order to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the hill. WARNING! • If you use a trailer brake controller with your trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the brake pedal is released, there may not be enough brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a hill and this could cause a collision with another vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid rolling down the incline while resuming accelera- tion, manually activate the trailer brake or apply more vehicle brake pressure prior to releasing the brake pedal. Always remember the driver is re- sponsible for braking the vehicle. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 485 WARNING! (Continued) • HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle on a hill without putting the transmission in PARK or using the parking brake, it will roll down the incline and could collide with another vehicle, object or person, and cause serious or fatal injury. Always remember to use the parking brake while parking on a hill and that the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle. HSA Off Non-EVIC Equipped Vehicles If you wish to turn off the HSA system, follow this procedure: 1. Start with the engine OFF, and the vehicle in PARK with the wheels straight. 2. Start the engine. 486 STARTING AND OPERATING 3. With the engine running and the brake applied, rotate the steering wheel 180° counterclockwise from center. 4. Press the “ESC Off” switch four times within 20 sec- onds. The “ESC Off Indicator Light” should appear and disappear four times. 5. Rotate the steering wheel 360° clockwise (180° clock- wise from center). 6. Cycle ignition switch OFF then ON. 7. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm HSA is off. Steps 1 through 7 must be completed within 90 seconds to turn off HSA. Repeat steps 1 through 7 to re-enable HSA functionality. EVIC Equipped Vehicles HSA is a Customer Programmable Feature on a EVIC equipped vehicle. If you wish to turn off the HSA feature, refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/ Customer Programmable Features” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further information. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – If Equipped The ESC system enhances directional control and stabil- ity of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC corrects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition. Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path. ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appro- priate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition. • Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than • Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the steering wheel position. appropriate for the steering wheel position. STARTING AND OPERATING 487 All Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles And Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles In 2WD, 4WD AUTO, Or 4WD LOCK Modes Can Choose The Following ESC Operating Modes: ESC On This is the normal operating mode for ESC in 2WD/4WD AUTO/4WD LOCK modes and in 2WD vehicles. When- ever the vehicle is started or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOW or Neutral, back to 4WD LOCK or 4WD AUTO, the ESC system will be in this mode. This mode should be used for almost all driving situations. ESC should only be turned to “Partial Off” or “ESP Off” for specific reasons as noted below. 488 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, in- cluding those resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESC equipped ve- hicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dan- gerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. ESC Partial Off This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. When in ⬙Partial Off⬙ mode, the TCS portion of ESC, except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the ⬙ESC Off Indicator Light⬙ will be illuminated. All other stability features of ESC function normally. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESC would nor- mally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation. NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with snow chains or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off” mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situa- tion requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in motion. WARNING! In the “Partial Off” mode, the engine torque reduc- tion and stability features are desensitized. There- fore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESC is reduced. All Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles In 4WD AUTO And 4WD LOCK Modes Can Also Choose The Following ESC Operating Mode. This Is The Only ESC Operating Mode in 4WD LOW: Full Off This mode is intended for off-road use when ESC stabil- ity features could inhibit vehicle maneuverability due to trail conditions. This mode is entered by pressing and holding the “ESC Off” switch for five seconds when the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running. After five seconds, the “ESP Off Indicator Light” will illuminate STARTING AND OPERATING 489 and the “ESC Off” message will appear in the odometer. Press and release the trip odometer button located on the instrument cluster to clear this message. NOTE: The “ESC OFF” message will display and the audible chime will sound when the shift lever is placed into the PARK position from any other position and then moved out of the PARK position. This will occur even if the message was previously cleared. In this mode, ESC and TCS except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section are turned off until the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40 mph (64 km/h) the system returns to “Partial Off” mode, described above. When the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56 km/h) the ESC system shuts off. ESC is off at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with off-road driving but ESC function returns to provide the stability feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h). The “ESC Off Indicator Light” will always be illuminated 490 STARTING AND OPERATING when ESC is off. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation. “ESC Off” is the only operating mode for ESC in 4WD LOW. Whenever the vehicle is started in 4WD LOW or the transfer case (if equipped) is shifted from 4WD LOCK or NEUTRAL, to 4WD LOW, the ESC system will be in this mode. WARNING! With the ESC switched off, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESC is unavailable. In an emer- gency evasive maneuver the ESC system will not engage to assist in maintaining stability. “ESC Off” mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only. ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC OFF Indicator Light The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. It should go out with the engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho- rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo- cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/ Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac- celeration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions. NOTE: • The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen- tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON. • Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system • The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver that caused the ESC activation. will be ON even if it was turned off previously. The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off. STARTING AND OPERATING 491 Trailer Sway Control (TSC) – If Equipped The TSC system uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an excessively swaying trailer and will take the appro- priate actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system may reduce engine power and apply the brake of the appropriate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer. TSC will become active automatically once an excessively swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re- quired. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further information. When TSC is functioning, the “ESP Off Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes. TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION Tire Markings 492 STARTING AND OPERATING TSC is only active in the default “ESC On” mode. TSC can be disabled by pressing the “ESC Off” switch and entering “ESC Partial Off” mode. It is not active in the “ESC Partial Off” or “ESC Off” modes. Refer to the ESC portion of this section for an explanation of the different ESC operating modes. WARNING! If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the trailer load to eliminate trailer sway. 1 — U.S. DOT Safety Standards 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 STARTING AND OPERATING 493 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 spares designed for tempo- rary emergency use only. Temporary high pressure compact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex- ample: T145/80D18 103M. • 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. 494 STARTING AND OPERATING 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 or S= 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) EXAMPLE: STARTING AND OPERATING 495 Service Description: 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 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 (LL) = Light load tire C, D, E, F, G = 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 496 STARTING AND OPERATING 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. 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 Tire Terminology And Definitions B-Pillar Term Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Maximum Inflation Pressure Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Tire Placard STARTING AND OPERATING 497 Definition The vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located behind the front door. 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 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a three hour period. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI (pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals). The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation pres- sure is molded into the sidewall. Vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold tire inflation pressure as shown on the tire placard. A paper label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehicle’s loading capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures. 498 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Loading And Tire Pressure Tire And Loading Information Placard Location NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the rear edge of the driver’s side door. Tire And Loading Information Placard Tire and Loading Information Placard Tire Placard Location 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 STARTING AND OPERATING 499 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. 500 STARTING AND OPERATING 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. 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 501 502 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 collisions. sult in over-heating and 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. • Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control. • Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob- 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 fuel rolling consumption. Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride. Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride. resistance resulting higher in STARTING AND OPERATING 503 Tire Inflation Pressures The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver’s side “B” Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side door. Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure Information for vehicle loads that are less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. Refer to “Supple- mental Tire Pressure Information” in “Starting and Op- erating” for further information. 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. 504 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al- ways reinstall the valve stem cap. 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 (1.6 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 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. 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 collision. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h). STARTING AND OPERATING 505 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 a collision. Al- ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or six, in the 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. 506 STARTING AND OPERATING Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And Wheel – If Equipped Your vehicle may be equivalent with a spare tire and wheel in look and function as the original equipment tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option refer to an authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation pattern. If your vehicle is not equipped with an original equip- ment tire and wheel as a spare, a non-matching tempo- rary emergency use spare may be equipped with your vehicle. Temporary use spares are engineered to be used only with your vehicle. Your vehicle may be equipped with one of the following types of non-matching tempo- rary use spares; compact, full size, or limited-use. Do not install more than one non-matching temporary use 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 a compact, full size or limited-use temporary spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may result. Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped The compact spare is for temporary emergency use only. You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a compact spare by looking at the spare tire description on the Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall of the tire. Compact spare tire descriptions begin with the letter “T” or “S” preceding the size designation. Example: T145/ 80D18 103M. T, S = Temporary Spare Tire Since this tire has limited tread life the original equip- ment tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on your vehicle at the first opportunity. 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 tire. Do not install more than one compact spare tire and wheel on the vehicle at any given time WARNING! Compact spares are for temporary emergency use only. With these spares, do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use spares have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, 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. STARTING AND OPERATING 507 Full Size Spare – If Equipped The full size spare is for temporary emergency use only. This tire may look like the original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This spare tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use full size spare tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not the same as your original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity. Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped The limited-use spare tire is for temporary emergency use only. This tire is identified by a label located on the limited-use spare wheel. This label contains the driving limitations for this spare. 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 as 508 STARTING AND OPERATING your original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity. WARNING! Limited-use spares are for emergency use only. In- stallation of this limited-use spare tire affects vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more than the speed listed on the limit-use spare wheel. Keep inflated to the cold tire inflation pressure listed on your Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the driver’s side door opening. Replace (or repair) the original equipment 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 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 “What To Do In Emergencies” for further information. 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 do not 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. 1 — Worn Tire 2 — New Tire STARTING AND OPERATING 509 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. 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 the 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 a collision resulting in serious injury or death. 510 STARTING AND OPERATING 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 Load Index and Speed Symbol for your tire will be found on the original equipment tire sidewall. See the Tire Sizing Chart example found in the Tire Safety Information section of this manual for more information relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a tire. It is recommended to replace the two front tires or two rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the original wheels. It is recommended you contact your original equipment or an authorized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifications or capability. Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. 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 a collision 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 a collision. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 511 WARNING! (Continued) • 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. 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. 512 STARTING AND OPERATING TIRE CHAINS Use “Class S” chains, or other traction aids that meet SAE Type “S” specifications. Use “Class U” chains on 2500/3500 model trucks, or other traction aids that meet SAE Type “U” specifica- tions. 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 0.5 mile (0.8 km). bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle. vehicles. ment. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 513 • On 4x4 2500 model trucks, the use of class “U” snow chains is permitted on the rear wheels only of trucks equipped with LT245/70R17, LT265/70R17, or LT285/ 70R17 tires. • On 4x2 and 4x4 3500 SRW (Single Rear Wheel) model trucks, the use of class “U” snow chains is permitted on the rear wheels only of trucks equipped with LT265/70R17 tires. • On 4x2 and 4x4 3500 DRW (Dual Rear Wheel) model trucks, the use of class “U” snow chains is permitted on the front and rear wheels of trucks equipped with LT235/80R17 tires. CAUTION! (Continued) • Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instructions on method of installation, operating speed, and

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2012 RAM 1500 Owners Manual