RAM 2015 1500, Operating Information Manual, Page: 295 / 998

CAUTION!
The door sill height is 25 inches. Water may
intrude into the interior of the vehicle at
greater depths.
Simultaneous Brake And Throttle
Operation
Many off-road driving conditions require the
simultaneous use of the brake and throttle (two
footed driving). When climbing rocks, logs, or
other stepped objects, using light brake pres-
sure with light throttle will keep the vehicle from
jerking or lurching. This technique is also used
when you need to stop and restart a vehicle on
a steep incline.
The Basics Of Off-Road Driving
You will encounter many types of terrain driving
off-road. You should be familiar with the terrain
and area before proceeding. There are many
types of surface conditions: hard packed dirt,
gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice.
Every surface has a different effect on your
vehicle’s steering, handling and traction. Con-
trolling your vehicle is one of the keys to suc-
cessful off-road driving, so always keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel and maintain a good
driving posture. Avoid sudden accelerations,
turns or braking. In most cases there are no
road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights.
Therefore you will need to use your own good
judgment on what is safe and what isn’t. When
on a trail you should always be looking ahead
for surface obstacles and changes in terrain.
The key is to plan your future driving route while
remembering what you are currently driving
over.
CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or
other combustible materials. The heat from
your vehicle exhaust system could cause a
fire.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie
down cargo. Unsecured cargo can become
projectiles in an off-road situation.
When To Use Low Range
When driving off-road, shift into 4L (Low Range)
for additional traction or to improve handling
and control on slippery or difficult terrain. Due to
the lower gearing, low range will allow the
engine to operate in a higher power range. This
will allow you to idle over obstacles and down
hills, with improved control and less effort. Also,
use 4L (Low Range) in rain, ice, snow, mud,
sand, to get heavy loads rolling, improve trac-
tion, or whenever 4H (High Range) traction will
not do the job.
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
There is a drastic reduction in traction when
driving in snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be
less responsive to steering, acceleration and
braking inputs. Therefore you should accelerate
slowly, leave greater stopping distances and
avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to
keep a slow constant steady pace. The key is to
maintain the vehicle’s momentum.
•
Snow – In heavy snow or for additional
control and traction at slower speeds, shift
the transmission to a low gear and shift the
transfer case to 4L (Low Range) if necessary.
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