RAM 2015 1500, Operating Information Manual, Page: 300 / 998

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] maxi-
mum) and light throttle. Keep the vehicle mov-
ing; do not try to accelerate through the cross-
ing. 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 dam-
age 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 intrud-
ing on any wildlife and you can recover the
vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe cross-
ing is the water depth, current and bottom
conditions. On soft bottoms the vehicle will
sink in, 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 nor-
mally contain murky or muddy waters. These
water types normally contain hidden ob-
stacles 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 sys-
tem effectiveness by depositing debris onto
the radiator.
•
Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Riv-
ers 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 sweep-
ing 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.
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