Off-Road Driving Tips - RAM 1500 2025 Owner's Manual

202 STARTING AND OPERATING
CAUTION!
continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further
damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
●
Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
O -R D T
FF OAD RIVING IPS
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
diagonally 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
required.
●
Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly
on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and
suspension. 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 to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals,
and 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.
●
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.