wheel Ram 1500 2015 Owner's Manual

NOTE:
•The front courtesy overhead console and door cour-
tesy lights will not turn off if the dimmer control is in
the “Dome ON” position (rotate horizontal thumb
wheel on the bottom of the switch to the far right
detent position).
•The illuminated entry system will not operate if the
dimmer control is in the “Dome OFF” position (rotate
horizontal thumb wheel on the bottom of the switch to
the far left detent position).
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)
The RKE system allows you to lock or unlock all doors,
tailgate, and the RamBox® (if equipped) as well as
activate the Panic Alarm from distances up to approxi-
mately 66 ft (20 m) using a hand-held radio transmitter
with integrated key. The transmitter does not need to be
pointed at the vehicle to activate the system. Push and
release the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter to lock
all doors, the tailgate and the RamBox® (if equipped).
The turn signal lights will flash and the horn will chirp to
acknowledge the signal.
NOTE:Inserting the Key Fob with RKE transmitter into
the ignition switch disables the system from responding
to any button pushes from that RKE transmitter. Driving
at speeds 5 mph (8 km/h) and above disables the system
from responding to all RKE transmitter buttons for all
RKE transmitters.
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Remote Start Comfort Systems — If Equipped
When remote start is activated, the heated steering wheel
and driver heated seat features will automatically turn on
in cold weather. In warm weather, the driver vented seat
feature will automatically turn on when the remote start
is activated. These features will stay on through the
duration of remote start or until the ignition switch is
turned to the ON/RUN position.
The Remote Start Comfort System can be activated and
deactivated through the Uconnect® System. For more
information on Remote Start Comfort System operation
refer to ”Customer Programmable Features” in
“Uconnect® Settings” in “Understanding Your Instru-
ment Panel”.
DOOR LOCKS
Manual Door Locks
Front and rear doors may be locked by moving the lock
knob down or unlocked by moving the lock knob up.
Door Lock Knob
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it
to retract completely to disengage the Automatic Locking
Mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode.
WARNING!
•The seat belt assembly must be replaced if the
switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) fea-
ture or any other seat belt function is not working
properly when checked according to the proce-
dures in the Service Manual.
•Failure to replace the seat belt assembly could
increase the risk of injury in collisions.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode to restrain
occupants who are wearing the seat belt or children
who are using booster seats. The locked mode is
only used to install rear-facing or forward-facing
child restraints that have a harness for restraining
the child.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•Air Bag Warning Light
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67

•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Advanced Front Air Bags
•Supplemental Side Air Bags
•Front And Side Impact Sensors — If Equipped
•Seat Belt Pretenioners
•Seat Belt Buckle Switch
Advanced Front Air Bags
This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt systems. The driver ’s Advanced Front Air Bag is
mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The passen-
ger ’s Advanced Front Air Bag is mounted in the instru-
ment panel, above the glove compartment. The words
SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the air bag covers.
Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations
1—DriverAndPassengerAd-vanced Front Air Bags2 — Driver/Passenger KneeImpact Bolsters
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during Advanced Front Air Bag deployment
could cause serious injury, including death. Air
bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably
extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or
instrument panel.
•Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of
an air bag. A deploying Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag can cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in a rear-
facing child restraint.
•Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat.
Advanced Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system provides
output appropriate to the severity and type of collision as
determined by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC),
which may receive information from the front impact
sensors (if equipped) or other system components.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires air bag deployment. A low energy
output is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy
output is used for more severe collisions.
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat
belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the
Advanced Front Air Bags.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69

WARNING!
•No objects should be placed over or near the air
bag on the instrument panel or steering wheel,
because any such objects could cause harm if the
vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the
air bags to inflate.
•Do not put anything on or around the air bag
covers or attempt to open them manually. You may
damage the air bags and you could be injured
because the air bags may no longer be functional.
The protective covers for the air bag cushions are
designed to open only when the air bags are
inflating.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all. Al-
ways wear your seat belts even though you have air
bags.
Advanced Front Air Bag Operation
Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide addi-
tional protection by supplementing the seat belts. Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags are not expected to reduce the risk
of injury in rear, side, or rollover collisions. The Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all frontal
collisions, including some that may produce substantial
vehicle damage — for example, some pole collisions,
truck underrides, and angle offset collisions.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

On the other hand, depending on the type and location of
impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in crashes
with little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a
severe initial deceleration.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all colli-
sions, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right
side of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the
way as the air bags inflate to their full size. The Advanced
Front Air Bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to
blink your eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and front passenger, and position the front occu-
pants for improved interaction with the Advanced Front
Air Bags.
WARNING!
•Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact
bolsters in any way.
•Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact
bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71

Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the air bag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air
bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag system.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, including your
trim cover and cushion, needs to be serviced in any
way (including removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your
authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved
seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify the air bag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
11 8 T H I N G S TO K N O W B E F O R E S TA R T I N G Y O U R V E H I C L E

▫Lights-On Reminder...................172
▫Battery Saver.........................172
▫Interior Lights.......................172
▫Cargo Light.........................176
▫Multifunction Lever...................176
▫Turn Signals.........................176
▫Lane Change Assist...................177
▫Flash-To-Pass........................177
▫High/Low Beam Switch................178
!WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS......178
▫Windshield Wipers....................178
▫Windshield Wiper Operation.............179
▫Intermittent Wiper System...............179
▫Windshield Washers...................179
▫Mist Feature.........................180
▫Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped........180
!TILT STEERING COLUMN...............182
!HEATED STEERING WHEEL —
IF EQUIPPED.........................183
!DRIVER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS —
IF EQUIPPED.........................185
!ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL...........186
▫To Activate..........................187
▫To Set A Desired Speed.................188
▫To Deactivate........................188
▫To Resume Speed.....................188
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............188
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121