engine Ram 1500 2018 Owner's Guide

SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE
CARGO AREA.
WARNING!
• Do not leave children or animals insideparked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury
or death.
• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in any area of
your vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and seat belts.
• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They con-
tain carbon monoxide (CO), which is col-
orless and odorless. Breathing it can make
you unconscious and can eventually poi-
son you. To avoid breathing (CO), follow
these safety tips:
• Do not run the engine in a closed garageor in confined areas any longer than
needed to move your vehicle in or out of
the area.
• If you are required to drive with the
trunk/liftgate/rear doors open, make
sure that all windows are closed and the
climate control BLOWER switch is set at
high speed. DO NOT use the recircula-
tion mode.
• If it is necessary to sit in a parked
vehicle with the engine running, adjust
your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the
blower at high speed. The best protection against carbon monoxide
entry into the vehicle body is a properly
maintained engine exhaust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of
the exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can
be detected inside the vehicle, or when the
underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged,
have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body ar-
eas for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose
connections could permit exhaust fumes to
seep into the passenger compartment. In
addition, inspect the exhaust system each
time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make
Inside The Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically,
checking for cuts, frays, and loose parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced immedi-
ately. Do not disassemble or modify the sys-
tem.
SAFETY
134

WARNING!
• ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat onthe driver’s side floor area. To check for
interference, with the vehicle properly
parked with the engine off, fully depress
the accelerator, the brake, and the
clutch pedal (if present) to check for
interference. If your floor mat interferes
with the operation of any pedal, or is not
secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat
in your trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat
on the passenger’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or
slide into the driver’s side floor area
when the vehicle is moving. Objects can
become trapped under accelerator,
brake, or clutch pedals and could cause
a loss of vehicle control.
•
NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These ob-
jects could change the position of the
floor mat and may cause interference with
the accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
WARNING!
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor
mat fasteners are secure to the vehicle
carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals then re-
install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat
has been properly installed and is se-
cured to your vehicle using the floor mat
fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
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 proper closing, latching, and lock-
ing.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid
leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or
if fuel, or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The
cause should be located and corrected imme-
diately.
SAFETY
136

STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE —
GASOLINE ENGINE.............139
Normal Starting Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button ............139
STARTING THE ENGINE —
3.0L DIESEL ENGINE............142
Normal Starting Using ENGINE
STOP/START Button ............142
Extreme Cold Weather ...........145
STARTING THE ENGINE — 6.7L DIESEL
ENGINE................... .146
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition ......146
Extreme Cold Weather ...........148
NORMAL OPERATION — 3.0L DIESEL
ENGINE................... .149
Cold Weather Precautions.........149
Stopping The Engine ............150
NORMAL OPERATION — 6.7L DIESEL
ENGINE................... .151
Cold Weather Precautions.........151
Engine Idling ................151
Stopping The Engine ............152
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
GASOLINE ENGINE.............153
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
3.0L DIESEL ................ .154
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
6.7L DIESEL ................ .154
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ......155
Key Ignition Park Interlock........156
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System ....................156
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped .................156
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) .....158
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
2500/3500 Models Only .........160
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED............... .162
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) — If Equipped .162
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) — If Equipped .164 Four-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case (Eight Speed Transmission Only) —
If Equipped
..................166
Five-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case (Eight Speed Transmission Only) —
If Equipped ..................168
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
(1500 MODELS) — IF EQUIPPED . . . .170
Description..................170
Air Suspension Modes ...........171
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (REBEL
MODELS ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED . . . .172
Description..................172
Air Suspension Modes ...........173
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/
3500 MODELS) — IF EQUIPPED .....174
Description..................174
Air Suspension Modes ...........175
SPEED CONTROL..............176
To Activate..................177
To Set A Desired Speed ..........177
To Vary The Speed Setting .........177
STARTING AND OPERATING
137

To Accelerate For Passing.........178
To Resume Speed .............178
To Deactivate ................178
PARKSENSE FRONT AND REAR PARK AS-
SIST — IF EQUIPPED ...........179
Cleaning The ParkSense System .....179
PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA — IF
EQUIPPED................. .179
REFUELING THE VEHICLE —
GAS ENGINE ................ .181
Materials Added To Fuel ..........182
REFUELING THE VEHICLE— 1500 DIESEL
MODELS................... .182
Diesel Exhaust Fluid............183
Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid........184
REFUELING THE VEHICLE — 2500/
3500 DIESEL MODELS ...........186
Diesel Exhaust Fluid............188
TRAILER TOWING.............191
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings) ...........191
Towing Requirements ...........191
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)............196
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle....................196
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel
Drive Models .................197
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel
Drive Models .................197
STARTING AND OPERATING
138

STARTING THE ENGINE — GASOLINE
ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and
fasten your seat belt.
The starter should not be operated for more
than 10-second intervals. Waiting a few sec-
onds between such intervals will protect the
starter from overheating.
WARNING!
• When leaving the vehicle, always makesure the keyless ignition node is in the
"OFF" mode, remove the key fob from the
vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
WARNING!
• Do not leave the key fob in or near thevehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of
a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A
child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury
or death.
Normal Starting Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
To Turn On The Engine Using The ENGINE START/
STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button
once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to
start, the starter will disengage automati-
cally after 10 seconds. 4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the
engine prior to the engine starting, push
the button again.
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or press-
ing the accelerator pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE START/
STOP Button
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
2. The ignition will return to the OFF mode.
3. If the gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be
held for two seconds or three short pushes
in a row with the vehicle speed above
5 MPH (8 km/h) before the engine will
shut off. The ignition will remain in the
ACC mode until the gear selector is in
PARK and the button is pushed twice to
the OFF mode.
4. If the gear selector is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed
once with the vehicle speed above 5 MPH
139

(8 km/h), the instrument cluster will dis-
play a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and
the engine will remain running. Never
leave a vehicle out of the PARK position,
or it could roll.
NOTE:
If the gear selector is not in PARK, and the
ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed once
with the vehicle speed below 5 MPH (8 km/
h), the engine will shut off and the ignition
will remain in the ACC position. If vehicle
speed drops below 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h), the
vehicle may AutoPark. See AutoPark section
for further details.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates
similar to an ignition switch. It has three
modes: OFF, ACC, and RUN. To change the
ignition modes without starting the vehicle
and use the accessories, follow these direc-
tions:
1. Start with the ignition in the OFF mode. 2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button
once to place the ignition to the ACC
mode.
3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to place the ignition to the
RUN mode.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF
mode.
AutoPark — Rotary Shifter and 8-Speed
Trans Only
AutoPark is a supplemental feature to assist
in placing the vehicle in PARK should the
situations on the following pages occur. It is a
back up system and should not be relied
upon as the primary method by which the
driver shifts the vehicle into PARK.
The conditions under which AutoPark will
engage are outlined on the following pages.
WARNING!
• Driver inattention could lead to failure toplace the vehicle in PARK. ALWAYS DO
WARNING!
A VISUAL CHECK that your vehicle is in
PARK by verifying that a solid (not blink-
ing) “P” is indicated in the Instrument
Cluster Display and near the gear selec-
tor. If the "P" indicator is blinking, your
vehicle is not in PARK. As an added
precaution, always apply the parking
brake when exiting the vehicle.
• AutoPark is a supplemental feature. It is
not designed to replace the need to shift
your vehicle into PARK. It is a back up
system and should not be relied upon as
the primary method by which the driver
shifts the vehicle into PARK.
If the vehicle is not in PARK and the driver turns
off the engine, the vehicle may AutoPark.
AutoPark will engage when all of these con-
ditions are met:
• Vehicle is equipped with a rotary shifter and an 8-speed transmission
• Vehicle is not in PARK
• Vehicle Speed is 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h) or less
STARTING AND OPERATING
140

• Ignition switched from RUN to ACC
NOTE:
For Keyless Go equipped vehicles, The en-
gine will turn off and the ignition switch will
change to ACC mode. After 30 minutes the
ignition switches to OFF automatically, un-
less the driver turns the ignition switch OFF.
If the vehicle is not in PARK and the driver exits
the vehicle with the engine running, the vehicle
may AutoPark.
AutoPark will engage when all of these con-
ditions are met:
• Vehicle is equipped with a rotary shifter andan 8-speed transmission
• Vehicle is not in PARK
• Vehicle speed is 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h) or less
• Driver’s seat belt is unbuckled
• Driver’s door is ajar
• Brake Pedal is not depressed
The MESSAGE “AutoPark Engaged Shift to P
then Shift to Gear” will display in the instru-
ment cluster. NOTE:
In some cases the ParkSense graphic will be
displayed in the instrument cluster, causing
the “AutoPark Engaged Shift to P then Shift to
Gear” to not be seen. In these cases, the
shifter must be returned to “P” to select
desired gear.
If the driver shifts into PARK while moving, the
vehicle may AutoPark.
AutoPark will engage
ONLYwhen vehicle
speed is 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h) or less.
The MESSAGE “Vehicle Speed is Too High to
Shift to P”will be displayed in the instrument
cluster if vehicle speed is above 1.2 MPH
(1.9 km/h).
WARNING!
If vehicle speed is above 1.2 MPH
(1.9 km/h), the transmission will default to
NEUTRAL until the vehicle speed drops
below 1.2 MPH (1.9 km). A vehicle left in
the NEUTRAL position can roll. As an
added precaution, always apply the park-
ing brake when exiting the vehicle. 4WD LOW — If Equipped
AutoPark will be disabled when operating the
vehicle in 4WD LOW.
The MESSAGE “AutoPark Disabled” will be
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Additional customer warnings will be given
when all of these conditions are met:
• Vehicle is not in PARK
• Driver’s Door is ajar
• Vehicle is in 4WD LOW range
The MESSAGE “AutoPark Not Engaged” will
be displayed in the instrument cluster. A
warning chime will continue until you shift
the vehicle into PARK or the Driver’s Door is
closed.
ALWAYS DO A VISUAL CHECK that your vehicle
is in PARK by looking for the "P" in the
Instrument Cluster Display and near the
shifter. As an added precaution, always apply
the parking brake when exiting the vehicle.
141

STARTING THE ENGINE — 3.0L
DIESEL ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten
your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to
30-second intervals. Waiting a few minutes
between such intervals will protect the starter
from overheating.
WARNING!
• Before exiting a vehicle, always come toa complete stop, then shift the auto-
matic transmission into PARK and apply
the parking brake. Always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in the OFF
mode, remove the key fob from the ve-
hicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended
is dangerous for a number of reasons. A
child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be
WARNING!
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of
a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A
child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury
or death.
NOTE:
Engine start up in very low ambient tempera-
ture could result in evident white smoke. This
condition will disappear as the engine warms
up.
CAUTION!
• The engine is allowed to crank as long as 30 seconds. If the engine fails to start
during this period, please wait at least
CAUTION!
two minutes for the starter to cool before
repeating start procedure.
• If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light”
remains on, DO NOT START engine be-
fore you drain the water from the fuel
filters to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter”
in “Servicing And Maintenance” in your
Diesel Supplement on www.mopar.com/
en-us/care/owners-manual.html (U.S.
Residents) or www.owners.mopar.ca
(Canadian Residents) for further infor-
mation.
Normal Starting Using ENGINE
STOP/START Button
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights
when starting the engine.
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or press-
ing the accelerator pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING
142

To Turn On The Engine Using The ENGINE START/
STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal whilepushing the ENGINE START/STOP button
once.
NOTE:
A delay of the start of up to five seconds is
possible under very cold conditions. The
"Wait to Start" telltale will be illuminated
during the pre-heat process, When the
engine Wait To Start light goes off the
engine will automatically crank.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” re-
mains on, DO NOT START engine before
you drain the water from the fuel filters to
avoid engine damage. Refer to “Draining
Fuel/Water Separator Filter” in “Servicing
And Maintenance” in your Diesel Supple-
ment at www.mopar.com/en-us/care/
owners-manual.html (U.S. Residents) or
www.owners.mopar.ca (Canadian Resi-
dents) for further information. 3. The system takes over and attempts to
start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to
start, the starter will disengage automati-
cally after 25 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push
the button again.
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or press-
ing the accelerator pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE START/
STOP Button
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
2. The ignition will return to the OFF mode.
3. If the gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be
held for two seconds or three short pushes
in a row with the vehicle speed above
5 MPH (8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The ignition will remain in the
ACC mode until the gear selector is in
PARK and the button is pushed twice to
the OFF mode.
4. If the gear selector is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed
once with the vehicle speed above 5 MPH
(8 km/h), the instrument cluster will dis-
play a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and
the engine will remain running. Never
leave a vehicle out of the PARK position,
or it could roll.
NOTE:
If the gear selector is not in PARK, and the
ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed once
with the vehicle speed below 5 MPH (8 km/
h), the engine will shut off and the ignition
will remain in the ACC position. If vehicle
speed drops below 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h), the
vehicle may AutoPark. See AutoPark section
for further details.
143

ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates
similar to an ignition switch. It has three
modes: OFF, ACC, and RUN. To change the
ignition modes without starting the vehicle
and use the accessories, follow these direc-
tions:
1. Start with the ignition in the OFF mode.
2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP buttononce to place the ignition to the ACC
mode.
3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to place the ignition to the
RUN mode.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF
mode.
AutoPark — Rotary Shifter and 8-Speed
Trans Only
AutoPark is a supplemental feature to assist
in placing the vehicle in PARK should the
situations on the following pages occur. It is a back up system and should not be relied
upon as the primary method by which the
driver shifts the vehicle into PARK.
The conditions under which AutoPark will
engage are outlined on the following pages.
WARNING!
• Driver inattention could lead to failure to
place the vehicle in PARK. ALWAYS DO
A VISUAL CHECK that your vehicle is in
PARK by verifying that a solid (not blink-
ing) “P” is indicated in the Instrument
Cluster Display and near the gear selec-
tor. If the "P" indicator is blinking, your
vehicle is not in PARK. As an added
precaution, always apply the parking
brake when exiting the vehicle.
• AutoPark is a supplemental feature. It is
not designed to replace the need to shift
your vehicle into PARK. It is a back up
system and should not be relied upon as
the primary method by which the driver
shifts the vehicle into PARK. If the vehicle is not in PARK and the driver turns
off the engine, the vehicle may AutoPark.
AutoPark will engage when all of these con-
ditions are met:
• Vehicle is equipped with a rotary shifter and
an 8-speed transmission
• Vehicle is not in PARK
• Vehicle Speed is 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h) or less
• Ignition switched from RUN to ACC
NOTE:
For Keyless Go equipped vehicles, The en-
gine will turn off and the ignition switch will
change to ACC mode. After 30 minutes the
ignition switches to OFF automatically, un-
less the driver turns the ignition switch OFF.
If the vehicle is not in PARK and the driver exits
the vehicle with the engine running, the vehicle
may AutoPark.
AutoPark will engage when all of these con-
ditions are met:
• Vehicle is equipped with a rotary shifter and an 8-speed transmission
STARTING AND OPERATING
144