automatic transmission Ram 1500 2020 Owner's Manual

6
STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE .............................................. 290
Automatic Transmission ............................................ 291
Tip Start Feature ......................................................... 291
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition................................. 291
Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button ............................................................................ 292
Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F Or
−30°C) ........................................................................... 296
After Starting................................................................ 296
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED .............. 296
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS ............ 297
 PARKING BRAKE ............................................................ 297
Electric Park Brake (EPB) ........................................... 297
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ................................... 302
Ignition Park Interlock ................................................ 303
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System ........... 304
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission ..................... 304
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
 EQUIPPED ........................................................................ 310
Four-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Eight Speed Transmission Only) — If
Equipped ...................................................................... 311
Five-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Eight Speed Transmission Only) — If
Equipped ...................................................................... 314 
ACTIVE-LEVEL FOUR CORNER AIR SUSPENSION
SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ...............................................319
Description.................................................................... 319
Air Suspension Modes ................................................322
Instrument Cluster Display Messages ......................323
Operation ......................................................................323
 ACTIVE-LEVEL FOUR CORNER AIR SUSPENSION
SYSTEM (REBEL MODELS ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .........................................................................325
Description.................................................................... 325
Air Suspension Modes ................................................328
Instrument Cluster Display Messages ......................329
Operation ......................................................................329
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ..................331
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL — IF EQUIPPED ...... 332
 POWER STEERING ..........................................................333
Electric Power Steering ..............................................333
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINES ONLY —
IF EQUIPPED .....................................................................333
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED .....................334
Automatic Mode ..........................................................334
Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not
Autostop........................................................................334
To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode ........335
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10
Brake System ............................................................... 512
Automatic Transmission ........................................... 513
Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................................................................. 515
Transfer Case ............................................................... 515
 HOISTING ......................................................................... 516
 TIRES................................................................................... 516
Tire Safety Information............................................... 516
Tires — General Information .................................... 525
Tire Types ..................................................................... 531
Spare Tires — If Equipped ......................................... 532
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care .................................... 535
Tire Chains (Traction Devices) .................................. 536
Tire Rotation Recommendations .............................. 537
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES ............................................... 538
Treadwear..................................................................... 538
Traction Grades ........................................................... 538
Temperature Grades ................................................... 538
 STORING THE VEHICLE................................................ 539
 BODYWORK...................................................................... 539
Protection From Atmospheric Agents ...................... 539
Body And Underbody Maintenance......................... 540
Preserving The Bodywork.......................................... 540 
INTERIORS .......................................................................543
Seats And Fabric Parts ................................................543
Plastic And Coated Parts ............................................544
Leather Parts.................................................................545
Glass Surfaces ..............................................................545
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
IDENTIFICATION DATA ...............................................546
Vehicle Identification Number ................................. 546
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...............................................................546
 WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS ....... 546
Torque Specifications ..................................................547
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................................................548
3.6L Engine ..................................................................548
5.7L Engine ...................................................................549
Reformulated Gasoline ...............................................549
Materials Added To Fuel ............................................550
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ......................................550
Do Not Use E-85 In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ............551
CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications ................ 551
MMT In Gasoline .........................................................551
Fuel System Cautions ..................................................551
Carbon Monoxide Warnings......................................552
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 35
(Continued)
DOORS
Manual Door Locks
Front and rear doors may be locked by moving the lock knob
down. The lock knobs will unlock when the interior handle
is used to open the doors.Door Lock Knob
Front doors may be opened with the inside door handle
without lifting the lock knob. Doors locked before closing will remain locked when closed.
The emergency key will unlock the driver door lock on your
vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may cause
serious injury or death.
• For personal security and safety in the event of a colli -
sion, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as well as
when you park and leave the vehicle.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the automatic transmission into PARK, apply the parking brake, turn
the vehicle OFF, remove the key fobs from vehicle, 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 warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.2
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 77
NOTE:
The mist feature does not activate the washer pump; there-
fore, no washer fluid will be sprayed on the windshield. The
wash function must be used in order to spray the windshield
with washer fluid.
Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped
This feature senses rain and snowfall on the windshield and
automatically activates the wipers for the driver. The feature
is especially useful for road splash or overspray from the
windshield washers of the vehicle ahead. Rotate the end of
the multifunction lever to one of four settings to activate this
feature.
NOTE:
This feature can be programmed through the Uconnect
system. Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for
further information.
The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted with the multi -
function lever. Wiper delay position 1 is the least sensitive,
and wiper delay position 4 is the most sensitive.
NOTE:
Position 3 should be used for normal rain conditions. Positions 1 and 2 can be used if the driver desires less wiper
sensitivity. Position 4 can be used if the driver desires more
sensitivity. Place the wiper switch in the O (off) position
when not using the system.
NOTE:
• The Rain Sensing feature will not operate when the wiper
switch is in the low or high-speed position.
• The Rain Sensing feature may not function properly when ice, or dried salt water is present on the windshield.
• Use of Rain-X or products containing wax or silicone may reduce Rain Sensing performance.
The Rain Sensing system has protection features for the
wiper blades and arms, and will not operate under the
following conditions:
• Low Ambient Temperature — When the ignition is first
placed in the ON position, the Rain Sensing system will
not operate until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed
is greater than 0 mph (0 km/h), or the outside temperature
is greater than 32°F (0°C).
• Transmission In NEUTRAL (N) Position — When the
ignition is ON, and the transmission is in the NEUTRAL
position, the Rain Sensing system will not operate until the
2
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 183
— Door Open Warning Light
This indicator will illuminate when a door is ajar/open and
not fully closed.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving there will also be a single chime.
Yellow Warning Lights
— Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Fault Warning Light
— If Equipped
This warning light will illuminate to indicate a fault in the
ACC system. Contact a local authorized dealer for service.
For further information, refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)” in “Starting And Operating.”
— Air Suspension Fault Warning Light — If Equipped
This light will illuminate when a fault is detected with the air
suspension system. — Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Warning Light
(MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is a
part of an Onboard Diagnostic System called OBD II that
monitors engine and automatic transmission control
systems. This warning light will illuminate when the ignition
is in the ON/RUN position before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the ignition switch from OFF
to ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor
quality fuel, etc., may illuminate the light after engine start.
The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through
several typical driving styles. In most situations, the vehicle
will drive normally and will not require towing.
When the engine is running, the MIL may flash to alert
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible if this occurs.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Temperature
Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause severe
transmission damage or transmission failure.
3
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206 SAFETY
Activating HDC
Once HDC is enabled it will activate automatically if driven
down a grade of sufficient magnitude. The set speed for
HDC is selectable by the driver, and can be adjusted by using
the gear shift +/-. The following summarizes the HDC set
speeds:
HDC Target Set Speeds

• P = No set speed. HDC may be enabled but will not activate.

• R = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
• N = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
• D = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
• 1st = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
• 2nd = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
• 3rd = 1.8 mph (3 km/h)
• 4th = 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
• 5th = 3.1 mph (5 km/h)
• 6th = 3.7 mph (6 km/h)
• 7th = 4.3 mph (7 km/h)
• 8th = 5.0 mph (8 km/h)
• 9th = 5.6 mph (9 km/h) – If EquippedNOTE:
During HDC the +/- shifter input is used for HDC target
speed selection, but will not affect the gear chosen by the
transmission. When actively controlling HDC the transmis
-
sion will shift appropriately for the driver-selected set speed
and corresponding driving conditions.
Driver Override
The driver may override HDC activation with throttle or
brake application at anytime.
Deactivating HDC
HDC will be deactivated but remain available if any of the
following conditions occur:
• The driver overrides HDC set speed with throttle or brake application.
• The vehicle speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h) but remains below 40 mph (64 km/h).
• The vehicle is on a downhill grade of insufficient magni -
tude, is on level ground, or is on an uphill grade.
• The vehicle is shifted to park.
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SAFETY 263
(Continued)
Your vehicle may also be designed to perform any of these
other functions in response to the Enhanced Accident
Response System:
• Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the HVAC BlowerMotor, Close the HVAC Circulation Door
• Cut off battery power to the: • Engine
• Electric Motor (if equipped)
• Electric power steering
• Brake booster
• Electric park brake
• Automatic transmission gear selector
• Horn
• Front wiper
• Headlamp washer pump
NOTE:
After an accident, remember to cycle the ignition to the STOP
(OFF/LOCK) position and remove the key from the ignition
switch to avoid draining the battery. Carefully check the
vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine compartment and on the
ground near the engine compartment and fuel tank before
resetting the system and starting the engine. If there are no
fuel leaks or damage to the vehicle electrical devices (e.g. headlights) after an accident, reset the system by following
the procedure described below. If you have any doubt,
contact an authorized dealer.
Enhanced Accident Response System Reset Procedure
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response System
functions after an event, the ignition switch must be changed
from ignition START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF. Carefully
check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine compartment
and on the ground near the engine compartment and fuel
tank before resetting the system and starting the engine.
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 passenger side of the instru -
ment panel. Do not modify the front bumper, vehicle
body structure, or add aftermarket side steps or
running boards.
4
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STARTING AND OPERATING 291
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission in PARK position.
Apply the brake before shifting into any driving range.
NOTE:
• This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift inter-
locking system. The brake pedal must be pressed to shift
out of PARK.
• If equipped with an 8-speed transmission, starting the vehicle in NEUTRAL is not possible unless the Manual
Park Release has been activated. For the Manual Park
Release operation refer to Manual Park Release in “In Case
Of Emergency”.
Tip Start Feature
Do not press the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch briefly
to the START position and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run and will automatically disengage when the
engine is running.
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition
Keyless Push Button Ignition
This feature allows the driver to operate the ignition switch
with the push of a button, as long as the Remote Start/
Keyless Enter-N-Go key fob is in the passenger compart -
ment.
5
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294 STARTING AND OPERATING
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 conditions are met:
• Vehicle is equipped with a rotary shifter and an 8-speedtransmission
• 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 Enter-N-Go equipped vehicles, The engine will
turn off and the ignition switch will change to ACC mode.
After 30 minutes the ignition switches to OFF automatically,
unless 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 Auto -
Park.
AutoPark will engage when all of these conditions 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
• 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 instrument 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 parking brake when exiting the vehicle.

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STARTING AND OPERATING 297
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After
the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or
90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil changes
should be consistent with anticipated climate conditions
under which vehicle operations will occur. For the recom -
mended viscosity and quality grades, refer to “Fluids And
Lubricants” in “Technical Specifications”. NOTE:
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered a normal part of the break-in and not interpreted
as a problem. Please check your oil level with the engine oil
indicator often during the break in period. Add oil as
required.
PARKING BRAKE
Electric Park Brake (EPB)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electric Park Brake System
(EPB) that offers simple operation, and some additional
features that make the parking brake more convenient and
useful.
The parking brake is primarily intended to prevent the
vehicle from rolling while parked. Before leaving the vehicle,
make sure that the park brake is applied. Also, be certain to
leave the transmission in PARK.
You can engage the park brake in two ways:
• Manually, by applying the park brake switch.
• Automatically, by enabling the Auto Park Brake feature in
the customer programmable features section of the Ucon -
nect settings.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil in
the engine or damage may result.5
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