RAM CHASSIS CAB 2019 Owners Manual
Page 211 of 607
SAFETY 209
(Continued)Side Impacts
The  Side  Air  Bags  are  designed  to  activate  in  certain  side
impacts.  The  Occupant  Restraint  Controller  (ORC)  deter -
mines  whether  the  deployment  of  the  Side  Air  Bags  in  a
particular impact event is appropriate, based on the severity
and type of collision. The side impact sensors aid the ORC in
determining the appropriate response to impact events. The
system  is  calibrated  to  deploy  the  Side  Air  Bags  on  the
impact  side  of  the  vehicle  during  impacts  that  require  Side
Air  Bag  occupant  protection.  In  side  impacts,  the  Side  Air
Bags  deploy  independently;  a  left  side  impact  deploys  the
left  Side  Air  Bags  only  and  a  right-side  impact  deploys  the
right  Side  Air  Bags  only.  Vehicle  damage  by  itself  is  not  a
good indicator of whether or not Side Air Bags should have
deployed.
The  Side  Air  Bags  will  not  deploy  in  all  side  collisions,
including  some  collisions  at  certain  angles,  or  some  side
collisions  that  do  not  impact  the  area  of  the  passenger
compartment. The Side Air Bags may deploy during angled
or offset frontal collisions where the front air bags deploy.
Side  Air  Bags  are  a  supplement  to  the  seat  belt  restraint
system.  Side  Air  Bags  deploy  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to
blink your eyes. WARNING!
• Occupants,  including  children,  who  are  up  against  or
very close to  Side  Air Bags  can  be seriously injured  or
killed.  Occupants,  including  children,  should  never
lean on or sleep against the door, side windows, or area
where  the  side  air  bags  inflate,  even  if  they  are  in  an
infant or child restraint.
• Seat  belts  (and  child  restraints  where  appropriate)  are
necessary for your protection in all collisions. They also
help keep you in position, away from an inflating Side
Air  Bag.  To  get  the  best  protection  from  the  Side  Air
Bags, occupants must wear their seat belts properly and
sit upright with their backs against the seats. Children
must  be  properly  restrained  in  a  child  restraint  or
booster seat that is appropriate for the size of the child.
WARNING!
• Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not lean against
the door or window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.
• Being too close to the Side Air Bags during deployment
could cause you to be severely injured or killed. 4 
Page 212 of 607
210 SAFETY
NOTE:
Air  bag  covers  may  not  be  obvious  in  the  interior  trim,  but
they will open during air bag deployment.
Rollover Events (If Equipped With Rollover Sensing)
Side Air Bags are designed to activate in certain rollover events
(if  equipped  with  rollover  sensing).  The  Occupant  Restraint
Controller  (ORC)  determines  whether  the  deployment  of  the
Side  Air  Bags  in  a  particular  rollover  event  is  appropriate,
based on the severity and type of collision. Vehicle damage by
itself  is  not  a  good  indicator  of  whether  or  not  Side  Air  Bags
should have deployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all rollover events. The
rollover  sensing  system  determines  if  a  rollover  event  may
be  in  progress  and  whether  deployment  is  appropriate.  In
the event  the vehicle  experiences  a  rollover or near rollover
event,  and  deployment  of  the  Side  Air  Bags  is  appropriate,
the  rollover  sensing  system  will  also  deploy  the  seat  belt pretensioners (if equipped with pretensioners) on both sides
of the vehicle.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or complete
ejection  of  vehicle  occupants  through  side  windows  in
certain rollover or side impact events.
Air Bag System Components
NOTE:
The  Occupant  Restraint  Controller  (ORC)  monitors  the
internal  circuits  and interconnecting  wiring  associated with
electrical Air Bag System Components listed below:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light 
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags — If Equipped
• Front and Side Impact Sensors — If Equipped
• Seat Belt Pretensioners — If Equipped• Relying  on  the  Side  Air  Bags  alone  could  lead  to  more
severe  injuries  in  a  collision.  The  Side  Air  Bags  work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some colli -
sions,  Side  Air  Bags  won’t  deploy  at  all.  Always  wear
your seat belt even though you have Side Air Bags. WARNING!  (Continued) 
Page 213 of 607
SAFETY 211
If A Deployment Occurs 
The front  air bags  are designed to  deflate immediately after
deployment.
NOTE:
Front  and/or  side  air  bags  will  not  deploy  in  all  collisions.
This  does  not  mean  something  is  wrong  with  the  air  bag
system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any or
all of the following may occur:
• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions and/
or  skin  reddening to the occupants  as the  air bags  deploy
and unfold. The abrasions are similar to friction rope burns
or  those  you  might  get  sliding  along  a  carpet  or  gymna -
sium floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They  are  not  permanent  and  normally  heal  quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a few
days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor imme -
diately.
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like parti -
cles.  The  particles  are  a normal by-product  of  the  process
that generates the non-toxic gas used for air bag inflation.
These airborne particles may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or
throat. If you have skin or eye irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat irritation, move to fresh air.
If the irritation continues, see your doctor. If these particles
settle on your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s
instructions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have deployed. If
you are involved in another collision, the air bags will not be
in place to protect you.
NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim, but
they will open during air bag deployment.
• After  any  collision,  the  vehicle  should  be  taken  to  an
authorized dealer immediately. WARNING!
Deployed  air  bags  and  seat  belt  pretensioners  cannot
protect  you  in  another  collision.  Have  the  air  bags,  seat
belt  pretensioners,  and  the  seat  belt  retractor  assemblies
replaced  by  an  authorized  dealer  immediately.  Also,
have  the  Occupant  Restraint  Controller  System  serviced
as well. 4 
Page 214 of 607
212 SAFETY
Enhanced Accident Response System  
In  the  event  of  an  impact,  if  the  communication  network
remains intact, and the power remains intact, depending on
the  nature of  the  event,  the ORC  will  determine  whether  to
have  the  Enhanced  Accident  Response  System  perform  the
following functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine (If Equipped)
• Cut off battery power to the electric motor (If Equipped)
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as the
battery has power or for 15 minutes from the intervention
of the Enhanced Accident Response System.
• Unlock the power door locks.
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 Blower
Motor, 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. 
Page 215 of 607
SAFETY 213
(Continued)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 
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or
near  crash-like  situations,  such as an air  bag  deployment  or
hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding
how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to
record  data  related  to  vehicle  dynamics  and  safety  systemsWARNING!
• 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.
• 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. • 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  an  authorized  dealer.  Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be used. If
it is necessary to modify the air bag system for persons
with disabilities, contact an authorized dealer. WARNING!  (Continued)
4 
Page 216 of 607
214 SAFETY
for  a  short  period  of  time,  typically  30  seconds  or  less.  The
EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or brake pedal; and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These  data  can  help  provide  a  better  understanding  of  the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE:
EDR  data  are  recorded  by  your  vehicle  only  if  a  non-trivial
crash  situation  occurs;  no  data  are  recorded  by  the  EDR
under normal driving conditions and no personal data (e.g.,
name,  gender,  age,  and  crash  location)  are  recorded.
However,  other  parties,  such  as  law  enforcement,  could
combine  the  EDR  data  with  the  type  of  personally  identi -
fying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation.
To  read  data  recorded  by  an  EDR,  special  equipment  is
required,  and access to the vehicle  or the  EDR is needed. In
addition  to  the  vehicle  manufacturer,  other  parties,  such  as
law enforcement, that have  the special equipment,  can read
the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR. Child Restraints  
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all times,
including  babies  and  children.  Every  state  in  the  United
States,  and  every  Canadian  province,  requires  that  small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law, and
you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12  years or younger  should  ride properly  buckled
up  in  a  rear  seat,  if  available.  According  to  crash  statistics,
children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats
rather than in the front.
There  are  different  sizes and  types  of restraints  for  children
from  newborn  size  to  the  child  almost  large  enough  for  an
adult  safety  belt.  Always  check  the  child  seat  Owner’s
Manual to make sure you have the correct seat for your child. WARNING!
In  a  collision,  an  unrestrained  child  can  become  a
projectile  inside  the  vehicle.  The  force  required  to  hold
even  an  infant  on  your  lap  could  become  so  great  that
you  could  not  hold  the  child,  no  matter  how  strong  you
are.  The  child  and  others  could  be  badly  injured  or
killed.  Any  child  riding  in  your  vehicle  should  be  in  a
proper restraint for the child’s size. 
Page 217 of 607
SAFETY 215
Carefully  read  and follow  all the instructions  and warnings
in  the  child  restraint  Owner’s  Manual  and  on  all  the  labels
attached to the child restraint.
Before  buying  any  restraint  system,  make  sure  that  it  has  a
label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety Standards.
You  should  also  make  sure  that  you  can  install  it  in  the
vehicle where you will use it. NOTE:
• For  additional  information,  refer  to  http://www.nhtsa.gov/
parents-and-caregivers  or call: 1–888–327–4236
• Canadian  residents  should  refer  to  Transport  Canada’s  website
for  additional  information:  http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorve -
hiclesafety/safedrivers-childsafety-index-53.htm
Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles
Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age Recommended Type Of Child 
Restraint
Infants and Toddlers Children  who  are  two  years  old  or  younger
and  who  have  not  reached  the  height  or
weight limits of their child restraint Either an Infant Carrier or a Convertible
Child  Restraint,  facing  rearward  in  a
rear seat of the vehicle
Small Children Children who are at least two years old or
who  have  outgrown  the  height  or  weight
limit of their rear-facing child restraint Forward-Facing  Child  Restraint  with  a
five-point  Harness,  facing  forward  in  a
rear seat of the vehicle
Larger Children Children  who  have  outgrown  their
forward-facing  child  restraint,  but  are
too  small  to  properly  fit  the  vehicle’s
seat belt Belt  Positioning  Booster  Seat  and  the
vehicle  seat  belt,  seated  in  a  rear seat  of
the vehicle
Children Too Large for Child Restraints Children  12  years  old  or  younger,  who
have  outgrown  the  height  or  weight
limit of their booster seat Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in a rear seat of
the vehicle 4 
Page 218 of 607
216 SAFETY
Infant And Child Restraints 
Safety  experts  recommend  that  children  ride  rear-facing  in
the  vehicle  until  they  are  two  years  old  or  until  they  reach
either  the  height  or  weight  limit  of  their  rear-facing  child
restraint.  Two  types  of  child  restraints  can  be  used
rear-facing: infant carriers and convertible child seats.
The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the vehicle. It is
recommended  for  children  from  birth  until  they  reach  the
weight or height limit of the infant carrier. Convertible child
seats can be used either rear-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle.  Convertible  child  seats  often  have  a  higher  weight
limit  in  the  rear-facing  direction  than  infant  carriers  do,  so
they can be used rear-facing by children who have outgrown
their infant carrier but are still less than at least two years old.
Children  should  remain  rear-facing  until  they  reach  the
highest  weight  or  height  allowed  by  their  convertible  child
seat. WARNING!
• Never  place  a  rear-facing  child  restraint  in  front  of  an
air  bag.  A deploying passenger  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.
• Never  install  a  rear-facing  child  restraint  in  the  front
seat  of  a  vehicle.  Only  use  a  rear-facing  child  restraint
in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat,
do  not  transport  a  rear-facing  child  restraint  in  that
vehicle.
WARNING!
Do  not  install  a  rear-facing  car  seat  using  a  rear  support
leg  in  this  vehicle.  The  floor  of  this  vehicle  is  not
designed  to  manage  the  crash  forces  of  this  type  of  car
seat.  In  a  crash,  the  support  leg  may  not  function  as  it
was  designed  by  the  car  seat  manufacturer,  and  your
child may be more severely injured as a result. 
Page 219 of 607
SAFETY 217
Older Children And Child Restraints 
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown their
rear-facing convertible child  seat can ride  forward-facing in
the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats  used  in  the  forward-facing  direction  are  for  children
who  are  over  two  years  old  or  who  have  outgrown  the
rear-facing  weight  or  height  limit  of  their  rear-facing
convertible  child  seat.  Children  should  remain  in  a
forward-facing  child  seat  with  a  harness  for  as  long  as
possible,  up  to  the  highest  weight  or  height  allowed  by  the
child seat.
All  children  whose  weight  or  height  is  above  the
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a belt-posi -
tioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belts fit properly.
If the child cannot sit with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat
cushion  while  the  child’s  back  is  against  the  seatback,  they
should  use  a  belt-positioning  booster  seat.  The  child  and
belt-positioning  booster  seat  are  held  in  the  vehicle  by  the
seat belt. WARNING!
• Improper installation can lead to failure of an infant or
child  restraint.  It  could  come  loose  in  a  collision.  The
child could be badly injured or killed. Follow the child
restraint  manufacturer’s  directions  exactly  when
installing an infant or child restraint.
• After a child restraint is installed in the vehicle, do not
move  the  vehicle  seat  forward  or  rearward  because  it
can loosen the child restraint attachments. Remove the
child  restraint  before  adjusting  the  vehicle  seat  posi -
tion. When the vehicle seat has been adjusted, reinstall
the child restraint.
• When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle  with  the  seat  belt  or  LATCH  anchorages,  or
remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave it loose in the
vehicle. In a sudden stop or accident, it could strike the
occupants  or  seatbacks  and  cause  serious  personal
injury. 4 
Page 220 of 607
218 SAFETY
Children Too Large For Booster Seats 
Children  who  are  large  enough  to  wear  the  shoulder  belt
comfortably,  and  whose  legs  are  long  enough  to  bend  over
the front of the seat when their back is against  the seatback,
should use the seat belt in a rear seat. Use this simple 5-step
test to decide whether the child can use the vehicle’s seat belt
alone:
1. Can the child sit all the way back  against  the  back of the
vehicle seat?
2. Do  the  child’s  knees  bend  comfortably  over  the  front  of
the vehicle seat – while the child is still sitting all the way
back?
3. Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s shoulder between
the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching the
child’s thighs and not the stomach?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip? If  the  answer  to  any  of  these  questions  was  “no,”  then  the
child  still  needs  to  use  a  booster  seat  in  this  vehicle.  If  the
child  is  using  the  lap/shoulder  belt,  check  seat  belt  fit  peri -
odically  and  make  sure  the  seat  belt  buckle  is  latched.  A
child’s squirming or slouching can move the belt out of posi -
tion. If the shoulder belt contacts the face  or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle, or use a booster seat
to position the seat belt on the child correctly.
WARNING!
Never  allow  a  child  to  put  the  shoulder  belt  under  an
arm  or  behind  their  back.  In  a  crash,  the  shoulder  belt
will  not  protect  a  child  properly,  which  may  result  in
serious  injury  or  death.  A  child  must  always  wear  both
the lap and shoulder portions of the seat belt correctly.