warning Ram 1500 2009 Workshop Manual

WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with the defroster before and during
windshield washer use.
Mist Feature
Push the washer knob, located on the end of the multi-
function lever, inward to the first detent. The wipers will
cycle three times and automatically shut off to clear road
mist or spray from a passing vehicle.
Windshield Washers
To use the windshield washer, push the washer knob,
located on the end of the multifunction lever, inward to
the second detent. Washer fluid will be sprayed until the
washer knob is released from this position. If the washer
knob is depressed while in the delay range, the wiper will
operate for several seconds after the washer knob is
released. It will then resume the intermittent interval
previously selected. If the washer knob is pushed for a
period greater than one second while in the off position,
the wiper will cycle approximately three times after the
wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 155

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
HEATING STEERING WHEEL — IF EQUIPPED
The steering wheel contains a heating element that helps
warm your hands in cold weather. The heated steering
wheel has only one temperature setting. Once the heated
steering wheel has been turned on it will operate for
approximately 58 to 70 minutes before automatically
shutting off. The heated steering wheel can shut off early
or may not turn on when the steering wheel is already
warm.The heated steering wheel switch is located on the switch
bank below the climate controls.
Press the switch to turn on the heated
steering wheel. The light on the switch
will illuminate to indicate the steering
wheel heater is on. Pressing the switch
a second time will turn off the heated
steering wheel and light indicator.
NOTE:
•The engine must be running for the heated steering
wheel to operate.
•The heated steering wheel can be programmed to
come on during a remote start. Refer to “Remote
Starting System — If Equipped” in Section 4 for
further information.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157

WARNING!
•Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, ex-
haustion, or other physical conditions must exer-
cise care when using the steering wheel heater. It
may cause burns even at low temperatures, espe-
cially if used for long periods.
•Do not place anything on the steering wheel that
insulates against heat, such as a blanket or cush-
ion. This may cause the steering wheel heater to
overheat.
DRIVER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS — IF EQUIPPED
The power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals allow
the driver to establish a comfortable position relative to
the steering wheel and pedals.
Adjustment
1. Position the driver’s seat so that you are at least 10 in
(25.4 cm) away from the airbag, located in the center of
the steering wheel.
2. Fasten and adjust the seatbelts.
3. Move the adjustable pedal switch, located to the left
side of the steering column, in the direction you desire
the pedals to move.
158 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The pedals cannotbe adjusted when the vehicle
is in REVERSE or when the Electronic Speed Control is
set.
CAUTION!
Do not place any article under the adjustable pedals
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become lim-
ited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in the
adjustable pedal’s path.
WARNING!
Do not adjust the pedals while the vehicle is moving.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
adjust the pedals while the vehicle is parked.
Adjustable Pedals Switch
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 159

WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidently
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the Electronic Speed Control system off when
you are not using it.
To Set a Desired Speed
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
the SET lever downward and then release. Lift your foot
off the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the
selected speed.
Deactivating Electronic Speed Control
A soft tap on the brake pedal or pulling the Electronic
Speed Control lever (CANCEL) toward you will deacti-
vate the Electronic Speed Control without erasing the set
speed memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button to the OFF
position or turning OFF the ignition erases the set speed
memory.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, raise the Electronic
Speed Control lever (RESUME/ACCEL) upwards and
release. Resume can be used at any speed above 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Varying The Speed Setting
When the Electronic Speed Control is SET, speed can be
increased by raising and holding the RESUME/ACCEL
lever upwards. When released, a new set speed will be
established.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 161

WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your ve-
hicle could go too fast for the conditions, and you
could lose control. An accident could be the result.
Do not use Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic
or on roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered, or
slippery.
REAR PARK ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Park Assist provides visible and audible indi-
cations of the distance between the rear fascia and the
detected obstacle when backing up. Refer to the Warning
Section and Note Section for limitations of this system
and recommendations.The Rear Park Assist can be active only when the shift
lever is in REVERSE. If the Rear Park Assist is enabled at
this shift lever position, the system will be active until the
vehicle speed is increased to approximately 11 mph
(18 km/h) or above. The system will be active again if the
vehicle speed is decreased to speeds less than approxi-
mately 10 mph (16 km/h).
Rear Park Assist Sensors
The four Rear Park Assist sensors, located in the rear
bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is
within the sensors field of view.
The sensors can detect obstacles from approximately 12
to 79 in (30 to 200 cm) from the rear fascia in the
horizontal direction, depending on the location, type and
orientation of the obstacle.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163

Rear Park Assist Warning Display
The Rear Park Assist Warning Display, located in the
headliner near the sliding rear window, provides both
visible and audible warnings to indicate the distance
between the rear bumper and the detected obstacle.When the ignition is turned to the ON position, the
warning display will turn ON all of its LEDs for approxi-
mately one second. Each side of the warning display has
six yellow and two red LEDs. The vehicle is close to the
obstacle when the red LED is ON.
The system dimly illuminates the two inner most yellow
LEDs when it is ON and there are no obstacles being
detected. The following chart shows the warning display
operation when the system is detecting an obstacle:
Rear Park Assist LED Display
164 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING DISPLAY DISTANCES
DISPLAY LED OBSTACLE DISTANCE FROM: LED COLOR AUDIBLE SIGNALREAR CORNERS REAR CENTER
Inner LED 79 in (200 cm)YellowYes, Half Second
1st LED 51.1 in (130 cm)YellowNone
2nd LED 45.2 in (115 cm)YellowNone
3rd LED 31.5 in (80 cm) 39.3 in (100 cm) YellowNone
4th LED 25.5 in (65 cm) 33.5 in (85 cm) YellowNone
5th LED 20 in (50 cm) 27.6 in (70 cm) YellowNone
6th LED 16 in (40 cm) 19.7 in (50 cm) RedYes, Intermittent
7th LED 6 in (15 cm) 11.81 in (30 cm) RedYes, Continuous
NOTE: The Rear Park Assist will MUTE the radio, if on,
when the system is sounding an audio tone.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 165

WARNING!
•Drivers must be careful when backing up, even
when using the Rear Park Assist. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, look behind you,
and be sure to check for pedestrians, animals,
other vehicles, obstructions, and blind spots be-
fore backing up. You are responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your surround-
ings. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or
death.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Before using the Rear Park Assist, it is strongly
recommended that the ball mount and hitch ball
assembly is disconnected from the vehicle when
the vehicle is not used for towing. Failure to do so
can result in injury or damage to vehicles or
obstacles because the hitch ball will be much
closer to the obstacle than the rear fascia when the
warning display turns the red LEDs ON. Also, the
sensors could detect the ball mount and hitch ball
assembly, depending on its size and shape, giving
a false indication that an obstacle is behind the
vehicle.
166 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up even when
using the Rear Camera System. Always check care-
fully behind your vehicle, and be sure to check for
pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, obstructions, or
blind spots before backing up. You are responsible
for the safety of your surroundings and must con-
tinue to pay attention while backing up. Failure to do
so can result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
•To avoid vehicle damage, the Rear Camera system
should only be used as a parking aid. The Rear
Camera system is unable to view every obstacle or
object in your drive path.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•To avoid vehicle damage, the vehicle must be
driven slowly when using the Rear Camera system
to be able to stop in time when an obstacle is seen.
It is recommended that the driver look frequently
over his/her shoulder when using the Rear Camera
system.
NOTE: If snow, ice, mud, or anything else builds up on
the camera lens, clean the lens, rinse with water, and dry
with a soft cloth. Do not cover the lens.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 169