Ram 1500 2015 Owner's Manual

Cleaning The ParkSense® System
Clean the ParkSense® sensors with water, car wash soap
and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do not
scratch or poke the sensors. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the sensors.
ParkSense® System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the rear bumper is free of snow, ice, mud,
dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense® system oper-
ating properly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of ParkSense® .
•When you turn ParkSense® off, the instrument cluster
will display#PARKSENSE OFF#. Furthermore, once
you turn ParkSense® off, it remains off until you turn
it on again, even if you cycle the ignition key.
•When you move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position and ParkSense® is turned off, the instrument
cluster will display#PARKSENSE OFF#message for as
long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
•ParkSense®, when on, will reduce the volume of the
radio when it is sounding a tone.
•Clean the ParkSense® sensors regularly, taking care
not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must not
be covered with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris.
Failure to do so can result in the system not working
properly. The ParkSense® system might not detect an
obstacle behind the fascia/bumper, or it could provide
a false indication that an obstacle is behind the fascia/
bumper.
•Ensure the ParkSense® system is OFF if objects such as
bicycle carriers, trailer hitches, etc., are placed within
18 in (45 cm) from the rear fascia/bumper while
driving the vehicle. Failure to do so can result in the
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 199

system misinterpreting a close obstacle as a sensor
problem, causing the#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE
SERVICE REQUIRED#message to be displayed in the
instrument cluster.
•On vehicles equipped with a tailgate, ParkSense®
should be disabled when the tailgate is in the lowered
or open position and the vehicle is in REVERSE. A
lowered tailgate could provide a false indication that
an obstacle is behind the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•ParkSense® is only a parking aid and it is unable to
recognize every obstacle, including small obstacles.
Parking curbs might be temporarily detected or not
detected at all. Obstacles located above or below
the sensors will not be detected when they are in
close proximity.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
•The vehicle must be driven slowly when using
ParkSense® in order to be able to stop in time
when an obstacle is detected. It is recommended
that the driver looks over his/her shoulder when
using ParkSense®.
WARNING!
•Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using ParkSense®. Always check carefully
behind your vehicle, look behind you, and be sure
to check for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles,
obstructions, and blind spots before backing up.
You are responsible for safety and must continue to
pay attention to your surroundings. Failure to do so
can result in serious injury or death.
(Continued)
200 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
•Before using ParkSense®, it is strongly recom-
mended that the ball mount and hitch ball assem-
bly 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 loudspeaker
sounds the continuous tone. Also, the sensors
could detect the ball mount and hitch ball assem-
bly, depending on its size and shape, giving a false
indication that an obstacle is behind the vehicle.
PARKSENSE® FRONT AND REAR PARK ASSIST —
IF EQUIPPED
The ParkSense® Park Assist system provides visual and
audible indications of the distance between the rear
and/or front fascia and a detected obstacle when backing
up or moving forward, e.g. during a parking maneuver.
Refer to ParkSense® System Usage Precautions for limi-
tations of this system and recommendations.
ParkSense® will retain the last system state (enabled or
disabled) from the last ignition cycle when the ignition is
changed to the ON/RUN position.
ParkSense® can be active only when the shift lever is in
REVERSE or DRIVE. If ParkSense® is enabled at one of
these shift lever positions, the system will remain active
until the vehicle speed is increased to approximately
7 mph (11 km/h) or above. A display warning will
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID) indicating
the vehicle is above ParkSense® operating speed. The
system will become active again if the vehicle speed is
decreased to speeds less than approximately 6 mph
(9 km/h).
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 201

ParkSense® Sensors
The four ParkSense® sensors, located in the rear fascia/
bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is
within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect
obstacles from approximately 18 in (45 cm) up to 79 in
(200 cm) from the rear fascia/bumper in the horizontal
direction, depending on the location, type and orienta-
tion of the obstacle.
The six ParkSense® sensors, located in the front fascia/
bumper, monitor the area in front of the vehicle that is
within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect
obstacles from approximately 12 in (30 cm) up to 47 in
(120 cm) from the front fascia/bumper in the horizontal
direction, depending on the location, type and orienta-
tion of the obstacle.
ParkSense® Warning Display
The ParkSense® Warning screen is located within the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver
Information Display (DID). It provides visual warnings
to indicate the distance between the rear fascia/bumper
and/or front fascia/bumper and the detected obstacle.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or
Driver Information Display (DID) Settings” in Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
The ParkSense® Warning screen will only be displayed if
Sound and Display is selected.
202 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with a touchscreen,
this feature can be programmed through the Uconnect®
system. Refer to “Uconnect® Settings” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
If your vehicle is not equipped with a touchscreen, this
feature can be programmed through the Electronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information
Display (DID). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
ParkSense® Display
The warning display will turn ON indicating the system
status when the vehicle is in REVERSE or when the
vehicle is in DRIVE and an obstacle has been detected.
The system will indicate a detected obstacle by showing
a single arc in the left and/or right rear regions based on
the obstacle’s distance and location relative to the vehicle.
If an obstacle is detected in the left and/or right rear
region, the display will show a single arc in the left
and/or right rear region and the system will produce a
tone. As the vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
display will show the single arc moving closer to the
vehicle and the tone will change from a single 1/2 second
tone to slow, to fast, to continuous.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 203

The vehicle is close to the obstacle when the display
shows one flashing arc and sounds a continuous tone.
The following chart shows the warning alert operation
when the system is detecting an obstacle:
WARNING ALERTS
Rear Distance
(in/cm)
Greater than 79
in (200 cm)
79-45 in
(200-115 cm)
45-31 in
(115-80 cm)
31-18 in
(80-45 cm)
Less than 18 in
(45 cm)
Front Distance
(in/cm)
Greater than 47
in (120 cm)
47-39 in
(120-100 cm)
39-25 in
(100-65 cm)
25-12 in
(65-30 cm)
Less than 12 in
(30 cm)
Audible Alert
(Chime)
None Single 1/2
Second Tone
(for rear only)
Slow (for rear
only)
FastContinuous
ArcsNone4th Solid 3rd Solid 2nd Flashing 1st Flashing
Radio Volume
Reduced
NoYesYesYesYes
NOTE:ParkSense® will reduce the volume of the radio,
if on, when the system is sounding an audio tone.
204 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Front Park Assist Audible Alerts
ParkSense® will turn off the Front Park Assist audible
alert (chime) after approximately three seconds when an
obstacle has been detected, the vehicle is stationary, and
brake pedal is applied.
Adjustable Chime Volume Settings
The Front and Rear chime volume settings are program-
mable.
•If your vehicle is equipped with a touchscreen, the
settings may be programmed through the Uconnect®
System. Refer to “Uconnect® Settings ” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
•If your vehicle is not equipped with a touchscreen, the
settings may be programmed through the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information
Display (DID). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Display (DID)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further infor-
mation.
Enabling And Disabling Front And/Or Rear
ParkSense®
Front ParkSense® can be enabled and disabled with the
Front ParkSense® switch.
Rear ParkSense® can be enabled and disabled with the
Rear ParkSense® switch.
When the Front or Rear ParkSense® switch is
pressed to disable the system, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver
Information Display (DID) will display the
“PARKSENSE OFF” message for approximately five sec-
onds. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 205

When the shift lever is moved to REVERSE and the Front
or Rear system is disabled, the EVIC/DID will display
the#FRONT PARKSENSE OFF#or#REAR PARKSENSE
OFF#message for five seconds, followed by a car graphic
with#OFF#in the corresponding side. This car graphic
will be displayed for as long as the vehicle is in RE-
VERSE.
NOTE:Arc alerts from the enabled ParkSense® system,
will interrupt the five second messages, and the EVIC/
DID will display the car graphic with the corresponding
arcs and#OFF#message.
The Front or Rear ParkSense® switch LED will be ON
when Front or Rear ParkSense® is disabled or requires
service. The Front or Rear ParkSense® switch LED will be
OFF when the Front or Rear system is enabled. If the Front
or Rear ParkSense® switch is pressed, and the system
requires service, the Front or Rear ParkSense® switch LED
will blink momentarily, and then the LED will be ON.
Service The ParkSense® Park Assist System
During vehicle start up, when the ParkSense® System
has detected a faulted condition, the instrument cluster
will actuate a single chime, once per ignition cycle, and it
will display the#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE
REAR SENSORS#,#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE
FRONT SENSORS#,orthe#PARKSENSE UNAVAIL-
ABLE SERVICE REQUIRED#message for five seconds.
When the shift lever is moved to Reverse and the system
has detected a faulted condition, the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display
(DID) will display a#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE
REAR SENSORS#,#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE
FRONT SENSORS#or#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE
SERVICE REQUIRED#pop up message for five seconds.
After five seconds, a car graphic will be displayed with
#UNAVAILABLE#at either the front or rear sensor loca-
tion depending on where the fault is detected. The
system will continue to provide arc alerts for the side that
206 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

is functioning properly. These arc alerts will interrupt the
#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS#,
#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SEN-
SORS#,or#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE RE-
QUIRED#messages if an object is detected within the five
second pop-up duration. The car graphic will remain
displayed for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE. Refer
to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or#
Driver Information Display (DID)” for further informa-
tion.
If#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS#
or#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SEN-
SORS#appears in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID) make
sure the outer surface and the underside of the rear
fascia/bumper and/or front fascia/bumper is clean and
clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt or other obstruction and then
cycle the ignition. If the message continues to appear see
an authorized dealer.
If the#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE RE-
QUIRED#message appears in the EVIC/DID, see an
authorized dealer.
Cleaning The ParkSense® System
Clean the ParkSense® sensors with water, car wash soap
and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do not
scratch or poke the sensors. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the sensors.
ParkSense® System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the front and rear bumper are free of snow,
ice, mud, dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense®
system operating properly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of ParkSense®.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 207

•When you turn Front or Rear ParkSense® off, the
instrument cluster will display “FRONT PARKSENSE
OFF” or “REAR PARKSENSE OFF.” Furthermore,
once you turn Front or Rear ParkSense® off, it remains
off until you turn it on again, even if you cycle the
ignition key.
•When you move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position and Front or Rear ParkSense® is turned off,
the instrument cluster will display#FRONT
PARKSENSE OFF#or#REAR PARKSENSE OFF#mes-
sage for five seconds, followed by a car graphic with
#OFF#in the corresponding side. This car graphic will
be displayed for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
•ParkSense®, when on, will reduce the volume of the
radio when it is sounding a tone.
•Clean the ParkSense® sensors regularly, taking care
not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must not
be covered with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris.
Failure to do so can result in the system not working
properly. The ParkSense® system might not detect an
obstacle behind or in front of the fascia/bumper, or it
could provide a false indication that an obstacle is
behind or in front of the fascia/bumper.
•Use the ParkSense® switch to turn the ParkSense®
system off if obstacles such as bicycle carriers, trailer
hitches, etc. are placed within 18 in (45 cm) from the
rear fascia/bumper. Failure to do so can result in the
system misinterpreting a close obstacle as a sensor
problem, causing the “PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE
SERVICE REQUIRED” message to be displayed in the
instrument cluster.
•On vehicles equipped with a tailgate, ParkSense®
should be disabled when the tailgate is in the lowered
or open position. A lowered tailgate could provide a
false indication that an obstacle is behind the vehicle.
208 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE