Front suspension Ram 1500 2016 Owner's Manual

Air Suspension Ride Height Lowering Indicator Light— If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
LightWhat It Means
Air Suspension Ride Height Lowering Indicator Light
This light will blink and alert the driver that the vehicle is changing to a lower ride height.
4WD Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow Telltale
LightWhat It Means
4WD Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in the four-wheel drive mode, and the front
and rear driveshafts are mechanically locked together forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 325

Air Suspension Menu Item — If Equipped
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button until
the Air Suspension menu item is highlighted in the EVIC.
Push and release theRIGHTarrow button to display the
Air Suspension status.
Trailer Tow Menu Item
Push and release theUPorDOWNarrow button until
the Trailer Tow menu item is highlighted. Push and
release theRIGHTarrow button and the next screen will
display the following trailer trip information:
•Trip (trailer specific) Distance: Push and hold the
RIGHTarrow button to reset the distance.
•Trailer Brake
•Output
•Type
•Gain
EVIC Messages (Stored)
Number of messages stored will be indicated on the
highlighted Messages Menu bar.
When no message(s) have been stored, the right arrow
will not be present in the highlighted Messages bar.
Message(s) remain stored until condition has been
cleared by your authorized service provider.
Sample of stored EVIC Messages
•Front Seat Belts Unbuckled
•Driver Seat Belt Unbuckled
•Passenger Seat Belt Unbuckled
•Service Air Bag System
•Traction Control Off
•Washer Fluid Low
342 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

either front door will cancel this feature. Press the “En-
gine Off Power Delay” button on the touchscreen and
choose from “0 sec,” “45 sec,” “5 min” or “10 min” to
select your desired time interval.
•Auto Entry/Exit — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, it automatically lowers the
vehicle ride height position when shifted into park. Press
the “Auto Entry/Exit” button on the touchscreen and
choose from “On” or “Off.”
Suspension — If Equipped
After pressing the “Suspension” button on the touch-
screen the following settings will be available:
•Sound Horn With Lower
When this feature is selected, a short horn sound will occur
when the RKE transmitter REMOTE LOWER button is
pressed. To make your selection, press the “Horn w/lower”
button on the touchscreen, select “On” or “Off.”
•Flash Lights With Lower
When this feature is selected, the front and rear turn
signals will flash when the RKE transmitter REMOTE
LOWER button is pressed twice. To make your selection,
press the “Light w/Lower” button on the touchscreen,
select “On” or “Off.”
•Auto Entry/Exit Suspension
When this feature is selected, the vehicle automatically
lowers from ride height position when vehicle shifted to
park for easy entry/exit. To make your selection, press
the “Auto Entry/Exit” button on the touchscreen, select
“On” or “Off.”
•Display Suspension Messages
When “All” is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will
be displayed. When “Warning Only” is selected only the
Air Suspension Warnings will be displayed.
392 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Suspension — If Equipped
After pressing the “Suspension” button on the touch-
screen the following settings will be available.
•Sound Horn With Lower
When this feature is selected, a short horn sound will
occur when the RKE transmitter REMOTE LOWER but-
ton is pressed. Press the box next to your selection and a
check-mark appears next to the feature showing the
system has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
•Flash Lights With Lower
When this feature is selected, the front and rear turn
signals will flash when the RKE transmitter REMOTE
LOWER button is pressed twice. This feature may be
selected with or without the Sound Horn on Lower
feature selected. Press the box next to your selection and
a check-mark appears next to the feature showing thesystem has been activated or the check-mark is removed
showing the system has been deactivated.
•Suspension Display Messages
When “All” is selected, all the Air Suspension Alerts will
be displayed. When “Warning” is selected only the Air
Suspension Warnings will be displayed.
•Automatic Aero Mode (1500 Model Only)
When this feature is selected the Ride Height will auto-
matically be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed.
Press the box next to your selection and a check-mark
appears next to the feature showing the system has been
activated or the check-mark is removed showing the
system has been deactivated.
•Tire Jack Mode
When this feature is selected the air suspension system is
disabled to assist with changing a spare tire. Press the box
next to your selection and a check-mark appears next to
412 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
When in ENTRY/EXIT setting, be aware of your
surroundings, you may not have the clearance re-
quired for certain areas and vehicle damage may
occur.
The system requires that the ignition be in ON/RUN
position or the engine running for all user requested
changes. When lowering the vehicle all of the doors,
must be closed. If a door is opened at any time while the
vehicle is lowering the change will not be completed
until the open door(s) is closed.
This system uses a lifting and lowering pattern which
keeps the headlights from incorrectly shining into on-
coming traffic. When raising the vehicle, the rear of thevehicle will move up first and then the front. When
lowering the vehicle, the front will move down first and
then the rear.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed that the
air suspension system operates briefly, this is normal. The
system is correcting the position of the vehicle to ensure
a proper appearance.
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling
to be disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation.
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STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic disconnecting
stabilizer/sway bar. This system allows greater front
suspension travel in off-road situations.
Due to the use of taller springs, this vehicle has an
increased ride height of approximately 1.9 in (48.3 mm)
in the front and 1.5 in (38.1 mm) in the rear. A major
advantage to increasing ride height is the positive effect
it has on approach/departure and break over angles.
This system is controlled by the electronic control sway
bar switch located on the instrument panel.
1 — On Road2 — Off Road
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The switch has two positions; On-Road and Off-Road. The
system is normally in the On-Road mode, indicated by a
solid green light. The stabilizer/sway bar should remain in
the On-Road mode during normal driving conditions.
WARNING!
Do not disconnect the stabilizer bar and drive on
hard surfaced roads or at speeds above 18 mph
(29 km/h), you may lose control of the vehicle, which
could result in serious injury or death. The front
stabilizer bar enhances vehicle stability and assists in
maintaining control of the vehicle. The system moni-
tors vehicle speed and will attempt to reconnect the
stabilizer bar at speeds over 18 mph (29 km/h). This is
indicated by a flashing off road light and solid on
road light. Once vehicle speed is reduced below
14 mph (22 km/h), the system will attempt to return to
the Off-Road mode.To disconnect the stabilizer/sway bar, shift to either 4HI
or 4LO as shown in “Four Wheel Drive Operation” and
press the right hand Off Road stabilizer/sway bar button
to obtain the Off-Road position. The amber indicator
light will flash until the stabilizer/sway bar has been
fully disconnected.
NOTE:The stabilizer/sway bar may be torque locked
due to left and right suspension height differences. This
condition is due to driving surface differences or vehicle
loading. In order for the stabilizer/sway bar to
disconnect/reconnect, the right and left halves of the bar
must be aligned. This alignment may require that the
vehicle be driven onto level ground or rocked from side
to side.
To return to the On-Road mode; press the left hand On
Road stabilizer/sway bar button.
568 STARTING AND OPERATING

keep the cable on the ground if it breaks. Next, place
the vehicle in first gear and apply a very light throttle
as you power the winch in. Be careful not to allow
slack in the cable as you recover the vehicle. Do not try
to guide the cable into the drum. If it starts to bunch up
on one end, let it. You can re-spool the cable after-
wards. Never use a winch cable as a tow strap and
always stand back while winching.
WARNING!
Winch cables are under high tension when in use and
can become a projectile if they fail. Never stand over
or straddle the winch cable. Never jerk or overload
the winch cable. Never stand in front of the vehicle
while winching. Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious or fatal injury.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage. That way you
can get any problems taken care of right away and have
your vehicle ready when you need it.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
•Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as
required.
•Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
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WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
•Because of restricted traction device clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension components, it is
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise
occurs that could indicate device breakage. Remove
the damaged parts of the device before further use.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
•Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
•Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
•Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
•Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions on the method of installation, operating
speed, and conditions for use. Always use the
suggested operating speed of the device manufac-
turer ’s if it is less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
•Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
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VEHICLE LOADING
Certification Label
As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration regulations, your vehicle has a certification label
affixed to the driver’s side door or pillar.
This label contains the month and year of manufacture,
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) front and rear, and Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). A Month-Day-Hour (MDH) number is
included on this label and indicates the Month, Day and
Hour of manufacture. The bar code that appears on the
bottom of the label is your VIN.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options and cargo.
The label also specifies maximum capacities of front andrear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the
driver, all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components in the
system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension
components sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi-
cle’s GVWR.
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