Ram 1500 2018 Repair Manual

NOTE:
Once initiated by the "Cargo Camera" button,
the Cargo Camera image may be deactivated
by pressing the "X" soft button. On deactiva-
tion, the previous selected screen will appear.
RAMBOX — IF EQUIPPED
The RamBox system is an integrated pickup
box storage and cargo management system
consisting of three features:
• Integrated box side storage bins• Cargo extender/divider
• Bed rail tie-down system
RamBox Integrated Box Side
Storage Bins
Cargo storage bins are located on both sides
of the pickup box. The cargo storage bins
provide watertight, lockable, illuminated
storage for up to 150 lbs (68 kg) for 1500 se-
ries vehicles or 300 lbs (136 kg) for
2500 and 3500 series vehicles of evenly
distributed cargo.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the following items could
cause damage to the vehicle:
• Assure that all cargo inside the storage
bins is properly secured.
• Do not exceed cargo weight rating of
150 lb (68 kg) 1500 series vehicles or
300 lbs (136 kg) for 2500 and 3500 se-
ries vehicles per bin.
To open a storage bin with the RamBox un-
locked, push and release the button located
on the lid. The RamBox lid will open upward
to allow hand access. Lift the lid to fully
open.
NOTE:
RamBox will not open when the pushbutton
is pushed if the RamBox is locked.
Cargo Camera Display
RamBox Features
1 — Bed Extender
2 — Bed Rail Tie-Down System Adjust-
able Cleats
3 — Storage Bin
4 — Push The Button To Open
59

CAUTION!
Leaving the lid open for extended periods
of time could cause the vehicle battery to
discharge. If the lid is required to stay
open for extended periods of time, it is
recommended that the bin lights be
turned off manually using the on/off
switch.
The interior of the RamBox will automatically
illuminate when the lid is opened. In addition
to the automatic illumination switch, there is
a manual on/off switch located at the rear of
each storage bin. Pushing the switch once
will turn off the bin lights, pushing the switch
again will turn the lights back on.
Cargo bins feature two removable drain plugs
(to allow water to drain from bins). To remove
plug, pull up on the edge. To install push plug
downward into drain hole.
NOTE:
Provisions are provided in the bins for cargo
dividers and shelf supports. These accesso-
ries (in addition to other RamBox accesso-
ries) are available from Mopar.
Locking And Unlocking RamBox
Push and release the lock or unlock button on
the key fob to lock and unlock all doors, the
tailgate and the RamBox (if equipped). Refer
to “Keys” in “Getting To Know Your Vehicle”
in the Owner’s Manual for further details. The
RamBox storage bins can be locked using the
vehicle key. To lock and unlock the storage
bin, insert the key into the keyhole on the
push button and turn clockwise to lock or
counterclockwise to unlock. Always return
the key to the upright (vertical) position be-
fore removing the key from the push button.
CAUTION!
• Ensure cargo bin lids are closed and latched before moving or driving vehicle.
• Loads applied to the top of the bin lid
should be minimized to prevent damage
to the lid and latching/hinging mecha-
nisms.
• Damage to the RamBox bin may occur
due to heavy/sharp objects placed in bin
that shift due to vehicle motion. In order
to minimize potential for damage, se-
CAUTION!
cure all cargo to prevent movement and
protect inside surfaces of bin from
heavy/sharp objects with appropriate
padding.
RamBox Safety Warning
Carefully follow these warnings to help pre-
vent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
WARNING!
• Always close the storage bin coverswhen your vehicle is unattended.
• Do not allow children to have access to
the storage bins. Once in the storage
bin, young children may not be able to
escape. If trapped in the storage bin,
children can die from suffocation or heat
stroke.
• In an accident, serious injury could re-
sult if the storage bin covers are not
properly latched.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
60

WARNING!
• Do not drive the vehicle with the storagebin covers open.
• Keep the storage bin covers closed and
latched while the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not use a storage bin latch as a tie
down.
RamBox Storage Bin Cover Emergency Re-
lease Lever — If Equipped
As a security measure, a Storage Bin Cover
Emergency Release is built into the storage
bin cover latching mechanism.
NOTE:
In the event of an individual being locked
inside the storage bin, the storage bin cover
can be opened from inside of the bin by
pulling on the glow-in-the-dark lever at-
tached to the storage bin cover latching
mechanism.
Bed Extender — If Equipped
The bed extender has three functional posi-
tions:
• Storage Position • Divider Position
• Extender Position
Storage Position
The storage position for the bed extender is at
the front of the truck bed which maximizes
the bed cargo area when not in use.
To install the bed extender into the storage
position, perform the following:
1. Make sure the center handle is unlocked
using the vehicle key and rotate the center
handle vertically to release the extender
side gates.
2. With the side gates open, position the extender fully forward in the bed against
the front panel.
3. Rotate the side gates closed allowing the outboard ends to be positioned in front of
the cargo tie down loops.
4. Rotate the center handle horizontally to secure the side gates in the closed
position.
5. Lock the center handle using the vehicle key to secure the panel into place.
Divider Position
The divider position is intended for managing
your cargo and assisting in keeping cargo
from moving around the bed. There are 11 di-
vider slots along the bed inner panels which
allow for various positions to assist in manag-
ing your cargo.
To install the bed extender into a divider
position, perform the following:
1. Make sure the center handle is unlocked
using the vehicle key and rotate the center
handle vertically to release the extender
side gates.
2. With the side gates open, position the extender so the outboard ends align with
the intended slots in the sides of the bed.
3. Rotate the side gates closed so that the outboard ends are secured into the in-
tended slots of the bed.
4. Rotate the center handle horizontally to secure the side gates in the closed
position.
5. Lock the center handle to secure the panel into place.
61

Extender Position
The extender position allows you to load the
bed of the truck beyond the tail gate. The bed
extender will add an additional 15 inches
(38 cm) in the back of the truck when addi-
tional cargo room is needed. The extender
position utilizes a locating pin and rotating
handle located on both sides of the truck bed
near the tailgate.
To install the bed extender into the extender
position, perform the following:
1. Lower the tailgate.
2. Make sure the center handle is unlockedand rotate the center handle vertically in
order to release the extender side gates.
3. Fit the end of the side gate ends onto the pin and handle.
4. Rotate the handles to the horizontal posi- tion to secure into place.WARNING!
To reduce the risk of potential injury or
property damage:
• Cargo must be secured.
• Do not exceed cargo load rating of yourvehicle.
• Secure all loads to truck utilizing cargo
tie downs.
• Extender should not be used as cargo tie
down.
• When vehicle is in motion do not exceed
150 lbs (68 kg) load on the tailgate.
• The bed extender is not intended for off
road use.
• When not in use, the extender/divider
should be in stowed or divider position
with the tailgate closed.
• When in use all handles are to be in the
locked position.
Bed Rail Tie-Down System
CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not
exceed 250 lbs (113 kg) and the angle of
CAUTION!
the load on each cleat should not exceed
45 degrees above horizontal, or damage to
the cleat or cleat rail may occur.
There are two adjustable cleats on each side
of the bed that can be used to assist in
securing cargo.
Each cleat must be located and tightened
down in one of the detents, along either rail,
in order to keep cargo properly secure.
To move the cleat to any position on the rail,
turn the nut counterclockwise, approximately
three turns. Then pull out on the cleat and
slide it to the detent nearest the desired
location. Make sure the cleat is seated in the
detent and tighten the nut.
To remove the cleats from the utility rail,
remove the end cap screw located in the
center of the end cap, using a #T30 Torx
head driver. Remove the end cap and slide
the cleat off the end of the rail.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
62

EASY-OFF TAILGATE
To simplify mounting of a camper unit with an
overhang, the tailgate can be removed.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a rear camera
or Remote Keyless Entry, the electrical con-
nector must be disconnected prior to remov-
ing the tailgate.
Removing The Tailgate
1. Disconnect the wiring harness for the rearcamera or Remote Keyless Entry (if
equipped).
2. Unlatch the tailgate and remove the sup- port cables by releasing the lock tang from
the pivot. 3. Raise the right side of the tailgate until
the right side pivot clears the hanger
bracket.
4. Slide the entire tailgate to the right to free the left side pivot.
5. Remove the tailgate from the vehicle.
NOTE:
Do not carry the tailgate loose in the truck
pickup box.Locking Tailgate
The lock is located next to the tailgate
handle. The tailgate can be locked using the
vehicle key or by locking the truck with the
key fob if equipped with remote keyless entry.
TRI-FOLD TONNEAU COVER
The Tonneau Cover can be removed and rein-
stalled by using the locking clamps located
underneath the Tonneau Cover. Refer to the
Owner’s Manual for further information.
NOTE:
Be sure that the Tonneau Cover is secured
before driving.
63

64

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY.....66
Instrument Cluster Display Controls ....66
Diesel Messages And Warnings — 3.0L
Diesel Engine .................67
Diesel Messages And Warnings — 6.7L
Cummins Diesel Engine ...........70
Oil Life Reset .................74
Instrument Cluster Display Programmable
Features ....................75
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES ....76
Red Warning Lights..............76
Yellow Warning Lights ............78
Yellow Indicator Lights ............82
Green Indicator Lights ............83
White Indicator Lights ............84
Blue Indicator Lights .............84
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM —
OBDII .....................84
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity.................85
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
65

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY
Your vehicle may be equipped with an instru-
ment cluster display, which offers useful in-
formation to the driver. With the ignition in
the STOP/OFF mode, opening/closing of a
door will activate the display for viewing, and
display the total miles, or kilometers, in the
odometer. Your instrument cluster display is
designed to display important information
about your vehicle’s systems and features.
Using a driver interactive display located on
the instrument panel, your instrument clus-
ter display can show you how systems are
working and give you warnings when they are
not. The steering wheel mounted controls
allow you to scroll through the main menus
and submenus. You can access the specific
information you want and make selections
and adjustments.
Instrument Cluster Display
Controls
The instrument cluster display features a
driver-interactive display that is located in
the instrument cluster.
The instrument cluster display menu items
may consist of the following:
• Speedometer
• Vehicle Info
• Fuel Economy Info
• Trip A
• Trip B
• Audio
• Trailer Tow
• Stored Messages
• Screen Setup
• Vehicle Settings (Not Equipped with aUconnect touchscreen radio) The system allows the driver to select infor-
mation by pushing the following instrument
cluster display control buttons located on the
left side of the steering wheel:
• Push and release the
uparrow button to
scroll upward through the main menu
items, submenu screen, and vehicle set-
tings.
Instrument Cluster Display Controls
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
66

• Push and release thedownarrow button to
scroll downward through the main menu
items, submenu screen, and vehicle set-
tings.
• Push and release the rightarrow button to
access/select the information screens or
submenu screens of a main menu item.
Push and hold the RIGHT arrow button for
two seconds to reset displayed/selected
features that can be reset.
• Push and release the leftarrow button to
access/select the information screens, sub-
menu screens of a main menu item, or to
return to the main menu.
Diesel Messages And Warnings —
3.0L Diesel Engine
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Messages
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you
park over materials that can burn. Such
materials might be grass or leaves coming
into contact with your exhaust system. Do
WARNING!
not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact
anything that can burn.
Your vehicle has the ability to alert you to
additional maintenance required on your ve-
hicle or engine. Refer to the following mes-
sages that may be displayed on your instru-
ment cluster:
• Exhaust Filter XX% Full Safely Drive at High-
way Speeds to Remedy — This message will
be displayed in the instrument cluster if the
exhaust particulate filter reaches 80% of
its maximum storage capacity. Under con-
ditions of exclusive short duration and low
speed driving cycles, your diesel engine
and exhaust after-treatment system may
never reach the conditions required to
cleanse the filter to remove the trapped
PM. If this occurs, the “Exhaust Filter XX%
Full Safely Drive at Highway Speeds to
Remedy” message will be displayed in the
instrument cluster display. If this message
is displayed, you will hear one chime to
assist in alerting you of this condition. By simply driving your vehicle at highway
speeds for up to 20 minutes, you can rem-
edy the condition in the particulate filter
system and allow your diesel engine and
exhaust after-treatment system to cleanse
the filter to remove the trapped PM and
restore the system to normal operating con-
dition.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration In Process
Exhaust Filter XX% Full — This message
indicates that the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) is self-cleaning. Maintain your cur-
rent driving condition until regeneration is
completed.
• Exhaust System — Regeneration Completed
— This message indicates that the Diesel
Particulate Filter (DPF) self-cleaning is
completed. If this message is displayed,
you will hear one chime to assist in alerting
you of this condition.
• Exhaust Service Required — See Dealer Now
— This messages indicates regeneration
has been disabled due to a system malfunc-
67

tion. At this point the engine Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) will register a fault
code, the instrument panel will display a
MIL light.
CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to
the exhaust system could occur soon with
continued operation.
• Exhaust Filter Full — Power Reduced See
Dealer — This message indicates the PCM
has derated the engine to limit the likeli-
hood of permanent damage to the after-
treatment system. If this condition is not
corrected and a dealer service is not per-
formed, extensive exhaust after-treatment
damage can occur. To correct this condition
it will be necessary to have your vehicle
serviced by your local authorized dealer. NOTE:
Failing to follow the oil change indicator,
changing your oil and resetting the oil change
indicator by 0 miles remaining will prevent
the diesel exhaust filter from performing it's
cleaning routine. This will shortly result in a
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) and re-
duced engine power. Only an authorized
dealer will be able to correct this condition.
CAUTION!
See your authorized dealer, as damage to
the exhaust system could occur soon with
continued operation.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Warning Mes-
sages
Your vehicle will begin displaying warning
messages when the DEF level reaches a driv-
ing range of approximately 500 miles
(800 km). If the following warning message
sequence is ignored, your vehicle may not
restart unless DEF is added with in the dis-
played mileage shown in the cluster mes-
sage. •
Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi DEF Low
Refill Soon — This message will display
when DEF driving range is less than
500 miles, DEF fluid top off is required
with in the displayed mileage. The message
will be displayed in the cluster during ve-
hicle start up with the current allowed mile-
age and accompanied by a single chime.
The remaining mileage can be pulled up
anytime by way of the “Messages” list
within the instrument cluster display.
• Engine Will Not Restart in XXXX mi Refill DEF
— This message will display when DEF
driving range is less than 200 miles. It is
also displayed at 150 miles and 100 miles.
DEF fluid top off is required with in the
displayed mileage. The message will be
displayed in the instrument cluster display
during vehicle start up with an updated
distance mileage, and it will be accompa-
nied by a single chime. Starting at
100 miles, remaining range will be con-
tinuously displayed while operating the ve-
hicle. Chimes will also accompany the 75,
50 and 25 mile remaining distances. The
DEF Low telltale will be on continuously
until DEF fluid is topped off.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
68