stop start Ram 1500 2018 User Guide

To remove the emergency key, slide the me-
chanical latch at the top of the key fob
sideways with your thumb and then pull the
key out with your other hand.
NOTE:
When using the emergency key to gain access
to your vehicle, be aware that the security
alarm may be triggered. Insert the key into
the ignition and place the ignition in the
ON/RUN mode to disarm the security system.
This Keyless Push Button Ignition key fob
allows the driver to operate the ignition
switch with the push of a button, as long as
the key fob is in the passenger compartment.
The Keyless Push Button Ignition has four
operating positions, three of which are la-
beled and will illuminate when in position.
The three positions are OFF, ACC, and ON/
RUN. The fourth position is START, during
start RUN will illuminate. It also contains the
key fob and an emergency key, which stores
in the rear of the key fob.The emergency key allows for entry into the
vehicle should the battery in the vehicle or
the key fob go dead. You can keep the emer-
gency key with you when valet parking.
To remove the emergency key, slide the me-
chanical latch on the backside of the key fob
sideways with your thumb and then pull the
key out with your other hand.
NOTE:
• When using the emergency key to gain
access to your vehicle, be aware that the
security alarm may be triggered. Put the
nose side (side opposite of the emergency
key) of the key fob against the ENGINE
START/STOP button and push to disarm
the security system.
• You can insert the double-sided emergency key into the door lock cylinder with either
side up. The Remote Keyless Entry system allows you
to lock or unlock all doors, tailgate, and the
RamBox (if equipped) as well as activate the
Panic Alarm from distances up to approxi-
mately 66 ft (20 m) using a key fob with
integrated key. The key fob does not need to
be pointed at the vehicle to activate the
system. Push and release the lock button on
the key fob to lock all doors, the tailgate and
the RamBox (if equipped). The turn signal
lights will flash and the horn will chirp to
acknowledge the signal.
NOTE:
Inserting the key fob with integrated key into
the ignition switch disables the system from
responding to any button pushes from that
key fob. Driving at speeds 5 mph (8 km/h)
and above disables the system from respond-
ing to all key fob buttons for all key fobs.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
14

IGNITION SWITCH
Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) —
If Equipped
The Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) operates
similar to an ignition switch. It has four
operating positions, three with detents and
one that is spring-loaded. The detent posi-
tions are OFF, ACC, and ON/RUN. The START
position is a spring-loaded momentary con-
tact position. When released from the START
position, the switch automatically returns to
the ON/RUN position.
Keyless Push Button Ignition — If
Equipped
This feature allows the driver to operate the
ignition switch with the push of a button as
long as the Remote Keyless Entry key fob is in
the passenger compartment.
The Keyless Push Button Ignition has four
operating positions; three of which are la-
beled and will illuminate when in position.The three positions are OFF, ACC, and ON/
RUN. The fourth position is START, during
start RUN will illuminate.
NOTE:
In case the ignition switch does not change
with the push of a button, the key fob may
have a low or dead battery. In this situation, a
back up method can be used to operate the
ignition switch. Put the nose side (side oppo-
site of the emergency key) of the key fob
against the ENGINE START/STOP button,
with your foot applied on the brake pedal, and
push to operate the ignition switch.
REMOTE START — IF EQUIPPED
To Enter Remote Start Mode
Push and release the Remote Start button on
the key fob twice within five seconds. The
parking lights will flash, vehicle doors will
lock, and the horn will chirp twice (if pro-
grammed). Once the vehicle has started, the
engine will run for 15 minutes.
NOTE:
• If your power door locks were unlocked,
Remote Start will automatically lock the
doors.
• If an engine fault is present or fuel level is low, the vehicle will start and then shut
down in 10 seconds.
• The park lamps will turn on and remain on during Remote Start mode.
• For security, power window and power sun- roof operation (if equipped) are disabled
when the vehicle is in the Remote Start
mode.
Keyless Push Button Ignition
17

2. Perform one of the following methods tolock the vehicle:
• Push lock button on the interior power door lock switch with the driver and/or
passenger door open.
• Push the lock button on the exterior Passive Entry Door Handle with a valid
key fob available in the same exterior
zone (refer to "Keyless Enter- N-Go —
Passive Entry" in "Getting To Know Your
Vehicle" for further information).
• Push the lock button on the key fob.
3. If any doors are open, close them.
The vehicle security alarm will set when you
use the power door locks, or use the key fob to
lock the doors. After all the doors are locked
and closed, the vehicle security light, in the
instrument panel cluster, will flash rapidly for
about 16 seconds to indicate that the alarm
is being set. After the alarm is set, the vehicle
security light will flash at a slower rate to
indicate that the system is armed.To Disarm The System
The vehicle security alarm can be disarmed
using any of the following methods:
1. Push the unlock button on the key fob.
2. Grasp the Passive Entry Unlock Door Handle with a valid key fob within 5 ft
(1.5 m) of the passive entry door handle.
If equipped, refer to "Keyless Enter-N-Go
— Passive Entry" in "Getting To Know Your
Vehicle" for further information.
3. Cycle the ignition out of the OFF position.
• For vehicles equipped with KeylessEnter-N-Go — Ignition, push the Key-
less Ignition START/STOP button (re-
quires at least one valid key fob in the
vehicle).
• For vehicles not equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go, insert a valid key into the
ignition switch and turn the key to the
ON position.
The vehicle security alarm is designed to
protect your vehicle. However, you can create
conditions where the system will give you a
false alarm. If one of the previously described arming sequences has occurred, the vehicle
security alarm will arm regardless of whether
you are in the vehicle or not. If you remain in
the vehicle and open a door, the alarm will
sound. If this occurs, disarm the vehicle
security alarm.
If the vehicle security alarm is armed and the
battery becomes disconnected, the vehicle
security alarm will remain armed when the
battery is reconnected; the exterior lights will
flash, and the horn will sound. If this occurs,
disarm the vehicle security alarm.
DOORS
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Passive
Entry
The Passive Entry system is an enhancement
to the vehicle’s Remote Keyless Entry system
and a feature of Keyless Enter-N-Go. This
feature allows you to lock and unlock the
vehicle’s door(s) without having to push the
key fob lock or unlock buttons.
19

When the DEF system needs to be serviced
the following warnings will display:
•Service DEF System See Dealer — This mes-
sage will display when the fault is initially
detected, each time the vehicle is started,
and periodically during driving. The mes-
sage will be accompanied by a single
chime. We recommend you drive to your
nearest authorized dealer and have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
• 5 MPH Max Speed in 150 mi Service DEF
System See Dealer — This message will
display if the DEF system has not been
serviced after the “Service DEF System –
See Dealer” message is displayed. This
message will continuously display until the
mileage counter reaches zero, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime. The
message will continue to countdown until it
reaches zero unless the vehicle is serviced.
We recommend you drive to your nearest
authorized dealer and have your vehicle
serviced immediately. NOTE:
Under some circumstances this mileage
counter may start with a value of less than
150 miles (241 km). For example, if recur-
ring faults are detected in a time interval of
less than 40 hours, the counter may restart
at the value where it stopped when a previ-
ous fault was temporarily remedied, or at a
minimum of 50 miles (80 km).
•
5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or
Refuel Service DEF See Dealer — This mes-
sage will continuously display when the
mileage counter reaches zero, and will be
accompanied by a periodic chime.
The vehicle will only be capable of a maxi-
mum speed of 5 MPH upon the first of the
following conditions to occur: – If the vehicle is shutoff and restarted.
– If the vehicle is idled for an extendedperiod of time, approximately one hour
or greater.
– If the system detects that the level of fuel in the tank has increased. •
5 MPH Max Speed Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will continuously
display, and will be accompanied by a pe-
riodic chime. Although the vehicle can be
started and placed in gear, the vehicle will
only operate at a maximum speed of
5 MPH. Your vehicle will require towing,
see your authorized dealer for service.
NOTE:
When this message is displayed, the engine
can still be started. However, the vehicle
will only operate at a maximum speed of
5 MPH.
• Incorrect DEF Detected See Dealer — This
message will display when the fault is ini-
tially detected, each time the vehicle is
started, and periodically during driving.
The message will be accompanied by a
single chime. We recommend you drive to
your nearest authorized dealer and have
your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced
Ram Active Air system that provides en-
hanced performance, especially when towing
73

under demanding hot or high altitude condi-
tions. If the instrument cluster display dis-
plays the message “Active Airbox Service
Required See Dealer”, vehicle performance
may be reduced until service is performed by
an authorized RAM dealer.
Oil Life Reset
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil
change indicator system. The “Oil Change
Required” message will display in the instru-
ment cluster display after a single chime has
sounded, to indicate the next scheduled oil
change interval. The engine oil change indi-
cator system is duty cycle based, which
means the engine oil change interval may
fluctuate, dependent upon your personal
driving style.
NOTE:
Use the steering wheel instrument cluster
display controls for the following proce-
dure(s).Vehicles Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, push
the ENGINE START/STOP button and
place the ignition to the ON/RUN position
(do not start the engine).
2. Push and release the downarrow button to
scroll downward through the main menu
to “Vehicle Info.”
3. Push and release the rightarrow button to
access the ”Vehicle Info” screen, then
scroll up or down to select “Oil Life.”
4. Push and hold the rightarrow button to
select “Reset”.
5. Push and release the downarrow button to
select “Yes,” then push and release the
right arrow button to select reset of the Oil
Life to 100%.
6. Push and release the uparrow button to
exit the instrument cluster display screen. Vehicles Not Equipped With Passive Entry
1. Without pushing the brake pedal, cycle
the ignition to the ON/RUN position (do
not start the engine).
2. Push and release the downarrow button to
scroll downward through the main menu
to “Vehicle Info.”
3. Push and release the rightarrow button to
access the “Vehicle Info” screen then
scroll up or down to select “Oil Life.”
4. Push and hold the rightarrow button to
select “YES” by pushing the rightarrow
then push and release the rightarrow
button to select reset of the Oil Life to
100%.
5. Push and release the uparrow button to
exit the instrument cluster display screen.
NOTE:
If the indicator message illuminates when
you start the vehicle, the Oil Life indicator
system did not reset. If necessary, repeat this
procedure.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
74

WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
Red Warning Lights
— Seat Belt Reminder Warning Light
This light indicates when the driver or pas-
senger seat belt is unbuckled. When the
ignition is first placed in the ON/RUN or
ACC/ON/RUN position and if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound and the
light will turn on. When driving, if the driver
or front passenger seat belt remains unbuck-
led, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will flash or
remain on continuously and a chime will
sound. Refer to “Occupant Restraints Sys-
tems” in “Safety” for further information.
— Air Bag Warning Light
This light indicates a fault with the air bag,
and will turn on for four to eight seconds as a
bulb check when the ignition is placed in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ON/RUN position. This light
will illuminate with a single chime when a
fault with the air bag has been detected, it
will stay on until the fault is cleared. If thelight is either not on during startup, stays on,
or turns on while driving, have the system
inspected at an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
— Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied,
that the brake fluid level is low, or that there
is a problem with the anti-lock brake system
reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake
has been disengaged, and the fluid level is at
the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it
indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction or that a problem with the Brake
Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC) system. In this case, the light will
remain on until the condition has been cor-
rected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying
the brake, and a brake pedal pulsation may be
felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve
braking capacity in the event of a failure to a
portion of the hydraulic system. A leak in
either half of the dual brake system is indi-
cated by the Brake Warning Light, which will
turn on when the brake fluid level in the
master cylinder has dropped below a speci-
fied level.
The light will remain on until the cause is
corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level
conditions. The vehicle should have service
performed, and the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair
is necessary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light
on is dangerous. Part of the brake system
may have failed. It will take longer to stop
the vehicle. You could have a collision.
Have the vehicle checked immediately.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
76

depending on the nature of the problem.
Cycle the ignition when the vehicle is safely
and completely stopped and the transmission
is placed in the PARK position. The light
should turn off. If the light remains on with
the vehicle running, your vehicle will usually
be drivable; however, see an authorized
dealer for service as soon as possible.
NOTE:
This light may turn on if the accelerator and
brake pedals are pressed at the same time.
If the light continues to flash when the ve-
hicle is running, immediate service is re-
quired and you may experience reduced per-
formance, an elevated/rough idle, or engine
stall and your vehicle may require towing.
The light will come on when the ignition is
placed in the ON/RUN or ACC/ON/RUN posi-
tion and remain on briefly as a bulb check. If
the light does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.— Electric Power Steering Fault
Warning Light
This light will turn on when there's a
fault with the EPS (Electric Power Steering)
system. Refer to “Power Steering” in
“Starting And Operating” in the Owner’s
Manual at
https://www.mopar.com/en-us/care/
owners-manual.html
(U.S. Residents) or
www.owners.mopar.ca (Canadian Residents)
for further information.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced assist
could pose a safety risk to yourself and
others. Service should be obtained as soon
as possible.
— Trailer Brake Disconnected Warn-
ing Light
This telltale is on when the Trailer Brake has
been disconnected.
— Door Open Warning Light
This indicator will illuminate when a door is
ajar/open and not fully closed. NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving there will also be a
single chime.
Yellow Warning Lights
— Engine Check/Malfunction Indica-
tor Warning Light (MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine
and automatic transmission control systems.
The light will illuminate when the ignition is
in the ON/RUN position before engine start.
If the bulb does not come on when turning
the ignition switch from OFF to ON/RUN,
have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing
gas cap, poor quality fuel, etc., may illumi-
nate the light after engine start. The vehicle
should be serviced if the light stays on
through several typical driving styles. In most
situations, the vehicle will drive normally and
will not require towing.
When the engine is running, the MIL may
flash to alert serious conditions that could
lead to immediate loss of power or severe
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
78

Should one or more tires be in the condition
mentioned above, the display will show the
indications corresponding to each tire in
sequence.
CAUTION!
Do not continue driving with one or more
flat tires as handling may be compro-
mised. Stop the vehicle, avoiding sharp
braking and steering. If a tire puncture
occurs, repair immediately using the dedi-
cated tire repair kit and contact your au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure la-
bel. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread
life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This se-
quence will continue upon subsequent ve-
hicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of replace-
ment or alternate tires or wheels on the ve-
hicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunc-
tion telltale after replacing one or more tires
or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels
allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the
original equipment tires and wheels.
TPMS pressures and warning have been
established for the tire size equipped on
your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when
using replacement equipment that is not
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
80

BeltAlert Warning Sequence
The BeltAlert warning sequence is activated
when the vehicle is moving above a specified
vehicle speed range and the driver or out-
board front seat passenger is unbuckled (if
equipped with outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert) (the outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert is not active when the outboard
front passenger seat is unoccupied). The
BeltAlert warning sequence starts by blinking
the Seat Belt Reminder Light and sounding
an intermittent chime. Once the BeltAlert
warning sequence has completed, the Seat
Belt Reminder Light will remain on until the
seat belts are buckled. The BeltAlert warning
sequence may repeat based on vehicle speed
until the driver and occupied outboard front
seat passenger seat belts are buckled. The
driver should instruct all occupants to buckle
their seat belts.Change of Status
If the driver or outboard front seat passenger
(if equipped with outboard front passenger
seat BeltAlert) unbuckles their seat belt while
the vehicle is traveling, the BeltAlert warning
sequence will begin until the seat belts are
buckled again.
The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert
is not active when the outboard front passen-
ger seat is unoccupied. BeltAlert may be
triggered when an animal or other items are
placed on the outboard front passenger seat
or when the seat is folded flat (if equipped). It
is recommended that pets be restrained in
the rear seat (if equipped) in pet harnesses or
pet carriers that are secured by seat belts,
and cargo is properly stowed.
BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by
your authorized dealer. FCA US LLC does not
recommend deactivating BeltAlert.NOTE:
If BeltAlert has been deactivated and the
driver or outboard front seat passenger (if
equipped with outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert) is unbuckled the Seat Belt Re-
minder Light will turn on and remain on until
the driver and outboard front seat passenger
seat belts are buckled.
Lap/Shoulder Belts
All seating positions except the Quad Cab,
Mega Cab and Crew Cab front center seating
position have combination lap/shoulder
belts.
The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only
during very sudden stops or collisions. This
feature allows the shoulder part of the seat
belt to move freely with you under normal
conditions. However, in a collision the seat
belt will lock and reduce your risk of striking
the inside of the vehicle or being thrown out
of the vehicle.
95

STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE —
GASOLINE ENGINE.............139
Normal Starting Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button ............139
STARTING THE ENGINE —
3.0L DIESEL ENGINE............142
Normal Starting Using ENGINE
STOP/START Button ............142
Extreme Cold Weather ...........145
STARTING THE ENGINE — 6.7L DIESEL
ENGINE................... .146
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition ......146
Extreme Cold Weather ...........148
NORMAL OPERATION — 3.0L DIESEL
ENGINE................... .149
Cold Weather Precautions.........149
Stopping The Engine ............150
NORMAL OPERATION — 6.7L DIESEL
ENGINE................... .151
Cold Weather Precautions.........151
Engine Idling ................151
Stopping The Engine ............152
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
GASOLINE ENGINE.............153
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
3.0L DIESEL ................ .154
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
6.7L DIESEL ................ .154
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ......155
Key Ignition Park Interlock........156
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System ....................156
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped .................156
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) .....158
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
2500/3500 Models Only .........160
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED............... .162
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) — If Equipped .162
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) — If Equipped .164 Four-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case (Eight Speed Transmission Only) —
If Equipped
..................166
Five-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer
Case (Eight Speed Transmission Only) —
If Equipped ..................168
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
(1500 MODELS) — IF EQUIPPED . . . .170
Description..................170
Air Suspension Modes ...........171
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (REBEL
MODELS ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED . . . .172
Description..................172
Air Suspension Modes ...........173
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/
3500 MODELS) — IF EQUIPPED .....174
Description..................174
Air Suspension Modes ...........175
SPEED CONTROL..............176
To Activate..................177
To Set A Desired Speed ..........177
To Vary The Speed Setting .........177
STARTING AND OPERATING
137