warning Ram 1500 2020 Owner's Manual

418 STARTING AND OPERATING
*The suggested selection depends and may change
depending on the customer preferences for braking perfor-
mance. Condition of the trailer brakes, driving and road state
may also affect the selection.
Display Messages
The trailer brake control interacts with the instrument cluster
display. Display messages, along with a single chime, will be
displayed when a malfunction is determined in the trailer
connection, trailer brake control, or on the trailer. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” for further information. NOTE:
• An aftermarket controller may be available for use with
trailers with air or electric-over-hydraulic trailer brake
systems. To determine the type of brakes on your trailer
and the availability of controllers, check with your trailer
manufacturer or dealer.
• Removal of the ITBM will cause errors and it may cause damage to the electrical system and electronic modules of
the vehicle. See your authorized dealer if an aftermarket
module is to be installed.
Light Electric Heavy Electric
Light EOHHeavy EOH
Type of Trailer Brakes Electric Trailer Brakes Electric Trailer Brakes Electric over Hydraulic
Trailer BrakesElectric over Hydraulic
Trailer Brakes
Load *Under 10,000 lbs *Above 10,000 lbs *Under 10,000 lbs *Above 10,000 lbs
WARNING!
Connecting a trailer that is not compatible with the
ITBM system may result in reduced or complete loss of
trailer braking. There may be a increase in stopping
distance or trailer instability which could result in
personal injury.
CAUTION!
Connecting a trailer that is not compatible with the
ITBM system may result in reduced or complete loss of
trailer braking. There may be a increase in stopping
distance or trailer instability which could result in
damage to your vehicle, trailer, or other property.
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Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheating,
activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly areas, or
select a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speeddrops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until you
can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over -
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed. Highway Driving
• Reduce speed
• Temporarily turn off air conditioning
Air Suspension System

To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle, the air
suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air Suspension
System” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.

NOTE:
The vehicle must remain in the engine running position
while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of the air suspen
-
sion system.
SNOWPLOW
NOTE:
Do not use this model vehicle for snowplow applications.
WARNING!
Snowplows and other aftermarket equipment should not
be added to the front end of your vehicle. The airbag
crash sensors may be affected by the change in the front
end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpectedly or
could fail to deploy during a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
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422 STARTING AND OPERATING
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
NOTE:
• When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable stateand provincial laws. Contact state and provincial
Highway Safety offices for additional details. • Vehicles equipped with Active-Level Four Corner Air
Suspension must be placed in Transport mode before
tying them down (from the body) on a trailer or flatbed
truck. Refer to “Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension
– If Equipped” for more information. If the vehicle cannot
WARNING!
Attaching a snowplow to this vehicle could adversely
affect performance of the airbag system in a collision. Do
not expect that the airbag will perform as described
earlier in this manual.CAUTION!
Using this vehicle for snowplow applications can cause
damage to the vehicle.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The
Ground Two-Wheel Drive
Models Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED See Instructions
• Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK OK
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424 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear) will
cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage.
Tow with all four wheels either ON the ground, or OFF
the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer case.
• Before recreational towing, the transfer case must be in NEUTRAL. To be certain the transfer case is fully in
NEUTRAL, perform the procedure outlined under
“Shifting Into NEUTRAL”. Internal transmission
damage will result, if the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL during towing.
• The transmission must be in PARK for recreational towing.
• Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require -
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because fluid will leak from the transfer case, causing damage to internal
parts.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the
transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should
always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle. CAUTION!
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 427
10. Start the engine.
11. Release the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into DRIVE, release the brakepedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.
NOTE:
• Steps 3 and 4 are requirements that must be met before pushing the button to shift out of NEUTRAL (N), and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If
any of these requirements are not met before pushing the
button or are no longer met during the shift, the
NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will flash continuously until
all requirements are met or until the button is released.
• The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be oper -
able. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN mode, the shift
will not take place and no position indicator lights will be
on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light indi -
cates that shift requirements have not been met.DRIVING TIPS
Driving On Slippery Surfaces
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to
the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a
difference in the surface traction under the rear (driving)
wheels.
Driving Through Water
Driving through water more than a few inches/centimeters
deep will require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent
damage to your vehicle.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice, snow,
wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).5
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428 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)(Continued)
Flowing/Rising Water
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through shallow
standing water, consider the following Cautions and Warn-
ings before doing so.
WARNING!
Do not drive on or across a road or path where water is
flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flowing
water can wear away the road or path's surface and cause
your vehicle to sink into deeper water. Furthermore,
flowing and/or rising water can carry your vehicle away
swiftly. Failure to follow this warning may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers,
and others around you.
WARNING!
• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h)
when driving through standing water.
• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’sbraking capabilities, which increases stopping
distances. Therefore, after driving through standing
water, drive slowly and lightly press on the brake pedal
several times to dry the brakes.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers, and
others around you.
CAUTION!
• Always check the depth of the standing water before driving through it. Never drive through standing water
that is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims mounted
on the vehicle.
• Determine the condition of the road or the path that is under water and if there are any obstacles in the way
before driving through the standing water.
• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
WARNING! (Continued)
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• After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similardirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake rotors,
wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and
cleaned as soon as possible. • If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud,
slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted
material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance
and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not
have full braking power when you need it to prevent a
collision. If you have been operating your vehicle in
dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as
necessary.
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431
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning switch is located on the upper
switch bank just below the radio.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a 12–inch Uconnect display,
the Hazard Warning switch is located above the display.
Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
When the switch is activated, all directional turn signals will
flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic of an emergency.
Push the switch a second time to turn off the Hazard
Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle
is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for other motor -
ists.
When leaving the vehicle to seek assistance, the Hazard
Warning flashers will continue to operate even though the
ignition is placed in the OFF position. NOTE:
With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers may wear
down your battery.
ASSIST AND SOS SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
Assist And SOS Buttons
1 — ASSIST Button
2 — SOS Button
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432 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If equipped, the overhead console contains an ASSIST and a
SOS button.
NOTE:
• Your vehicle may be transmitting data as authorized bythe subscriber.
• The SOS and ASSIST buttons will only function if you are connected to an operable LTE (voice/data) or 4G (data)
network. Other Uconnect services will only be operable if
your SiriusXM Guardian™ service is active and connected
to an operable LTE (voice/data) or 4G (data) network. ASSIST Call
The ASSIST Button is used to automatically connect you to
any one of the following support centers:
• Roadside Assistance – If you get a flat tire, or need a tow,
just push the ASSIST button and you’ll be connected to
someone who can help. Roadside Assistance will know
what vehicle you’re driving and its location. Additional
fees may apply for roadside assistance.
• SiriusXM Guardian™ Customer Care – In-vehicle support for SiriusXM Guardian™.
• Vehicle Customer Care – Total support for all other vehicle issues.
SOS Call
1. Push the SOS Call button on the overhead console.
NOTE:
In case the SOS Call button is pushed in error, there will be a
ten second delay before the SOS Call system initiates a call to
a SOS operator. To cancel the SOS Call connection, push the
SOS call button on the overhead console or press the cancel -
lation button on the Device Screen. Termination of the SOS
Call will turn off the green LED light on the overhead
console.
WARNING!
ALWAYS obey traffic laws and pay attention to the road.
ALWAYS drive safely with your hands on the steering
wheel. You have full responsibility and assume all risks
related to the use of the features and applications in this
vehicle. Only use the features and applications when it is
safe to do so. Failure to do so may result in an accident
involving serious injury or death.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 433
(Continued)
2. The LED light located between the ASSIST and SOSbuttons on the overhead console will turn green once a
connection to a SOS operator has been made.
3. Once a connection between the vehicle and a SOS oper- ator is made, the SOS Call system may transmit the
following important vehicle information to a SOS oper -
ator:
• Indication that the occupant placed a SOS Call
• The vehicle brand
• The last known GPS coordinates of the vehicle
4. You should be able to speak with the SOS operator through the vehicle audio system to determine if addi -
tional help is needed. NOTE:
• Your vehicle may be transmitting data as authorized by
the subscriber.
• Once a connection is made between the vehicle’s SOS Call system and the SOS operator, the SOS operator may be
able to open a voice connection with the vehicle to deter -
mine if additional help is needed. Once the SOS operator
opens a voice connection with the vehicle’s SOS Call
system, the operator should be able to speak with you or
other vehicle occupants and hear sounds occurring in the
vehicle. The vehicle’s SOS Call system will attempt to
remain connected with the SOS operator until the SOS
operator terminates the connection.
5. The SOS operator may attempt to contact appropriate emergency responders and provide them with important
vehicle information and GPS coordinates.
WARNING!
ALWAYS obey traffic laws and pay attention to the road.
ALWAYS drive safely with your hands on the steering
wheel. You have full responsibility and assume all risks
related to the use of the features and applications in this
vehicle. Only use the features and applications when it is
safe to do so. Failure to do so may result in an accident
involving serious injury or death.
WARNING!
• If anyone in the vehicle could be in danger (e.g., fire or smoke is visible, dangerous road conditions or loca -
tion), do not wait for voice contact from an Emergency
Services Agent. All occupants should exit the vehicle
immediately and move to a safe location.
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