steering wheel Ram 1500 2020 User Guide

106 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
1. Pull the hood release lever located below the steeringwheel at the base of the instrument panel.
2. Reach into the opening beneath the center of the hood and push the safety latch lever to the left to release it,
before raising the hood.
Safety Latch LocationTo Close The Hood
Hoods equipped with gas props are closed from the point
where the props no longer hold the hood open.
TAILGATE
Opening
The power tailgate may be opened by pushing the tailgate
release pad located on the tailgate door.
The tailgate damper strut will lower the tailgate to the open
position (if equipped).
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your
vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it could open
when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision.
Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
injury or death.
CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the front center of
the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
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132 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:
400 Watts is the maximum for the inverter, not each outlet. If
three outlets are in use, 400 Watts is shared amongst the
devices plugged in.
If equipped, a 115 Volt (400 Watts Maximum) inverter may
be located inside the ram box of your vehicle. The inverter
can be turned on by the Instrument Panel Power Inverter
switch located to the left of the steering wheel. The RamBox
inverter can power cellular phones, electronics and other low
power devices requiring power up to 400 Watts. Certain
high-end video game consoles exceed this power limit, as
will most power tools.
The Instrument Panel Power Inverter switch is only found on
vehicles equipped with a RamBox. The switch only controls
on/off operation of the power outlet in the RamBox; it does
not control on/off operation of the power outlets located
inside the cabin of the vehicle.Ram Box Power Inverter
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166 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY
Your vehicle will be equipped with an instrument cluster
display, which offers useful information 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 cluster 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.Base Instrument Cluster Display
1 – Instrument Cluster Display Controls
2 – Instrument Cluster Display Screen
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
Premium Instrument Cluster Display
The instrument cluster display menu items may consist of
the following:
• Speedometer
• Vehicle Info
• Driver Assist
• Fuel Economy
• Trip Info • Stop/Start
• Trailer Tow — If Equipped
• Audio
• Messages
• Screen Setup
• Vehicle Settings
The system allows the driver to select information by
pushing the following instrument cluster display control
buttons located on the left side of the steering wheel:
Instrument Cluster Display Control Buttons
1 – Instrument Cluster Display Controls
2 – Instrument Cluster Display Screen
3
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170 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Driver Assist — If Equipped
The Driver Assist menu displays the status of the ACC and
LaneSense systems.
Push and release the up or down arrow button until the
Driver Assist menu is displayed in the instrument cluster
display.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Feature
The instrument cluster display displays the current Adap -
tive Cruise Control (ACC) system settings. The information
displayed depends on ACC system status.
Push the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on/off button
(located on the steering wheel) until one of the following
displays in the instrument cluster display:
Adaptive Cruise Control Off
When ACC is deactivated, the display will read “Adaptive
Cruise Control Off.”
Adaptive Cruise Control Ready
When ACC is activated but the vehicle speed setting has not
been selected, the display will read “Adaptive Cruise
Control Ready.” Push the SET + or the SET- button (located on the steering
wheel) and the following will display in the instrument
cluster display:
ACC SET
When ACC is set, the set speed will display in the instrument
cluster.
The ACC screen may display once again if any ACC activity
occurs, which may include any of the following:
• Distance Setting Change
• System Cancel
• Driver Override
• System Off
• ACC Proximity Warning
• ACC Unavailable Warning
For further information, refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) — If Equipped” in “Starting And Operating.”
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186 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Should one or more tires be in the condition mentioned
above, the display will show the indications corresponding
to each tire.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (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 Monitoring System (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, 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 pres
-
sure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunc -
tion 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
sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi -
cator 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 replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
CAUTION!
Do not continue driving with one or more flat tires as
handling may be compromised. Stop the vehicle,
avoiding sharp braking and steering. If a tire puncture
occurs, repair immediately using the dedicated tire
repair kit and contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
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200 SAFETY
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The Brake Assist System (BAS) is designed to optimize the
vehicle’s braking capability during emergency braking
maneuvers. The system detects an emergency braking situa-
tion by sensing the rate and amount of brake application, and
then applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous braking
pressure during the stopping sequence, (do not “pump” the
brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking
is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the
BAS is deactivated. Brake System Warning Light
The red “Brake System Warning Light” will turn on when
the ignition is turned to the ON/RUN mode and may stay on
for as long as four seconds.
If the “Brake System Warning Light” remains on or comes on
while driving, it indicates that the brake system is not func
-
tioning properly and that immediate service is required. If
the “Brake System Warning Light” does not come on when
the ignition is turned to the ON/RUN mode, have the light
repaired as soon as possible.
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
This function manages the distribution of the braking torque
between the front and rear axles by limiting braking pressure
to the rear axle. This is done to prevent overslip of the rear
wheels to avoid vehicle instability, and to prevent the rear
axle from entering ABS before the front axle.
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
The Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) system anticipates the
potential for wheel lift by monitoring the driver’s steering
wheel input and the speed of the vehicle. When ERM deter -
mines that the rate of change of the steering wheel angle and
vehicle’s speed are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift,
WARNING!
The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. BAS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. The capabilities
of a BAS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner, which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
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SAFETY 201
it then applies the appropriate brake and may also reduce
engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur.
ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring
during severe or evasive driving maneuvers; it cannot
prevent wheel lift due to other factors, such as road condi-
tions, leaving the roadway, or striking objects or other vehi -
cles.
NOTE:
ERM is disabled anytime the ESC is in “Full Off” mode (if
equipped). Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in
this section for a complete explanation of the available ESC
modes. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system enhances
directional control and stability of the vehicle under various
driving conditions. ESC corrects for oversteering or under
-
steering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appro -
priate wheel(s) to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition. Engine power may also be reduced to
help the vehicle maintain the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle path
intended by the driver and compares it to the actual path of
the vehicle. When the actual path does not match the
intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate
wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer
condition.
• Oversteer — when the vehicle is turning more than appro -
priate for the steering wheel position.
• Understeer — when the vehicle is turning less than appro -
priate for the steering wheel position.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” located
in the instrument cluster will start to flash as soon as the ESC
system becomes active. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light” also flashes when the TCS is active. If the
“ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road conditions
and driving conditions, influence the chance that wheel
lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot prevent all wheel
lift or roll overs, especially those that involve leaving the
roadway or striking objects or other vehicles. The
capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of others.
4
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202 SAFETY
(Continued)
flash during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and
apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions.
WARNING!
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving
on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also
cannot prevent accidents resulting from loss of vehicle
control due to inappropriate driver input for the condi -
tions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESC equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly maintain your vehicle, may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle, and may negatively affect the perfor -
mance of the ESC system. Changes to the steering
system, suspension, braking system, tire type and size
or wheel size may adversely affect ESC performance.
Improperly inflated and unevenly worn tires may also
degrade ESC performance. Any vehicle modification or
poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the effective -
ness of the ESC system can increase the risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death.
WARNING! (Continued)
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SAFETY 209
Towing With HSA
Hill Start Assist (HSA) will also provide assistance to miti-
gate roll back while towing a trailer. Disabling And Enabling HSA
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
• If disabling HSA using your instrument cluster display,
refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
• If disabling HSA using Uconnect Settings, refer to “Ucon -
nect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further information.
For vehicles not equipped with an instrument cluster
display, perform the following steps:
1. Center the steering wheel (front wheels pointing straight forward).
2. Shift the transmission into PARK (P).
3. Apply the park brake.
4. Start the engine.
5. Rotate the steering wheel slightly more than one-half turn to the left.
WARNING!
• If you use a trailer brake controller with your trailer, the trailer brakes may be activated and deactivated with
the brake switch. If so, there may not be enough brake
pressure to hold both the vehicle and the trailer on a
hill when the brake pedal is released. In order to avoid
rolling down an incline while resuming acceleration,
manually activate the trailer brake or apply more
vehicle brake pressure prior to releasing the brake
pedal.
• HSA is not a parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when exiting your vehicle. Also, be certain
to place the transmission in PARK.
• Failure to follow these warnings can result in a colli -
sion or serious personal injury.
4
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