wheel Ram 1500 2020 Owner's Guide

SAFETY 203
ESC Operating Modes
NOTE:
Depending upon model and mode of operation, the ESC
system may have multiple operating modes.
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for the ESC. Whenever
the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in this mode.
This mode should be used for most driving conditions. Alter-
nate ESC modes should only be used for specific reasons as
noted in the following paragraphs.
Partial Off
The “Partial Off” mode is intended for times when a more
spirited driving experience is desired. This mode may
modify TCS and ESC thresholds for activation, which allows
for more wheel spin than normally allowed. This mode may
be useful if the vehicle becomes stuck.
To enter the “Partial Off” mode, momentarily push the “ESC
Off” switch and the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will illumi -
nate. To turn the ESC on again, momentarily push the “ESC
Off” switch and the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will turn off. NOTE:
For vehicles with multiple partial ESC modes a momentary
button push will toggle the ESC mode. Multiple momentary
button pushed may be required to return to ESC On.
Full Off — If Equipped
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use only
and should not be used on any public roadways. In this
mode, TCS and ESC features are turned OFF. To enter the
“Full Off” mode, push and hold the “ESC Off” switch for five
seconds while the vehicle is stopped with the engine
running. After five seconds, a chime will sound, the “ESC Off
WARNING!
• When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature described in
the TCS section), has been disabled and the “ESC Off
Indicator Light” will be illuminated. When in “Partial
Off” mode, the engine power reduction feature of TCS
is disabled, and the enhanced vehicle stability offered
by the ESC system is reduced.
• Trailer Sway control (TSC) is disabled when the ESC system is in the “Partial Off” mode.
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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.
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210 SAFETY

6. Push the “ESC Off” button located in the lower switch bankbelow the climate control four times within 20 seconds. The
“ESC Off Indicator Light” should turn on and turn off two
times.

7. Rotate the steering wheel back to center and then an addi -
tional slightly more than one-half turn to the right.
8. Turn the ignition to the OFF mode and then back to ON. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESC Off
Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm HSA
is disabled.
9. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to its previous setting.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS) monitors the amount of
wheel spin of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is
detected, the TCS may apply brake pressure to the spinning
wheel(s) and/or reduce engine power to provide enhanced
acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS, Brake
Limited Differential (BLD), functions similar to a limited slip
differential and controls the wheel spin across a driven axle.
If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other,
the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that
is not spinning. BLD may remain enabled even if TCS and
ESC are in a reduced mode.
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) uses sensors in the vehicle to
recognize an excessively swaying trailer and will take the
appropriate actions to attempt to stop the sway. TSC will
become active automatically once an excessively swaying
trailer is recognized.
NOTE:
TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Always use
caution when towing a trailer and follow the trailer tongue
weight recommendations. Refer to “Trailer Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
When TSC is functioning, the “ESC Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power may be reduced
and you may feel the brakes being applied to individual
wheels to attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is
disabled when the ESC system is in the “Partial Off” or “Full
Off” modes.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle down,
stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the trailer
load to eliminate trailer sway.
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SAFETY 219
The vehicle must be moving above 6 mph (10 km/h) to
activate the feature. Once the trailer has been detected, the
system will default to the maximum blind spot zone until
the length has been verified. You will see “Auto” in the
instrument panel cluster .
• Max Mode — When “Max Mode” is selected, the system
will default to the maximum blind spot zone regardless of
what size trailer is attached
NOTE:
Selected setting is stored when the ignition is cycled OFF. To
change this setting, it must be selected through the Uconnect
Settings. Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for
further information.
Trailer Length Detection
Once the trailer presence has been established. The trailer
length will be established (by making a 90 degree turn) and
then the trailer length category (example 10-20 ft (3 m to
6 m)) will be displayed. This can take up to 30 seconds after
completing the turn. NOTE:
During the same ignition cycle, if the vehicle is at a standstill
for a minimum of 90 seconds, a new “trailer detection
request” is enabled by the system once the vehicle resumes
motion.
Maximum length supported by the Trailer Merge Assist
feature is 39.5 ft (12 m). Trailer length is considered the
forward most portion of the trailer hitch to the rearward
most portion of the body, bumper, or ramp of the trailer.
Maximum width supported by the Trailer Merge Assist
feature is 8.5 ft (2.59 m). Trailer width is measured at the
widest portion of the trailer and may include wheels, tires,
finders, or rails.
NOTE:
Fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers are not supported by
Trailer Merge Assist.
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228 SAFETY
(Continued)
NOTE:
When filling warm tires, the tire pressure may need to be
increased up to an additional 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recom-
mended cold placard pressure in order to turn the TPMS
Warning Light off.
For example, your vehicle may have a recommended cold
(parked for more than three hours) placard pressure of 30 psi
(207 kPa). If the ambient temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the
measured tire pressure is 27 psi (186 kPa), a temperature
drop to 20°F (-7°C) will decrease the tire pressure to approx -
imately 23 psi (158 kPa). This tire pressure is sufficiently low
enough to turn on the TPMS Warning Light. Driving the
vehicle may cause the tire pressure to rise to approximately
27 psi (186 kPa), but the TPMS Warning Light will still be on.
In this situation, the TPMS Warning Light will turn off only
after the tires are inflated to the vehicle’s recommended cold
placard pressure value. NOTE:
• The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care and
maintenance or to provide warning of a tire failure or
condition.
• The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge while adjusting your tire 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.
CAUTION!
• The TPMS has been optimized for the original equip -
ment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and warning
have been established for the tire size equipped on
your vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement equipment
that is not of the same size, type, and/or style. After -
market wheels can cause sensor damage.
• Using aftermarket tire sealants may cause the Tire Pres -
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor to become
inoperable. After using an aftermarket tire sealant it is
recommended that you take your vehicle to an autho -
rized dealership to have your sensor function checked.
• After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent moisture
and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could
damage the TPMS sensor. CAUTION!
(Continued)
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SAFETY 229
• The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure using an accurate tire pressure gauge, even if
under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumi -
nation of the TPMS Warning Light.
• Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure, and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire pressure in the tire.
Tire Pressure Monitor Display The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each wheel
as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings to
the receiver module.
NOTE:
It is particularly important for you to check the tire pressure
in all of the tires on your vehicle monthly and to maintain the
proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
• Receiver module
• Four tire pressure monitoring sensors
• Various tire pressure monitoring system messages, which
display in the instrument cluster
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light
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SAFETY 231
If the ignition switch is cycled, this sequence will repeat,
providing the system fault still exists. If the system fault no
longer exists, the “Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning
Light” will no longer flash, and the "SERVICE TPM
SYSTEM" message will no longer display, and a pressure
value will display in place of the dashes. A system fault can
occur due to any of the following:
• Signal interference due to electronic devices or drivingnext to facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as the
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) sensors
• Installing aftermarket window tinting that contains mate -
rials that may block radio wave signals
• Accumulation of snow or ice around the wheels or wheel housings
• Using tire chains on the vehicle
• Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors

A system fault may occur due to an incorrect TPM sensor loca -
tion condition. When a system fault occurs due to an incorrect
TPM sensor location, the “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Warning Light” will flash on and off for 75 seconds
and then remain on solid. The system fault will also sound a
chime. In addition, the instrument cluster will display a “Tire
Pressure Temporarily Unavailable” message in place of the
tire pressure display screen. If the ignition switch is cycled, this sequence will repeat, providing the system fault still
exists. If the system fault no longer exists, the “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Warning Light” will no longer flash and
the tire pressure display screen will be displayed showing the
tire pressure values the correct locations.

Vehicles With Non Matching Full Size Spare Or Compact
Spare
• The non matching full size spare or compact spare tire
does not have a TPM sensor. Therefore, the TPMS will not
monitor the pressure in the non matching full size spare or
compact spare tire.
• If you install the non matching full size spare or compact spare tire in place of a road tire that has a pressure below
the low-pressure warning limit, upon the next ignition
switch cycle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Warning Light and a “LOW TIRE” message will remain
ON and a chime will sound. In addition, the graphic in the
instrument cluster will still display a pressure value in a
different color and an “Inflate to XX” message.
• After driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h), the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Warning Light will flash on and off for 75 seconds
and then remain on solid. In addition, the instrument
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246 SAFETY
The air bag system must be ready to protect you in a colli-
sion. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors the
internal circuits and interconnecting wiring associated with
the electrical Air Bag System Components. Your vehicle may
be equipped with the following Air Bag System Compo -
nents:
Air Bag System Components
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Track Position Sensors
• Occupant Classification System Air Bag Warning Light
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the air bag system whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or ON/RUN position. If the
ignition switch is in the OFF position or in the ACC position,
the air bag system is not on and the air bags will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that may
deploy the air bag system even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light in the instru-
ment panel for approximately four to eight seconds for a
self-check when the ignition switch is first in the ON/RUN
position. After the self-check, the Air Bag Warning Light will
turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, it turns on the Air Bag Warning Light, either
momentarily or continuously. A single chime will sound to
alert you if the light comes on again after initial startup.
The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the
instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
detected that could affect the air bag system. The diagnostics
also record the nature of the malfunction. While the air bag
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SAFETY 247
system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the air
bag system immediately.
• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during thefour to eight seconds when the ignition switch is first in the
ON/RUN position.
• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to eight-second interval.
• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or remains on while driving.
NOTE:
If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine related gauges
are not working, the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
may also be disabled. In this condition the air bags may not
be ready to inflate for your protection. Have an authorized
dealer service the air bag system immediately. Redundant Air Bag Warning Light
If a fault with the Air Bag Warning Light is detected, which
could affect the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), the
Redundant Air Bag Warning Light will illuminate on the
instrument panel. The Redundant Air Bag Warning Light
will stay on until the fault is cleared. In addition, a single
chime will sound to alert you that the Redundant Air Bag
Warning Light has come on and a fault has been detected. If
the Redundant Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermit
-
tently or remains on while driving have an authorized dealer
service the vehicle immediately.
For additional information regarding the Redundant Air Bag
Warning Light refer to “Getting To Know Your Instrument
Panel” section of this manual.
Front Air Bags
This vehicle has front air bags and lap/shoulder belts for
both the driver and front passenger. The front air bags are a
supplement to the seat belt restraint systems. The driver
front air bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel.
The passenger front air bag is mounted in the instrument
panel, above the glove compartment. The words “SRS
AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG” are embossed on the air bag covers.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instrument
panel could mean you won’t have the air bag system to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come on as
a bulb check when the ignition is first turned on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have an authorized dealer service the air bag
system immediately.
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248 SAFETY
(Continued)
Front Air Bag/Knee Bolster LocationsDriver And Passenger Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage driver
and front passenger air bags. This system provides output
appropriate to the severity and type of collision as deter
-
mined by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), which
may receive information from the front impact sensors (if
equipped) or other system components.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires air bag deployment. A low energy
output is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy
output is used for more severe collisions.
1 — Driver And Passenger Front Air Bags
2 — Driver And Passenger Knee Impact Bolsters
WARNING!
• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel during front air bag deployment could cause
serious injury, including death. Air bags need room to
inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to
reach the steering wheel or instrument panel.
• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of anair bag. A deploying passenger front air bag can cause
death or serious injury to a child 12 years or younger,
including a child in a rear-facing child restraint.
• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing child restraint
in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat,
do not transport a rear-facing child restraint in that
vehicle.
WARNING! (Continued)
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