ground clearance Ram 3500 2018 Owner's Manual

•Off-Road 2 (OR2) (Raises the vehicle approximately
2 in (51 mm)) –
This position is intended for off-roading
use only where maximum ground clearance is required.
To enter OR2, push the “Up” button twice from the NRH
position or once from the OR1 position while vehicle
speed is below 20 mph (32 km/h). While in OR2, if the
vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h) the vehicle
height will be automatically lowered to OR1. Off-Road 2
may not be available due to vehicle payload, an instru-
ment cluster message will be displayed when this occurs.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
CAUTION!
If the vehicle is in OFFROAD1 or OFFROAD2 setting,
be aware of your surroundings, you may not have the
clearance required for certain areas and vehicle dam-
age may occur.
• Aero Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately .6 in [15
mm]) – This position provides improved aerodynamics
by lowering the vehicle. The vehicle will automatically
enter Aero Mode when the vehicle speed remains be-
tween 62 mph (100 km/h) and 66 mph (106 km/h) for
greater than 20 seconds or if the vehicle speed exceeds 66 mph (106 km/h). The vehicle will return to NRH from
Aero Mode if the vehicle speed remains between 30 mph
(48 km/h) and 35 mph (56 km/h) for greater than 20
seconds or if the vehicle speed falls below 30 mph
(48 km/h).
NOTE: Automatic Aero Mode may be disabled through
vehicle settings in the instrument cluster display when
equipped with Uconnect 3.0, or your Uconnect Radio when
equipped with Uconnect 5.0, 8.4A, or 8.4AN. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia”
for further information.
• Entry/Exit Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately
2 in (51 mm)) – This position lowers the vehicle for
easier passenger entry and exit as well as lowering the
rear of the vehicle for easier loading and unloading of
cargo. To enter Entry/Exit Mode, push the “Down”
button once from the NRH while the vehicle speed is
below 33 mph (53 km/h). Once the vehicle speed goes
below 15 mph (24 km/h) the vehicle height will begin to
lower. If the vehicle speed remains between 15 mph
(24 km/h) and 25 mph (40 km/h) for greater than 60
seconds, or the vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h)
the Entry/Exit change will be cancelled. To return to
Normal Height Mode, push the “Up” button once while
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•Normal Ride Height (NRH) – This is the standard
position of the suspension and is meant for normal
driving.
• Off-Road (OR) (Raises the vehicle approximately 1 in
(26 mm)) – This position is intended for off-roading use
only where maximum ground clearance is required. To
enter OR, push the “Up” button once from the NRH
position while vehicle speed is below 20 mph (32 km/h).
While in OR, if the vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph
(40 km/h) the vehicle height will be automatically
lowered to NRH. Off-Road may not be available due to
vehicle payload, an instrument cluster display message
will be shown when this occurs. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
CAUTION!
If the vehicle is in Off-Road setting, be aware of your
surroundings, you may not have the clearance required
for certain areas and vehicle damage may occur.
• Aero Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately .6 in
(15 mm)) – This position provides improved aerody-
namics by lowering the vehicle. The vehicle will auto-
matically enter Aero Mode when the vehicle speed remains between 62 mph (100 km/h) and 66 mph
(106 km/h) for greater than 20 seconds or if the vehicle
speed exceeds 66 mph (106 km/h). The vehicle will
return to NRH from Aero Mode if the vehicle speed
remains between 30 mph (48 km/h) and 35 mph
(56 km/h) for greater than 20 seconds or if the vehicle
speed falls below 30 mph (48 km/h).
NOTE: Speed thresholds for raising the vehicle only apply
if Automatic Aero Mode is enabled.
• To enter Aero Mode manually push the down button
once from NRH at any vehicle speed. To return to NRH
push the up button once while vehicle speed is less than
56 mph (90 km/h).
NOTE: Automatic Aero Mode may be disabled through
vehicle settings on your Uconnect Radio when equipped
with UConnect 5.0, 8.4A, or 8.4AN. Refer to “Uconnect
Settings” in “Multimedia” for further information.
• Entry/Exit Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately
3 in (73 mm)) – This position lowers the vehicle for
easier passenger entry and exit as well as lowering the
rear of the vehicle for easier loading and unloading of
cargo. To enter Entry/Exit Mode, push the “Down”
button twice from the NRH while the vehicle speed is
below 33 mph (53 km/h). Once the vehicle speed goes
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STARTING AND OPERATING 351

large obstacle with steep sides at an angle great enough to
put the vehicle at risk of a rollover. If you get caught in a
rut, dig a small trench to the right or left at a 45-degree
angle ahead of the front tires. Use the removed dirt to fill
the rut ahead of the turnout you just created. You should
now be able to drive out following the trench you just
created at a 45-degree angle.
WARNING!
There is an increased risk of rollover when crossing an
obstacle, at any angle, with steep sides.
Crossing Logs
To cross a log, approach it at a slight angle (approximately
10 to 15 degrees). This allows one front tire to be on top of
the log while the other just starts to climb the log. While
climbing the log, modulate your brake and accelerator to
avoid spinning the log out from under your tires. Then
ease the vehicle off the log using your brakes.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to cross a log with a greater diameter
than the running ground clearance or the vehicle will
become high centered.
Getting High Centered
If you get hung up or high centered on an object, get out of
the vehicle and try to determine what the vehicle is hung
up on, where it is contacting the underbody and what is the
best direction to recover the vehicle. Depending on what
you are in contact with, jack the vehicle up and place a few
rocks under the tires so the weight is off of the high point
when you let the vehicle down. You can also try rocking the
vehicle or winching the vehicle off the object.
CAUTION!
Winching or rocking the vehicle off hard objects in-
creases the risk of underbody damage.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 367

water depth, approach angle, and bottom condition.
Murky or muddy water holes are where you want to
hook up tow straps prior to entering. This makes for a
faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery. If you are able
to determine you can safely cross, than proceed using
the low and slow method.
CAUTION!
Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system effective-
ness by depositing debris onto the radiator.
• Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or Other
Flowing Water – Flowing water can be extremely dan-
gerous. Never attempt to cross a fast running stream or
river even in shallow water. Fast moving water can
easily push your vehicle downstream sweeping it out of
control. Even in very shallow water, a high current can
still wash the dirt out from around your tires putting
you and your vehicle in jeopardy. There is still a high
risk of personal injury and vehicle damage with slower
water currents in depths greater than the vehicle’s
running ground clearance. You should never attempt to
cross flowing water which is deeper than the vehicle’s
running ground clearance. Even the slowest current can
push the heaviest vehicle downstream out of control if the water is deep enough to push on the large surface
area of the vehicle’s body. Before you proceed determine
the speed of the current, the water’s depth, approach
angle, bottom condition and if there are any obstacles,
then cross at an angle heading slightly upstream using
the low and slow technique.
WARNING!
Never drive through fast moving deep water. It can
push your vehicle downstream, sweeping it out of
control. This could put you and your passengers at risk
of injury or drowning.
Airing Down For Off-Road Driving
Running lower tire pressure off-road can improve your
ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing the tire air
pressure allows the tire to bulge slightly, improving its
surface area for better flotation and ability to mold or form
to the ground contour. Different terrain, tires, and vehicles
require different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like rock and
heavier vehicles require higher pressures than softer sur-
faces such as sand and lighter vehicles. You will need to
experiment to determine what is right for your situation. It
is easier and faster to let air out than it is to replace it so,
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STARTING AND OPERATING 371

WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the vehicle.
Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the
places provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired
or replaced immediately.
1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing the ground and toward the rear of the vehicle for conve-
nience in checking the spare tire inflation. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel. 2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tilt
the retainer at the end of the cable and position it
properly across the wheel opening.
Reinstalling The Retainer
Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel
And Positioning It
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 481

Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
“mountain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the origi-
nal equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling
of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not
be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to original
equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended
safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and
traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some states prohibit stud-
ded tires; therefore, local laws should be checked before
using these tire types.
Spare Tires — If Equipped
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead
of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a
compact or limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel
equivalent in look and function to the original equipment
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for
your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option, refer to an
authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation
pattern.
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use only.
You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a compact
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