warning light Ram 3500 2019 Manual PDF

332 STARTING AND OPERATING
effectively increasing the water level on the vehicle. Be
sure to consider this when determining the depth and the
ability to safely cross.

• Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or Other Standing
Water – Puddles, pools, flooded or other standing water areas
normally contain murky or muddy waters. These water types
normally contain hidden obstacles and make it difficult to
determine an accurate 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.
• Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or Other
Flowing Water – Flowing water can be extremely dangerous.
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.

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 surfaces such as
CAUTION!
Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system
effectiveness by depositing debris onto the radiator.
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.

STARTING AND OPERATING 335
•Winching (Refer To “Winch Operation” For Additional
Information) – Winching is most commonly used in the
following situations: there is no support vehicle available,
a high controlled force is required to recover the vehicle,
there is a high risk of environmental or vehicle damage, or
where nothing else seems to work. A winch can deliver a
high pulling force with a great deal of control. It allows
you to walk the vehicle out of the situation in a slow
controlled manner. This control works well for avoiding
further vehicle damage. Once you decide it is time to use
the winch look for a good anchor point. It needs to be
strong enough to hold more than the vehicle's weight and
provide a direction of pull as straight as possible. Use
block and tackle if necessary to improve the angle of pull
or increase the winch's pulling force. If the anchor point is a tree use a strap around its base and hook the cable to the
strap. If it is another vehicle, then place that vehicle in
PARK and block the front tires. If you cannot find an
anchor point within reach try using your spare tire by
burying it. Once you have determined an anchor point
hook up the cable, ensuring there are a least five wraps of
cable left on the drum, and place a floor mat or something
else over the strung out cable. Placing something over the
strung out cable helps keep the cable on the ground if it
breaks. Next, place the vehicle in first gear and apply a
very light throttle as you power the winch in. Be careful
not to allow slack in the cable as you recover the vehicle.
Do not try to guide the cable into the drum. If it starts to
bunch up on one end, let it. You can re-spool the cable
afterwards. Never use a winch cable as a tow strap and
always stand back while winching.
WARNING!
Never use tow straps with end hooks or link two straps
with a clevis pin. These heavy metal objects could
become projectiles if a strap breaks, which could cause
severe injury. Never leave more than 2 to 3 feet (.6 to
1 meter) of slack in the strap. More slack than this greatly
increases the risk of injury and vehicle damage. Always
keep everyone at least 30 feet (9 meters) away from a
strapping or winching situation.
WARNING!
Winch cables are under high tension when in use and
can become a projectile if they fail. Never stand over or
straddle the winch cable. Never jerk or overload the
winch cable. Never stand in front of the vehicle while
winching. Failure to follow these instructions can result
in serious or fatal injury.
5

STARTING AND OPERATING 337
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
The limited-slip differential provides additional traction on
snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel, particularly when there is
a difference between the traction characteristics of the
surface under the right and left rear wheels. During normal
driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit performs simi-
larly to a conventional differential. On slippery surfaces,
however, the differential delivers more of the driving effort
to the rear wheel having the better traction.
The limited-slip differential is especially helpful during slip -
pery driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a slippery
surface, a slight application of the accelerator will supply
maximum traction. When starting with only one rear wheel
on an excessively slippery surface, slight momentary appli -
cation of the parking brake may be necessary to gain
maximum traction. Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could cause
both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to slide side
-
ways on the crowned surface of a road or in a turn.
WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY (IF
EQUIPPED)
Things To Know Before Using Your Winch
General Winch Information
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric vehicle recovery
winch. This winch uses the electrical power from the vehicle
charging system to power a motor that winds the winch rope
onto the winch drum via planetary gear reduction. By
nature, a winch is capable of generating very high forces and
should be used with care. Do not operate the winch without
reading and understanding the complete winch owner's
manual.
WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differential
never run the engine with one rear wheel off the ground
since the vehicle may drive through the rear wheel
remaining on the ground. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
5

STARTING AND OPERATING 351
NOTE:
How to spool under no load: Arrange the remote control
lead so it cannot be caught in the winch. Arrange the
synthetic rope so it will not kink or tangle when spooled. Be
sure any synthetic rope already on the spooling drum is
wound tightly and evenly layered. Tighten and straighten
the layer if necessary. Keep the synthetic rope under light
tension and spool the rope back and onto the winch drum in
even layers. Stop frequently to tighten and straighten the
layers as necessary. Repeat this process until the winch hook
is the same distance as the full length of the remote control
from the winch. Pinch the hook between your thumb and
forefinger and attach the hook strap. Hold the hook strap
between the thumb and forefinger to keep tension on the
synthetic rope. Walk the synthetic rope towards the fairlead,
carefully spooling in the remaining rope. By pulsing the
remote control switch. 18. Store the hook on the most outboard loop of the hawse
fairlead.
Hook In Stored Position
19. Disconnect the remote control. Disconnect the remote control cord from the control box and store in a clean and
dry place. Winching operations are now complete. Put
the cap on the solenoid plug-in.
NOTE:
Always store the remote control in a protected, clean, dry
area.
WARNING!
To prevent serious injury, NEVER put your fingers
inside the hook area as you are powering-in.
5

STARTING AND OPERATING 355
To Activate
Push the On/Off button to activate the Speed Control. The
cruise indicator light in the instrument cluster display will
illuminate. To turn the system off, push the On/Off button a
second time. The cruise indicator light will turn off. The
system should be turned off when not in use.
To Set A Desired Speed
Turn the Speed Control on. When the vehicle has reached the
desired speed, push the SET (-) button and release. Release
the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the selected
speed.
NOTE:
The vehicle should be traveling at a steady speed and on
level ground before pushing the SET (-) button.
To Vary The Speed Setting
To Increase Speed
When the Speed Control is set, you can increase speed by
pushing the RES (+) button.
The driver’s preferred units can be selected through the
instrument panel settings if equipped. Refer to “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for more information. The
speed decrement shown is dependant on the chosen speed
unit of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h):
U.S. Speed (mph)
• Pushing the RES (+) button once will result in a 1 mph increase in set speed. Each subsequent tap of the button
results in an increase of 1 mph.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will continue to increase until the button is released, then the
new set speed will be established.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control system on when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the system
off when you are not using it.
5

STARTING AND OPERATING 357
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur so it
may be preferable to drive without Speed Control.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push the RES (+) button
and release. Resume can be used at any speed above 20 mph
(32 km/h).
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANCEL button,
or normal brake pressure while slowing the vehicle will
deactivate the Speed Control without erasing the set speed
from memory.
Pushing the On/Off button, or returning the ignition to OFF,
erases the set speed from memory.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) — IF EQUIPPED
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) increases the driving conve-
nience provided by cruise control while traveling on high -
ways and major roadways. However, it is not a safety system
and not designed to prevent collisions. Speed Control func-
tion performs differently. Please refer to the proper section
within this chapter.
ACC will allow you to keep cruise control engaged in light
to moderate traffic conditions without the constant need to
reset your cruise control. ACC utilizes a radar sensor and a
forward facing camera designed to detect a vehicle directly
ahead of you.
NOTE:
• If the sensor does not detect a vehicle ahead of you, ACC will maintain a fixed set speed.
• If the ACC sensor detects a vehicle ahead, ACC will apply limited braking or accelerate (not to exceed the original set
speed) automatically to maintain a preset following
distance, while matching the speed of the vehicle ahead.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
cannot maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could go
too fast for the conditions, and you could lose control
and have an accident. Do not use Speed Control in heavy
traffic or on roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered or
slippery.
5

366 STARTING AND OPERATING
Distance Setting 1 Bar (Short)
The system automatically defaults to the longest distance
setting. To decrease the distance setting, push the Distance
Button and release. Each time the button is pushed, the
distance setting decreases by one bar. Once the shortest
setting is reached, if the button is pushed again it will reset
to the default setting (longest).
If there is no vehicle ahead, the vehicle will maintain the set
speed. If a slower moving vehicle is detected in the same
lane, the instrument cluster displays the “Sensed Vehicle
Indicator” icon, and the system adjusts vehicle speed auto -
matically to maintain the distance setting, regardless of the
set speed. The vehicle will then maintain the set distance until:
• The vehicle ahead accelerates to a speed above the set
speed.
• The vehicle ahead moves out of your lane or view of the sensor.
• The distance setting is changed.
• The system disengages. (Refer to the information on ACC Activation).
The maximum braking applied by ACC is limited; however,
the driver can always apply the brakes manually, if neces -
sary.
NOTE:
The brake lights will illuminate whenever the ACC system
applies the brakes.
A Proximity Warning will alert the driver if ACC predicts
that its maximum braking level is not sufficient to maintain
the set distance. If this occurs, a visual alert “BRAKE” will
flash in the instrument cluster display and a chime will
sound while ACC continues to apply its maximum braking
capacity.

376 STARTING AND OPERATING
Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control Mode
In addition to Adaptive Cruise Control mode, a Normal
(Fixed Speed) Cruise Control mode is available for cruising
at fixed speeds. The Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control
mode is designed to maintain a set cruising speed without
requiring the driver to operate the accelerator. Speed Control
can only be operated if the vehicle speed is above 20 mph
(32 km/h).
To change between the different control modes, push the
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on/off button which turns
the ACC on and the Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control
off. Pushing of the Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control on/
off button will result in turning on (changing to) the Normal
(Fixed Speed) Cruise Control mode.To Set A Desired Speed
Turn the Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control on.
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed,
push the RES (+) or SET (-) button and release.
Release the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the
selected speed. Once a speed has been set a message
“CRUISE CONTROL SET TO MPH (km/h)” will appear
indicating what speed was set. This light will turn on when
the system is turned on via the on/off control. It turns green
when the cruise control is set.
To Vary The Speed Setting
To Increase Speed
When the Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control is set, you
can increase speed by pushing the RES (+) button.
The driver's preferred units can be selected through the
instrument panel settings. Refer to ”Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
more information. The speed increment shown is dependant
on the speed of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h) units:
WARNING!
In the Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control mode, the
system will not react to vehicles ahead. In addition, the
proximity warning does not activate and no alarm will
sound even if you are too close to the vehicle ahead since
neither the presence of the vehicle ahead nor the
vehicle-to-vehicle distance is detected. Be sure to
maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead. Always be aware which mode is selected.

STARTING AND OPERATING 409
NOTE:
• When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank isfull.
• Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound. This is an indication that the gas cap is tightened properly. The
MIL in the instrument cluster may turn on if the gas cap is
not secured properly. Make sure that the gas cap is tight -
ened each time the vehicle is refueled.WARNING!
• Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the tank is
being filled.
• Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is running.
• A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place gas containers on the ground
while filling.
CAUTION!
• Damage to the fuel system or emissions control system could result from using an improper fuel tank filler
tube cap.
• A poorly fitting fuel filler cap could let impurities into the fuel system.
• A poorly fitting fuel filler cap may cause the “Malfunc -
tion Indicator Light (MIL)” to turn on.
• To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top off” the fuel tank after filling. When the fuel nozzle “clicks”
or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
WARNING!
• Always place container on the ground before filling.
• Keep the pump nozzle in contact with the container when you are filling it.
• Use only approved containers for flammable liquid.
• Do not leave container unattended while filling.
• A static electric charge could cause a spark and fire hazard.
5

424 STARTING AND OPERATING
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.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness and
connector.
NOTE:
Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicle’s wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle but
you must mate the harness to a trailer connector. Refer to the
following illustrations.
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.