Ram Cargo Van 2012 User Guide

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys ................. 12
▫ Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) ............ 12
 Sentry Key .......................... 15
▫ Replacement Keys ..................... 16
 Vehicle Security Alarm — If Equipped ........ 17
▫ Rearming Of The System ................ 17
 Illuminated Entry — If Equipped ........... 19
 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) — If Equipped . . . 20
▫ Using The RKE Transmitter .............. 20
Remote Starting System — If Equipped ....... 29
▫ How To Use Remote Start ............... 29
 Door Locks ........................... 32
▫ Manual Door Locks ................... 32
▫ Power Door Locks — If Equipped ......... 34
 Windows ............................ 36
▫ Power Vent Windows — If Equipped ....... 36
▫ Power Windows ...................... 36
2

Sliding Side Door ...................... 41
▫ Power Sliding Side Door — If Equipped ..... 42
▫ Sliding Side Door Child Protection Lock ..... 46
 Liftgate ............................. 48
▫ Power Liftgate — If Equipped ............ 49
 Occupant Restraints ..................... 52
▫ Lap/Shoulder Belts .................... 55
▫ Seat Belts In Passenger Seating Positions ..... 62
▫ Automatic Locking Retractor Mode (ALR) —
If Equipped ......................... 62
▫ Energy Management Feature ............. 63
▫ Seat Belt Pretensioners ................. 64
▫ Supplemental Active Head Restraints
(AHR) — If Equipped .................. 64 ▫
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert) ......................... 68
▫ Seat Belt Lock Out .................... 69
▫ Seat Belts And Pregnant Women .......... 69
▫ Seat Belt Extender ..................... 70
▫ Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) — Air Bags ..................... 70
▫ Air Bag System Components ............. 72
▫ Advanced Front Air Bag Features .......... 73
▫ Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls . . . 76
▫ Event Data Recorder (EDR) .............. 84
▫ Child Restraints ...................... 85
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Commercial Cargo Vehicles (No Factory
Installed Rear Seats) — If Equipped .......... 95
▫ Restraining Infants And Small Children In
Commercial Cargo Vehicles .............. 97
 Engine Break-In Recommendations .......... 98
 Safety Tips ........................... 99
▫ Transporting Passengers ................ 99 ▫
Exhaust Gas ........................ 100
▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle ............................ 101
▫ Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle .................. 103
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
Your vehicle uses a keyless ignition system. This system
consists of a Key Fob with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter and a Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) with
integral ignition switch. You can insert the Key Fob into
the ignition switch with either side up.
Wireless Ignition Node (WIN)
The Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) operates similarly to
an ignition switch. It has four operating positions, three
with detents and one that is spring-loaded. The detent
positions are OFF, ACC, and ON/RUN. The START
position is a spring-loaded momentary contact position.
When released from the START position, the switch
automatically returns to the ON/RUN position.
1 — OFF
2 — ACCESSORY
3 — ON/RUN
4 — START
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Key Fob
The Key Fob operates the ignition switch. Insert the
square end of the Key Fob into the ignition switch located
on the instrument panel and rotate to the desired posi-
tion. It also contains the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter and an emergency key, which stores in the
rear of the Key Fob.
The emergency key allows for entry into the vehicle
should the battery in the vehicle or the RKE transmitter
go dead. The emergency key is also for locking the lower
glove compartment. You can keep the emergency key
with you when valet parking.
To remove the emergency key, slide the mechanical latch
at the top of the Key Fob sideways with your thumb and
then pull the key out with your other hand.NOTE:
You can insert the double-sided emergency key
into the lock cylinder with either side up.
Emergency Key Removal
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13

Removing Key Fob From Ignition
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the Key Fob to the
OFF position and then remove the Key Fob.
NOTE:Power window switches will also remain active
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition switch has been
turned to OFF, depending upon the accessory delay
setting. Opening the front door will cancel this feature.
CAUTION!
•If your vehicle battery becomes low or dead, your
Key Fob will become locked in the ignition.
•Do not attempt to remove the Key Fob while in
this condition, damage could occur to the Key Fob
or ignition module. Only remove the emergency
key for locking and unlocking the doors.
•Leave the Key Fob in the ignition and either:
•Jump Start the vehicle.
•Charge the battery.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN
position. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the Key Fob from the ignition and lock all
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the Key Fob is in the
ignition and the ignition switch position is OFF or ACC,
a chime will sound to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds
when the Key Fob is placed in the OFF or ACC ignition
position.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry Key Immobilizer system prevents unauthor-
ized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses Key Fob with factory-mated Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter and Wireless Ignition
Node (WIN) to prevent unauthorized vehicle operation.
Therefore, only Key Fobs that are programmed to the
vehicle can be used to start and operate the vehicle. The
system will shut the engine off in two seconds if an
invalid Key Fob is used to start the engine.
After turning the ignition switch to the ON/RUN posi-
tion, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on after the
bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with the
electronics. In addition, if the light begins to flash after
the bulb check, it indicates that someone used an invalid
Key Fob to start the engine. Either of these conditions will
result in the engine being shut off after two seconds.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15

If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible by an authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer system is not compat-
ible with some after-market remote starting systems.
Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and loss of security protection.
All of the Key Fobs provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Replacement Keys
NOTE: Only Key Fobs that are programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle. Once a Key Fob is programmed to a vehicle, it
cannot be reprogrammed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!
Always remove the Key Fobs from the vehicle and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Keep the PIN in a secure location. This number is
required for authorized dealer replacement of Key Fobs.
Duplication of Key Fobs may be performed at an autho-
rized dealer, this procedure consists of programming a
blank Key Fob to the vehicle electronics. A blank Key Fob
is one that has never been programmed.
NOTE: When having the Sentry Key Immobilizer
system serviced, bring all vehicle Key Fobs with you to
the authorized dealer.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Customer Key Programming
Programming Key Fobs or RKE transmitters may be
performed at an authorized dealer.
General Information
The Sentry Keysystem complies with FCC rules Part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause unde-
sired operation.
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors
for unauthorized entry and the ignition switch for unau-
thorized operation. When the alarm is activated, the
interior switches for door locks, power sliding doors and
power liftgate are disabled. The Vehicle Security Alarm provides both audible and visible signals, for the first
three minutes, the headlights will turn on, the park lamps
and/or turn signals will flash and Vehicle Security Light
will flash repeatedly and the horn will sound. For an
additional 15 minutes, only the headlights, park lamps
and/or turn signals and Vehicle Security Light will flash.
Rearming Of The System
The Vehicle Security Alarm will rearm itself after the 15
additional minutes of headlights and Vehicle Security
Light flashing, if the Vehicle Security Alarm has not been
disabled. If the condition which initiated the alarm is still
present, the Vehicle Security Alarm will ignore that
condition and monitor the remaining doors and ignition.
To Arm The System
Follow these steps to arm the Vehicle Security Alarm:
1. Remove the key from the ignition system (refer to
Starting Procedures
inStarting And Operating for
further information).
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17

•Make sure the vehicle ignition system isOFFand the
key is physically removed from the ignition.
2. Perform one of the following methods to lock the
vehicle:
• Press LOCK on the interior power door lock switch
with the driver and/or passenger door open.
• Press the LOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter.
3. If any doors are open, close them.
To Disarm The System
The Vehicle Security Alarm can be disarmed using any of
the following methods:
•Press the UNLOCK button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
•Cycle the vehicle ignition system out of the OFF
position.
•Insert a valid key into the ignition switch and turn
the key to the ON position.
NOTE:
•The driver’s door key cylinder and the liftgate button
on the RKE transmitter cannot arm or disarm the
Vehicle Security Alarm.
•The Vehicle Security Alarm remains armed during
power liftgate entry. Pressing the liftgate button will
not disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm. If someone
enters the vehicle through the liftgate and opens any
door the alarm will sound.
•When the Vehicle Security Alarm is armed, the interior
power door lock switches will not unlock the doors.
The Vehicle Security Alarm is designed to protect your
vehicle; however, you can create conditions where the
system will give you a false alarm. If one of the previ-
ously described arming sequences has occurred, the
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE