2012 Ram Cargo Van open hood

Cancel Remote Start
Remote Starting will also cancel if any of the following
occur:
•The engine stalls or engine speed exceeds 2500 rpm
•Any engine warning lights come on
•Low Fuel Light turns on
•The hood is opened
•The hazard switch is pressed
•The shift lever is moved out of PARK
•The engine is allowed to run for the entire 15-minute
cycle
To Turn Off The Engine While In Remote Start
Mode
Press and release the REMOTE START button one time or
allow the engine to run for the entire 15 minute cycle.NOTE:
To avoid unintentional shutdowns while in the
Remote Start Mode, the system will not allow the Remote
Start button to shut down the engine for two seconds
after receiving a valid Remote Start request.
When To Reset Remote Start
The vehicle can be started remotely up to a maximum of
two times. The vehicle is also allowed a maximum of one
failed start, where the Remote Starting sequence was
initiated but the engine stopped cranking without start-
ing. After either of these conditions, or if the Vehicle
Security Alarm system is alarming, or if the PANIC
button was pressed, the vehicle must be reset insert the
Key Fob into the ignition switch and turn the switch to
the ON/RUN position.
DOOR LOCKS
Manual Door Locks
Lock the front doors by pushing down on the lock knobs
on each door trim panel.
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver Memory Seat — If Equipped ........ 192
▫ Setting Memory Positions And Linking RKE
Transmitter To Memory ................ 192
▫ Easy Entry/Exit Seat (Available With
Memory Seat Only) ................... 195
 To Open And Close The Hood ............ 196
 Lights ............................. 198
▫ Headlight Switch .................... 198
▫ Automatic Headlights — If Equipped ...... 199
▫ Headlights On With Wipers — If Equipped . . 199
▫ Headlight Delay — If Equipped .......... 199
▫ Lights-On Reminder .................. 200
▫ Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped .... 200
▫ Front Fog Lights — If Equipped .......... 200▫
Dimmer Controls .................... 201
▫ Multifunction Lever .................. 203
▫ Turn Signals ........................ 203
▫ Lane Change Assist ................... 204
▫ High/Low Beam Switch ............... 204
▫ Flash-To-Pass ....................... 204
▫ Battery Protection .................... 204
 Windshield Wiper And Washers ........... 204
▫ Intermittent Wiper System .............. 205
▫ Windshield Wiper Operation ............ 206
▫ Windshield Washers .................. 206
▫ Mist Feature ........................ 206
▫ Rear Wiper And Washer ............... 206
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107

NOTE:The Easy Entry/Easy Exit feature can be en-
abled or disabled through the programmable features in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). If your
vehicle is not equipped with an EVIC, your dealership
can activate/deactivate this feature for you. For details,
refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Customer-Programmable Features” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located on the instrument
panel, below the steering column. 2. Move to the front of the vehicle and look inside the
center of the hood opening. Locate, then push the safety
catch downward while raising the hood at the same time.
Hood Release Lever
196 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Use the hood prop rod to secure the hood in the open
position.
Safety Lever LocationHood Prop Rod
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 197

CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood until it is open approxi-
mately 12 in (30 cm) and then drop it. This should
secure both latches. Never drive your vehicle unless
the hood is fully closed, with both latches engaged.
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.
LIGHTS
Headlight Switch
The headlight switch is located on the left side of the
instrument panel. The switch controls the operation of
the headlights, parking lights, instrument panel lights,
interior lights and the fog lights.
Headlight Switch With Halo Control
198 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.(Continued)
514 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical
contact. You could be seriously injured.
•Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission
into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories. 3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park
the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in per-
sonal injury or property damage due to battery ex-
plosion.
534 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at anytime the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty orrusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves,
etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden
hose vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
562 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE