2013 Ram 1500 Get to Know Guide 

Using HomeLink®
• To operate, press and release the programmed HomeLink
®button. Activation will
now occur for the programmed device (i.e., garage door opener, gate operator,
security system, entry door lock, home/office lighting, etc.,). The hand-held
transmitter of the device may also be used at any time.
WARNING!
• Your motorized door or gate will open and close while you are programming the universal transceiver. Do not program the transceiver if people or pets are in the
path of the door or gate.
• Do not run your vehicle in a closed garage or confined area while programming
the transceiver. Exhaust gas from your vehicle contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which is odorless and colorless. Carbon Monoxide is poisonous when inhaled
and can cause you and others to be severely injured or killed.
POWER INVERTER
• A 115 Volt, 150 Watt power inverteroutlet is located on the lower instru-
ment panel next to the climate control
knob. This outlet can power cellular
phones, electronics and other low
power devices requiring power up to
150 Watts.
• To turn on the power outlet, simply plug in the device. The outlet auto-
matically turns off when the device is
unplugged.
NOTE:
The power inverter is designed with
built-in overload protection. If the power
rating of 150 Watts is exceeded, the
power inverter will automatically shut down. Once the electrical device has been
removed from the outlet, the inverter should automatically reset.
WARNING!
To Avoid Serious Injury or Death DO NOT:
• insert any objects into the receptacles
• touch with wet hands
Close the lid when not in use. If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an electric
shock and failure.
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103

POWER OUTLETS
• The auxiliary 12 Volt (13 Amp) power outlets can provide power for in-cabaccessories designed for use with the standard “cigar lighter” plug. The 12 Volt
power outlets have a cap attached to the outlet indicating “12V DC”, together with
either a key symbol or a battery symbol.
• The auxiliary power outlets can be found in the following locations: • Lower left and lower right in the center of the instrument panel – if equipped
with a column or a eight-speed electronic shifter.
• Inside the top storage tray.
•
Inside the upper lid of the center
storage compartment — if equipped.
•Rear of the center console storage
compartment — Quad Cab®or Crew
Cab.
NOTE:
Do not exceed the maximum power of
160 Watts (13 Amps) at 12 Volts. If the
160 Watt (13 Amp) power rating is ex-
ceeded, the fuse protecting the system
will need to be replaced.
• Power outlets are designed for acces- sory plugs only. Do not insert any other
object in the power outlet as this will
damage the outlet and blow the fuse.
Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
ELECTRONICS
104

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION
FOUR-POSITION/PART TIME TRANSFER CASE
• The transfer case provides four modepositions:• Two-wheel drive high range (2WD)
• Four-wheel drive high range
(4WD LOCK)
• NEUTRAL (N)
• Four-wheel drive low range (4WD LOW)
• This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2WD position for normal
street and highway conditions, such as
dry, hard-surfaced roads.
• When additional traction is required, the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW posi-
tions can be used to lock the front and
rear driveshafts together.
• When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Shifting Procedure
• Shifting between 2WD and 4WD LOCK can be made with the vehicle stopped or in motion at speeds up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
• Shifting between 2WD or 4WD LOCK into 4WD LOW must be made with the transmission in NEUTRAL and the vehicle stopped or rolling at 2 to 3 mph
(3 to 5 km/h).
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES
105

FIVE-POSITION/ON-DEMAND TRANSFER CASE
•
This electronically shifted transfer case
provides five mode positions:
• Two-wheel drive high range (2WD)
• Four-wheel drive automatic range
(4WD AUTO)
• Four-wheel drive lock range (4WD LOCK)
• Four-wheel drive low range (4WD LOW)
• NEUTRAL (N)
•
This electronically shifted transfer case
is designed to be driven in the two-wheel
drive position (2WD) or four-wheel drive
position (4WD AUTO) for normal street
and highway conditions on dry, hard-
surfaced roads.
• Driving the vehicle in 2WD will have greater fuel economy benefits as the front axle is not engaged in 2WD.
Shifting Procedure
• Shifting between 2WD and 4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK can be made with the vehicle stopped or in motion at speeds up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
• Shifting between 2WD, 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOCK into 4WD LOW must be made with the transmission in NEUTRAL and the vehicle stopped or rolling at 2 to 3 mph
(3 to 5 km/h).
NOTE:
It is preferred to have the engine running and the vehicle moving at 2 to 3 mph
(3 to 5 km/h).
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The
transfer case NEUTRAL position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move regardless of the transmis-
sion position. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not
in the vehicle.
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES
106

FIVE-POSITION/ON-DEMAND TRANSFER CASE
•
This electronically shifted transfer case
provides five mode positions:
• Two-wheel drive high range (2WD)
• Four-wheel drive automatic range
(4WD AUTO)
• Four-wheel drive lock range (4WD LOCK)
• Four-wheel drive low range (4WD LOW)
• NEUTRAL (N)
•
This electronically shifted transfer case
is designed to be driven in the two-wheel
drive position (2WD) or four-wheel drive
position (4WD AUTO) for normal street
and highway conditions on dry, hard-
surfaced roads.
•Driving the vehicle in 2WD will have greater fuel economy benefits as the front axle
is not engaged in 2WD.
Shifting Procedure
• Shifting between 2WD and 4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK can be made with the vehicle stopped or in motion at speeds up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
• Shifting between 2WD, 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOCK into 4WD LOW must be made with the transmission in NEUTRAL and the vehicle stopped or rolling at 2 to 3 mph
(3 to 5 km/h).
NOTE:
It is preferred to have the engine running and the vehicle moving at 2 to 3 mph
(3 to 5 km/h).
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The
transfer case NEUTRAL position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move regardless of the transmis-
sion position. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not
in the vehicle.
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES
107

TONNEAU COVER
• The Tonneau Cover can be removed and reinstalled by using the locking clampslocated underneath the Tonneau Cover.
NOTE:
Be sure that the Tonneau Cover is secured before driving.
EASY-OFF TAILGATE
•To simplify mounting of a camper unit with an overhang, the tailgate can be removed.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a rear camera or RKE the electrical connector must
be disconnected prior to removing the tailgate.
Removing the Tailgate
• Disconnect the wiring harness for the rear camera or RKE (if equipped).
• Unlatch the tailgate and remove the support cables by releasing the lock tang from the pivot.
• Raise the right side of the tailgate until the right side pivot clears the hanger bracket.
• Slide the entire tailgate to the right to free the left side pivot.
• Remove the tailgate from the vehicle.
NOTE:
Do not carry the tailgate loose in the truck pickup box.
Locking Tailgate
• The lock is located next to the tailgate handle. The tailgate can be locked using the vehicle key.
WARNING!
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide, which is deadly, the exhaust system on vehicles
equipped with “Cap or Slide-In Campers” should extend beyond the overhanging
camper compartment and be free of leaks.
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108

PICKUP BOX
• You can carry wide building materials (sheets of plywood, etc.) by building a raisedload floor. Place lumber across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the floor.
• There are stampings in the sheet metal on the inner side bulkheads of the box in front of and behind both wheel housings. Place wooden boards across the box from
side to side to create separate load compartments in the pickup box.
• There are four tie-down cleats bolted to the lower sides of the pickup box that can sustain loads up to 1000 lbs (450 kg) total.
WARNING!
• The pickup box is intended for load carrying purposes only, not for passengers,
who should sit in seats and use seat belts.
• Care should always be exercised when operating a vehicle with unrestrained
cargo. Vehicle speeds may need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough roads may
cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo that may result in vehicle damage.
If wide building materials are to be frequently carried, the installation of a
support is recommended. This will restrain the cargo and transfer the load to
the pickup box floor.
•
If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of material suspended above the
wheelhouse, supports must be installed to transfer the weight of the load to the
pickup box floor or vehicle damage may result. The use of proper supports will
permit loading up to the rated payload.
• Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an accident causing serious or
fatal injury.
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RAMBOX®
• The RamBox®system is an integrated pickup box storage and cargo management
system consisting of three features:
• Integrated box side storage bins
• Cargo extender/divider
• Bed rail tie-down system
RamBox® Integrated Box Side Storage Bins
• The cargo storage bins provide watertight, lockable, illuminated storage for up to 150 lbs (68 kg) of evenly distributed cargo.
• To open a storage bin, press and release the pushbutton located on the lid.
• The interior of the RamBox
®will automatically illuminate when the lid is opened.
Pushing the switch once will turn off the bin lights, pushing the switch again will
turn the lights back on.
UTILITY
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