2015 Ram 1500 Bumper

Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the air bag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air
bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag system.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, including your
trim cover and cushion, needs to be serviced in any
way (including removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your
authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved
seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify the air bag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81

ParkSense® will retain the last system state (enabled or
disabled) from the last ignition cycle when the ignition is
changed to the ON/RUN position.
ParkSense® can be active only when the shift lever/gear
selector is in REVERSE. If ParkSense® is enabled at this
shift lever/gear selector position, the system will remain
active until the vehicle speed is increased to approxi-
mately 7 mph (11 km/h) or above. When in REVERSE
and above the system’s operating speed, a warning will
appear within the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID) indicating
the vehicle speed is too fast. The system will become
active again if the vehicle speed is decreased to speeds
less than approximately 6 mph (9 km/h).
ParkSense® Sensors
The four ParkSense® sensors, located in the rear fascia/
bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is
within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect
obstacles from approximately 12 in (30 cm) up to 79 in
(200 cm) from the rear fascia/bumper in the horizontal
direction, depending on the location, type and orienta-
tion of the obstacle.
ParkSense® Warning Display
The ParkSense® Warning screen is located within the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver
Information Display (DID). It provides visual warnings
to indicate the distance between the rear fascia/bumper
and the detected obstacle. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display
(DID) Settings” in Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
192 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The ParkSense® switch LED will be ON when
ParkSense® is disabled or defective. The ParkSense®
switch LED will be OFF when the system is enabled.
If the ParkSense switch is pressed, and the system is
disabled or requires service, the ParkSense switch LED
will blink momentarily, and then the LED will be ON.
Service The ParkSense® Rear Park Assist
System
During vehicle start up, when the ParkSense® Rear Park
Assist System has detected a faulted condition, the
instrument cluster will actuate a single chime, once per
ignition cycle, and it will display the#PARKSENSE
UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS#or the
#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIRED#
message. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
When the shift lever is moved to REVERSE and the
system has detected a faulted condition, the EVIC/DID
will display the#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE
REAR SENSORS#or the#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE
SERVICE REQUIRED#message for as long as the vehicle
is in REVERSE. Under this condition, ParkSense® will
not operate.
If#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS#
appears in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID) make sure
the outer surface and the underside of the rear fascia/
bumper is clean and clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt or other
obstruction, and then cycle the ignition. If the message
continues to appear, see an authorized dealer.
If#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIRED#
appears in the EVIC/DID, see your authorized dealer.
198 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Cleaning The ParkSense® System
Clean the ParkSense® sensors with water, car wash soap
and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do not
scratch or poke the sensors. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the sensors.
ParkSense® System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the rear bumper is free of snow, ice, mud,
dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense® system oper-
ating properly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of ParkSense® .
•When you turn ParkSense® off, the instrument cluster
will display#PARKSENSE OFF#. Furthermore, once
you turn ParkSense® off, it remains off until you turn
it on again, even if you cycle the ignition key.
•When you move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position and ParkSense® is turned off, the instrument
cluster will display#PARKSENSE OFF#message for as
long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
•ParkSense®, when on, will reduce the volume of the
radio when it is sounding a tone.
•Clean the ParkSense® sensors regularly, taking care
not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must not
be covered with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris.
Failure to do so can result in the system not working
properly. The ParkSense® system might not detect an
obstacle behind the fascia/bumper, or it could provide
a false indication that an obstacle is behind the fascia/
bumper.
•Ensure the ParkSense® system is OFF if objects such as
bicycle carriers, trailer hitches, etc., are placed within
18 in (45 cm) from the rear fascia/bumper while
driving the vehicle. Failure to do so can result in the
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 199

ParkSense® Sensors
The four ParkSense® sensors, located in the rear fascia/
bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is
within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect
obstacles from approximately 18 in (45 cm) up to 79 in
(200 cm) from the rear fascia/bumper in the horizontal
direction, depending on the location, type and orienta-
tion of the obstacle.
The six ParkSense® sensors, located in the front fascia/
bumper, monitor the area in front of the vehicle that is
within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect
obstacles from approximately 12 in (30 cm) up to 47 in
(120 cm) from the front fascia/bumper in the horizontal
direction, depending on the location, type and orienta-
tion of the obstacle.
ParkSense® Warning Display
The ParkSense® Warning screen is located within the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver
Information Display (DID). It provides visual warnings
to indicate the distance between the rear fascia/bumper
and/or front fascia/bumper and the detected obstacle.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or
Driver Information Display (DID) Settings” in Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
The ParkSense® Warning screen will only be displayed if
Sound and Display is selected.
202 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

is functioning properly. These arc alerts will interrupt the
#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS#,
#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SEN-
SORS#,or#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE RE-
QUIRED#messages if an object is detected within the five
second pop-up duration. The car graphic will remain
displayed for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE. Refer
to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or#
Driver Information Display (DID)” for further informa-
tion.
If#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS#
or#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SEN-
SORS#appears in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID) make
sure the outer surface and the underside of the rear
fascia/bumper and/or front fascia/bumper is clean and
clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt or other obstruction and then
cycle the ignition. If the message continues to appear see
an authorized dealer.
If the#PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE RE-
QUIRED#message appears in the EVIC/DID, see an
authorized dealer.
Cleaning The ParkSense® System
Clean the ParkSense® sensors with water, car wash soap
and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do not
scratch or poke the sensors. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the sensors.
ParkSense® System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the front and rear bumper are free of snow,
ice, mud, dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense®
system operating properly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of ParkSense®.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 207

•When you turn Front or Rear ParkSense® off, the
instrument cluster will display “FRONT PARKSENSE
OFF” or “REAR PARKSENSE OFF.” Furthermore,
once you turn Front or Rear ParkSense® off, it remains
off until you turn it on again, even if you cycle the
ignition key.
•When you move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position and Front or Rear ParkSense® is turned off,
the instrument cluster will display#FRONT
PARKSENSE OFF#or#REAR PARKSENSE OFF#mes-
sage for five seconds, followed by a car graphic with
#OFF#in the corresponding side. This car graphic will
be displayed for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
•ParkSense®, when on, will reduce the volume of the
radio when it is sounding a tone.
•Clean the ParkSense® sensors regularly, taking care
not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must not
be covered with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris.
Failure to do so can result in the system not working
properly. The ParkSense® system might not detect an
obstacle behind or in front of the fascia/bumper, or it
could provide a false indication that an obstacle is
behind or in front of the fascia/bumper.
•Use the ParkSense® switch to turn the ParkSense®
system off if obstacles such as bicycle carriers, trailer
hitches, etc. are placed within 18 in (45 cm) from the
rear fascia/bumper. Failure to do so can result in the
system misinterpreting a close obstacle as a sensor
problem, causing the “PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE
SERVICE REQUIRED” message to be displayed in the
instrument cluster.
•On vehicles equipped with a tailgate, ParkSense®
should be disabled when the tailgate is in the lowered
or open position. A lowered tailgate could provide a
false indication that an obstacle is behind the vehicle.
208 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

this process to clean the debris from the tread and
improve the traction. You want to create a rocking
motion with the vehicle. This helps build vehicle
momentum, which hopefully gets you out. Remember
to ease off and on the accelerator before and after the
shift. If after a few rock cycles your vehicle is not free,
stop and try another method of recovery. Continuous
rock cycling will only cause unnecessary damage to
your vehicle and the environment.
CAUTION!
Damage can occur when spinning your tires at an
excessive high speed. Do not spin your tires faster
than an indicated 30 mph (48 km/h).
•Using The Tow Hooks With A Tow Strap– Tow straps
are a quick and easy way to recover your vehicle from
minor situations if you have a secondary vehicle which
is not stuck. The tow hooks on your vehicle are
designed to take the abusive force generated during
vehicle recovery. Do not use the bumper or any other
vehicle component as an attachment point. Using tow
straps requires coordination between the two drivers.
Good communication and line of sight are required for
a safe recovery. First connect the tow strap to the
correct attachment points on both vehicles. There
should be a least 20 to 30 feet between the vehicles to
allow for a safe recovery. If necessary join two tow
straps together usinga1½inch hard wood dowel.
This will keep the straps from becoming knotted and is
safer than using a clevis pin if the strap breaks. Next
have the tow vehicle backup, leaving two to three feet
worth of slack in the strap. Then the tow vehicle, using
light throttle, should accelerate tightening the strap
providing the pulling force needed to free the vehicle.
The vehicle being recovered should assist in the recov-
ery, at the time of the snap, by slowly spinning the tires
in the same direction as the pulling vehicle. After the
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 547