2016 Ram 1500 service

(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 Front
or Rear system is disabled, the EVIC/DID will display
theFRONT PARKSENSE OFForREAR PARKSENSE
OFFmessage for five seconds, followed by a car graphic
withOFFin the corresponding side. This car graphic
will be displayed for as long as the vehicle is in RE-
VERSE.
NOTE:Arc alerts from the enabled ParkSense system,
will interrupt the five second messages, and the EVIC/
DID will display the car graphic with the corresponding
arcs andOFFmessage.
The Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will be ON
when Front or Rear ParkSense is disabled or requires
service. The Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will be
OFF when the Front or Rear system is enabled. If the
Front or Rear ParkSense switch is pushed, and the systemrequires service, the Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED
will blink momentarily, and then the LED will be ON.
Service The ParkSense Park Assist System
During vehicle start up, when the ParkSense System has
detected a faulted condition, the instrument cluster will
actuate a single chime, once per ignition cycle, and it will
display thePARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR
SENSORS,PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE
FRONT SENSORS,orthePARKSENSE UNAVAIL-
ABLE SERVICE REQUIREDmessage for five seconds.
When the shift lever/gear selector is moved to Reverse
and the system has detected a faulted condition, the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver
Information Display (DID) will display aPARKSENSE
UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS,PARKSENSE
UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SENSORSor
PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIRED
pop up message for five seconds. After five seconds, a car
210 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

graphic will be displayed withUNAVAILABLEat ei-
ther the front or rear sensor location depending on where
the fault is detected. The system will continue to provide
arc alerts for the side that is functioning properly. These
arc alerts will interrupt thePARKSENSE UNAVAIL-
ABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS,PARKSENSE UNAVAIL-
ABLE WIPE FRONT SENSORS,orPARKSENSE UN-
AVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIREDmessages 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) orDriver Information Dis-
play (DID)” for further information.
IfPARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS
orPARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SEN-
SORSappears 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 andclear of snow, ice, mud, dirt or other obstruction and then
cycle the ignition. If the message continues to appear see
an authorized dealer.
If thePARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE RE-
QUIREDmessage 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.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 211

•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of ParkSense.
•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 displayFRONT PARKSENSE
OFForREAR PARKSENSE OFFmessage for five
seconds, followed by a car graphic withOFFin 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
212 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the 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 an authorized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 293

1. Tachometer
•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000).
2. Voltmeter
•When the engine is running, the gauge indicates the
electrical system voltage. The pointer should stay
within the normal range if the battery is charged. If
the pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical
system should be serviced.
NOTE:The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at
various engine temperatures. This cycling operation is
caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold
heater system. The number of cycles and the length of the
cycling operation is controlled by the engine control
module. Post-heat operation can run for several minutes,
and then the electrical system and voltmeter needle will
stabilize.3. Oil Pressure Gauge
•The pointer should always indicate some oil pres-
sure when the engine is running. A continuous high
or low reading under normal driving conditions may
indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immedi-
ate service should be obtained from an authorized
dealer.
4. Speedometer
•Indicates vehicle speed.
5. Fuel Gauge
•The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN position.
6. Driver Information Display (DID)
•
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Driver Information Display (DID) messages.
Refer to “Driver Information Display” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 295

7. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indi-
cates that the engine cooling system is operating
satisfactorily.
•The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tem-
perature when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, or when towing a trailer. It should not be
allowed to exceed the upper limits of the normal
operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the 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
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately
and call an authorized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide to
look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining Your
Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
296 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Bag Warning Light
Red Telltale
LightWhat It Means
Air Bag Warning Light
This light will turn on for four to eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is
first turned to ON/RUN. If the light is either not on during starting, stays on, or turns on
while driving, have the system inspected at an authorized dealer as soon as possible. This
light will illuminate with a single chime when a fault with the Air Bag Warning Light has
been detected, it will stay on until the fault is cleared. If the light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving, have an authorized dealer service the vehicle immediately. Refer
to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further infor-
mation.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 299

The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, theBrake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds. The light should then turn off
unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 301