2017 Ram 2500 Owner's Manual

Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights, parking lights, or cargo lights are left on
after the ignition is turned off, a chime will sound when the
driver ’s door is opened.
Battery Saver
To protect the life of your vehicle’s battery, load shedding
is provided for both the interior and exterior lights.
If the ignition is off and any door is left ajar for 10 minutes
or the dimmer control is rotated all the way up to the dome
on position for 10 minutes, the interior lights will automati-
cally turn off.
NOTE:Battery saver mode is cancelled if the ignition is
on.
If the headlights remain on while the ignition is cycled off,
the exterior lights will automatically turn off after eight
minutes. If the headlights are turned on and left on for
eight minutes while the ignition is off, the exterior lights
will automatically turn off.
Interior Lights
Courtesy and dome lights are turned on when the front
doors are opened, when the dimmer control (rotating
wheel on the bottom of the switch) is rotated to the far right
detent position. If your vehicle is equipped with Remote
Keyless Entry and the unlock button is pushed on the key
fob the courtesy and dome lights will turn on. When a door
is open and the interior lights are on, rotating the dimmer
control all the way left, to the off detent, will cause all the
interior lights to go out. This is also known as the Party
mode because it allows the doors to stay open for extended
periods of time without discharging the vehicle’s battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel as well as the
ambient lighting can be regulated by rotating the dimmer
control right (brighter) or left (dimmer). When the head-
lights are on you can supplement the brightness of the
odometer, trip odometer, radio and overhead console by
rotating the control to the right until you hear a click. This
feature is termed the “Parade” mode and is useful when
headlights are required during the day.
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NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with a touchscreen, the
dimming of the touchscreen is programmable through the
Uconnect system. Refer to “Uconnect Settings ” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further details.Courtesy/Reading Lights
Both lights in the overhead console and rear passenger
compartment will illuminate as courtesy lights when a
door is opened, when the dimmer control is rotated to the
courtesy light position (full right position), or when the
unlock button is pushed on the Remote Keyless Entry key
fob, if equipped. These lights are also operated individu-
ally as reading lights by pushing on the corresponding
lens.
Dimmer Control
Front Courtesy/Reading Lights
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NOTE:The courtesy/reading lights will remain on until
the switch is pushed a second time, so be sure they have
been turned off before leaving the vehicle. If the interior
lights are left on after the ignition is turned off, they will
automatically turn off after 15 minutes.
Ambient Light
The overhead console is equipped with an ambient light
feature. This light casts illumination for improved visibility
of the floor console area.
Rear Passenger Courtesy/Reading Light
Ambient Light
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145

Cargo Light With Bed Lights — If Equipped
The cargo light and bed lights (if equipped) are turned on
by pushing on the cargo lights button.
The cargo light and bed lights (if equipped) will also turn
on for approximately 60 seconds when a key fob unlock
button is pushed, as part of the Illuminated Entry feature.
Multifunction Lever
The multifunction lever is located on the left side of the
steering column.
Turn Signals
Move the multifunction lever up or down and the arrows
on each side of the instrument cluster display will flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights.
NOTE:If either light remains on and does not flash, or
there is a very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside
light bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the indicator bulb is defec-
tive.
Cargo Lights Button
Turn Signal Lever
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Lane Change Assist
Tap the lever up or down once, without moving beyond
the detent, and the turn signal (right or left) will flash three
times. Then, the turn signal (right or left) will automatically
turn off.
Flash-To-Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to turn
on until the lever is released.
High/Low Beam Switch
Push the multifunction lever toward the instrument panel
to switch the headlights to high beam. Pulling the multi-
function lever back toward the steering wheel will turn the
low beams back on, or shut the high beams off.
High/Low Beam Switch
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
Windshield Wipers
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch in the
multifunction lever. Turn the end of the handle to select the
desired wiper speed.
Windshield Wiper Operation
Rotate the end of the lever upward, to the first detent past the
intermittent settings for low-speed wiper operation. Rotate
the end of the lever upward to the second detent past the
intermittent settings for high-speed wiper operation.
Intermittent Wiper System
The intermittent feature of this system was designed for
use when weather conditions make a single wiping cycle,
with a variable pause between cycles, desirable. For maxi-
mum delay between cycles, rotate the control knob into the
upper end of the delay range.
The delay interval decreases as you rotate the knob until it
enters the low continual speed position. The delay can be
regulated from a maximum of about 18 seconds between
cycles, to a cycle every one second. The delay intervals will
double in duration when the vehicle speed is 10 mph
(16 km/h) or less.
Windshield Washers
To use the windshield washer, push the washer knob,
located on the end of the multifunction lever, inward to the
second detent. Washer fluid will be sprayed and the wiper
will operate for two to three cycles after the washer knob is
released from this position.
If the washer knob is depressed while in the delay range,
the wiper will operate for several seconds after the washer
knob is released. It will then resume the intermittent
interval previously selected. If the washer knob is pushed
Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

while in the off position, the wiper will turn on and cycle
approximately three times after the wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system in
cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This rating
information can be found on most washer fluid containers.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield could
lead to a collision. You might not see other vehicles or
other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of the wind-
shield during freezing weather, warm the windshield
with the defroster before and during windshield
washer use.
Mist Feature
When a single wipe to clear off road mist or spray from a
passing vehicle is needed, push the washer knob, located
on the end of the multifunction lever, inward to the first
detent and release. The wipers will cycle one time and
automatically shut off.NOTE:
The mist feature does not activate the washer
pump; therefore, no washer fluid will be sprayed on the
windshield. The wash function must be used in order to
spray the windshield with washer fluid.
Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped
This feature senses moisture on the windshield and auto-
matically activates the wipers for the driver. The feature is
especially useful for road splash or overspray from the
windshield washers of the vehicle ahead. Rotate the end of
the multifunction lever to one of five settings to activate
this feature.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a touchscreen, this
feature can be programmed through the Uconnect system.
Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
If your vehicle is not equipped with a touchscreen, this
feature can be programmed through the instrument cluster
display. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
The sensitivity of the system can be adjusted with the
multifunction lever. Wiper delay position 1 is the least
sensitive, and wiper delay position 5 is the most sensitive.
Position 3 should be used for normal rain conditions.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149

Positions 1 and 2 can be used if the driver desires less
wiper sensitivity. Positions 4 and 5 can be used if the driver
desires more sensitivity. Place the wiper switch in the O
(off) position when not using the system.
NOTE:
•The Rain Sensing feature will not operate when the
wiper switch is in the low or high-speed position.
• The Rain Sensing feature may not function properly
when ice, or dried salt water is present on the wind-
shield.
• Use of Rain-X or products containing wax or silicone
may reduce Rain Sensing performance.
The Rain Sensing system has protection features for the
wiper blades and arms, and will not operate under the
following conditions:
• Low Ambient Temperature — When the ignition is first
turned ON, the Rain Sensing system will not operate
until the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed is greater
than 0 mph (0 km/h), or the outside temperature is
greater than 32°F (0°C). •
Transmission In NEUTRAL Position — When the igni-
tion is ON, and the transmission is in the NEUTRAL
position, the Rain Sensing system will not operate until
the wiper switch is moved, vehicle speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h), or the gear selector is moved out of the
NEUTRAL position.
• Remote Start Mode Inhibit — On vehicles equipped
with Remote Starting system, Rain Sensing wipers are
not operational when the vehicle is in the remote start
mode. Once the operator is in the vehicle and has placed
the ignition switch in the RUN position, rain sensing
wiper operation can resume, if it has been selected, and
no other inhibit conditions (mentioned previously) exist.
TILT STEERING COLUMN
This feature allows you to tilt the steering column upward
or downward. The tilt lever is located on the steering
column, below the multifunction lever.
Pull the lever toward the steering wheel to unlock the
steering column. With one hand firmly on the steering
wheel, move the steering column up or down, as desired.
Release the lever to lock the steering column firmly in
place.
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