2018 Ram 1500 tow mode

WARNING!(Continued)
injury or damage to the system, see your authorized
dealer for service.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect
the system in unique situations:
AERO Mode
To improve aerodynamics, the air suspension system has a
feature which will put the vehicle into AERO height
automatically. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE:This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension system
has a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be
disabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Get-
ting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Set-
tings” in “Multimedia” if equipped with a touch screen
radio for further information. NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the road, the
air suspension system has a feature which will put the
vehicle into Entry/Exit height and disable the automatic
load leveling system. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Dis-
play” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or
“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” if equipped with a
touch screen radio for further information.
NOTE: This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment, this mode must be
enabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in
“Multimedia” if equipped with a touch screen radio for
further information.
NOTE: This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 347

Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension system, the vehicle
will disable load leveling as required (suspension over-
loaded, battery charge low, etc.). Load leveling will auto-
matically resume as soon as system operation requirements
are met. See your authorized dealer if system does not
resume.
NOTE:If towing with air suspension refer to “Trailer
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion.
Instrument Cluster Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a message will
appear in the instrument cluster display. Refer to “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a system error
has been detected.
See your authorized dealer for system service if normal
operation does not resume.
Operation
1 — Up Button
2 — Down Button
3 — Entry/Exit Mode Indicator (Customer selectable)
4 — Normal Ride Height Indicator (Customer selectable)
5 — Off-Road 1 Indicator (Customer selectable)
6 — Off-Road 2 Indicator (Customer selectable)
The indicator lamps 3 through 6 will illuminate to show the
current position of the vehicle. Flashing indicator lamps
will show a position which the system is working to
achieve. When raising, if multiple indicator lamps are
Air Suspension Switch
348 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
injury or damage to the system, see your authorized
dealer for service.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect
the system in unique situations:
AERO Mode
To improve aerodynamics, the air suspension system has a
feature which will put the vehicle into AERO height
automatically. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE:This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension system
has a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be
disabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Get-
ting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Set-
tings” in “Multimedia” if equipped with a touch screen
radio for further information. NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the road, the
air suspension system has a feature which will put the
vehicle into Entry/Exit height and disable the automatic
load leveling system. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Dis-
play” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or
“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” if equipped with a
touch screen radio for further information.
NOTE: This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment, this mode must be
enabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in
“Multimedia” if equipped with a touch screen radio for
further information.
NOTE: This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 353

Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension system, the vehicle
will disable load leveling as required (suspension over-
loaded, battery charge low, etc.). Load leveling will auto-
matically resume as soon as system operation requirements
are met. See your authorized dealer if system does not
resume.
NOTE:If towing with air suspension refer to “Trailer
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion.
Instrument Cluster Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a message will
appear in the instrument cluster display. Refer to “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a system error
has been detected.
See your authorized dealer for system service if normal
operation does not resume.
Operation
The indicator lamps 3 through 6 will illuminate to show the
current position of the vehicle. Flashing indicator lamps
will show a position which the system is working to
achieve. When raising or lowering, the flashing indicator
lamp is the position the system is working to achieve.
Air Suspension Switch
1 — Up Button
2 — Down Button
3 — Entry/Exit Mode Indicator Lamp (Customer selectable)
4 — Aero Mode Indicator Lamp (Customer selectable)
5 — Normal Ride Height Indicator Lamp (Customer selectable)
6 — Off-Road Indicator Lamp (Customer selectable)
354 STARTING AND OPERATING

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS) —
IF EQUIPPED
Description
This air suspension system is a rear leveling ride height
system. The main purpose of this system is to maintain the
truck’s rear ride height level. There are two selectable
heights that can be chosen based on your operating condi-
tions.
The system requires that the ignition be in ON/RUN
position or the engine running with zero vehicle speed for
all user requested changes and load leveling.Normal Ride Height (NRH)
– This is the standard position
of the suspension and is meant for normal driving. It will
automatically adjust to maintain the rear ride height as
conditions change.
Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) – Lowers the vehicle
approximately 1 in (25 mm) for a level truck, to be used as
required while trailer towing. It will automatically adjust
to maintain the rear ride height as conditions change.
Trailer Decoupling/Unloading - The air suspension sys-
tem will load level (lower/exhaust only) for up to 10
minutes after the vehicle is turned off. This allows for easy
removal of a trailer and/or load from the back of the truck
by maintaining the ride height. After 10 minutes you will
need to turn the ignition to the run position for the air
suspension to maintain ride height. If the air suspension
system is disabled using the settings menu (Tire Jack Mode,
Transport Mode or Alignment Mode) the system will
remain disabled when the vehicle is turned off. Reactivat-
ing the air suspension can be accomplished via the settings
menu or driving the vehicle above 5 mph (8 km/h) for Tire
Jack Mode or Alignment Mode and 16 mph (26 km/h) for
Transport Mode.
Rear Leveling Ride Height Switch
356 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•Most 3500 models will not lower to Alternate Trailer
Height (ATH) when unloaded.
• Refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting And Operating”
for further information.
Ignition OFF Behavior
For a predetermined amount of time after the ignition is off
the air suspension may adjust to maintain a proper appear-
ance.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pressure vol-
ume of air to operate the system. To avoid personal
injury or damage to the system, see your authorized
dealer for service.
Air Suspension Modes
The air suspension system has multiple modes to protect
the system in unique situations:
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension system
has a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be disabled. This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in
“Multimedia” if equipped with a touch screen radio for
further information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the road, the
air suspension system has a feature which will put the
vehicle below Normal Ride Height (NRH) and disable the
automatic load leveling system. This mode is intended to
be enabled with engine running. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument
Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” if equipped with a touch screen radio
for further information.
NOTE: This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment this mode must be
enabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 357

you to change your pulling direction while still allowing
the wire rope to be at 90° to wind properly onto the
spooling drum.
Increasing Pulling Power
In some cases, you may find yourself needing more pulling
power. The use of snatch blocks increases mechanical
advantage and that increases your pulling power.
Double Line
Because pulling power decreases with the number of layers
of wire rope on the winch drum, you can use a snatch blockto double line out more wire rope. This decreases the
number of layers of wire rope on the drum, and increases
pulling power. Start by feeding out enough wire rope to
free the winch hook. Attach the hook to your vehicle’s
frame/tow hook and run the wire rope through a snatch
block. Disengage the clutch and, using the snatch block,
pull out enough wire to reach your anchor point. Do not
attach the hook to the mounting kit. Secure to the anchor
point with a tree trunk protector or choker chain. Attach
the clevis/shackle. Attach the shackle to the two ends of
the strap/chain, being careful not to over tighten (tighten
and back-off 1/2 turn).
POWER STEERING
Electric Power Steering — 1500 Models
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability in
tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide light
efforts while parking and good feel while driving. If the
electric steering system experiences a fault that prevents it
from providing assist, you will still have the ability to steer
the vehicle manually.
Wire Rope Routing
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. Under the instrument cluster or touch screen radiosettings, enable jack mode. Jack mode will be canceled
and procedure must be restarted if the vehicle is driven
at speeds above 5mph (8 kmh).
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the fender to ground, this is height H1.
5. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distribution bars connected.
6. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the fender to ground, this is height H2. 7. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing
bars per the manufacturers’ recommendations so that
the height of the front fender is approximately (H2-H1)/
3+H1 (about 1/3 the difference between H2 and H1
above normal ride height [H1]).
8. Use the instrument cluster or touch screen radio settings and switch off tire jack mode. Make sure the truck
returns to normal ride height. Preform a visual inspec-
tion of the trailer and weight distributing hitch to
confirm manufacturers’ recommendations have been
met.
9. The truck can now be driven.
Measurement Example Example 1500 Height
(mm)
H1 925
H2 946
H2-H1 21
(H2-H1)/3 7
(H2-H1)/3 + H1 932
NOTE: For all towing conditions, we recommend towing
with tow haul mode engaged.
Measuring Height (H)
420 STARTING AND OPERATING