2018 Ram 1500 User Guide

Normal Ride Height (NRH)– This is the stan-
dard 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 suspen-
sion system 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 min-
utes you will need to turn the ignition to the
run position for the air suspension to main-
tain 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. Reactivating the air
suspension can be accomplished via the set-
tings menu or driving the vehicle above
5 mph (8 km/h) for Tire Jack Mode or Align-
ment Mode and 16 mph (26 km/h) for Trans-
port Mode.
NOTE:
• Most 3500 models will not lower to Alter-
nate 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 appearance.
Refer to your Owner’s Manual for further
information.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high
pressure volume of air to operate the sys-
tem. 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 situa-
tions:
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspen-
sion system has a feature which allows the
automatic leveling to be disabled. This mode
is intended to be enabled with engine run-
ning. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display”
in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel”
or “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” if
equipped with a touch screen radio, in your
Owner’s Manual for further information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with
engine running.Alt Trailer Height Button
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Transport Mode
To assist with flat bed towing, the air suspen-
sion 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 Instru-
ment Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Mul-
timedia” if equipped with a touch screen
radio, in your Owner’s Manual 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, in your Owner’s Manual for
further information.NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with
engine running.
Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension sys-
tem, the vehicle will disable load leveling as
required (suspension overloaded, battery
charge low, etc.). Load leveling will automati-
cally resume as soon as system operation
requirements are met. See your authorized
dealer if system does not resume.
SPEED CONTROL
When engaged, the Speed Control takes over
accelerator operations at speeds greater than
25 mph (40 km/h).
The Speed Control buttons are located on the
right side of the steering wheel.
Speed Control Buttons
1 — Push Cancel
2 — Push On/Off
3 — Push Resume/Accel
4 — Push Set/Decel
STARTING AND OPERATING
176

NOTE:
In order to ensure proper operation, the
Speed Control System has been designed to
shut down if multiple speed control functions
are operated at the same time. If this occurs,
the Speed Control System can be reactivated
by pushing the Speed Control ON/OFF button
and resetting the desired vehicle set speed.
To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button. The Cruise Indica-
tor Light in the instrument cluster display will
illuminate. To turn the system off, push the
ON/OFF button a second time. The Cruise
Indicator Light will turn off. The system
should be turned off when not in use.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control system on when
not in use is dangerous. You could acci-
dentally set the system or cause it to go
faster than you want. You could lose con-
trol and have an accident. Always leave the
system off when you are not using it.
To Set A Desired Speed
Turn the Speed Control on. When the vehicle
has reached the desired speed, push the SET
(-) button and release. Release the accelera-
tor and the vehicle will operate at the se-
lected speed.
NOTE:
The vehicle should be traveling at a steady
speed and on level ground before pushing the
SET (-) button.
To Vary The Speed Setting
To Increase Speed
When the Speed Control is set, you can in-
crease speed by pushing the RES (+) button.
The driver’s preferred units can be selected
through the instrument panel settings if
equipped. Refer to “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” in the Owner’s Manual formore information. The speed decrement
shown is dependant on the chosen speed unit
of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h):
U.S. Speed (mph)
• Pushing the RES (+) button once will result
in a 1 mph increase in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in an
increase of 1 mph.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will continue to increase until the
button is released, then the new set speed
will be established.
Metric Speed (km/h)
• Pushing the RES (+) button once will result in a 1 km/h increase in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in an
increase of 1 km/h.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will continue to increase until the
button is released, then the new set speed
will be established.
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To Decrease Speed
When the Speed Control is set, you can de-
crease speed by pushing the SET (-) button.
The driver’s preferred units can be selected
through the instrument panel settings if
equipped. Refer to “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” in the Owner’s Manual for
more information. The speed increment
shown is dependent on the selected speed
unit of U.S. (mph) or Metric (km/h):
U.S. Speed (mph)
• Pushing the SET (-) button once will resultin a 1 mph decrease in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in a
decrease of 1 mph.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will continue to decrease until the
button is released, then the new set speed
will be established.
Metric Speed (km/h)
• Pushing the SET (-) button once will result in a 1 km/h decrease in set speed. Each
subsequent tap of the button results in a
decrease of 1 km/h. • If the button is continually pushed, the set
speed will continue to decrease until the
button is released, then the new set speed
will be established.
To Accelerate For Passing
Press the accelerator as you would normally.
When the pedal is released, the vehicle will
return to the set speed.
Using Speed Control On Hills
The transmission may downshift on hills to
maintain the vehicle set speed.
NOTE:
The Speed Control system maintains speed
up and down hills. A slight speed change on
moderate hills is normal.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain
may occur so it may be preferable to drive
without Speed Control.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed.
Your vehicle could go too fast for the con-
WARNING!
ditions, and you could lose control and
have an accident. Do not use Speed Con-
trol in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered or slippery.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push the
RES (+) button and release. Resume can be
used at any speed above 20 mph (32 km/h).
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the
CANCEL button, or normal brake pressure
while slowing the vehicle will deactivate the
Speed Control without erasing the set speed
from memory.
Pushing the ON/OFF button or turning the
ignition switch OFF erases the set speed from
memory.STARTING AND OPERATING
178

PARKSENSE FRONT AND REAR PARK
ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED
The ParkSense Park Assist system provides
visual and audible indications of the distance
between the rear and/or front fascia and a
detected obstacle when backing up or moving
forward, e.g. during a parking maneuver. Re-
fer to “ParkSense System Usage Precau-
tions” in the Owner’s Manual for limitations
of this system and recommendations.
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 gear
selector is in REVERSE or DRIVE. If
ParkSense is enabled at one of these gear
selector positions, the system will remain
active until the vehicle speed is increased to
approximately 7 mph (11 km/h) or above. A
warning will appear in the instrument cluster
display indicating the vehicle is aboveParkSense operating speed. The system will
become active again if the vehicle speed is
decreased to speeds less than approximately
6 mph (9 km/h).
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 damage the
sensors.
PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA —
IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with the
ParkView Rear Back Up Camera that allows
you to see a image of the rear surroundings of
your vehicle whenever the gear selector is put
into REVERSE or whenever it is initiated
through the "Backup Camera" button in the
"Controls" menu. Whenever the gear selector
is put into REVERSE, the image will be dis-
played in the rearview mirror display (if
equipped) or Uconnect screen (if equipped)along with a caution note to “check entire
surroundings” across the top of the screen.
After five seconds this note will disappear.
The ParkView Camera is located to the left of
the tailgate handle.
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE
(with Camera delay turned off), the rear Cam-
era mode is exited and the navigation or audio
screen appears again.
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE
(with Camera delay turned on), the rear Cam-
era image will be displayed for up to 10 sec-
onds after shifting out of REVERSE unless
the forward vehicle speed exceeds 8 mph
(13 km/h), the transmission is shifted into
PARK or the ignition is switched to the OFF
position.
Whenever the Rear View Camera image is
activated through the "Backup Camera" but-
ton in the "Controls" menu, a display timer for
the image is initiated. The image will con-
tinue to be displayed until the display timer
exceeds 10 seconds and the vehicle speed is
above 8 mph (13 km/h) or the touchscreen
button "X" to disable display of the Rear View
Camera image is pressed.
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NOTE:
If the vehicle speed remains below 8 mph
(13 km/h), the Rear View Camera image will
be displayed continuously until deactivated
via the touchscreen button "X".
If equipped with a Cargo Camera, a touch-
screen button
to indicate the current
active Camera image being displayed is made
available whenever the Rear View Camera
image is displayed.
If equipped with a Cargo Camera, a touch-
screen button
to switch the display to
Cargo Camera image is made available when-
ever the Rear View Camera image is dis-
played.
A touchscreen button "X" to disable display of
the camera image is made available when the
vehicle is not in REVERSE gear.
When enabled, active guide lines are overlaid
on the image to illustrate the width of the
vehicle and its projected backup path based
on the steering wheel position. The active
guide lines will show separate zones that will
help indicate the distance to the rear of the
vehicle. NOTE:
For further information about how to access
and change the programmable features of the
ParkView Rear Backup Camera, refer to
“Uconnect Settings ” in “Multimedia” in the
Owner’s Manual for further information.
WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up
even when using the ParkView Rear Back
Up Camera. Always check carefully behind
your vehicle, and be sure to check for
pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, ob-
structions, or blind spots before backing
up. You are responsible for the safety of
your surroundings and must continue to
pay attention while backing up. Failure to
do so can result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
• To avoid vehicle damage, ParkView
should only be used as a parking aid.
The ParkView camera is unable to view
every obstacle or object in your drive
path.
CAUTION!
• To avoid vehicle damage, the vehiclemust be driven slowly when using
ParkView to be able to stop in time when
an obstacle is seen. It is recommended
that the driver look frequently over his/
her shoulder when using ParkView.
NOTE:
If snow, ice, mud, or any foreign substance
builds up on the camera lens, clean the lens,
rinse with water, and dry with a soft cloth. Do
not cover the lens.
Turning Rear View Camera Image On:
1. Press the "Controls" button located on the bottom of the Uconnect display.
2. Press the "Backup Camera" button
to turn the Rear View Camera system on.
NOTE:
Once initiated by the "Backup Camera" but-
ton, the Rear View Camera image may be
deactivated by pressing the "X" button on the
touchscreen. On deactivation, the previous
selected screen will appear.
STARTING AND OPERATING
180

REFUELING THE VEHICLE — GAS
ENGINE
The fuel filler cap (gas cap) is located behind
the fuel filler door, on the left side of the
vehicle. Open the fuel door and remove the
fuel cap by turning it counter-clockwise.
NOTE:
When removing the fuel filler cap, lay the cap
tether in the hook, located on the fuel filler
door.
WARNING!
• Never have any smoking materials lit inor near the vehicle when the gas cap is
removed or the tank is being filled.
• Never add fuel to the vehicle when the
engine is running.
• A fire may result if gasoline is pumped
into a portable container that is inside of
a vehicle. You could be burned. Always
place gas containers on the ground while
filling.
CAUTION!
• Damage to the fuel system or emissionscontrol system could result from using
an improper fuel tank filler tube cap.
• A poorly fitting fuel filler cap could let
impurities into the fuel system.
• A poorly fitting fuel filler cap may cause
the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)”
to turn on.
• To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do
not “top off” the fuel tank after filling.
When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts
off, the fuel tank is full.
NOTE:
• When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
• Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “click- ing” sound. This is an indication that the
gas cap is tightened properly. The MIL in
the instrument cluster may turn on if the
gas cap is not secured properly. Make sure
that the gas cap is tightened each time the
vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
Static electricity can cause an ignition of
flammable liquid, vapor or gas in any ve-
hicle or trailer. To reduce risk of serious
injury or death when filling containers:
• Always place container on the ground before filling.
• Keep the pump nozzle in contact with
the container when you are filling it.
• Use only approved containers for flam-
mable liquid.
• Do not leave container unattended while
filling.
• A static electric charge could cause a
spark and fire hazard.
181

Materials Added To Fuel
Designated TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline
contains a higher level
of detergents to fur-
ther aide in minimiz-
ing engine and fuel
system deposits. When
available, the usage of
Top Tier Detergent gasoline is recommended.
Visit www.toptiergas.com for a list of TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline Retailers.
Indiscriminate use of fuel system cleaning
agents should be avoided. Many of these
materials intended for gum and varnish re-
moval may contain active solvents or similar
ingredients. These can harm fuel system gas-
ket and diaphragm materials.
REFUELING THE VEHICLE—
1500 DIESEL MODELS
1. Open the fuel filler door.NOTE:
There is no fuel filler cap. A flapper door
inside the filler pipe seals the system. 2. Insert the fuel nozzle fully into the filler
pipe – the nozzle opens and holds the
flapper door while refueling.
3. Fill the vehicle with fuel – when the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off the fuel tank is
full.
4. Remove the fuel nozzle and close the fuel door.
Emergency Fuel Can Refueling
Most fuel cans will not open the flapper door.
A funnel is provided to open the flapper door
to allow emergency refueling with a fuel can.
1. Retrieve fuel funnel from the jack kit located under the front passenger seat.
Fill Locations
1 — Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Fill
Location
2 — Diesel Fuel Fill Location
STARTING AND OPERATING
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