2018 Ram 3500 engine

Enhanced Accident Response System Reset
Procedure
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response System
functions after an event, the ignition switch must be
changed from ignition START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF.
Carefully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine
compartment and on the ground near the engine compart-
ment and fuel tank before resetting the system and starting
the engine.
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, in-
cluding 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.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
• 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 disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The
EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics
5
SAFETY 251

Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can even-
tually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO), follow
these safety tips:
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in
confined areas any longer than needed to move your
vehicle in or out of the area.
• If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate/
rear doors open, make sure that all windows are
closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is set
at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the
blower at high speed.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into the
vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the complete
exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep into
the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the ex-
haust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication
or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision.
Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision
if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding seat belt or
retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning lightwill 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, 5
SAFETY 279

WARNING!(Continued)
vehicle properly parked with the engine off, fully
depress the accelerator, the brake, and the clutch
pedal (if present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of any pedal,
or is not secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat in your
trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger ’s side floor mat on the
passenger ’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide into
the driver ’s side floor area when the vehicle is
moving. Objects can become trapped under accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals and could cause a loss of
vehicle control.
• NEVER place any objects under the floor mat (e.g.,
towels, keys, etc.). These objects could change the
position of the floor mat and may cause interference
with the accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re-
installed, always properly attach carpet to the floor
and check the floor mat fasteners are secure to the
vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to check for
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
interference with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals then re-install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap and water
to clean your floor mats. After cleaning, always check
your floor mat has been properly installed and is
secured to your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
5
SAFETY 281

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING THE ENGINE —
GASOLINE ENGINE .....................288
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................288
▫ Tip Start Feature .......................289
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition .............289
▫ Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button ............................. .289
▫ Idle Shutdown — 6.4L Engine Only ..........293
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................293
▫ Cold Weather Operation
(Below –22°F Or 30°C) ..................294
▫ After Starting ..........................294
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .294
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .295
 PARKING BRAKE .......................295 
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............297
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................298
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .299
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ..........................299
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) ............306
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
2500/3500 Models Only ..................315
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ..........................324
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .324
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped ..................327
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped ..................332
6

▫Airing Down For Off-Road Driving ..........371
▫ Vehicle Recovery .......................372
▫ After Driving Off-Road ...................375
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL ..............375
 WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY
(IF EQUIPPED) ........................ .376
▫ Things To Know Before Using Your Winch .....376
▫ Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . . .378
▫ Winch Accessories ..................... .380
▫ Operating Your Winch ...................381
▫ Rigging Techniques .....................391
 POWER STEERING .......................392
▫ Electric Power Steering — 1500 Models .......392
▫ Hydraulic Power Steering —
2500/3500 Models ..................... .393
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L/6.4L ENGINES
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ....................394
 SPEED CONTROL .......................395 ▫
To Activate .......................... .395
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ...................396
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ................396
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .................397
▫ To Resume Speed ..................... .397
▫ To Deactivate ........................ .397
 PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST —
IF EQUIPPED ..........................398
▫ ParkSense Sensors ..................... .398
▫ ParkSense Warning Display ................398
▫ ParkSense Display ..................... .398
▫ Enabling And

Disabling ParkSense ..........401
▫ Service The ParkSense Rear Park Assist System. .402
▫ Cleaning The ParkSense System .............402
▫ ParkSense System Usage Precautions .........402
 PARKSENSE FRONT AND REAR PARK ASSIST —
IF EQUIPPED ..........................404
▫ ParkSense Sensors ..................... .404
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 285

▫ParkSense Warning Display ................405
▫ ParkSense Display ..................... .405
▫ Enabling And Disabling Front And/Or Rear
ParkSense ............................407
▫ Service The ParkSense Park Assist System .....407
▫ Cleaning The ParkSense System .............408
▫ ParkSense System Usage Precautions .........408
 PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA — IF
EQUIPPED ............................410
 REFUELING THE VEHICLE — GAS ENGINE . . .413
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message .............414
 VEHICLE LOADING .....................414
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ........414
▫ Payload ............................. .414
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ..........415
▫ Tire Size ............................ .415
▫ Rim Size ............................ .415▫
Inflation Pressure .......................415
▫ Curb Weight ..........................415
▫ Loading ............................ .415
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .416
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............416
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight ............................. .422
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) .......................423
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............423
▫ Towing Requirements ...................424
▫ Towing Tips ..........................431
 SNOWPLOW .......................... .433
▫ 1500 Models

Only ..................... .433
▫ 2500/3500 Models Only ..................433
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING THE ENGINE — GASOLINE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
The starter should not be operated for more than 10-second
intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such intervals
will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in the OFFmode, remove
the key fob from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number
of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear
selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in
a location accessible to children, and do not leave the
ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
operate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission in PARK position.
Apply the brake before shifting into any driving range.
NOTE:
• This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift inter-
locking system. The brake pedal must be pressed to shift
out of PARK.
• If equipped with an 8-speed transmission, starting the
vehicle in NEUTRAL is not possible unless the Manual
Park Release has been activated. For the Manual Park
Release operation refer to Manual Park Release in “In
Case Of Emergency”.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run and will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition
This feature allows the driver to operate the ignition switch
with the push of a button, as long as the Remote Start/
Keyless Enter-N-Go key fob is in the passenger
compartment.
Normal Starting Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button
To Turn On The Engine Using The ENGINE START/
STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically after 10 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push the button again.
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition will return to the OFF mode.
Keyless Push Button Ignition
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 289