2018 Ram ProMaster service

WARNING!
• Failure to replace the seat belt assemblycould increase the risk of injury in colli-
sions.
• Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode
to restrain occupants who are wearing
the seat belt or children who are using
booster seats. The locked mode is only
used to install rear-facing or forward-
facing child restraints that have a har-
ness for restraining the child.
Supplemental Restraint Systems
(SRS)
Some of the safety features described in this
section may be standard equipment on some
models, or may be optional equipment on
others. If you are not sure, ask your autho-
rized dealer.
The air bag system must be ready to protect
you in a collision. The Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) monitors the internal cir-
cuits and interconnecting wiring associated with the electrical Air Bag System Compo-
nents. Your vehicle may be equipped with the
following Air Bag System Components:
Air Bag System Components
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
Air Bag Warning Light
The ORC monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the air bag system when-
ever the ignition switch is in the AVV/START
or MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position. If the ignition
switch is in the STOP/OFF/LOCK position the
air bag system is not on and the air bags will
not inflate. The ORC contains a backup power supply
system that may deploy the air bag system
even if the battery loses power or it becomes
disconnected prior to deployment.
The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light
in the instrument panel for approximately
four to eight seconds for a self-check when
the ignition switch is in the MAR/ACC/ON/
RUN position. After the self-check, the Air
Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC
detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, it turns on the Air Bag Warning Light,
either momentarily or continuously. A single
chime will sound to alert you if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
The ORC also includes diagnostics that will
illuminate the instrument panel Air Bag
Warning Light if a malfunction is detected
that could affect the air bag system. The
diagnostics also record the nature of the
malfunction. While the air bag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer
service the air bag system immediately.
55

• The Air Bag Warning Light does not comeon during the four to eight seconds when
the ignition switch is first in the MAR/ACC/
ON/RUN position.
• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to eight-second interval.
• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on inter- mittently or remains on while driving.
NOTE:
If the speedometer, tachometer, or any en-
gine related gauges are not working, the Oc-
cupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may also
be disabled. In this condition the air bags
may not be ready to inflate for your protec-
tion. Have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your
instrument panel could mean you won’t
have the air bag system to protect you in a
collision. If the light does not come on as a
bulb check when the ignition is first
WARNING!
turned on, stays on after you start the
vehicle, or if it comes on as you drive, have
an authorized dealer service the air bag
system immediately.
Front Air Bags
This vehicle has front air bags and lap/
shoulder belts for both the driver and front
passenger. The front air bags are a supple-
ment to the seat belt restraint systems. The
driver front air bag is mounted in the center
of the steering wheel. The passenger front air
bag is mounted in the instrument panel,
above the glove compartment. The words
“SRS AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG” are embossed
on the air bag covers.
WARNING!
• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel during front air bag
deployment could cause serious injury,
including death. Air bags need room to
Front Air Bag Locations
1 — Driver Front Air Bag
2 — Passenger Front Air Bag
SAFETY
56

The SABICs may help reduce the risk of
partial or complete ejection of vehicle occu-
pants through side windows in certain roll-
over or side impact events.
Air Bag System Components
NOTE:
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
monitors the internal circuits and intercon-
necting wiring associated with electrical Air
Bag System Components listed below:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment.NOTE:
Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is
wrong with the air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the
air bags, any or all of the following may occur:
• The air bag material may sometimes cause
abrasions and/or skin reddening to the oc-
cupants as the air bags deploy and unfold.
The abrasions are similar to friction rope
burns or those you might get sliding along a
carpet or gymnasium floor. They are not
caused by contact with chemicals. They are
not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly
within a few days, or if you have any blis-
tering, see your doctor immediately.
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like particles. The particles are a
normal by-product of the process that gen-
erates the non-toxic gas used for air bag
inflation. These airborne particles may irri-
tate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you
have skin or eye irritation, rinse the area
with cool water. For nose or throat irritation,
move to fresh air. If the irritation continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle on
your clothing, follow the garment manufac-
turer’s instructions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags
have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the air bags will not be in place to
protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt preten-
sioners cannot protect you in another col-
lision. Have the air bags, seat belt preten-
sioners, and the seat belt retractor
assemblies replaced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Also, have the Occu-
pant Restraint Controller System serviced
as well.
NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim, but they will open during air
bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an authorized dealer immediately.
61

Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
• Modifications to any part of the air bagsystem 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,
including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim
cover or the upper right side of the in-
strument panel. Do not modify the front
bumper, vehicle body structure, or add
aftermarket side steps or running
boards.
• 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 prop-
erly if modifications are made. Take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, in-
cluding your trim cover and cushion,
WARNING!
needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle
to your authorized dealer. Only manufac-
turer 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 per-
formed. The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety sys-
tems for a short period of time, typically
30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were
operating; • Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better under-
standing of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE:
EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if
a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data
are recorded by the EDR under normal driving
conditions and no personal data (e.g., name,
gender, age, and crash location) are re-
corded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data
with the type of personally identifying data
routinely acquired during a crash investiga-
tion.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required, and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such
63

WARNING!
• If you are required to drive with thetrunk/liftgate/rear doors open, make sure
that all windows are closed and the cli-
mate control BLOWER switch is set at
high speed. DO NOT use the recircula-
tion mode.
• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle
with the engine running, adjust your
heating or cooling controls to force out-
side 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 com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body ar-
eas for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose
connections could permit exhaust fumes to
seep into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust 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 immedi-
ately. Do not disassemble or modify the sys-
tem.
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, have the
system inspected at your authorized dealer as
soon as possible. After the bulb check, this
light will illuminate with a single chime when
a fault with the Air Bag System has been
detected. It will stay on until the fault is
cleared. If the light comes on intermittently
or remains on while driving, have your autho-
rized dealer service the vehicle immediately.
Refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in
“Safety” for further information.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost
mode and place the blower control on high
speed. You should be able to feel the air
directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster
is inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. Only use a floor mat that does not
interfere with the operation of the accelera-
tor, brake or clutch pedals. Only use a floor
mat that is securely attached using the floor
SAFETY
70

CAUTION!
If the “Generic Warning Light” remains on
and a “Service Fuel Filter” message dis-
plays, DO NOT START engine before you
drain the water from the fuel filter housing
to avoid engine damage. Please see your
authorized dealer for draining the fuel
filter/water separator and fuel filter re-
placement.
Normal Starting Procedure
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL
(N) position, and the brake pedal must be
pressed, to allow engine cranking. Place the
gear selector in NEUTRAL (N) and apply the
brake pedal BEFORE turning the key to the
START/AVV position; otherwise, the engine
will not crank and the key must be cycled
OFF, then back on, before cranking is al-
lowed.
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights
when starting the engine.NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or press-
ing the accelerator pedal.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Place the gear selector into the NEUTRAL
(N) position while keeping the brake pedal
depressed.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN/ MAR position and watch the instrument
panel cluster lights.CAUTION!
If the “Generic Warning Light” remains on
and a “Service Fuel Filter” message dis-
plays, DO NOT START engine before you
drain the water from the fuel filter housing
to avoid engine damage. Please see your
authorized dealer for draining the fuel
filter/water separator and fuel filter re-
placement.
4. After the Glow Plug light turns off, turn the ignition switch to the AVV (START)
position to start the engine. Do not press
the accelerator during starting. 5. If you wish to stop the cranking of the
engine prior to the engine starting, release
the ignition key so that it turns back to the
ON/RUN position.
6. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
7. Release the parking brake.
To start the engine if the transmission is
faulty, the “Delayed startup” procedure may
be required.
NOTE:
Not all Transmission Failures requires the
“Delayed startup” Procedure, it depends on
the type of failure.(refer to "Instrument Clus-
ter Messages" under "Automated Manual
Transmission" in this section for further infor-
mation):
• Begin with the key in the OFF position.
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Turn the key to the START/AVV position and hold it there for at least seven seconds with
the brake depressed. The engine will start,
and the transmission will operate in recov-
ery mode (maximum gear permitted = 3rd,
75

when the ignition switch is OFF however, it
can only be released when the ignition switch
is in the ON/RUN position.
NOTE:
The EPB fault lamp will illuminate if the EPB
switch is held for longer than 20 seconds if
vehicle speed is less than 1.25 mph (2 kph),
or 60 seconds if vehicle speed is greater than
1.25 mph (2 kph), in either the released or
applied position. The light will extinguish
upon releasing the switch.
The park brake will automatically engage
whenever the ignition switch is turned OFF
and the vehicle speed is below 1.25 mph
(2 km/h) via the Auto Park Brake feature.
The electric park brake will automatically
release if the engine is on and all following
conditions are met:
1. Driver's weight is detected on the driver'sseat.
2. Driver's seat is locked in forward direction (if equipped with swivel seat).
3. Transmission is in forward or reverse gears. 4. The accelerator pedal is pressed.
Or
1. Driver’s weight is detected on the driver’s
seat.
2. Driver’s seat is locked in forward direction (if equipped with swivel seat).
3. Transmission is moved from NEUTRAL to DRIVE or REVERSE gears.
4. Brake pedal is pressed.
5. Vehicle is on a slope less than 5 percent.
To release the park brake manually, the igni-
tion switch must be in the ON/RUN position.
Put your foot on the brake pedal, then push
the parking brake switch down momentarily.
Once the park brake is fully disengaged, the
BRAKE warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter and the LED indicator on the switch will
extinguish.
If during drive away the driver pulls the EPB
switch (apply position) the drive away is
halted and EPB will be reapplied.WARNING!
To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
• NEVER install a driver seat cover or any other accessory on your driver seat.
• NEVER make any modifications to the
driver seat components, assembly, or
factory installed seat cover.
• NEVER place objects under the driver
seat.
If your driver seat needs service for any
reason, take your vehicle to your autho-
rized dealer immediately.
NOTE:
• When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on
an uphill grade. The parking brake should
always be applied whenever the driver is not
in the vehicle.
• The Electronic Park Brake system commu- nicates with the Driver Presence Detection
sensor installed in the driver seat. The use
of seat covers or seat accessories could
79

prevent the Electronic Park Brake system
from working properly and result in unin-
tended vehicle movement.
WARNING!
• When leaving the vehicle, always removethe key fob from the ignition and lock
your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously 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 a vehicle
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go in
the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls,
or move the vehicle.
• Be sure the parking brake is fully disen-
gaged before driving; failure to do so can
lead to brake failure and a collision.
WARNING!
• Always fully apply the parking brakewhen leaving your vehicle, or it may roll
and cause damage or injury.
CAUTION!
If the Brake System Warning Light remains
on with the parking brake released, a brake
system malfunction is indicated. Have the
brake system serviced by an authorized
dealer immediately.
If exceptional circumstances should make it
necessary to engage the park brake while the
vehicle is in motion, a buzzer repeats until
the park brake switch is released or vehicle
speed is below 1.25 mph (2 km/h).
To disengage the park brake while the vehicle
is in motion, release the switch. If the vehicle
is brought to a complete stop using the park
brake, when the vehicle reaches approxi-
mately 1.25 mph (2 km/h) the parking brake
will remain engaged.
WARNING!
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake
engaged, or repeated use of the parking
brake to slow the vehicle may cause seri-
ous damage to the brake system. Be sure
the parking brake is fully disengaged be-
fore driving; failure to do so can lead to
brake failure and a collision.
In the unlikely event of a malfunction of the
Electric Park Brake system, a yellow triangle
EPB fault lamp will illuminate. In this status
some EPB functionality may be deactivated,
in this event, urgent service of the electric
park brake system is required. Do not rely on
the parking brake to hold the vehicle station-
ary, wheel chocks or other mechanical secur-
ing of the vehicle is required to prevent roll-
ing.
Loss Of Electric Power
If electric power is not available and the EPB
must be released for towing the vehicle, the
EPB can be mechanically released by use of
STARTING AND OPERATING
80