2019 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

The BSM system will not alert you of objects that are
traveling in the opposite direction of the vehicle in adjacent
lanes.
For information on how Blind Spot Monitoring functions
when pulling a trailer, refer to “Trailer Merge Assist” in this
section.WARNING!
The Blind Spot Monitoring system is only an aid to
help detect objects in the blind spot zones. The BSM
system is not designed to detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. Even if your vehicle is equipped with the
BSM system, always check your vehicle’s mirrors,
glance over your shoulder, and use your turn signal
before changing lanes. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
Opposing Traffic
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SAFETY 215

Rear Cross Path (RCP)
The Rear Cross Path (RCP) feature is intended to aid the
driver when backing out of parking spaces where their
vision of oncoming vehicles may be blocked. Proceed
slowly and cautiously out of the parking space until the
rear end of the vehicle is exposed. The RCP system will
then have a clear view of the cross traffic and if an
oncoming vehicle is detected, alert the driver.
RCP monitors the rear detection zones on both sides of the
vehicle, for objects that are moving toward the side of the
vehicle with a minimum speed of approximately 3 mph(5 km/h), to objects moving a maximum of approximately
20 mph (32 km/h), such as in parking lot situations.
NOTE:
In a parking lot situation, oncoming vehicles can be
obscured by vehicles parked on either side. If the sensors
are blocked by other structures or vehicles, the system will
not be able to alert the driver.
When RCP is on and the vehicle is in REVERSE, the driver
is alerted using both the visual and audible alarms, includ-
ing reducing the radio volume.
WARNING!
Rear Cross Path Detection (RCP) is not a back up aid
system. It is intended to be used to help a driver detect
an oncoming vehicle in a parking lot situation. Drivers
must be careful when backing up, even when using
RCP. Always check carefully behind your vehicle, look
behind you, and be sure to check for pedestrians,
animals, other vehicles, obstructions, and blind spots
before backing up. Failure to do so can result in serious
injury or death.
RCP Detection Zones
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Modes Of Operation
Three selectable modes of operation are available in the
Uconnect System.
Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further
information.
Blind Spot Alert Lights Only
When operating in Blind Spot Alert mode, the BSM system
will provide a visual alert in the appropriate side view
mirror based on a detected object. However, when the
system is operating in Rear Cross Path (RCP) mode, the
system will respond with both visual and audible alerts
when a detected object is present. Whenever an audible
alert is requested, the radio is muted.
Blind Spot Alert Lights/Chime
When operating in Blind Spot Alert Lights/Chime mode,
the BSM system will provide a visual alert in the appro-
priate side view mirror based on a detected object. If the
turn signal is then activated, and it corresponds to an alert
present on that side of the vehicle, an audible chime will
also be sounded. Whenever a turn signal and detected
object are present on the same side at the same time, both
the visual and audible alerts will be issued. In addition to
the audible alert the radio (if on) will also be muted.NOTE:
Whenever an audible alert is requested by the BSM
system, the radio is also muted.
When the system is in RCP, the system shall respond with
both visual and audible alerts when a detected object is
present. Whenever an audible alert is requested, the radio
is also muted. Turn/hazard signal status is ignored; the
RCP state always requests the chime.
Blind Spot Alert Off
When the BSM system is turned off there will be no visual
or audible alerts from either the BSM, RCP, or Trailer Merge
Assist systems.
NOTE: The BSM system will store the current operating
mode when the vehicle is shut off. Each time the vehicle is
started the previously stored mode will be recalled and
used.
Trailer Merge Assist
NOTE: When Trailer Merge Assist is activated, Rear Cross
Path is disabled.
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Trailer Merge Assist is a function of the Blind Spot Moni-
toring (BSM) system that extends the blind spot zone to
work while pulling a trailer. Trailer Merge Assist consists of
three sub functions:
•Automatic Trailer Detection
• Trailer Length Detection
• Trailer Merge Warning Automatic Trailer Detection
There are two modes of operation for the detection of the
trailer length:
•
Automatic Mode — When “Auto Mode” is selected, the
system will use the blind spot sensors to automatically
determine the presence and length of a trailer. The
presence of a trailer will be detected using the blind spot
radar within 90 seconds of forward movement of the
vehicle. The vehicle must be moving above 6 mph
(10 km/h) to activate the feature. Once the trailer has
been detected, the system will default to the maximum
blind spot zone until the length has been verified. You
will see “Auto” in the instrument panel cluster
.
• Max Mode — When “Max Mode” is selected, the system
will default to the maximum blind spot zone regardless
of what size trailer is attached
NOTE: Selected setting is stored when the ignition is
cycled OFF. To change this setting, it must be selected
through the Uconnect Settings. Refer to “Uconnect Set-
tings” in “Multimedia” for further information.
Blind Spot Zones With Trailer Merge Assist
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Trailer Length Detection
Once the trailer presence has been established. The trailer
length will be established (by making a 90 degree turn) and
then the trailer length category (example 10-20 ft (3 m to
6 m)) will be displayed. This can take up to 30 seconds after
completing the turn.
NOTE:During the same ignition cycle, if the vehicle is at a
standstill for a minimum of 90 seconds, a new “trailer
detection request” is enabled by the system once the
vehicle resumes motion.
Maximum length supported by the Trailer Merge Assist
feature is 39.5 ft (12 m). Trailer length is considered the
forward most portion of the trailer hitch to the rearward
most portion of the body, bumper, or ramp of the trailer.
Maximum width supported by the Trailer Merge Assist
feature is 8.5 ft (2.59 m). Trailer width is measured at the
widest portion of the trailer and may include wheels, tires,
finders, or rails.
NOTE: Fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers are not supported
by Trailer Merge Assist. Trailer length will be identified and placed into one of the
following categories:
•
Trailer length up to 10 ft (3 m) — Blind spot zone will be
adjusted to 10 ft (3 m)
.
• Trailer length between 10 ft to 20 ft (3 m to 6 m) — Blind
spot zone will be adjusted to 20 ft (6 m)
.
Trailer Length Detection
1 — Trailer Length
2 — Trailer Width
3 — Trailer Hitch
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SAFETY 219

•Trailer length between 20 ft to 30 ft (6 m to 9 m) — Blind
spot zone will be adjusted to 30 ft (9 m)
.
• Trailer length between 30 ft and 39.5 ft (9 m to 12 m) —
Blind spot zone will be adjusted to MAX distance
.
NOTE: Trailer length is determined within +/- 3 feet
(1 meter) of actual length. Trailers that are the same size as
the category limit, 10/20/30 ft (3/6/9 m), could be subject
to being placed in the category above or below the correct
one.
Trailer Merge Warning
Trailer Merge Warning is the extension of the blind spot
function to cover the length of the trailer, plus a safety
margin, to warn the driver when there is a vehicle in the
adjacent lane. The driver is alerted by the illumination of
the BSM warning light located in the outside mirror on the
side the other vehicle is detected. In addition, an audible
(chime) alert will be heard and radio volume reduced.
Refer to “Modes Of Operation” in this section for further
information. NOTE:
•
The Trailer Merge Alert system DOES NOT alert the
driver about rapidly approaching vehicles that are out-
side the detection zones.
• The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system may experi-
ence drop outs (blinking on and off) of the side mirror
warning indicator lamps when a motorcycle or any
small object remains at the side of the vehicle for
extended periods of time (more than a couple of sec-
onds).
• Crowded areas such as parking lots, neighborhoods, etc.
May lead to an increased amount of false alerts. This is
normal operation.
WARNING!
The Blind Spot Monitoring system is only an aid to
help detect objects in the blind spot zones. The BSM
system is not designed to detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. Even if your vehicle is equipped with the
BSM system, always check your vehicle’s mirrors,
glance over your shoulder, and use your turn signal
before changing lanes. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
220 SAFETY

General Information
The following regulatory statement applies to all Radio
Frequency (RF) devices equipped in this vehicle:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and
with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, in-cluding interference that may cause undesired opera-
tion.
NOTE: Changes or modifications not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user ’s authority to operate the equipment.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) With Mitigation
— If Equipped
The Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system with miti-
gation provides the driver with audible warnings, visual
warnings (within the instrument cluster display), and may
apply a brake jerk to warn the driver when it detects a potential frontal collision. The warnings and limited brak-
ing are intended to provide the driver with enough time to
react, avoid or mitigate the potential collision.
NOTE:
FCW monitors the information from the forward
looking sensors as well as the Electronic Brake Controller
(EBC), to calculate the probability of a forward collision.
When the system determines that a forward collision is
probable, the driver will be provided with audible and
visual warnings as well as a possible brake jerk warning.
If the driver does not take action based upon these pro-
gressive warnings, then the system will provide a limited
level of active braking to help slow the vehicle and mitigate
the potential forward collision. If the driver reacts to the
warnings by braking and the system determines that the
driver intends to avoid the collision by braking but has not
applied sufficient brake force, the system will compensate
and provide additional brake force as required.
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SAFETY 221

If a FCW with Mitigation event begins at a speed below
32 mph (52 km/h), the system may provide the maximum
braking possible to mitigate the potential forward collision.
If the Forward Collision Warning with Mitigation event
stops the vehicle completely, the system will hold the
vehicle at standstill for two seconds and then release the
brakes.
When the system determines a collision with the vehicle in
front of you is no longer probable, the warning message
will be deactivated.NOTE:
•
The minimum speed for FCW activation is 3 mph
(5 km/h).
• The FCW alerts may be triggered on objects other than
vehicles such as guard rails or sign posts based on the
course prediction. This is expected and is a part of
normal FCW activation and functionality.
• It is unsafe to test the FCW system. To prevent such
misuse of the system, after four Active Braking events
within a key cycle, the Active Braking portion of FCW
will be deactivated until the next key cycle.
• The FCW system is intended for on-road use only. If the
vehicle is taken off-road, the FCW system should be
deactivated to prevent unnecessary warnings to the
surroundings.
WARNING!
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is not intended to
avoid a collision on its own, nor can FCW detect every
type of potential collision. The driver has the respon-
sibility to avoid a collision by controlling the vehicle
via braking and steering. Failure to follow this warn-
ing could lead to serious injury or death.
FCW Message
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