2019 Ram 2500 Owner's Manual

SAFETY 207
NOTE:
During HDC the +/- shifter input is used for HDC target
speed selection, but will not affect the gear chosen by the
transmission. When actively controlling HDC the transmis-
sion will shift appropriately for the driver-selected set speed
and corresponding driving conditions.
Driver Override
The driver may override HDC activation with throttle or
brake application at anytime.
Deactivating HDC
HDC will be deactivated but remain available if any of the
following conditions occur:
• Driver overrides HDC set speed with throttle or brake application.
• Vehicle speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h) but remains below 40 mph (64 km/h).
• Vehicle is on a downhill grade of insufficient magnitude, is on level ground, or is on an uphill grade.
• Vehicle is shifted to park. Disabling HDC
HDC will be deactivated and disabled if any of the following
conditions occur:
• The driver pushes the HDC switch.
• The driveline is shifted out of 4WD Low Range.
• The parking brake is applied.
• Driver door opens.
• The vehicle is driven greater than 20 mph (32 km/h) for
greater than 70 seconds.
• The vehicle is driven greater than 40 mph (64 km/h) (HDC exits immediately).
• HDC detects excessive brake temperature.
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208 SAFETY
Feedback To The Driver
The instrument cluster has an HDC icon and the HDC switch
has an LED icon, which offers feedback to the driver about
the state HDC is in.
• The cluster icon and switch lamp will illuminate andremain on solid when HDC is enabled or activated. This is
the normal operating condition for HDC.
• The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash for several seconds then extinguish when the driver pushes the HDC
switch but enable conditions are not met.
• The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash for several seconds then extinguish when HDC disables due to excess
speed.
• The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash when HDC deactivates due to overheated brakes. The flashing will
stop and HDC will activate again once the brakes have
cooled sufficiently.AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) — If Equipped
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system uses two
radar-based sensors, located inside the taillights, to detect
highway licensable vehicles (automobiles, trucks, motorcy -
cles, etc.) that enter the blind spot zones from the rear/front/
side of the vehicle.
Rear Detection Zones
WARNING!
HDC is only intended to assist the driver in controlling
vehicle speed when descending hills. The driver must
remain attentive to the driving conditions and is
responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle speed.

SAFETY 209
When the vehicle is started, the BSM warning light will
momentarily illuminate in both outside rearview mirrors to
let the driver know that the system is operational. The BSM
system sensors operate when the vehicle is in any forward
gear or REVERSE and enters stand-by mode when the
vehicle is in PARK.
The BSM detection zone covers approximately one lane
width on both sides of the vehicle 12 ft (3.8 m). The zone
length starts at the outside rear view mirror and extends
approximately 10 ft (3 m) beyond the rear bumper of the
vehicle. The BSM system monitors the detection zones on
both sides of the vehicle when the vehicle speed reaches
approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher and will alert the
driver of vehicles in these areas.
NOTE:
• The BSM system DOES NOT alert the driver about rapidlyapproaching vehicles that are outside the detection zones.
• The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system may experience 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 seconds). The vehicle’s taillights, where the radar sensors are located,
must remain free of snow, ice, and dirt/road contamination
so that the BSM system can function properly. Do not block
the taillights with foreign objects (bumper stickers, bicycle
racks, etc.).
Radar Sensor Locations
If the system detects degraded performance due to contami -
nation or foreign objects, a message will warn you of a
blocked sensor and the warning indicators in side view
mirrors will be on. The warning indicators will remain illu-
minated until blockage clearing conditions are met. First
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210 SAFETY
clear the taillights around the sensors of the blockage. After
removing the blockage, the following procedure can be used
to reset the system:
• Cycle the ignition from ON to OFF and then back ON.
If the blockage message is still present after cycling the igni-
tion and driving in traffic, check again for a blockage.
The BSM system notifies the driver of objects in the detection
zones by illuminating the BSM warning light located in the
outside mirrors in addition to sounding an audible (chime)
alert and reducing the radio volume. Refer to “Modes Of
Operation” in this section for further information.
Warning Light Location The BSM system monitors the detection zone from three
different entry points (side, rear, front) while driving to see
if an alert is necessary. The BSM system will issue an alert
during these types of zone entries.
Entering From The Side
Vehicles that move into your adjacent lanes from either side
of the vehicle.
Side Monitoring

SAFETY 211
Entering From The Rear
Vehicles that come up from behind your vehicle on either
side and enter the rear detection zone with a relative speed
of less than 30 mph (48 km/h).Rear Monitoring Overtaking Traffic
If you pass another vehicle slowly with a relative speed less
than 15 mph (24 km/h) and the vehicle remains in the blind
spot for approximately 1.5 seconds, the warning light will be
illuminated. If the difference in speed between the two vehi
-
cles is greater than 15 mph (24 km/h), the warning light will
not illuminate.
Overtaking/Approaching
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212 SAFETY
Overtaking/PassingThe BSM system is designed not to issue an alert on
stationary objects such as guardrails, posts, walls, foliage,
berms, snow banks, car washes etc. However, occasionally
the system may alert on such objects. This is normal opera
-
tion and your vehicle does not require service.
Stationary Objects

SAFETY 213
The BSM system will not alert you of objects that are trav-
eling in the opposite direction of the vehicle in adjacent
lanes.
Opposing Traffic 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 Detection Zones
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
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.

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214 SAFETY
(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, including
reducing the radio volume.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 appropriate
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
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.