2019 Ram 3500 service

318 STARTING AND OPERATING
Trailer Decoupling/Unloading - The air suspension system
will load level (lower/exhaust only) once after 12 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 main -
taining the ride height. After 12 minutes you will need to
turn the ignition to the run position for the air suspension to
re-level due to addition/removal of load in the vehicle. If the
air suspension system is disabled using the settings menu
(Tire Jack Mode, Transport Mode, Alignment Mode, or Bed
Lowering Mode) the system will remain disabled when the
vehicle is turned off. Reactivating the air suspension can be
accomplished via the settings menu or driving the vehicle
above 5 mph (8 km/h) for Tire Jack Mode or Alignment
Mode and 16 mph (26 km/h) for Transport Mode and Bed
Lowering Mode.
NOTE:
• Most 3500 models will not lower to Alternate 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.

Air Suspension Modes
The air suspension system has multiple modes to protect the
system in unique situations:
Tire/Jack Mode

To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension system has a
feature which allows the automatic leveling to be disabled. 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 “Multimedia” if equipped
with a touch screen radio for further information.

NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pressure volume
of air to operate the system. To avoid personal injury or
damage to the system, see your authorized dealer for
service.

320 STARTING AND OPERATING
Instrument Cluster Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a message will
appear in the instrument cluster display. Refer to “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a system error has
been detected.
See your authorized dealer for system service if normal oper-
ation does not resume.
Operation
Pushing the Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) button once
while at Normal Ride Height (NRH), will lower the vehicle
to Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) and will illuminate the
LED.
NOTE:
The LED will continuously blink until vehicle Alternate
Trailer Height (ATH) has been achieved and the LED will
turn on.
Pushing the Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) again will raise
the vehicle to Normal Ride Height (NRH). NOTE:
The LED will continuously blink until Normal Ride Height
(NRH) has been achieved and the LED will turn off.
• Transport Mode – No indicator lamps will be illuminated.
Transport Mode is disabled by driving the vehicle, or dese -
lecting the mode via the interface.
• Tire/Jack Mode – No indicator lamps will be illuminated. Tire/Jack Mode is disabled by driving the vehicle, or by
deselecting the mode via the interface.
• Wheel Alignment Mode – No indicator lamps will be illu -
minated. Wheel Alignment Mode is disabled by driving
the vehicle, or by deselecting the mode via the interface.
• Bed Lowering Mode – No indicator lamps will be illumi -
nated. Bed Lowering Mode is disabled by driving the
vehicle, or deselecting the mode via the interface.
AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED)
This vehicle is equipped with electronically locking front
and rear differentials. These differentials, when engaged,
mechanically lock together the axle shafts forcing the wheels
to spin at an equal rate. This allows the vehicle to maintain
its momentum and prevents it from becoming stuck. The
locking front and rear differentials should only be engaged

324 STARTING AND OPERATING
and left halves of the bar must be aligned. This alignment
may require that the vehicle be driven onto level ground or
rocked from side to side.
To return to the On-Road mode; push the SWAY BAR button
again.
SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON ONLY
Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle Characteristics
Your vehicle has excellent on and off-road capabilities. These
off-road capabilities will allow you to explore those wilder-
ness trails where few travel, providing a source of exciting
and satisfying recreation. Before you venture out, you
should contact your local governmental agency to determine
the designated off-road vehicle (ORV) trails or recreation areas. You should always tread lightly and only use estab
-
lished roads, trails or ORV recreational areas.
The National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management,
or local Department of Natural Resources are a wealth of
information and usually have maps with marked trails.
Skid Plates And Underbody Protection
Steel skid plates protect the major driveline components of
the truck including the fuel tank, transfer case and steering
damper. In addition, this vehicle is equipped with boxed
cross members and fore/aft rails. This additional protection
allows the vehicle to be utilized in severe off-road situations
that would be considered impassable by a normal truck.
Ramp Travel Index (RTI)
The ramp travel index is the distance, in inches, that you can
drive your vehicle with one wheel on a 20-degree ramp
without lifting any other wheel off the ground. This distance
up the ramp divided by the wheelbase of the vehicle and
multiplied by 1,000 is the RTI. This vehicle has an RTI of 510,
which means you can articulate one front wheel 26 inches (66
cm) in the air while the other three wheels remain in contact
with the ground.
WARNING!
If the stabilizer/sway bar will not return to On-Road
mode, vehicle stability is reduced. Do not attempt to
drive the vehicle over 18 mph (29 km/h). Driving faster
than 18 mph (29 km/h) may cause loss of control of the
vehicle, which could result in serious injury or death.
Contact your local service center for assistance.

336 STARTING AND OPERATING
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is always
a good idea to check for damage. That way you can get any
problems taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
• Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Checktires, body structure, steering, suspension, and exhaust
system for damage.
• Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and suspension.
Retighten them, if required, and torque to the values spec -
ified in the Service Manual.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage to fuel
lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts. • After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similar
dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake rotors,
wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and
cleaned as soon as possible.
• If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted
material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance
and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not
have full braking power when you need it to prevent a
collision. If you have been operating your vehicle in
dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as
necessary.

STARTING AND OPERATING 371
The “ACC/FCW Limited Functionality Clean Front Wind-
shield” message can sometimes be displayed while driving
in adverse weather conditions. The ACC/FCW system will
recover after the vehicle has left these areas. Under rare
conditions, when the camera is not tracking any vehicles or
objects in its path this warning may temporarily occur.
If weather conditions are not a factor, the driver should
examine the windshield and the camera located on the back
side of the inside rear view mirror. They may require
cleaning or removal of an obstruction.
When the condition that created limited functionality is no
longer present, the system will return to full functionality.
NOTE:
If the “ACC/FCW Limited Functionality Clean Front Wind -
shield” message occurs frequently (e.g. more than once on
every trip) without any snow, rain, mud, or other obstruc -
tion, have the windshield and forward facing camera
inspected at your authorized dealer. Service ACC/FCW Warning
If the system turns off, and the instrument cluster displays
“ACC/FCW Unavailable Service Required” or “Cruise/
FCW Unavailable Service Required”, there may be an
internal system fault or a temporary malfunction that limits
ACC functionality. Although the vehicle is still drivable
under normal conditions, ACC will be temporarily unavail
-
able. If this occurs, try activating ACC again later, following
an ignition cycle. If the problem persists, see your authorized
dealer.
Precautions While Driving With ACC
In certain driving situations, ACC may have detection issues.
In these cases, ACC may brake late or unexpectedly. The
driver needs to stay alert and may need to intervene.
NOTE:
• Aftermarket add-ons such as snow plows, lift kits, and brush/grille bars can hinder module performance. Ensure
the radar/camera has no obstructions in the field of view.
• Height modifications can limit module performance and functionality.
5

STARTING AND OPERATING 385
Enabling And Disabling ParkSense
ParkSense can be enabled and disabled with the ParkSense
switch.When the gear selector is moved to REVERSE and
the system is disabled, the instrument cluster
display will show the vehicle graphic with “Off”
over the arcs for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
NOTE:
The ParkSense system will automatically disable when the
system detects that a trailer with trailer brakes has been
connected to the Integrated Trailer Brake Module. The
instrument cluster display will show an “Off” message over
the arcs if the ParkSense system is off, or a “Trailer” message
if the system is on, for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
The ParkSense switch LED will be on when ParkSense is
disabled or defective. The ParkSense switch LED will be off
when the system is enabled.
If the ParkSense switch is pushed, and the system is disabled
or requires service, the ParkSense switch LED will blink
momentarily, and then the LED will be on.
Service The ParkSense Rear Park Assist System
During vehicle start up, when the Rear ParkSense System
has detected a faulted condition, the instrument cluster
display will show the "Rear ParkSense Unavailable Service
Required" or the "Rear ParkSense Unavailable Wipe Sensors"
message.
When the gear selector is moved into REVERSE, a vehicle
graphic will show in the instrument cluster display, along
with the display overlay “Rear ParkSense Unavailable Wipe
Sensors.” If the system needs service, the display overlay will
read “Rear ParkSense Unavailable Service Required” Under
this condition, ParkSense will not operate.
If "Rear ParkSense Unavailable Wipe Sensors" appears in the
instrument cluster display make sure the outer surface and
the underside of the rear fascia/bumper is clean and clear of
snow, ice, mud, dirt or other obstruction, and then cycle the
ignition. If the message continues to appear, see an autho -
rized dealer.
If "Rear ParkSense Unavailable Service Required" appears in
the instrument cluster display, see an authorized dealer.
5

386 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
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.
ParkSense System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
• Ensure that the rear bumper is free of snow, ice, mud, dirtand debris to keep the ParkSense system operating prop -
erly.
• Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could affect the performance of ParkSense.
• When you move the gear selector into REVERSE with ParkSense turned off, the instrument cluster display will
show "Off" on the vehicle graphic arcs for as long as the
vehicle is in REVERSE.
• ParkSense, when on, will reduce the volume of the radio when it is sounding a tone.
• Clean the ParkSense sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must not be covered
with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris. Failure to do so
can result in the system not working properly. The Park -Sense system might not detect an obstacle behind the
fascia/bumper, or it could provide a false indication that
an obstacle is behind the fascia/bumper.
• Ensure the ParkSense system is OFF if objects such as bicycle carriers, trailer hitches, etc., are placed within
18 inches (45 cm) of the rear fascia/bumper while driving
the vehicle. Failure to do so can result in the system misin -
terpreting a close obstacle as a sensor problem, causing the
"Rear ParkSense Unavailable Service Required" message
to appear in the instrument cluster display.
• On vehicles equipped with a tailgate, ParkSense should be disabled when the tailgate is in the lowered or open posi -
tion and the vehicle is in REVERSE. A lowered tailgate
could provide a false indication that an obstacle is behind
the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Drivers must be careful when backing up even when using ParkSense. 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. You are responsible for
safety and must continue to pay attention to your
surroundings. Failure to do so can result in serious
injury or death.

394 STARTING AND OPERATING
Enabling And Disabling Front And/Or Rear ParkSense
Front ParkSense can be enabled and disabled with the Front
ParkSense switch.
Rear ParkSense can be enabled and disabled with the Rear
ParkSense switch.When the gear selector is moved to REVERSE and
the Front or Rear system is disabled, the instrument
cluster display will show the “Off” message. This
vehicle graphic will be displayed for as long as the vehicle is
in REVERSE.
The Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will be on when
Front or Rear ParkSense is disabled or requires service. The
Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will be off when the
Front or Rear system is enabled. If the Front or Rear Park -
Sense switch is pushed, and the system requires service, the
Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will blink momentarily,
and then the LED will be on.
Service The ParkSense Front/Rear Park Assist
System
During vehicle start up, when the Front/Rear ParkSense
System has detected a faulted condition, the instrument
cluster display will show the "Front/Rear ParkSense
Unavailable Service Required" or the "Front/Rear ParkSense
Unavailable Wipe Sensors" message.

When the gear selector is moved into REVERSE, a vehicle graphic
will show in the instrument cluster display, along with the display
overlay “Front/Rear ParkSense Unavailable Wipe Sensors.” If the
system needs service, the display overlay will read “Front/Rear
ParkSense Unavailable Service Required.” Under this condition,
ParkSense will not operate.

If "Front/Rear ParkSense Unavailable Wipe Sensors"
appears in the instrument cluster display make sure the
outer surface and the underside of the rear fascia/bumper is
clean and clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt or other obstruction,
and then cycle the ignition. If the message continues to
appear, see an authorized dealer.
If "Front/Rear ParkSense Unavailable Service Required"
appears in the instrument cluster display, see an authorized
dealer.