2020 Ram 1500 front

STARTING AND OPERATING 415
Towing Requirements — Tires
• Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact sparetire.
• Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing while using a full size spare tire.
• Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to “Tires” in
“Servicing And Maintenance” for proper tire inflation
procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires” in “Servicing And Main -
tenance” for the proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires” in “Servicing And Maintenance” for the proper tire replacement procedures.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying capacity will
not increase the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
• Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or vacuum
system of your vehicle with that of the trailer. This could
cause inadequate braking and possible personal injury. • An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically actu -
ated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with a
hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic brake
controller is not required.

• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000 lbs (453 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000 lbs (907 kg).

WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping distance. When towing, you should allow for addi -
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle in
front of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (453 kg) loaded,
it should have its own brakes and they should be of
adequate capacity. Failure to do this could lead to
accelerated brake lining wear, higher brake pedal effort,
and longer stopping distances.
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2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 415

STARTING AND OPERATING 421
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheating,
activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly areas, or
select a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speeddrops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until you
can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over -
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed. Highway Driving
• Reduce speed
• Temporarily turn off air conditioning
Air Suspension System

To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle, the air
suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air Suspension
System” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.

NOTE:
The vehicle must remain in the engine running position
while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of the air suspen
-
sion system.
SNOWPLOW
NOTE:
Do not use this model vehicle for snowplow applications.
WARNING!
Snowplows and other aftermarket equipment should not
be added to the front end of your vehicle. The airbag
crash sensors may be affected by the change in the front
end structure. The airbags could deploy unexpectedly or
could fail to deploy during a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
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2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 421

422 STARTING AND OPERATING
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
NOTE:
• When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable stateand provincial laws. Contact state and provincial
Highway Safety offices for additional details. • Vehicles equipped with Active-Level Four Corner Air
Suspension must be placed in Transport mode before
tying them down (from the body) on a trailer or flatbed
truck. Refer to “Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension
– If Equipped” for more information. If the vehicle cannot
WARNING!
Attaching a snowplow to this vehicle could adversely
affect performance of the airbag system in a collision. Do
not expect that the airbag will perform as described
earlier in this manual.CAUTION!
Using this vehicle for snowplow applications can cause
damage to the vehicle.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The
Ground Two-Wheel Drive
Models Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED See Instructions
• Transmission in PARK
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK OK
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 422

STARTING AND OPERATING 423
be placed in Transport mode (for example, engine will not
run), tie-downs must be fastened to the axles (not to the
body). Failure to follow these instructions may cause fault
codes to be set and/or cause loss of proper tie-down
tension.
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is allowed
ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the ground. This may be
accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a
tow dolly, follow this procedure:
NOTE:
If vehicle is equipped with air suspension, ensure the vehicle
is set to Normal Ride Height.
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Apply the parking brake. Place the transmission in PARK. 4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the
dolly manufacturer's instructions.
5. Turn the ignition OFF.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE:
The transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) for
recreational towing. The transmission must be shifted into
PARK for recreational towing. Refer to the following for the
proper transfer case NEUTRAL (N) shifting procedure for
your vehicle. CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will cause
severe transmission damage. Damage from improper
towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
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424 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear) will
cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage.
Tow with all four wheels either ON the ground, or OFF
the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer case.
• Before recreational towing, the transfer case must be in NEUTRAL. To be certain the transfer case is fully in
NEUTRAL, perform the procedure outlined under
“Shifting Into NEUTRAL”. Internal transmission
damage will result, if the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL during towing.
• The transmission must be in PARK for recreational towing.
• Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and remains released, while being towed.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require -
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because fluid will leak from the transfer case, causing damage to internal
parts.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the
transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should
always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle. CAUTION!
(Continued)
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 424

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 437
Low & High Beam (LED Reflector Headlamp)LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Low & High Beam (LED Projector Headlamp) LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Turn Signal / Front Position (Halogen Reflector Headlamp) 7444NA
Turn Signal / Front Position (LED Headlamps) LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Front Side Marker (Halogen Reflector Headlamp) W5W
Front Side Marker (LED Headlamps) LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Front Fog Lamps (Halogen Reflector Headlamp) H11LL
Front Fog Lamps (LED Headlamps) LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Side Indicators (Front And Side View Mirror) LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Base Rear Tail/Turn and Stop Lamp 7440LL/W21WLL
Premium Rear Tail/Turn/Backup and Stop Lamp LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Base Backup Lamp 7440/W21W
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) 921
Cargo Lamp 921
Rear License Plate Lamp LED (Serviced At An Authorized Dealer)
Base Turn Lamp 7440NA / WY21W
Exterior Bulbs
Bulb Name Bulb Number
6
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 437

438 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Replacing Exterior Bulbs
Base Quad: Low Beam Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp,
Front Park And Turn — If Equipped
Low Beam
1. Open the hood.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Look under the hood and behind the headlamp to findthe low beam bulb access cover.
Passenger’s Low Beam Headlight Cover NOTE:
It may be necessary to remove/reposition Air Cleaner
Assembly to access passenger side headlamp/side marker
light bulbs.
4. Disengage the bulb access cover by rotating counterclock
-
wise.
5. Disconnect the internal lamp wiring harness connector from the low beam bulb.
6. Rotate the bulb counterclockwise a quarter turn to unlock the bulb from the lamp.
7. Pull the bulb straight out from the housing.
8. Reverse the procedure for installation of new bulb and covers.
CAUTION!
• Do not contaminate the bulb glass by touching it with your fingers or by allowing it to contact other oily
surfaces. Shortened bulb life will result.
• Always use the correct bulb size and type for replace -
ment. An incorrect bulb size or type may overheat and
cause damage to the lamp, the bulb socket, or the lamp
wiring.
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440 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Front Park And Turn
1. Open the hood.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Look under the hood and behind the headlamp to findthe park and turn socket.
Park And Turn Socket
4. Reach behind the headlamp and unlock the park and turn socket from the lamp by rotating counterclockwise a
quarter turn.
5. Pull the bulb straight out from the housing. 6. Separate the bulb from the socket without twisting.
7. Reverse the procedure for installation of new bulb and
covers.
Side Marker Lamp
1. Open the hood.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Look under the hood and behind the headlamp to find the Side Marker Light.
Passenger’s Side Marker Lamp
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 440