2020 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 175
• Average Econ
• Current Econ
• Trip A Distance
• Trip B Distance
• Trailer Trip
• Trailer Brake
• Oil Pressure
• Coolant Temperature
• Oil Temperature
• Battery Voltage (default setting)
• Transmission Temperature
• Oil Life
Lower Right – If Equipped
• None
• Compass
• Outside Temp
• Time
• Range To Empty
• Average Econ• Current Econ
• Trip A Distance
• Trip B Distance
• Trailer Trip
• Trailer Brake
• Oil Pressure (default setting)
• Coolant Temperature
• Oil Temperature
• Battery Voltage
• Transmission Temperature
• Oil Life
Favorite Menus
• Speedometer
• Vehicle Info
• Driver Assist (show/hide) – If Equipped
• Fuel Economy (show/hide)
• Trip Info (show/hide)
• Stop/Start
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176 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
• Trailer Tow (show/hide)
• Audio (show/hide)
• (Stored) Messages
• Screen Setup
Current Gear
• Off (Default)
• On
Odometer
• No Decimal Point (Default)
• Decimal Point
Defaults
• Cancel
• RestoreBattery Saver On/Battery Saver Mode Message —
Electrical Load Reduction Actions — If Equipped
This vehicle is equipped with an Intelligent Battery Sensor
(IBS) to perform additional monitoring of the electrical
system and status of the vehicle battery.
In cases when the IBS detects charging system failure, or the
vehicle battery conditions are deteriorating, electrical load
reduction actions will take place to extend the driving time
and distance of the vehicle. This is done by reducing power
to or turning off non-essential electrical loads.
Load reduction is only active when the engine is running. It
will display a message if there is a risk of battery depletion to
the point where the vehicle may stall due to lack of electrical
supply, or will not restart after the current drive cycle.
When load reduction is activated, the message “Battery
Saver On Some Systems May Have Reduced Power” will
appear in the instrument cluster.
These messages indicate the vehicle battery has a low state of
charge and continues to lose electrical charge at a rate that
the charging system cannot sustain.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
NOTE:
• The charging system is independent from load reduction.The charging system performs a diagnostic on the
charging system continuously.
• If the Battery Charge Warning Light is on it may indicate a problem with the charging system. Refer to “Battery
Charge Warning Light” in “Getting To Know Your Instru -
ment Panel” for further information.
The electrical loads that may be switched off (if equipped),
and vehicle functions which can be affected by load reduc -
tion:
• Heated Seats / Vented Seats / Heated Wheel
• Rear Defroster And Heated Mirrors
• HVAC System
• 115 Volts AC Power Inverter System
• Audio and Telematics System
Loss of the battery charge may indicate one or more of the
following conditions:
• The charging system cannot deliver enough electrical power to the vehicle system because the electrical loads are
larger than the capability of charging system. The charging
system is still functioning properly. • Turning on all possible vehicle electrical loads (e.g. HVAC
to max settings, exterior and interior lights, overloaded
power outlets +12 Volts, 115V AC, USB ports) during
certain driving conditions (city driving, towing, frequent
stopping).
• Installing options like additional lights, upfitter electrical accessories, audio systems, alarms and similar devices.
• Unusual driving cycles (short trips separated by long parking periods).
• The vehicle was parked for an extended period of time (weeks, months).
• The battery was recently replaced and was not charged completely.
• The battery was discharged by an electrical load left on when the vehicle was parked.
• The battery w as used for an extended period with t he engine not running to supply radio, lights, chargers,
+12 Volt portable appliances like vacuum cleaners,
gam e consoles and similar devices.
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178 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
What to do when an electrical load reduction action
message is present (“Battery Saver On” or “Battery Saver
Mode”)
During a trip:
• Reduce power to unnecessary loads if possible:• Turn off redundant lights (interior or exterior).

• Check what may be plugged in to power outlets +12 Volts,115V AC, USB ports.

• Check HVAC settings (blower, temperature).
• Check the audio settings (volume).
After a trip:
• Check if any aftermarket equipment was installed (addi -
tional lights, upfitter electrical accessories, audio systems,
alarms) and review specifications if any (load and Ignition
Off Draw currents).
• Evaluate the latest driving cycles (distance, driving time and parking time).
• The vehicle should have service performed if the message is still present during consecutive trips and the evaluation
of the vehicle and driving pattern did not help to identify
the cause.WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
The warning/indicator lights will illuminate in the instru-
ment panel together with a dedicated message and/or
acoustic signal when applicable. These indications are indic -
ative and precautionary and as such must not be considered
as exhaustive and/or alternative to the information
contained in the Owner’s Manual, which you are advised to
read carefully in all cases. Always refer to the information in
this chapter in the event of a failure indication. All active tell -
tales will display first if applicable. The system check menu
may appear different based upon equipment options and
current vehicle status. Some telltales are optional and may
not appear.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179
Red Warning Lights
— Seat Belt Reminder Warning Light
This warning light indicates when the driver or passenger
seat belt is unbuckled. When the ignition is first placed in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ON/RUN position and if the driver’s
seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound and the light will
turn on. When driving, if the driver or front passenger seat
belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will
flash or remain on continuously and a chime will sound.
Refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety” for
further information.
— Air Bag Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to indicate a fault with the
air bag, and will turn on for four to eight seconds as a bulb
check when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN or ACC/
ON/RUN position. This light will illuminate with a single
chime when a fault with the air bag has been detected, it will
stay on until the fault is cleared. If the light is either not on
during startup, stays on, or turns on while driving, have the
system inspected at an authorized dealer as soon as possible. — Brake Warning Light
This warning light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake application. If
the brake light turns on it may indicate that the parking
brake is applied, that the brake fluid level is low, or that there
is a problem with the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. In
this case, the light will remain on until the condition has been
corrected. If the problem is related to the brake booster, the
ABS pump will run when applying the brake, and a brake
pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capacity in
the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic system. A
leak in either half of the dual brake system is indicated by the
Brake Warning Light, which will turn on when the brake
fluid level in the master cylinder has dropped below a spec -
ified level.
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180 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp cornering
maneuvers, which change fluid level conditions. The vehicle
should have service performed, and the brake fluid level
checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning
Light will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate
repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the ON/
RUN position. The light should illuminate for approximately
two seconds. The light should then turn off unless theparking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected. If the
light does not illuminate, have the light inspected by an
authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is applied
with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN position.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is applied. It
does not show the degree of brake application.
— Hood Open Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate when the hood is ajar/
open and not fully closed.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving, there will also be a single chime.
— Vehicle Security Warning Light — If Equipped

This light will flash at a fast rate for approximately 15 seconds
when the vehicle security alarm is arming, and then will flash
slowly until the vehicle is disarmed.

WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It
will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have a
collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
— Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This warning light warns of an overheated engine condition.
If the engine coolant temperature is too high, this indicator
will illuminate and a single chime will sound. If the tempera -
ture reaches the upper limit, a continuous chime will sound
for four minutes or until the engine is able to cool: whichever
comes first.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and stop
the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL (N) and idle the vehicle. If the
temperature reading does not return to normal, turn the
engine off immediately and call for service.
Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “In Case Of Emer -
gency” for further information.
— Battery Charge Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate when the battery is not
charging properly. If it stays on while the engine is running,
there may be a malfunction with the charging system.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
This indicates a possible problem with the electrical system
or a related component. — Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to indicate low engine oil
pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle,
shut off the engine as soon as possible, and contact an autho -
rized dealer. A chime will sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected. This
light does not indicate how much oil is in the engine. The
engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
— Oil Temperature Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to indicate the engine oil
temperature is high. If the light turns on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. Wait
for oil temperature to return to normal levels.
— Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light

This warning light will illuminate to indicate a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a problem is
detected while the vehicle is running, the light will either stay on
or flash depending on the nature of the problem. Cycle the igni -
tion when the vehicle is safely and completely stopped and the
transmission is placed in the PARK position. The light should
turn off. If the light remains on with the vehicle running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an authorized
dealer for service as soon as possible.

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182 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
NOTE:
This light may turn on if the accelerator and brake pedals are
pressed at the same time.
If the light continues to flash when the vehicle is running,
immediate service is required and you may experience
reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle, or engine
stall and your vehicle may require towing. The light will
come on when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN or
ACC/ON/RUN position and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. — Electric Power Steering Fault Warning Light

This warning light will turn on when there's a fault with the
Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Refer to “Power Steering”
in “Starting And Operating” for further information.
— Tailgate Open Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate when the tailgate is open.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving, there will also be a single chime.
— Trailer Brake Disconnected Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate when the Trailer Brake has
been disconnected.
— Transmission Temperature Warning Light — If
Equipped
This warning light will illuminate to warn of a high transmis -
sion fluid temperature. This may occur with strenuous usage
such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, stop the vehicle
and run the engine at idle or slightly faster, with the trans -
mission in PARK or NEUTRAL, until the light turns off.
Once the light turns off, you may continue to drive normally.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced assist could pose a
safety risk to yourself and others. Service should be
obtained as soon as possible.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illuminated
you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact
with hot engine or exhaust components and cause a fire.
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