2020 Ram 1500 sensor

248 SAFETY
(Continued)
Front Air Bag/Knee Bolster LocationsDriver And Passenger Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage driver
and front passenger air bags. This system provides output
appropriate to the severity and type of collision as deter
-
mined by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC), which
may receive information from the front impact sensors (if
equipped) or other system components.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires air bag deployment. A low energy
output is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy
output is used for more severe collisions.
1 — Driver And Passenger Front Air Bags
2 — Driver And Passenger Knee Impact Bolsters
WARNING!
• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel during front air bag deployment could cause
serious injury, including death. Air bags need room to
inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to
reach the steering wheel or instrument panel.
• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of anair bag. A deploying passenger front air bag can cause
death or serious injury to a child 12 years or younger,
including a child in a rear-facing child restraint.
• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing child restraint
in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat,
do not transport a rear-facing child restraint in that
vehicle.
WARNING! (Continued)
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SAFETY 249
(Continued)
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether the
driver or front passenger seat belt is buckled. The seat belt
buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the Advanced
Front Air Bags.
This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front
passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust the
inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based upon
seat position.
This vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger Occu-
pant Classification System (“OCS”) that is designed to
provide Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag output appro-
priate to the occupant’s seated weight input, as determined
by the OCS. Front Air Bag Operation
Front Air Bags are designed to provide additional protection
by supplementing the seat belts. Front air bags are not
expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear, side, or rollover
collisions. The front air bags will not deploy in all frontal
collisions, including some that may produce substantial
vehicle damage — for example, some pole collisions, truck
underrides, and angle offset collisions.
WARNING!
• No objects should be placed over or near the air bag on the instrument panel or steering wheel because any
such objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a colli -
sion severe enough to cause the air bag to inflate.
• Do not put anything on or around the air bag covers or attempt to open them manually. You may damage the
air bags and you could be injured because the air bags
may no longer be functional. The protective covers for
the air bag cushions are designed to open only when
the air bags are inflating.
• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work with your seat
belt to restrain you properly. In some collisions, air
bags won’t deploy at all. Always wear your seat belts
even though you have air bags.
WARNING! (Continued)
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250 SAFETY
On the other hand, depending on the type and location of
impact, front air bags may deploy in crashes with little
vehicle front-end damage but that produce a severe initial
deceleration.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration over
time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are not good
indicators of whether or not an air bag should have
deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all collisions,
and also are needed to help keep you in position, away from
an inflating air bag.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the front air bags,
it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas
is generated to inflate the front air bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper passenger
side of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way
as the air bags inflate to their full size. The front air bags fully
inflate in less time than it takes to blink your eyes. The front
air bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.Occupant Classification System (OCS) — Front
Passenger Seat
The OCS is part of a Federally regulated safety system for
this vehicle. It is designed to provide Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag output appropriate to the occupant’s seated
weight, as determined by the OCS.
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) consists of the
following:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Occupant Classification Module (OCM) and Sensor
located in the front passenger seat
• Air Bag Warning Light
Occupant Classification Module (OCM) And Sensor
The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
underneath the front passenger seat. The Sensor is located
beneath the passenger seat cushion foam. Any weight on the
seat will be sensed by the Sensor. The OCM uses input from
the Sensor to determine the front passenger’s most probable
classification. The OCM communicates this information to
the ORC. The ORC may reduce the inflation rate of the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag deployment based on
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SAFETY 259
(Continued)
SABICs may help reduce the risk of head and other injuries
to front and rear seat outboard occupants in certain side
impacts, in addition to the injury reduction potential
provided by the seat belts and body structure.
The SABIC deploys downward, covering the side windows.
An inflating SABIC pushes the outside edge of the headliner
out of the way and covers the window. The SABICs inflate
with enough force to injure occupants if they are not belted
and seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the SABICs inflate. Children are at an even greater
risk of injury from a deploying air bag.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or complete
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in
certain side impact events.Side Impacts
The Side Air Bags are designed to activate in certain side
impacts. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) deter
-
mines whether the deployment of the Side Air Bags in a
particular impact event is appropriate, based on the severity
and type of collision. The side impact sensors aid the ORC in
determining the appropriate response to impact events. The
system is calibrated to deploy the Side Air Bags on the
impact side of the vehicle during impacts that require Side
Air Bag occupant protection. In side impacts, the Side Air
Bags deploy independently; a left side impact deploys the
left Side Air Bags only and a right-side impact deploys the
right Side Air Bags only. Vehicle damage by itself is not a
good indicator of whether or not Side Air Bags should have
deployed.
WARNING!
• Do not mount equipment, or stack luggage or other cargo up high enough to block the deployment of the
SABICs. The trim covering above the side windows
where the SABIC and its deployment path are located
should remain free from any obstructions.
• In order for the SABICs to work as intended, do notinstall any accessory items in your vehicle which could
alter the roof. Do not add an aftermarket sunroof to
your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require perma -
nent attachments (bolts or screws) for installation on
the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof of the vehicle
for any reason.
WARNING! (Continued)
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SAFETY 261
The Side Air Bags and seat belt pretensioners will not deploy
in all rollover events. The rollover sensing system deter-
mines if a rollover event may be in progress and whether
deployment is appropriate. In the event the vehicle experi -
ences a rollover or near rollover event, and deployment is
appropriate, the rollover sensing system will deploy the side
air bags and seat belt pretensioners on both sides of the
vehicle.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or complete
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in
certain rollover or side impact events.
Air Bag System Components
NOTE:
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors the
internal circuits and interconnecting wiring associated with
electrical Air Bag System Components listed below:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags • Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Track Position Sensors
• Occupant Classification System
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately after
deployment.
NOTE:
Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all collisions.
This does not mean something is wrong with the air bag
system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any or
all of the following may occur:
• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions and/
or skin reddening to the occupants as the air bags deploy
and unfold. The abrasions are similar to friction rope burns
or those you might get sliding along a carpet or gymna -
sium floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
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340 STARTING AND OPERATING
To Accelerate For Passing
Press the accelerator as you would normally. When the pedal
is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push the RES button and
release. Resume can be used at any speed above 20 mph
(32 km/h).
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANC (cancel)
button, or normal brake pressure while slowing the vehicle
will deactivate the speed control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
Pushing the on/off button or placing the ignition in the OFF
position, erases the set speed from memory.
Using Speed Control On Hills
The transmission may downshift on hills to maintain the
vehicle set speed.
NOTE:
The Speed Control system maintains speed up and down
hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills is normal.On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur so it
may be preferable to drive without Speed Control.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) — IF EQUIPPED
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) increases the driving conve
-
nience provided by cruise control while traveling on high -
ways and major roadways. However, it is not a safety system
and not designed to prevent collisions. Speed Control func-
tion performs differently. Please refer to the proper section
within this chapter.
ACC will allow you to keep cruise control engaged in light
to moderate traffic conditions without the constant need to
reset your cruise control. ACC utilizes a radar sensor and a
forward facing camera designed to detect a vehicle directly
ahead of you.
NOTE:
• If the sensor does not detect a vehicle ahead of you, ACC will maintain a fixed set speed.
• If the ACC sensor detects a vehicle ahead, ACC will apply limited braking or accelerate (not to exceed the original set
speed) automatically to maintain a preset following
distance, while matching the speed of the vehicle ahead.
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350 STARTING AND OPERATING
Distance Setting 1 Bar (Short)
To increase the distance setting, push the Distance Setting —
Increase button and release. Each time the button is pushed,
the distance setting increases by one bar (longer).
To decrease the distance setting, push the Distance Setting —
Decrease button and release. Each time the button is pushed,
the distance setting decreases by one bar (shorter).

If there is no vehicle ahead, the vehicle will maintain the set
speed. If a slower moving vehicle is detected in the same lane,
the instrument cluster displays the “Sensed Vehicle Indicator”
icon, and the system adjusts vehicle speed automatically to
maintain the distance setting, regardless of the set speed.
The vehicle will then maintain the set distance until:
• The vehicle ahead accelerates to a speed above the set
speed.
• The vehicle ahead moves out of your lane or view of the sensor.
• The distance setting is changed.
• The system disengages. (Refer to the information on ACC Activation).
The maximum braking applied by ACC is limited; however,
the driver can always apply the brakes manually, if neces -
sary.
NOTE:
The brake lights will illuminate whenever the ACC system
applies the brakes.
A Proximity Warning will alert the driver if ACC predicts
that its maximum braking level is not sufficient to maintain
the set distance. If this occurs, a visual alert “BRAKE” will
flash in the instrument cluster display and a chime will
sound while ACC continues to apply its maximum braking
capacity.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 353
Display Warnings And Maintenance
“Wipe Front Radar Sensor In Front Of Vehicle” Warning
The “ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar Sensor”
warning will display and also a chime will indicate when
conditions temporarily limit system performance.
This most often occurs at times of poor visibility, such as in
snow or heavy rain. The ACC system may also become
temporarily blinded due to obstructions, such as mud, dirt or
ice. In these cases, the instrument cluster display will display
“ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar Sensor” and the
system will deactivate.
The “ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar Sensor”
message can sometimes be displayed while driving in highly
reflective areas (i.e. tunnels with reflective tiles, or ice and
snow). The ACC system will recover after the vehicle has left
these areas. Under rare conditions, when the radar is not
tracking any vehicles or objects in its path this warning may
temporarily occur.
NOTE:
If the “ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar Sensor”
warning is active Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control is
still available. For additional information refer to “Normal
(Fixed Speed) Cruise Control Mode” in this section.If weather conditions are not a factor, the driver should
examine the sensor. It may require cleaning or removal of an
obstruction. The sensor is located in the camera in the center
of the windshield, on the forward side of the rearview
mirror.
To keep the ACC System operating properly, it is important
to note the following maintenance items:
• Always keep the sensor clean. Carefully clear the wind
-
shield.
• Do not remove any screws from the sensor. Doing so could cause an ACC system malfunction or failure and require a
sensor realignment.
• Do not attach or install any accessories near the sensor, including transparent material or aftermarket grilles.
Doing so could cause an ACC system failure or malfunc -
tion.
When the condition that deactivated the system is no longer
present, the system will return to the “Adaptive Cruise
Control Off” state and will resume function by simply reac -
tivating it.
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