2020 Ram 1500 towing

STARTING AND OPERATING 315
This electronically shifted transfer case provides five mode
positions:
• Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2WD)
• Four-Wheel Drive Automatic High Range (4WD AUTO)
• Four-Wheel Drive High Range (4WD HIGH)
• Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4WD LOW)
• Neutral (NEUTRAL)
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2WD
Two-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced roads.
4WD AUTO
Four-Wheel Drive Auto High Range — This range sends
power to the front wheels automatically when the vehicle
senses a loss of traction. This range may be used during
varying road conditions.4WD HIGH
Four-Wheel Drive High Range — This range provides torque
to the front driveshaft (engages four-wheel drive) which
allows front and rear wheels to spin at the same speed. This
provides additional traction for loose or slippery road
surfaces only.
4WD LOW
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range provides low
speed four-wheel drive. It maximizes torque (increased
torque over 4WD HIGH) to the front driveshaft; allowing
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This range
provides additional traction and maximum pulling power
for loose or slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed
25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
NEUTRAL (N)
Neutral — This range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing
behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
this section for further information.
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316 STARTING AND OPERATING
This electronically shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the two–wheel drive position (2WD) or four-wheel
drive auto position (4WD AUTO) for normal street and
highway conditions on dry, hard surfaced roads. Driving the
vehicle in 2WD will have greater fuel economy benefits as
the front axle is not engaged in 2WD.For variable driving conditions, the 4WD AUTO mode can
be used. In this mode, the front axle is engaged, but the
vehicle's power is sent to the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive
will be automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss
of traction. Because the front axle is engaged, this mode will
result in lower fuel economy than the 2WD mode.
When additional traction is required, the transfer case 4WD
HIGH and 4WD LOW positions can be used to maximize
torque to the front driveshaft, forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished
pushing the desired position on the 4WD Control Switch.
Refer to “Shifting Procedure” in this section for specific
shifting instructions.

The 4WD HIGH and 4WD LOW positions are designed for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD HIGH
and 4WD LOW positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause
increased tire wear and damage to the driveline components.
NOTE:
The transfer case NEUTRAL button is located in the center of the
4WD Control Switch and is pushed by using a ballpoint pen or
similar object. The transfer case NEUTRAL position is to be used
for recreational towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.

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 drive shaft
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.
• The transmission may not engage PARK if the vehicle is moving. Always bring the vehicle to a complete stop
before shifting to PARK, and verify that the transmis -
sion gear position indicator solidly indicates PARK (P)
without blinking. Ensure that the vehicle is completely
stopped, and the PARK position is properly indicated,
before exiting the vehicle.
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322 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
If equipped with a touch screen radio all enabling/disabling
of air suspension features must be done through the radio.
Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further
information.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect the
system in unique situations:
Automatic AERO Mode
To improve aerodynamics, the air suspension system has a
feature which will put the vehicle into AERO height auto-
matically. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

Automatic Aero Mode may be disabled through vehicle
settings in the instrument cluster display or through your
Uconnect Radio if equipped. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or
“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further information.

NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Tire Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension system has
a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be disabled.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Multi
-
media” if equipped with a touch screen radio for further
information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the road, the air
suspension system has a feature which will put the vehicle
into Entry/Exit height and disable the automatic load
leveling system. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument 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.
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Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment, this mode must be
enabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument 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.
Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension system, the vehicle
will disable load leveling as required (suspension over-
loaded, battery charge low, etc.). Load leveling will automat -
ically resume as soon as system operation requirements are
met. See your authorized dealer if system does not resume.
NOTE:
If towing with air suspension refer to “Trailer Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
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 an authorized dealer for system service if normal opera
-
tion does not resume.
Operation
Air Suspension Switch
1 — Off-Road 2 Indicator (Customer selectable)
2 — Off-Road 1 Indicator (Customer selectable)
3 — Normal Ride Height Indicator (Customer selectable)
4 — Aero Mode Indicator (Customer Selectable)
5 — Entry/Exit Mode Indicator (Customer selectable)
6 — Height Selector
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328 STARTING AND OPERATING

To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension system
has a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be disabled.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

NOTE:
If equipped with a touch screen radio all enabling/disabling
of air suspension features must be done through the radio.
Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further
information.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect the
system in unique situations:
AERO Mode
To improve aerodynamics, the air suspension system has a
feature which will put the vehicle into AERO height auto-
matically. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information. NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Tire Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension system has
a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be disabled.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Multi
-
media” if equipped with a touch screen radio for further
information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the road, the air
suspension system has a feature which will put the vehicle
into Entry/Exit height and disable the automatic load
leveling system. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 329
Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment, this mode must be
enabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument 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.
Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension system, the vehicle
will disable load leveling as required (suspension over-
loaded, battery charge low, etc.). Load leveling will automat -
ically resume as soon as system operation requirements are
met. See your authorized dealer if system does not resume.
NOTE:
If towing with air suspension refer to “Trailer Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
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 an authorized dealer for system service if normal opera
-
tion does not resume.
Operation
Air Suspension Switch
1 — Off-Road Indicator (Customer selectable)
2 — Normal Ride Height Indicator (Customer selectable)
3 — Aero Mode Indicator (Customer Selectable)
4 — Entry/Exit Mode Indicator (Customer selectable)
5 — Height Selector
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342 STARTING AND OPERATING
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation
The speed control buttons (located on the right side of the
steering wheel) operates the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
system.Adaptive Cruise Control Buttons
• Does not always fully recognize complex driving
conditions, which can result in wrong or missing
distance warnings.
• Will bring the vehicle to a complete stop while following a target vehicle and hold the vehicle for
approximately three minutes in the stop position. If
the target vehicle does not start moving within three
minutes the parking brake will be activated, and the
ACC system will be cancelled.
You should switch off the ACC system:
• When driving in fog, heavy rain, heavy snow, sleet, heavy traffic, and complex driving situations (i.e., in
highway construction zones).
• When entering a turn lane or highway off ramp; when driving on roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered,
slippery, or have steep uphill or downhill slopes.
• When towing a trailer up or down steep slopes.
• When circumstances do not allow safe driving at a constant speed.
WARNING! (Continued)
1 — SET (+)/Accel
2 — Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control On/Off
3 — RES/Resume
4 — SET (-)/Decel
5 — Distance Setting Decrease
6 — Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) On/Off
7 — Distance Setting Increase
8 — CANC/Cancel
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STARTING AND OPERATING 355
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, andbrush/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.
• Do not put stickers or easy passes over the camera/radar field of view.
• Any modifications to the vehicle that may obstruct the field of view of the radar/camera are not recommended.
Cleaning Instructions
Dust and dirt can accumulate on the cover and block the
camera lens. Clean the camera lens with a soft microfiber
cloth, being careful not to damage or scratch the module. Towing A Trailer
ACC while towing a trailer is recommended only with an
Integrated Trailer Brake Controller. Aftermarket trailer
brake controllers will not activate the trailer brakes when
ACC is braking.
Offset Driving
ACC may not detect a vehicle in the same lane that is offset
from your direct line of travel, or a vehicle merging in from
a side lane. There may not be sufficient distance to the
vehicle ahead. The offset vehicle may move in and out of the
line of travel, which can cause your vehicle to brake or accel
-
erate unexpectedly.
Offset Driving Condition Example
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