2020 Ram 1500 parking brake

STARTING AND OPERATING 313
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights (4WD and
4LOW) are located in the instrument cluster and indicate the
current and desired transfer case selection. When you select
a different transfer case position, the indicator lights will do
the following:
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until thetransfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If the transfer case does not shift into the desired position,
one or more of the following events may occur:
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash.
3. If the transfer case will not shift, there will be a cluster
message stating the 4WD shift has canceled. NOTE:
Before retrying a selection, make certain that all the neces
-
sary requirements for selecting a new transfer case position
have been met. To retry the selection, push the current posi -
tion, wait five seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift
requirements, refer to the "Shifting Procedure" for your
transfer case, located in this section.
The “SVC 4WD Warning Light” monitors the electronic shift
four-wheel drive system. If this light remains on after engine
start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
four-wheel drive system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
NOTE:
Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front or rear
wheels are spinning. This could cause damage to driveline
components.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering down
the vehicle if the “SVC 4WD Warning Light” is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll which may cause personal injury or
death.
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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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STARTING AND OPERATING 317
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights (4WD HIGH,
4LOW, and 4WD AUTO) are located in the instrument
cluster and indicate the current and desired transfer case
selection. When you select a different transfer case position,
the indicator lights will do the following:
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until thetransfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If the transfer case does not shift into the desired position,
one or more of the following events may occur:
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash.
3. If the transfer case will not shift, there will be a cluster
message stating the 4WD shift has canceled. NOTE:
Before retrying a selection, make certain that all the neces
-
sary requirements for selecting a new transfer case position
have been met. To retry the selection, push the current posi -
tion, wait five seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift
requirements, refer to the "Shifting Procedure" for your
transfer case, located in this section.
The “SVC 4WD Warning Light” monitors the electronic shift
four-wheel drive system. If this light remains on after engine
start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
four-wheel drive system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
NOTE:
Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front or rear
wheels are spinning. This could cause damage to driveline
components.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering down
the vehicle if the “SVC 4WD Warning Light” is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll which may cause personal injury or
death.
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332 STARTING AND OPERATING
Operating the locker in 2WD, 4WD AUTO, and 4WD
LOCK/HIGH the locker can be engaged up to 20 mph
(32 km/h). While driving with the locker engaged, if speed
exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h), the locker will automatically
disengage, but will automatically reengage at 20 mph
(32 km/h).
NOTE:
Left to right wheel speed difference may be necessary to
allow the rear axle to fully lock. If the indicator light is
flashing after selecting the rear axle lock mode, drive the
vehicle in a turn or on loose gravel to expedite the locking
action.
The axle locker could become torque locked due to side to
side loads on the rear axle. Driving slowly while turning the
steering wheel from a left hand turn to a right hand turn or
driving in REVERSE for a short distance may be required to
release the torque lock and unlock the axles.
To unlock the rear axle; push the AXLE LOCK button. The
AXLE LOCK indicator light will go out when the rear axle is
unlocked.
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL — IF EQUIPPED
The limited-slip differential provides additional traction on
snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel, particularly when there is a difference between the traction characteristics of the
surface under the right and left rear wheels. During normal
driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit performs simi
-
larly to a conventional differential. On slippery surfaces,
however, the differential delivers more of the driving effort
to the rear wheel having the better traction.
The limited-slip differential is especially helpful during slip -
pery driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a slippery
surface, a slight application of the accelerator will supply
maximum traction. When starting with only one rear wheel
on an excessively slippery surface, slight momentary appli -
cation of the parking brake may be necessary to gain
maximum traction.
Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could cause
both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to slide side -
ways on the crowned surface of a road or in a turn.
WARNING!
When servicing vehicles equipped with a limited-slip or
locking differential never run the engine with one rear
wheel off the ground since the vehicle may drive
through the rear wheel remaining on the ground and
result in unintended movement.
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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 343
NOTE:
Any chassis/suspension or tire size modifications to the
vehicle will effect the performance of the Adaptive Cruise
Control and Forward Collision Warning System.
Activating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
You can only engage ACC if the vehicle speed is above
0 mph (0 km/h).
The minimum set speed for the ACC system is 20 mph
(32 km/h).
When the system is turned on and in the ready state, the
instrument cluster display will read “ACC Ready.”
When the system is off, the instrument cluster display will
read “Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Off.”NOTE:
You cannot engage ACC under the following conditions:
• When in Four-Wheel Drive Low
• When you apply the brakes
• When the parking brake is applied
• When the automatic transmission is in PARK, REVERSE or
NEUTRAL
• When the vehicle speed is outside of the speed range
• When the brakes are overheated
• When the driver door is open at low speed
• When the driver seat belt is unbuckled at low speed
• ESC Full-Off Mode is active
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STARTING AND OPERATING 345
To Set A Desired ACC Speed
When the vehicle reaches the speed desired, push the SET (+)
button or the SET (-) button and release. The instrument
cluster display will show the set speed.
If the system is set when the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(32 km/h), the set speed shall be defaulted to 20 mph
(32 km/h). If the system is set when the vehicle speed is
above 20 mph (32 km/h), the set speed shall be the current
speed of the vehicle.
NOTE:
ACC cannot be set if there is a stationary vehicle in front of
your vehicle in close proximity.
Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal, after the ACC
has been set. If you do not, the vehicle may continue to accel -
erate beyond the set speed. If this occurs:
• The message “ACC DRIVER OVERRIDE” will display in the instrument cluster display.
• The system will not be controlling the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. The vehicle speed will
only be determined by the position of the accelerator
pedal.
To Cancel
The following conditions cancel the system:
• The brake pedal is applied.
• The CANC (cancel) button is pushed.
• An Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) event occurs.
• The trailer brake is applied manually (if equipped).
• The gear selector is removed from the DRIVE position.
• The Electronic Stability Control/Traction Control System(ESC/TCS) activates.
• The vehicle parking brake is applied.
• Driver seatbelt is unbuckled at low speeds.
• Driver door is opened at low speeds.
• A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) event occurs.
• The driver switches ESC to Full Off mode.
• The braking temperature exceeds normal range (over -
heated).
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STARTING AND OPERATING 351
Brake Alert
NOTE:
The “BRAKE!” Screen in the instrument cluster display is a
warning for the driver to take action and does not necessarily
mean that the Forward Collision Warning system is
applying the brakes autonomously.
Overtake Aid
When driving with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
engaged, and following a vehicle, the system will provide an
additional acceleration up to the ACC set speed to assist in passing the vehicle. This additional acceleration is triggered
when the driver utilizes the left turn signal and will only be
active when passing on the left hand side.
ACC Operation At Stop
In the event that the ACC system brings your vehicle to a
standstill while following a target vehicle, if the target
vehicle starts moving within two seconds of your vehicle
coming to a standstill, your vehicle will resume motion
without the need for any driver action.
If the target vehicle does not start moving within two
seconds of your vehicle coming to a standstill, the driver will
either have to push the RES (resume) button, or apply the
accelerator pedal to reengage the ACC to the existing Set
Speed.
NOTE:
After the ACC system holds your vehicle at a standstill for
approximately 3 consecutive minutes, the parking brake will
be activated, and the ACC system will be cancelled.
While ACC is holding your vehicle at a standstill, if the
driver seatbelt is unbuckled or the driver door is opened, the
parking brake will be activated, and the ACC system will be
cancelled.
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