2020 Ram 1500 sensor

354 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
• If the “ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar Sensor”message occurs frequently (e.g. more than once on every
trip) without any snow, rain, mud, or other obstruction,
have the radar sensor realigned at your authorized dealer.
• Installing a snow plow, front-end protector, an after -
market grille or modifying the grille is not recommended.
Doing so may block the sensor and inhibit ACC/FCW
operation.
“Clean Front Windshield” Warning
The “ACC/FCW Limited Functionality Clean Front Wind -
shield” 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 and fog. The ACC system may also become
temporarily blinded due to obstructions, such as mud, dirt,
or ice on windshield, driving directly into the sun and fog on
the inside of glass. In these cases, the instrument cluster
display will show “ACC/FCW Limited Functionality Clean
Front Windshield” and the system will have degraded
performance.
The “ACC/FCW Limited Functionality Clean Front Wind -
shield” message can sometimes be displayed while driving in adverse weather conditions. The ACC/FCW system will
recover after the vehicle has left these areas. Under rare
conditions, when the camera is not tracking any vehicles or
objects in its path this warning may temporarily occur.
If weather conditions are not a factor, the driver should
examine the windshield and the camera located on the back
side of the inside rear view mirror. They may require
cleaning or removal of an obstruction.
When the condition that created limited functionality is no
longer present, the system will return to full functionality.
NOTE:
If the “ACC/FCW Limited Functionality Clean Front Wind
-
shield” message occurs frequently (e.g. more than once on
every trip) without any snow, rain, mud, or other obstruc -
tion, have the windshield and forward facing camera
inspected at your authorized dealer.
Service ACC/FCW Warning
If the system turns off, and the instrument cluster displays
“ACC/FCW Unavailable Service Required” or “Cruise/
FCW Unavailable Service Required”, there may be an
internal system fault or a temporary malfunction that limits
ACC functionality. Although the vehicle is still drivable
under normal conditions, ACC will be temporarily unavail -
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 354

STARTING AND OPERATING 363
ParkSense can be active only when the gear selector is in
REVERSE or DRIVE. If ParkSense is enabled at one of these
gear selector positions, the system will remain active until
the vehicle speed is increased to approximately 7 mph
(11 km/h) or above. A warning will appear in the instrument
cluster display indicating the vehicle is above ParkSense
operating speed. The system will become active again if the
vehicle speed is decreased to speeds less than approximately
6 mph (9 km/h).
ParkSense Sensors

The six ParkSense sensors, located in the front fascia/bumper,
monitor the area in front of the vehicle that is within the
sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect obstacles from
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) up to 47 inches (120 cm) from
the front fascia/bumper in the horizontal direction,
depending on the location, type and orientation of the
obstacle.
The four ParkSense sensors, located in the rear fascia/
bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is within the
sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect obstacles from
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) up to 79 inches (200 cm) from
the rear fascia/bumper in the horizontal direction, depending
on the location, type and orientation of the obstacle.

ParkSense Warning Display
The ParkSense Warning screen is located within the instru-
ment cluster display. It provides visual warnings to indicate
the distance between the rear fascia/bumper and/or front
fascia/bumper and the detected obstacle. Refer to “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
ParkSense Display
The warning display will turn on indicating the system
status when the vehicle is in REVERSE or when the vehicle is
in DRIVE and an obstacle has been detected.
The system will indicate a detected obstacle by showing a
single arc in the left, right, or center regions based on the
obstacle’s distance and location relative to the vehicle.
If an obstacle is detected in the left, right, or center regions,
the display will show a single arc in the left and/or right
regions and the system will produce a tone. As the vehicle
moves closer to the obstacle, the display will show the single
arc moving closer to the vehicle and the tone will change
from a single 1/2 second tone to slow, to fast, to continuous.5
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 363

368 STARTING AND OPERATING
Front Park Assist Audible Alerts
ParkSense will turn off the Front Park Assist audible alert
(chime) after approximately three seconds when an obstacle
has been detected, the vehicle is stationary, and brake pedal
is applied.
Adjustable Chime Volume Settings
The Front and Rear chime volume settings are program-
mable.
• The settings may be programmed through the Uconnect System. Refer to “Uconnect Settings ” in “Multimedia” for
further information.
Enabling And Disabling Front And/Or Rear ParkSense
Front ParkSense can be enabled and disabled with the Front
ParkSense switch.
Rear ParkSense can be enabled and disabled with the Rear
ParkSense switch.
When the Front or Rear ParkSense switch is pushed
to disable the system, the instrument cluster display
will show a vehicle graphic of the Front or Rear Park-
Sense on/off state for two seconds. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument
Panel” for further information. When the gear selector is moved to REVERSE and the Front
or Rear system is disabled, the instrument cluster display
will show a vehicle graphic with "OFF" on the corresponding
side. This vehicle graphic will be displayed for as long as the
vehicle is in REVERSE.
NOTE:
Arc alerts from the enabled ParkSense system, will interrupt
the five second messages, and the instrument cluster display
will show the vehicle graphic with the corresponding arcs
and "OFF" message.
The Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will be on when
Front or Rear ParkSense is disabled or requires service. The
Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will be off when the
Front or Rear system is enabled. If the Front or Rear Park
-
Sense switch is pushed, and the system requires service, the
Front or Rear ParkSense switch LED will blink momentarily,
and then the LED will be on.
Service The ParkSense Park Assist System
During vehicle start up, when the ParkSense System has
detected a faulted condition, the instrument cluster will
actuate a single chime, once per ignition cycle, and it will
display the "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR
SENSORS", "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 368

STARTING AND OPERATING 369
SENSORS", or the "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE
REQUIRED" message for five seconds. When the gear
selector is moved to REVERSE and the system has detected a
faulted condition, the instrument cluster display will display
a "WIPE OFF" message on the corresponding blocked system
while the vehicle is in REVERSE. The system will continue to
provide arc alerts for the side that is functioning properly.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
If "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS" or
"PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SENSORS"
appears in the instrument cluster display make sure the
outer surface and the underside of the rear fascia/bumper
and/or front fascia/bumper is clean and clear of snow, ice,
mud, dirt or other obstruction and then cycle the ignition. If
the message continues to appear see your authorized dealer.
NOTE:
Water from a car wash or road slush in freezing weather may
also cause sensors to become blocked.
If the "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIRED"
message appears in the instrument cluster display, see your
authorized dealer.Cleaning The ParkSense System
Clean the ParkSense sensors with water, car wash soap and
a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do not scratch
or poke the sensors. Otherwise, you could damage the
sensors.
ParkSense System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
• Ensure that the front and rear bumper are free of snow, ice,mud, dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense system oper -
ating properly.
• Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could affect the performance of ParkSense.

• When you turn Front or Rear ParkSense off, the instrument cluster display will show a vehicle graphic of the Front or
Rear ParkSense on/off state for two seconds. Furthermore,
once you turn Front or Rear ParkSense off, it remains off
until you turn it on again, even if you cycle the ignition key.

• When you move the gear selector to the REVERSE position and Front or Rear ParkSense is turned off, the instrument
cluster display will show a vehicle graphic with "OFF" in
the corresponding side. This vehicle graphic will be
displayed for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
5
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 369

370 STARTING AND OPERATING
• ParkSense, when on, will reduce the volume of the radiowhen it is sounding a tone.
• Clean the ParkSense sensors regularly, taking care not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must not be covered
with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris. Failure to do so
can result in the system not working properly. The Park -
Sense system might not detect an obstacle behind or in
front of the fascia/bumper, or it could provide a false indi -
cation that an obstacle is behind or in front of the fascia/
bumper.
• Use the ParkSense switch to turn the ParkSense system off if obstacles such as bicycle carriers, trailer hitches, etc. are
placed near the rear fascia/bumper. Failure to do so can
result in the system misinterpreting a close obstacle as a
sensor problem, causing the “PARKSENSE UNAVAIL -
ABLE SERVICE REQUIRED” message to be appear in the
instrument cluster display.
• On vehicles equipped with a tailgate, ParkSense should be disabled when the tailgate is in the lowered or open posi -
tion. A lowered tailgate could provide a false indication
that an obstacle is behind the vehicle and could also cause
a false braking event.WARNING!
• Drivers must be careful when backing up even when using ParkSense. Always check carefully behind your
vehicle, look behind you, and be sure to check for
pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, obstructions, and
blind spots before backing up. You are responsible for
safety and must continue to pay attention to your
surroundings. Failure to do so can result in serious
injury or death.
• Before using ParkSense, it is strongly recommended that the ball mount and hitch ball assembly is discon -
nected from the vehicle when the vehicle is not used for
towing. Failure to do so can result in injury or damage
to vehicles or obstacles because the hitch ball will be
much closer to the obstacle than the rear fascia when
the loudspeaker sounds the continuous tone. Also, the
sensors could detect the ball mount and hitch ball
assembly, depending on its size and shape, and give a
false indication that an obstacle is behind the vehicle,
and could cause false braking.
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 370

STARTING AND OPERATING 371
PARKSENSE ACTIVE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED
The ParkSense Active Park Assist system is intended to assist
the driver during parallel and perpendicular parking
maneuvers by identifying a proper parking space, providing
audible/visual instructions, and controlling the steering
wheel. The ParkSense Active Park Assist system is defined as
“semi-automatic” since the driver maintains control of the
accelerator, gear selector and brakes. Depending on the
driver's parking maneuver selection, the ParkSense ActivePark Assist system is capable of maneuvering a vehicle into
a parallel or a perpendicular parking space on either side
(i.e., driver side or passenger side).
NOTE:
• The driver is always responsible for controlling the
vehicle, responsible for any surrounding objects, and must
intervene as required.
• The system is provided to assist the driver and not to substitute the driver.
• During a semi-automatic maneuver, if the driver touches the steering wheel after being instructed to remove their
hands from the steering wheel, the system will cancel, and
the driver will be required to manually complete the
parking maneuver.
• The system may not work in all conditions (e.g. environ -
mental conditions such as heavy rain, snow, etc., or if
searching for a parking space that has surfaces that will
absorb the ultrasonic sensor waves).
• New vehicles from the dealership must have at least 30 miles (48 km) accumulated before the ParkSense Active
Park Assist system is fully calibrated and performs accu -
rately. This is due to the system’s dynamic vehicle calibra -
CAUTION!
• ParkSense is only a parking aid and it is unable to recognize every obstacle, including small obstacles.
Parking curbs might be temporarily detected or not
detected at all. Obstacles located above or below the
sensors will not be detected when they are in close
proximity.
• The vehicle must be driven slowly when using Park -
Sense in order to be able to stop in time when an
obstacle is detected. It is recommended that the driver
looks over his/her shoulder when using ParkSense.
5
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 371

390 STARTING AND OPERATING
Your vehicle is now in the perpendicular park position.
When the maneuver is complete, the driver will be instructed
to check the vehicle's parking position. If the driver is satis-
fied with the vehicle position, they should shift to PARK. The
"Active ParkSense Complete - Check Parking Position"
message will be momentarily displayed.
Active Park Sense Complete — Check Parking PositionWARNING!
Drivers must be careful when performing parallel or
perpendicular parking maneuvers even when using the
ParkSense Active Park Assist system. Always check
carefully behind and in front of your vehicle, look
behind and in front of you, and be sure to check for
pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, obstructions, and
blind spots before backing up and moving forward. You
are responsible for safety and must continue to pay
attention to your surroundings. Failure to do so can
result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
• The ParkSense Active Park Assist system is only a parking aid and it is unable to recognize every obstacle,
including small obstacles. Parking curbs might be
temporarily detected or not detected at all. Obstacles
located above or below the sensors will not be detected
when they are in close proximity.
• The vehicle must be driven slowly when using the ParkSense Active Park Assist system in order to be able
to stop in time when an obstacle is detected. It is recom -
mended that the driver looks over his/her shoulder
when using the ParkSense Active Park Assist system.
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 390

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.
5
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 421