2020 Ram 1500 starting

318 STARTING AND OPERATING
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD, 4WD
AUTO or 4WD HIGH positions at a given road speed. Take
care not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the drive-
train.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds. Do
not go faster than road conditions permit. Shifting Procedure
NOTE:
• If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case
position have not been met, the transfer case will not shift.
The position indicator light for the previous position will
remain ON and the newly selected position indicator light
will continue to flash until all the requirements for the
selected position have been met.
• If all the requirements to select a new transfer case position have been met, the current position indicator light will
turn OFF, the selected position indicator light will flash
until the transfer case completes the shift. When the shift is
complete, the position indicator light for the selected posi -
tion will stop flashing and remain ON.
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ACTIVE-LEVEL FOUR CORNER AIR SUSPENSION
SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
Description
The air suspension system provides full time load leveling
capability along with the benefit of being able to adjust
vehicle height by the push of a switch.Air Suspension Switch NOTE:
The vehicle will automatically enter Aero Mode when the
vehicle speed remains between 62 mph (100 km/h) and
66 mph (106 km/h) for greater than 20 seconds or if the
vehicle speed exceeds 66 mph (106 km/h).
• Normal Ride Height (NRH) – This is the standard posi-
tion of the suspension and is meant for normal driving.
• Off-Road 1 (OR1) (Raises the vehicle approximately
1 inch (26 mm)) – This position should be the primary posi -
tion for all off-road driving until Off-Road 2 (OR2) is
needed. A smoother and more comfortable ride will result.
To enter OR1, push the height selector switch up once from
the NRH position while the vehicle speed is below 35 mph
(56 km/h). When in the OR1 position, if the vehicle speed
remains between 40 mph (64 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h)
for greater than 20 seconds or if the vehicle speed exceeds
50 mph (80 km/h), the vehicle will be automatically
lowered to NRH. Off-Road 1 may not be available due to
vehicle payload, an instrument cluster message will be
displayed when this occurs. Refer to “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
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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320 STARTING AND OPERATING
•Off-Road 2 (OR2) (Raises the vehicle approximately
2 inches (51 mm)) – This position is intended for
off-roading use only where maximum ground clearance is
required. To enter OR2, push the height selector switch up
twice from the NRH position or once from the OR1 position
while vehicle speed is below 20 mph (32 km/h). While in OR2, if the vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h) the
vehicle height will be automatically lowered to OR1.
Off-Road 2 may not be available due to vehicle payload, an
instrument cluster message will be displayed when this
occurs. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

• Ae r o Mo d e ( Lo we r s th e v e h ic le a p p ro x im at el y
0 .6 i n ch [1 5 mm ]) – T h i s p os i ti o n p ro vi d e s i mp ro ve d
a e r od y n ami c s b y l o we r in g th e ve h i cl e . T h e ve h i c le wi l l
a u toma ti c al l y en te r Ae ro M od e w h en th e ve h i cl e s pe e d
r e ma i ns be tw ee n 6 2 mp h (1 0 0 k m/h ) a nd 66 mp h
( 10 6 k m/ h ) for g re a te r th a n 2 0 s e co n d s or i f th e ve hi c l e
s p e e d e xc e e ds 66 mph ( 1 06 k m/ h ). T h e ve h i c l e wi l l r e tu r n to NR H f r om Ae r o Mo d e i f th e ve h i cl e s pe e d
r e ma i ns be tw e e n 30 mph ( 4 8 km/ h ) a nd 35 mp h
( 5 6 km /h ) f or gr e a te r t h an 20 s e co n ds or i f th e ve h ic l e
s p e e d fa l l s b e l ow 30 m ph ( 48 km/ h ).

NOTE:
Speed thresholds for raising the vehicle only apply if Auto -
matic Aero Mode is enabled.
To enter Aero Mode manually push the height selector
switch down once from NRH at any vehicle speed. To
return to NRH push the height selector switch up once
while vehicle speed is less than 56 mph (90 km/h).
NOTE:
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 informa -
tion.
• Entry/Exit Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately
2 inches (51 mm)) – This position lowers the vehicle for
easier passenger entry and exit as well as lowering the rear
of the vehicle for easier loading and unloading of cargo. To
enter Entry/Exit Mode, push the height selector switch
down once from the NRH while the vehicle speed is below
CAUTION!
If the vehicle is in OFFROAD1 or OFFROAD2 setting, be
aware of your surroundings, you may not have the
clearance required for certain areas and vehicle damage
may occur.
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33 mph (53 km/h). Once the vehicle speed goes below15 mph (24 km/h) the vehicle height will begin to lower. If
the vehicle speed remains between 15 mph (24 km/h) and
25 mph (40 km/h) for greater than 60 seconds, or the
vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h) the Entry/Exitchange will be cancelled. To return to Normal Height
Mode, push the height selector switch up once while in
Entry/Exit or drive the vehicle over 15 mph (24 km/h).
Entry/Exit mode may not be available due to vehicle
payload, an instrument cluster message will be displayed
when this occurs. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE:
Entry/Exit mode may be achieved using your key fob for
easier entry/loading. Refer to “Keys” in “Getting To Know
Your Vehicle” for further information. The system requires that the ignition be in the ON/RUN
position or the engine running for all user requested
changes. When lowering the vehicle all of the doors, must be
closed. If a door is opened at any time while the vehicle is
lowering the change will not be completed until the open
door(s) is closed.
This system uses a lifting and lowering pattern which keeps
the headlights from incorrectly shining into oncoming
traffic. When raising the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle will
move up first and then the front. When lowering the vehicle,
the front will move down first and then the rear.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed that the air
suspension system operates briefly, this is normal. The
system is correcting the position of the vehicle to ensure a
proper appearance.
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 infor
-
mation.
CAUTION!
When in ENTRY/EXIT setting, be aware of your
surroundings, you may not have the clearance required
for certain areas and vehicle damage may occur.
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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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STARTING AND OPERATING 323
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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324 STARTING AND OPERATING
The indicator lamps 1 through 5 will illuminate to show the
current position of the vehicle. Flashing indicator lamps will
show a position which the system is working to achieve.
When raising, if multiple indicator lamps are flashing, the
highest flashing indicator lamp is the position the system is
working to achieve. When lowering, if multiple indicators
are flashing, the lowest solid indicator lamp is the position
the system is working to achieve.
Pushing the height selector up once will move the suspen-
sion one position higher from the current position, assuming
all conditions are met (i.e. key in ON/RUN position, engine
running, speed below threshold, etc). The height selector
switch can be pushed up multiple times, each push will raise
the requested level by one position up to a maximum posi -
tion of OR2 or the highest position allowed based on current
conditions (i.e. vehicle speed, etc).
Pushing the height selector down once will move the suspen -
sion one position lower from the current level, assuming all
conditions are met (i.e. key in ON/RUN position, engine
running, doors closed, speed below threshold, etc). The
height selector switch can be pushed down multiple times,
each push will lower the requested level by one position
down to a minimum of Entry/Exit Mode or the lowest posi -
tion allowed based on current conditions (i.e. vehicle speed,
etc.) Automatic height changes will occur based on vehicle speed
and the current vehicle height. The indicator lamps and
instrument cluster display messages will operate the same
for automatic changes and user requested changes.
• Off-Road 2 (OR2) – Indicator lamps 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 will be
illuminated when the vehicle is in OR2.
• Off-Road 1 (OR1) – Indicator lamps 5, 4, 3 and 2 will be illuminated when the vehicle is in OR1.
• Normal Ride Height (NRH) – Indicator lamps 5, 4 and 3 will be illuminated when the vehicle is in this position.
• Aero Mode – Indicator lamps 5 and 4 will be illuminated when the vehicle is in this position.
• Entry/Exit Mode – Indicator lamp 5 will be illuminated when the vehicle is in Entry Exit Mode. Entry/Exit mode
can be requested up to 33 mph (53 km/h). If vehicle speed
is reduced to, and kept below, 15 mph (24 km/h) indicator
lamp 4 will flash and indicator lamp 5 will remain solid
until Entry/Exit Mode is achieved at which point indicator
lamp 4 will turn off.
• Transport Mode – No indicator lamps will be illuminated. Transport Mode is disabled by driving the vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 325
• Tire/Jack Mode – Indicator lamps 5 and 1 will be illumi-
nated. Tire/Jack Mode is disabled by driving the vehicle.
• Wheel Alignment Mode – Indicator lamps 3, 4, and 5 will be illuminated. Wheel Alignment Mode is disabled by
driving the vehicle.
ACTIVE-LEVEL FOUR CORNER AIR SUSPENSION
SYSTEM (REBEL MODELS ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED
Description
The air suspension system provides full time load leveling
capability along with the benefit of being able to adjust
vehicle height by the push of a switch. Rebel Air Suspension Controls
1 — Off-Road Indicator (Customer selectable)
2 — Normal Ride Height Indicator (Customer selectable)
3 — Aerodynamic Height Indicator (Customer Selectable)
4— Entry/Exit Mode Indicator (Customer selectable)
5 — Height Selector
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