2020 Ram ProMaster City parking brake

162 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
NOTE:
• When the parking brake is applied and the automatictransmission is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light”
will flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound
to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake before
attempting to move the vehicle.
• This light only shows that the parking brake is applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from
the curb on an uphill grade. For vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission, apply the parking brake before
placing the gear selector in PARK, otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the gear selector out of PARK. The parking brake
should always be applied whenever the driver is not in the
vehicle.
WARNING!
• When exiting the vehicle, always remove the key fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.

• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerousfor a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously
or fatally injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.

• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in a location accessible to children. A child could operate
power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake failure and a
collision.
• Always fully apply the parking brake when leaving your vehicle or it may roll and cause damage or injury.
Also, be certain to leave an automatic transmission in
PARK, a manual transmission in REVERSE or first
gear. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to roll and
cause damage or injury.
CAUTION!
If the Brake System Warning Light remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system malfunction is
indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately.
WARNING! (Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 163
(Continued)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NOTE:
You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out
of PARK.
WARNING!
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is
not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally
and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should
never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle always come to a complete stop, then
apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition
key. Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the ignition key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with accessto an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to be in a
vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally
injured. Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
• Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
WARNING! (Continued)
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166 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the transmis-
sion into PARK first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the gear selector out of PARK. As an added precaution,
turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade
and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
• Apply the parking brake,
• Shift the transmission into PARK,
• Turn the engine OFF, and
• Remove the ignition key.WARNING!
• Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully
when exiting the vehicle to guard against vehicle move -
ment and possible injury or damage.
• Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the gear
selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK before exiting
the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is
not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally
and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 167
The following indicators should be used to ensure that you
have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
• When shifting into PARK, push the lock button on the gear selector and firmly move the selector all the way forward
until it stops and is fully seated.
• Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those
in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should
never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle always come to a complete stop, then
apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition
key. Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
• When exiting the vehicle, always remove the ignition key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to be in a
vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally
injured. Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
• Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
WARNING! (Continued)CAUTION!
• Before moving the transmission gear selector out of PARK, you must turn the ignition to the ON/RUN
mode, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise,
damage to the gear selector could result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage
the drivetrain.
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168 STARTING AND OPERATING
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Apply the parking brake
and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the
vehicle.DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position
provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), use the Electronic Range Select (ERS)
shift control refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS) Opera
-
tion” in this section for further information to select a lower
gear range. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range
will improve performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operating
limits, the transmission controller may modify the transmis -
sion shift schedule, reduce engine torque, and/or expand the
range of torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And
Operating” and “Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in “In
Case Of Emergency” for further information.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 175
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) up to the maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).

To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CAN button, or
normal brake pressure while slowing the vehicle will deacti-
vate the Speed Control without erasing the set speed from
memory.
Pushing the on/off button or turning the ignition switch off
erases the set speed from memory.
PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED
The ParkSense system provides an audible indication of the
distance between the rear fascia/bumper and a detected
obstacle when backing up (e.g. during a parking maneuver).
Refer to “ParkSense Rear Park Assist System Usage Precau-
tions” in this section for limitations of this system and recom -
mendations.
The ParkSense system is automatically activated when the
transmission is placed into REVERSE. As the distance from
an obstacle behind the vehicle decreases, the audible alert
becomes more frequent.
Interaction With Trailer Towing
The ParkSense system is automatically deactivated when a
trailer equipped by Mopar is hitched to the vehicle. The
system will be automatically activated as soon as the trailer
is removed. If it does not happen, turning the key ignition
switch to OFF and then to ON again would be needed. If a
non-Mopar trailer hitch is mounted, the sensor deactivation
cannot be guaranteed.
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190 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
WARNING!
• Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and will not shift during travel. When trailering cargo that
is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts can occur that
may be difficult for the driver to control. You could lose
control of your vehicle and have a collision.
• When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a loss of
control, poor performance or damage to brakes, axle,
engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chassis
structure or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in PARK. For
four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure the transfer case
is not in NEUTRAL. Always, block or "chock" the
trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• Total weight must be distributed between the tow vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
• GVWR
• GTW
• GAWR
• Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
WARNING! (Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 195
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
NOTE:
When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable state
and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial Highway
Safety offices for additional details.
Recreational Towing — Automatic Transmission
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the front wheels are
OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a tow
dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this proce -
dure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the tow dolly. 3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place the transmission in
PARK.
4. Properly secure the front wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
5. Release the parking brake.
Towing Condition
Wheels OFF The Ground Automatic Transmission
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Front
OK
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK
CAUTION!
• DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain will result. If this vehicle requires towing, make sure
the drive wheels are OFF the ground.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require -
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Damage
from improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
5
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