2021 RAM 1500 ECU

82GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
DUAL PANE POWER SUNROOF — IF
E
QUIPPED
The power sunroof switches are located on the
overhead console between the courtesy/
reading lights.

Power Sunroof Switches

Opening And Closing The Sunroof
The sunroof has two programmed automatic
stops for the sunroof open position; a comfort
stop position and a full open position. The
comfort stop position has been optimized to
minimize wind buffeting.
Express Open/Close
Push the switch rearward and release it within
one-half second and the sunroof will open
automatically from any position. The sunroof
will open fully and stop automatically.
Push the switch forward and release it within
one-half second and the sunroof will close
automatically from any position. The sunroof
will close fully and stop automatically.
During Express Open or Express Close
operation, any other movement of the sunroof
switch will stop the sunroof.
1 — Opening/Closing Sunroof
2 — Venting Sunroof
3 — Opening/Closing Sunshade
WARNING!
Never leave children unattended in a
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Never leave the key fob in or near
the vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children. Do not leave the ignition of a
vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go
in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. Occupants,
particularly unattended children, can
become entrapped by the power sunroof
while operating the power sunroof switch.
Such entrapment may result in serious
injury or death.
In a collision, there is a greater risk of being
thrown from a vehicle with an open sunroof.
You could also be seriously injured or killed.
Always fasten your seat belt properly and
make sure all passengers are also properly
secured.
Do not allow small children to operate the
sunroof. Never allow your fingers, other
body parts, or any object, to project through
the sunroof opening. Injury may result.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE83
Manual Open/Close
To open the sunroof, push and hold the switch
rearward to full open.
To close the sunroof, push and hold the switch
in the forward position.
Any release of the switch during open or close
operation will stop the sunroof movement. The
sunroof will remain in a partially opened
position until the switch is operated and held
again.
NOTE:
If the sunshade is in the closed position when
Express or Manual Open operation is initiated
the sunshade will automatically open to the half
open position prior to the sunroof opening.
Opening And Closing The Power Sunshade
The sunshade has two programmed positions:
half open and full open positions. When
operating the sunshade from the closed
position, the sunshade will always stop at the
half open position regardless of express or
manual open operation. The switch must be
actuated again to continue on to full open
position. If the sunroof is open or vented, the sunshade
cannot be closed beyond the half open position.
Pushing the sunshade close switch when the
sunroof is open/vented and the sunshade is at
half open position will first automatically close
the sunroof prior to the sunshade closing.
Express Open/Close
Push the sunshade switch rearward and
release it within one-half second, the sunshade
will open to the half open position and stop
automatically. Push and release the switch
again from the half open position and the
sunshade will open to the full open position and
stop automatically.
Push the sunshade switch forward and release
it within one-half second and the sunshade will
close automatically.
During Express Open or Express Close
operation, any other actuation of the sunroof
switches will stop the sunshade in a partially
open position.
Manual Open/Close
Push and hold the sunshade switch rearward,
the sunshade will open to the half open position
and stop automatically. Push and hold the
sunshade switch again and the sunshade will
open to the full open position.
Push and hold the switch forward and the
sunshade will close and stop at full closed
position.
Releasing the switch while the sunshade is in
motion will stop the sunshade in a partially open
position.
Pinch Protect Feature
This feature will detect an obstruction in the
opening of the sunroof during Express Close
operation. If an obstruction in the path of the
sunroof is detected, the sunroof will
automatically retract. Remove the obstruction if
this occurs.
NOTE:
If three consecutive sunroof close attempts
result in Pinch Protect reversals, Pinch Protect
will disable and the sunroof must be closed in
Manual Mode.
2

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE85
TO CLOSE THE HOOD
Hoods equipped with gas props are closed from
the point where the props no longer hold the
hood open.
TAILGATE
OPENING
The tailgate may be opened by pushing the
tailgate release pad located on the tailgate
door.
The tailgate damper strut will lower the tailgate
to the open position (if equipped).
Electronic Tailgate Release — If Equipped
The key fob may be equipped with an
electronic release feature for the
tailgate, allowing hands-free tailgate
opening. To activate, push and
release the Tailgate Release button on the key
fob twice within five seconds. The tailgate door
will unlatch, and slowly lower into the open
position.
If equipped, a button on the center overhead
console inside the vehicle can be used to
release the tailgate. An indicator light may also
signal when the tailgate is open.
For the tailgate to lower, the vehicle must be
stationary and in PARK or NEUTRAL. NOTE:
The optional Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
Úpage 97
may prevent electronic tailgate release. The
Tonneau Cover must be removed or folded up
before releasing the tailgate.
CLOSING
To close the tailgate, push it upward until both
sides are securely latched.
LOCKING TAILGATE
The tailgate can be locked using the key fob
lock button.
MULTIFUNCTION TAILGATE — IF
E
QUIPPED
The 60/40 multifunction tailgate has two swing
doors to allow for closer access to the pickup
box with the doors open.
Opening
The tailgate must be latched closed to open the
swing doors. Push the paddle down, then pull
the release handle beneath the tailgate
lowering handle. This opens the 60 split door.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before
driving your vehicle. If the hood is not fully
latched, it could open when the vehicle is in
motion and block your vision. Failure to follow
this warning could result in serious injury or
death.
CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the
hood to close it. Use a firm downward push at
the front center of the hood to ensure that
both latches engage.
2

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86GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

60 Split Door Release Handle

Once the 60 split swing door is opened, pull the
release handle on the inboard side of the
40 split door to open.

40 Split Door Release Handle
Closing
Always close the 40 split door first, then close
the 60 split door. The swing doors must be
securely latched before the tailgate can be
lowered.
NOTE:
When the swing doors are open, the
maximum load placed on a door cannot
exceed 180 lbs (82 kg).
Pull back on the swing doors firmly after
closing to ensure they are securely latched.
TAILGATE REMOVAL
To remove the tailgate, follow the instructions
below:

1. Open the tailgate to a 45° angle.

2. Lift up on the right side of the tailgate, lifting
it off of the pivot.

Lift Right Side Off Of Pivot

WARNING!
To prevent serious injury or death:
Always keep hands away from the hinge
sides of the swing doors and where the
doors meet when opening and closing the
doors. Your hand or someone else’s hand
could be pinched.
Never operate the vehicle with the swing
doors open.
Never hang from or sit on the swing doors.
CAUTION!
Always check both swing doors are latched
before starting vehicle.
Vehicle damage may occur if doors are not
securely latched.

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE87
3. Without latching, rotate the tailgate to
nearly closed. Then, while providing support
to the tailgate, slide it slowly to the right,
removing the tailgate from the left pivot.
NOTE:
Rest the tailgate on the bumper so that the
entire tailgate is secure and supported.

Slide Tailgate To The Right
4. Let the tailgate rest on the support cables
while having the tailgate naturally slide
forward on the bumper.

Tailgate Only Supported By Cables

5. Remove the connector bracket from the sill by pushing inward in the locking tab.
Connector Bracket Location
Locking Tab

WARNING!
For vehicles equipped with a multifunction
tailgate, the tailgate weighs 115 lbs (52 kg)
and should be removed by at least two
people. Injury to the customer or damage to
the tailgate may occur if one person tries to
remove the multifunction tailgate.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE91
There are stampings in the sheet metal on the
inner side bulkheads of the box in front of and
behind both wheel housings. Place wooden
boards across the box from side to side to
create separate load compartments in the
pickup box.
There are four tie-down cleats bolted to the
lower sides of the pickup box that can sustain
loads up to 1,000 lbs (450 kg) total.
BED RAIL TIE-DOWN SYSTEM — IF
E
QUIPPED
There are two adjustable cleats on each side of
the bed that can be used to assist in securing
cargo.

Adjustable Cleats
Each cleat must be located and tightened down
in one of the detents, along either rail, in order
to keep cargo properly secure.
To move the cleat to any position on the rail,
turn the nut counterclockwise, approximately
three turns. Then pull out on the cleat and slide
it to the detent nearest the desired location.
Make sure the cleat is seated in the detent and
tighten the nut.

Adjustable Cleat Assembly

If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs
(272 kg) of material suspended above the
wheelhouse, supports must be installed to
transfer the weight of the load to the pickup
box floor or vehicle damage may result. The
use of proper supports will permit loading up
to the rated payload.
Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward
in an accident causing serious or fatal
injury.
WARNING! (Continued)
CAUTION!
The maximum load per cleat should not
exceed 250 lbs (113 kg), or 500 lbs (227 kg)
total per rail, and the angle of the load on
each cleat should not exceed 45 degrees
above horizontal, or damage to the cleat or
cleat rail may occur.
1 — Utility Rail Detent
2 — Cleat Retainer Nut
3 — Utility Rail Cleat
2

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE93
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING RAMBOX
Push and release the lock or unlock button on
the key fob to lock and unlock all doors, the
tailgate and the RamBox Úpage 17. To unlatch
the storage bin manually, insert the emergency
key into the keyhole and turn clockwise. Always
return the key to the upright (vertical) position
before removing it from the keyhole.
RAMBOX CARGO STORAGE BINS
Cargo storage bins are located on both sides of
the pickup box. The cargo storage bins provide
watertight, lockable, illuminated storage for up
to 150 lbs (68 kg) of evenly distributed cargo.

RamBox Cargo Storage Bins
To open a storage bin with the RamBox
unlocked, push and release the button located
on the lid. The RamBox lid will open upward to
allow hand access. Lift the lid to fully open.
NOTE:
RamBox will not open when the button is
pushed if the RamBox is locked.

RamBox Button And Keyhole Lock

CAUTION!
Ensure cargo bin lids are closed and
latched before moving or driving vehicle.
Loads applied to the top of the bin lid
should be minimized to prevent damage to
the lid and latching/hinging mechanisms.
Damage to the RamBox bin may occur due
to heavy/sharp objects placed in bin that
shift due to vehicle motion. In order to mini -
mize potential for damage, secure all cargo
to prevent movement and protect inside
surfaces of bin from heavy/sharp objects
with appropriate padding.CAUTION!
Failure to follow the following items could
cause damage to the vehicle:
Assure that all cargo inside the storage bins
is properly secured.
Do not exceed cargo weight rating of 150 lbs
(68 kg) per bin.
1 — Keyhole Lock
2 — Button
2

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE95
RamBox Emergency Release Lever
As a security measure, an Emergency Release
Lever is built into the storage bin cover latching
mechanism.
In the event of an individual being locked inside
the storage bin, the storage bin cover can be
opened from inside of the bin by pulling on the
glow-in-the-dark lever attached to the storage
bin cover latching mechanism.
Emergency Release Lever

BED DIVIDER — IF EQUIPPED
The bed divider has two functional positions:
Divider Position
Storage Position
Divider Position
The divider position is intended for managing
your cargo and assisting in keeping cargo from
moving around the bed. There are 11 divider
slots along the bed inner panels which allow for
various positions to assist in managing your
cargo.To install the bed divider into a divider position,
perform the following:

1. Make sure the center handle is unlocked
using the vehicle key and rotate the center
handle vertically to release the divider side
gates.

Center Handle And Lock

Do not allow children to have access to the
storage bins. Once in the storage bin, young
children may not be able to escape. If
trapped in the storage bin, children can die
from suffocation or heat stroke.
In an accident, serious injury could result if
the storage bin covers are not properly
latched.
Do not drive the vehicle with the storage bin
covers open.
Keep the storage bin covers closed and
latched while the vehicle is in motion.
Do not use a storage bin latch as a
tie-down.
WARNING! (Continued)
1 — Center Handle Lock
2 — Handle
3 — Unlocked Position
4 — Locked Position
2

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