2021 RAM 1500 instrument panel

156STARTING AND OPERATING
EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC
T
RANSMISSION
The transmission is controlled using a rotary
electronic gear selector located on the
instrument panel. The transmission gear range
(PRND) is displayed both above the gear
selector and in the instrument cluster. To select
a gear range, simply rotate the gear selector.
You must press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK (or NEUTRAL, when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds).
To shift past multiple gear ranges at once (such
as PARK to DRIVE), simply rotate the gear
selector to the appropriate detent. Select the
DRIVE range for normal driving.
NOTE:
In the event of a mismatch between the gear
selector position and the actual transmission
gear (for example, driver selects PARK while
driving), the position indicator will blink continu -
ously until the selector is returned to the proper
position, or the requested shift can be
completed. The electronically-controlled transmission
adapts its shift schedule based on driver inputs,
along with environmental and road conditions.
The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on
a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is
a normal condition, and precision shifts will
develop within a few hundred miles
(kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE
when the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on
the brake pedal when shifting between these
gears.
The transmission gear selector has only PARK,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions.
Manual downshifts can be made using the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control.
Pressing the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the
steering wheel) while in the DRIVE position will
select the highest available transmission gear,
and will display that gear limit in the instrument
cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc Ú
page 159. Some
models will display both the selected gear limit,
and the actual current gear, while in ERS mode.
Electronic Transmission Gear Selector

Gear Ranges
Do not press the accelerator pedal when
shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another
gear range.
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment
to allow the selected gear to engage before
accelerating. This is especially important when
the engine is cold.
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.

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 156

STARTING AND OPERATING161
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
FOUR-POSITION ELECTRONICALLY
S
HIFTED TRANSFER CASE — IF
E
QUIPPED
This is an electronic shift transfer case and is
operated by the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer
Case Switch), located on the instrument panel.

Four-Position/On-Demand Transfer Case

This electronically shifted transfer case
provides four mode positions:
Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2WD) — This
range is for normal street and highway
driving 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.
Four-Wheel Drive High Range (4WD HIGH) —
This range provides torque to the front drive
-
shaft (engages four-wheel drive) which allows
front and rear wheels to spin at the same
speed. This provides additional traction for
loose or slippery road surfaces only.
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4WD LOW) —
This range provides low speed four-wheel
drive. It maximizes torque (increased torque
over 4WD HIGH) to the front driveshaft;
allowing front and rear wheels to rotate at the
same speed. This range provides additional
traction and maximum pulling power for
loose or slippery road surfaces only. Do not
exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
N (Neutral) — This range disengages both the
front and rear driveshafts from the power -
train. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle Ú page 231.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if
you leave the vehicle unattended with the
transfer case in the N (Neutral) position
without first fully engaging the parking
brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) posi -
tion disengages both the front and rear
drive shaft from the powertrain, and will
allow the vehicle to roll, even if the trans -
mission 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 transmission 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.
4

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 161

STARTING AND OPERATING163
Shifting Procedure
If any of the requirements to select a new
transfer case position have not been met,
then the transfer case will not shift. The posi -
tion indicator light for the previous position
will remain on and the newly selected posi -
tion 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, then
the current position indicator light will turn off
and 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 position will
stop flashing and remain on.
FIVE-POSITION ELECTRONICALLY
S
HIFTED TRANSFER CASE — IF
E
QUIPPED
This is an electronic shift transfer case and is
operated by the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer
Case Switch), which is located on the
instrument panel.
Five-Position/On-Demand Transfer Case

This electronically shifted transfer case
provides five mode positions:
Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2WD) — This
range is for normal street and highway
driving 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.
Four-Wheel Drive Automatic High Range
(4WD AUTO) — This range sends power to the
front wheels automatically when the vehicle
senses a loss of traction. This range may be
used during varying road conditions.
Four-Wheel Drive High Range (4WD HIGH) —
This range provides torque to the front drive -
shaft (engages four-wheel drive) which allows
front and rear wheels to spin at the same
speed. This provides additional traction for
loose or slippery road surfaces only.
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4WD LOW) —
This range provides low speed four-wheel
drive. It maximizes torque (increased torque
over 4WD HIGH) to the front driveshaft;
allowing front and rear wheels to rotate at the
same speed. This range provides additional
traction and maximum pulling power for
loose or slippery road surfaces only. Do not
exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
N (Neutral) — This range disengages both the
front and rear driveshafts from the power -
train. To be used for flat towing behind
another vehicle Ú page 231.
4

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 163

196STARTING AND OPERATING
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 calibration to improve the perfor -
mance of the feature.
The driver must control the vehicle’s brakes.
The automatic emergency braking feature is
NOT intended to substitute for the driver
during REVERSE maneuvers.
ENABLING AND DISABLING THE
P
ARKSENSE ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
S
YSTEM
The ParkSense Active Park Assist
system can be enabled and disabled
with the ParkSense Active Park Assist
switch, located on the switch panel
below the Uconnect display.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a 12-inch
Uconnect display, the ParkSense Active Park
Assist switch is located above the display. To enable or disable the ParkSense Active Park
Assist system, push the ParkSense Active Park
Assist switch once (LED turns on). Pushing the
switch a second time will disable the system
(LED turns off).
The ParkSense Active Park Assist system will
turn off automatically for any of the following
conditions:
Parking maneuver is completed.
Vehicle speed is greater than 18 mph
(30 km/h) when searching for a parking
space.
Vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (7 km/h)
during active steering guidance into the
parking space.
Steering wheel is touched during active
steering guidance into the parking space.
ParkSense Front/Rear Park Assist switch is
pushed.
Driver's door is opened.
Tailgate is opened.
Electronic Stability Control/Anti-Lock Braking
System intervention.NOTE:
The ParkSense Active Park Assist system will
allow a maximum of eight shifts between DRIVE
and REVERSE. If the maneuver cannot be
completed within eight shifts, the system will
cancel and the instrument cluster display will
instruct the driver to complete the maneuver
manually.
The ParkSense Active Park Assist system will
only operate and search for a parking space
when the following conditions are present:
Gear selector is in DRIVE.
The ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
The ParkSense Active Park Assist switch is
activated.
Driver's door is closed.
Tailgate is closed.
Vehicle speed is less than 15 mph (25 km/h).
The outer surface and the underside of the
front and rear fascias/bumpers are clean
and clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt or other
obstruction.

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 196

200STARTING AND OPERATING
TURNING LANESENSE ON OR OFF
The LaneSense button is located on
the switch panel below the Uconnect
display.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a 12-inch
Uconnect Display screen, the LaneSense button
is located above the display.
To turn the LaneSense system on, push the
LaneSense button (LED turns off). A
“LaneSense On” message is shown in the
instrument cluster display.
To turn the LaneSense system off, push the
LaneSense button again (LED turns on).
NOTE:
The LaneSense system will retain the last
system state on or off from the last ignition
cycle when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN
position.
LANESENSE WARNING MESSAGE
The LaneSense system will indicate the current
lane drift condition through the instrument
cluster display.
When the LaneSense system is on, the lane
lines are gray when both of the lane boundaries
have not been detected and the LaneSense
telltale is solid white.

System ON (Gray Lines) With White Telltale
Left Lane Departure — Only Left Lane Detected

When the LaneSense system is on, the Lane-
Sense Telltale is solid white when only the
left lane marking has been detected and the
system is ready to provide visual warnings in
the instrument cluster display if an uninten -
tional lane departure occurs on the left side.
When the LaneSense system senses the lane
has been approached and is in a lane depar -
ture situation, the visual warning in the
instrument cluster display will show the left
lane line flashing yellow (on/off). The Lane -
Sense telltale changes from solid white to
flashing yellow.

Lane Approached (Flashing Yellow Lane Line) With Yel -
low Telltale

NOTE:
The LaneSense system operates with similar
behavior for a right lane departure when only
the right lane marking has been detected.

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212STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
(Continued)
2. Insert DEF fill adapter/nozzle into DEF tank filler neck.
NOTE:
The DEF gauge may take up to five seconds
to update after adding a gallon or more of
(DEF) to the DEF tank. If you have a fault
related to the DEF system, the gauge may not
update to the new level. See an authorized
dealer for service.
The DEF gauge may also not immediately
update after a refill if the temperature of the
DEF fluid is below 12°F (-11°C). The DEF line
heater will possibly warm up the DEF fluid
and allow the gauge to update after a period
of run time. Under very cold conditions, it is
possible that the gauge may not reflect the
new fill level for several drives.
Refilling With Nozzles
You can fill up at any DEF distributor.
Proceed as follows:
Insert the DEF nozzle in the filler, start
refilling and stop refilling at the first
shut-off (the shut-off indicates that the
DEF tank is full). Do not proceed with the
refilling, to prevent spillage of DEF.
Extract the nozzle. Refilling With Containers
Proceed as follows:
Check the expiration date.
Read the advice for use on the label
before pouring the content of the bottle
into the DEF tank.
If systems which cannot be screwed in
(e.g. tanks) are used for refilling, after the
indication appears on the instrument
panel display Ú
page 114 fill the DEF
tank with no more than 2 Gallons (8
liters).
If containers which can be screwed to the
filler are used, the reservoir is full when
the DEF level in the container stops
pouring out. Do not proceed further.
CAUTION!
To avoid DEF spillage, and possible
damage to the DEF tank from overfilling, do
not “top off” the DEF tank after filling.
DO NOT OVERFILL. DEF will freeze below
12ºF (-11ºC). The DEF system is designed
to work in temperatures below the DEF
freezing point, however, if the tank is over -
filled and freezes, the system could be
damaged.
When DEF is spilled, clean the area imme -
diately with water and use an absorbent
material to soak up the spills on the ground.
Do not attempt to start your engine if DEF is
accidentally added to the diesel fuel tank
as it can result in severe damage to your
engine, including but not limited to failure
of the fuel pump and injectors.
CAUTION! (Continued)

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 212

MULTIMEDIA237
UCONNECT SETTINGS
The Uconnect system uses a combination of
buttons on the touchscreen and buttons on the
faceplate located on the center of the
instrument panel. These buttons allow you to
access and change the Customer
Programmable Features. Many features can
vary by vehicle.
Buttons on the faceplate are located below
and/or beside the Uconnect system in the
center of the instrument panel. In addition,
there is a Scroll/Enter control knob located on
the right side. Turn the control knob to scroll
through menus and change settings. Push the
center of the control knob one or more times to
select or change a setting.
Your Uconnect system may also have Screen
Off and Mute buttons on the faceplate.
Push the Screen Off button on the faceplate to
turn off the Uconnect screen. Push the button
again or tap the screen to turn the screen on.
Press the Back Arrow button to exit out of a
Menu or certain option on the Uconnect system.
CUSTOMER PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES

Uconnect 4C NAV With 12-inch Display Touchscreen
And Faceplate Buttons
For the Uconnect 3 With 5-inch Display, the
Uconnect 4/4C NAV With 8.4-inch Display, and
Uconnect 4C NAV With 12-inch Display
Press the Apps button, then press the
Settings button on the touchscreen to display
the menu setting screen. In this mode the
Uconnect system allows you to access
programmable features.
NOTE:
Depending on the vehicle’s options, feature
settings may vary.
All settings should be changed with the igni
-
tion in the ON/RUN position.
When making a selection, only press one button
at a time to enter the desired menu. Once in the
desired menu, press and release the preferred
setting “option” until a check mark appears
next to the setting, showing that setting has
been selected. Once the setting is complete,
press the X button on the touchscreen to close
out of the settings screen. Pressing the Up or
Down Arrow button on the right side of the
screen will allow you to toggle up or down
through the available settings.
1 — Uconnect Buttons On The Touchscreen
2 — Uconnect Buttons On The Faceplate
5

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 237

288MULTIMEDIA
(Continued)
(Continued)
Requirements

This feature is available only on vehicles sold
in the US or Canada.
Vehicle must be properly equipped with the
SiriusXM Guardian™ system. Vehicle must be
registered with SiriusXM Guardian™ and
have an active subscription that includes the
applicable feature.
Vehicle must have an operable LTE (voice/
data) or 3G or 4G (data) network connection
compatible with your device.
Vehicle must be powered in the ON/RUN or
ACC (Accessory) position with a properly func -
tioning electrical system.
WARNING!
Never place anything on or near the
vehicle’s LTE (voice/data) or 3G or 4G
(data) and GPS antennas. You could
prevent LTE (voice/data) or 4G (data) and
GPS signal reception, which can prevent
your vehicle from placing an emergency
call.
Do not add any aftermarket electrical equip -
ment to the vehicle’s electrical system. This
may prevent your vehicle from sending a
signal to initiate an emergency call. To avoid
interference that can cause the SOS Call
system to fail, never add aftermarket equip -
ment (e.g., two-way mobile radio, CB radio,
data recorder, etc.) to your vehicle’s elec -
trical system or modify the antennas on your
vehicle. IF YOUR VEHICLE LOSES POWER
FOR ANY REASON (INCLUDING DURING OR
AFTER AN ACCIDENT), NEITHER THE UCON-
NECT APPS NOR THE SIRIUSXM
GUARDIAN™ SERVICES WILL OPERATE.
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
turns on the Air Bag Warning Light on the
instrument panel if a malfunction in any part
of the air bag system is detected. If the Air Bag
Warning Light is illuminated, the air bag
system may not be working properly and the
SOS Call system may not be able to send a
signal to the SiriusXM Guardian™ Customer
Care center. If the Air Bag Warning Light is illu -
minated, have an authorized dealer service
your vehicle immediately.
WARNING! (Continued)
Ignoring the Rearview Mirror Light could
mean you will not have SOS Call services if
needed. If the Rearview Mirror Light is illu -
minated, have an authorized dealer service
the SOS Call system immediately.
If anyone in the vehicle could be in danger
(e.g., fire or smoke is visible, dangerous
road conditions or location), do not wait for
voice contact from a SiriusXM Guardian™
Customer Care agent. All occupants should
exit the vehicle immediately and move to a
safe location.
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance
and regular inspection of your vehicle may
result in vehicle damage, accident or injury.
WARNING! (Continued)

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