
6  
INTRODUCTION
Dear Customer,
Congratulations on selecting your new Ram®. Be assured that it represents precision workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality. This Owner’s 
Manual has been prepared with the assistance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with the operation and maintenance of your 
vehicle. It is supplemented by customer-oriented documents. Within this information, you will find a description of the services that FCA US LLC offers 
to its customers as well as the details of the terms and conditions for maintaining its validity. Please take the time to read all of these publications 
carefully before driving your vehicle for the first time. Following the instructions, recommendations, tips, and important warnings in this manual will help 
ensure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls, particularly those used for braking, steering, 
transmission, and transfer case shifting (if equipped). Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Your driving skills will improve with 
experience.
This Owner’s Manual describes all versions of this vehicle. Options and equipment dedicated to specific markets or versions are not expressly indicated 
in the text. Therefore, you should only consider the information that is related to the trim level, engine, and version that you have purchased. Any content 
introduced throughout the Owner’s Information, which may or may not be applicable to your vehicle, will be identified with the wording “If Equipped”. 
All data contained in this publication are intended to help you use your vehicle in the best possible way. FCA US LLC aims at a constant improvement 
of the vehicles produced. For this reason, it reserves the right to make changes to the model described for technical and/or commercial reasons. For 
further information, contact an authorized dealer.
When it comes to service, remember that authorized dealers know your Ram® best, have factory-trained technicians and genuine MOPAR® parts, and 
care about your satisfaction.
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 6   

STARTING AND OPERATING63
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) 
System 
This vehicle is equipped with a BTSI that holds 
the transmission gear selector in PARK unless 
the brakes are applied. To shift the 
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be 
in the MAR (ON/RUN) mode (engine running or 
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
The brake pedal must also be pressed to shift 
from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the 
vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission 
The transmission gear range (PRND) is 
displayed both beside the gear selector and in 
the instrument cluster display. To select a gear 
range, push the lock button on the gear selector 
and move the lever rearward or forward. You 
must also press the brake pedal to shift the 
transmission out of PARK (or NEUTRAL, when 
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds). 
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 REVERSE while 
driving forward), the position indicator will blink 
continuously 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 or 
kilometers.
The nine-speed transmission has been 
developed to meet the needs of current and 
future FWD/AWD vehicles. Software and 
calibration is refined to optimize the customer’s 
driving experience and fuel economy. By design, 
some vehicle and driveline combinations utilize 
9th gear only in very specific driving situations 
and conditions.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 provides PARK, 
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and Electronic 
Range Select (ERS) shift positions. Manual 
downshifts can be made using the ERS shift 
control. Moving the gear selector into the ERS 
(-/+) position (beside the DRIVE position) 
activates ERS mode, displays the current gear 
in the instrument cluster, and prevents 
automatic upshifts beyond this gear. In ERS 
mode, toggling the gear selector forward (-) or 
rearward (+) will change the highest available 
gear  Ú
page 67.
NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the 
PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when 
pushed forward) it is probably in the ERS (+/-) 
position (beside the DRIVE position). In ERS 
mode, the transmission gear limit (1, 2, 3, etc.) 
is displayed in the instrument cluster. Move the 
4
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 63   

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY197
(Continued)
Jacking Instructions
Jack Warning Label Jacking Locations
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings 
to help prevent personal injury or damage to 
your vehicle:
Always park on a firm, level surface as far 
from the edge of the roadway as possible 
before raising the vehicle.
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers.
Apply the parking brake firmly and set an 
automatic transmission in PARK; a manual 
transmission in REVERSE.
Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the 
wheel to be raised.
Never start or run the engine with the 
vehicle on a jack.
Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it 
is on a jack.
Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a 
jack. If you need to get under a raised 
vehicle, take it to a service center where it 
can be raised on a lift.
Only use the jack in the positions indicated 
and for lifting this vehicle during a tire 
change.
If working on or near a roadway, be 
extremely careful of motor traffic.
To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, 
are securely stowed, spares must be 
stowed with the valve stem facing the 
ground.
The stowed spare tire should always be 
checked for security by pushing on it with 
your hand, at the location under the rear 
fascia/bumper, behind the vehicle. The 
spare tire should not move when fully 
secured by the winch under the vehicle.
WARNING!  (Continued)
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking 
on locations other than those indicated in the 
Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.
7
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 197   

208IN CASE OF EMERGENCY  
IGNITION KEY REMOVAL OVERRIDE
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park 
Interlock which requires the transmission to be 
in PARK (P) before the ignition switch can be 
turned to the OFF/LOCK (key removal) position. 
To remove the key manually, proceed as 
follows:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the Allen Key located in the rear 
cargo area, in the tool bag (if equipped) or 
on the left side in the cargo box.
3. Unlock the steering column, pull the tilt/ telescoping control handle down. 4. Pull the steering wheel outward until it is in 
the end of the travel position, then lock the 
steering column in position, push the 
control handle up until fully engaged.
5. Using the Allen Key, undo the lower steering  column cover screws, and remove the lower 
cover.
Lower Steering Column Screw Locations
6. Pull the release tab downwards using one  hand and with the other one remove the 
key, sliding it outwards.
 Release Tab Location
7. Once the key is removed, reinstall the  steering column cover.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could 
damage your vehicle. If the temperature 
gauge reads HOT (H), pull over and stop the 
vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air 
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops 
back into the normal range. If the pointer 
remains on HOT (H), and you hear continuous 
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and 
call for service.
CAUTION!
It is advisable to contact an authorized dealer 
to have the reinstall procedure carried out. If 
you would like to proceed in performing the 
reinstall procedure special attention must be 
paid to the correct coupling of the clips. 
Otherwise damage to the cover or noise 
might be heard due to incorrect fastening of 
the lower cover.
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 208   

271
Replacement Keys
........................................... 11Replacement Tires......................................... 245Reporting Safety Defects............................... 264Restraints, Child............................................ 170Restraints, Head.............................................. 21Rotation, Tires............................................... 250
S
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle......................... 185Safety Checks Outside Vehicle...................... 187Safety Defects, Reporting.............................. 264Safety Information, Tire................................. 234Safety Tips..................................................... 185Safety, Exhaust Gas....................................... 185Satellite Radio............................................... 101Schedule, Maintenance................................. 217Seat Belts............................................ 154, 185Adjustable Shoulder Belt........................... 157Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 157Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt  Anchorage............................................. 157Child Restraints......................................... 170Energy Management Feature.................... 159Front Seat.............................. 154, 155, 156Inspection................................................. 185Lap/Shoulder Belt Operation.................... 156Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting...................157Lap/Shoulder Belts................................... 155Operating Instructions............................... 156Pregnant Women...................................... 159
Pretensioners........................................... 159Rear Seat................................................. 155Reminder............................................52, 154Seat Belt Pretensioner............................. 159Untwisting Procedure............................... 157Seats............................................................... 17Adjustment.................................................. 17Heated......................................................... 20Rear Folding................................................ 17Tilting........................................................... 17Security System............................................... 13Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze).................. 259Sentry Key (Immobilizer).................................. 12Service Assistance........................................ 262Service Contract........................................... 263Service Manuals........................................... 264Settings, Audio.............................................. 105Shift Lever Override...................................... 209ShiftingAutomatic Transmission.............................. 63Shoulder Belts.............................................. 155Signals, Turn...........................................55, 187Sirius Satellite Radio..................................... 101Favorites................................................... 104Replay...................................................... 102SiriusXM Satellite RadioBrowse in SXM......................................... 104Favorites................................................... 104Replay...................................................... 102Snow Chains (Tire Chains)............................ 249
Snow Tires.................................................... 246Spare Tires........................................... 247, 248Spark Plugs................................................... 259SpecificationsFuel (Gasoline).......................................... 259Oil............................................................. 259Speed ControlCancel..........................................................70Speed Control (Cruise Control).........................68Starting............................................................58Automatic Transmission..............................58Cold Weather...............................................58Engine Fails To Start....................................59Steering...........................................................23Power....................................................67, 68Tilt Column...................................................23Wheel, Tilt....................................................23Steering Wheel Audio Controls...................... 142Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls........................................................ 142Storage............................................................38Storage, Vehicle..................................... 33, 251Storing Your Vehicle...................................... 251Sun Visor Extension.........................................27Sway Control, Trailer..................................... 149Synthetic Engine Oil...................................... 224
11
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 271