2022 RAM 1500 tow

STARTING AND OPERATING171
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 automatically at higher speeds
Úpage 114.
Tire Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic
leveling to be disabled Ú page 234.
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
Ú page 234.
Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment, this mode
must be enabled which moves the vehicle to
normal ride height and disables the automatic
leveling Ú page 234.
Protection Strategy
In order to protect the air suspension system, the
vehicle will disable load leveling as required
(suspension overloaded, battery charge low, etc.). Load leveling will automatically resume as soon as
system operation requirements are met. See an
authorized dealer if system does not resume.
NOTE:For towing with air suspension Ú
page 212.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY
M
ESSAGES
When the appropriate conditions exist, a message
will appear in the instrument cluster display
Ú page 114.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a system
error has been detected.
See an authorized dealer for system service if
normal operation does not resume.
OPERATION

Air Suspension Switch
The indicator lamps 1 through 4 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 or
lowering, the flashing indicator lamp is the position
the system is working to achieve.
Pushing the height selector switch up once will
move the suspension 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 position of OR or the highest position
allowed based on current conditions (i.e., vehicle
speed, etc.).
Pushing the height selector switch down once will
move the suspension 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 position allowed based on
current conditions (i.e., vehicle speed, etc.).
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STARTING AND OPERATING175
The transmission is not in DRIVE
Hood is open
Transfer case is in 4WD LOW
TOW/HAUL mode is selected
Accelerator pedal input
Excessive 12 Volt loads
Brake application is adequate to obtain and
maintain a stop
It may be possible to operate the vehicle several
consecutive times in extreme conditions and not
meet all criteria to enable an Autostop state.
TO START THE ENGINE WHILE IN
A
UTOSTOP MODE
While in DRIVE, the engine will start when the
brake pedal is released or the throttle pedal is
pressed and the transmission will automatically
reengage upon engine restart.
Conditions That Will Cause The Engine To Start
Automatically While In Autostop Mode
The engine will start automatically when:
The transmission selector is moved from DRIVE
to REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or PARK
To maintain cabin temperature near the HVAC
settings
HVAC is set to full defrost mode
12 Volt demand requires engine restart
Stop/Start OFF switch is pushed
Transfer case is in 4WD LOW
The emissions system override is present
A Stop/Start system error is present
Conditions That Force An Automatic Shift To Park
While In Autostop Mode
The engine will not start automatically and the
transmission will be placed in PARK if:
The driver door is open and brake pedal
released
The driver door is open and the driver seat belt
is unbuckled
The engine hood has been opened
A Stop/Start system error is present
The engine may then be restarted by moving the
transmission shift selector out of PARK (e.g., to
DRIVE) or, in some cases, only by a key start. The
instrument cluster will display a “SHIFT OUT OF
PARK” message, or a “STOP/START KEY START
REQUIRED” message, to indicate which action is
required Ú page 114.
TO MANUALLY TURN OFF THE STOP/
S
TART SYSTEM

Stop/Start OFF Switch

Push the Stop/Start OFF switch (located on the
switch bank). The light on the switch will illuminate.
The “STOP/START OFF” message will appear in the
instrument cluster display and the Autostop mode
will be disabled Ú page 114.
NOTE:The Stop/Start system will reset itself back to the
ON position every time the ignition is turned OFF
and back ON.
TO MANUALLY TURN ON THE STOP/
S
TART SYSTEM
Push the Stop/Start OFF switch (located on the
switch bank). The light on the switch will turn off.
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178STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
Pushing the on/off button or placing the ignition in
the OFF position, erases the set speed from
memory.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) increases the driving
convenience provided by Cruise Control while
traveling on highways and major roadways.
However, it is not a safety system and not designed
to prevent collisions. The Cruise Control function
performs differently
Ú page 176.
ACC will allow you to keep Cruise Control engaged
in light to moderate traffic conditions without the
constant need to reset your speed. ACC utilizes a
radar sensor and a forward facing camera
designed to detect a vehicle directly ahead of you
to maintain a set speed.
NOTE:
If the ACC sensor detects a vehicle ahead, ACC
will apply limited braking or acceleration (not to
exceed the original set speed) automatically to
maintain a preset following distance, while
matching the speed of the vehicle ahead.
Any chassis/suspension or tire size modifica -
tions to the vehicle will affect the performance
of the Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Colli -
sion Warning system.
Fixed Speed Cruise Control (ACC not enabled)
will not detect vehicles directly ahead of you.
Always be aware of the feature selected
Ú page 480.
WARNING!
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is a conve -
nience system. It is not a substitute for active
driver involvement. It is always the driver’s
responsibility to be attentive of road, traffic,
and weather conditions, vehicle speed,
distance to the vehicle ahead; and, most
importantly, brake operation to ensure safe
operation of the vehicle under all road condi -
tions. Your complete attention is always
required while driving to maintain safe control
of your vehicle. Failure to follow these warn -
ings can result in a collision and death or
serious personal injury.
The ACC system:
Does not react to pedestrians, oncoming
vehicles, and stationary objects (e.g., a
stopped vehicle in a traffic jam or a
disabled vehicle).
Cannot take street, traffic, and weather
conditions into account, and may be
limited upon adverse sight distance condi -
tions.
Does not always fully recognize complex
driving conditions, which can result in
wrong or missing distance warnings.
Will bring your vehicle to a complete stop
while following a vehicle ahead and hold
your vehicle for approximately three
minutes in the stop position. If the vehicle
ahead does not start moving within three
minutes the parking brake will be acti -
vated, and the ACC system will be
cancelled.
You should switch off the ACC system:
When driving in fog, heavy rain, heavy snow,
sleet, heavy traffic, and complex driving situa -
tions (i.e., in highway construction zones).
When entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp; when driving on roads that are winding,
icy, snow-covered, slippery, or have steep
uphill or downhill slopes.
When towing a trailer up or down steep slopes.
When circumstances do not allow safe driving
at a constant speed.
WARNING!

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STARTING AND OPERATING185
TOWING A TRAILER
ACC while towing a trailer is recommended only
with an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller.
Aftermarket trailer brake controllers will not
activate the trailer brakes when ACC is braking.
OFFSET DRIVING
ACC may not detect a vehicle in the same lane that
is offset from your direct line of travel, or a vehicle
merging in from a side lane. There may not be
sufficient distance to the vehicle ahead. The offset
vehicle may move in and out of the line of travel,
which can cause your vehicle to brake or
accelerate unexpectedly.

Offset Driving Condition Example

TURNS AND BENDS
When driving on a curve with ACC engaged, the
system may increase or decrease the vehicle
speed for stability, with no vehicle ahead detected.
Once the vehicle is out of the curve, the system will
resume your original set speed. This is a part of
normal ACC system functionality.
NOTE:On tight turns ACC performance may be limited.
USING ACC ON HILLS
ACC performance may be limited when driving on
hills. ACC may not detect a vehicle in your lane
depending on the speed, vehicle load, traffic
conditions, and the steepness of the hill.
ACC Hill Example

LANE CHANGING
ACC may not detect a vehicle until it is completely
in the lane in which you are traveling. In the lane
changing example below, ACC has not yet detected
the vehicle changing lanes and it may not detect
the vehicle until it's too late for the ACC system to
take action. ACC may not detect a vehicle until it is
completely in the lane. There may not be sufficient
distance to the lane-changing vehicle. Always be
attentive and ready to apply the brakes if
necessary.
Lane Changing Example

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186STARTING AND OPERATING
NARROW VEHICLES
Some narrow vehicles traveling near the outer
edges of the lane or edging into the lane are not
detected until they have moved fully into the lane.
There may not be sufficient distance to the vehicle
ahead.

Narrow Vehicle Example

STATIONARY OBJECTS AND VEHICLES
ACC does not react to stationary objects or
vehicles. For example, ACC will not react in
situations where the vehicle you are following exits
your lane and the vehicle ahead is stopped in your
lane. It will consider this stopped vehicle a stationary object as it did not previously detect
movement from it. Always be attentive and ready
to apply the brakes if necessary.

Stationary Object And Stationary Vehicle Example

PARKSENSE FRONT/REAR PARK ASSIST
SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The ParkSense Park Assist system provides visual
and audible indications of the distance between
the rear and/or front fascia/bumper and a
detected obstacle when backing up or moving
forward (e.g. during a parking maneuver). If your
vehicle is equipped with the automatic braking
function, the vehicle brakes may be automatically
applied and released when the vehicle is in
REVERSE if the system detects a possible collision
with an obstacle.
NOTE:
The driver can disable the automatic braking
function by turning ParkSense off via the Park -
Sense switch. The driver can also override auto -
matic braking by changing the gear or by
pressing the gas pedal over 90% of its capacity
during the braking event.
Automatic brakes will not be available if the
vehicle is in 4WD Low.
Automatic brakes will not be available if there is
a fault in the brake module.
Automatic brakes will not be available if there is
a faulted condition detected with the ParkSense
Park Assist system or the Braking System.
The automatic braking function may only be
applied if the vehicle deceleration is not enough
to avoid colliding with a detected obstacle.
The automatic braking function may not be
applied fast enough for obstacles that move
toward the rear of the vehicle from the left and/
or right sides.
The automatic braking function can be
enabled/disabled from the Customer Program -
mable Features section of the Uconnect system.

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STARTING AND OPERATING187
ParkSense will retain its last known configura -
tion state for the automatic braking function
through ignition cycles.
Trailer hitch ball assembly may cause false
braking events if left attached after towing.
The automatic braking function is intended to
assist the driver in avoiding possible collisions with
detected obstacles when backing up in REVERSE
gear.
NOTE:
The system is provided to assist the driver and
not to substitute the driver.
The driver must stay in full control of the
vehicle's acceleration and braking and is
responsible for the vehicle's movements.
For limitations of this system and usage
precautions, see Ú page 191.
ParkSense will retain the last system state
(enabled or disabled) from the last ignition cycle
when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN position.
ParkSense can be active only when the gear
selector is in REVERSE or DRIVE. If ParkSense is
enabled while in one of these gears, the system will
remain active until the vehicle speed is increased
to approximately 7 mph (11 km/h) or above. A
warning will appear in the instrument cluster
display indicating the vehicle speed is above ParkSense operating speed while in REVERSE. The
system will become active again if the vehicle
speed is decreased to speeds less than
approximately 6 mph (9 km/h).
PARKSENSE SENSORS
The four ParkSense sensors (six if equipped with
Active Parksense), located in the front fascia/
bumper, monitor the area in front of the vehicle
that is within the sensors’ field of view, and the four
ParkSense sensors, located in the rear fascia/
bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that
is within the sensors’ field of view. The front
sensors can detect obstacles from approximately
12 inches (30 cm) up to 47 inches (120 cm) from
the front fascia/bumper. The rear sensors can
detect obstacles from approximately 12 inches
(30 cm) up to 79 inches (200 cm). These distances
depend on the location, type and orientation of the
obstacle in the horizontal direction.
PARKSENSE WARNING DISPLAY
The ParkSense Warning screen is located within
the instrument cluster display Ú
page 114. It
provides visual warnings to indicate the distance
between the rear fascia/bumper and/or front
fascia/bumper and the detected obstacle.
PARKSENSE DISPLAY
The warning display will turn on indicating the
system status when the vehicle is in REVERSE or
when the vehicle is in DRIVE and an obstacle has
been detected.
The system will indicate a detected obstacle by
showing a single arc in the left, right, or center
regions based on the obstacle’s distance and
location relative to the vehicle.
If an obstacle is detected in the center front region,
the display will show a single solid arc in the center
front region with no chime. As the vehicle moves
closer to the obstacle, the display will show the
single arc moving closer to the vehicle and a fast
chime will be heard and will change from fast to
continuous.
If an obstacle is detected in the left and/or right
front region, the display will show a single flashing
arc in the left and/or right front region and will
produce a fast chime. As the vehicle moves closer
to the obstacle, the display will show the single arc
moving closer to the vehicle and the tone will
change from fast to continuous.
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STARTING AND OPERATING191
PARKSENSE SYSTEM USAGE
P
RECAUTIONS
NOTE:
Ensure that the front and rear fascias/bumpers
are free of snow, ice, mud, dirt and debris to
keep the ParkSense system operating properly.
Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibra -
tions could affect the performance of Park -
Sense.
When you turn Front or Rear ParkSense off, the
instrument cluster display will show a vehicle
graphic of the Front or Rear ParkSense on/off
state for two seconds. Furthermore, once you
turn Front or Rear ParkSense off, it remains off
until you turn it on again, even if you cycle the
ignition.
When you move the gear selector to the
REVERSE position and Front or Rear ParkSense
is turned off, the instrument cluster display will
show a vehicle graphic with "OFF" in the corre -
sponding side. This vehicle graphic will be
displayed for as long as the vehicle is in
REVERSE.
ParkSense, when on, will reduce the volume of
the radio when it is sounding a tone.
Clean the ParkSense sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them. The
sensors must not be covered with ice, snow,
slush, mud, dirt or debris. Failure to do so can
result in the system not working properly. The
ParkSense system might not detect an obstacle
behind or in front of the fascia/bumper, or it
could provide a false indication that an obstacle
is behind or in front of the fascia/bumper.
Use the ParkSense switch to turn the ParkSense
system off if obstacles such as bicycle carriers,
trailer hitches, etc. are placed near the rear
fascia/bumper. Failure to do so can result in the
system misinterpreting a close obstacle as a
sensor problem, causing the “PARKSENSE
UNAVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIRED” message to
be appear in the instrument cluster display.
ParkSense should be disabled when the tailgate
is in the lowered or open position. A lowered tail -
gate could provide a false indication that an
obstacle is behind the vehicle and could also
cause a false braking event.
The Rear ParkSense system will automatically
disable when the system detects that a trailer
with trailer brakes has been connected to the
Integrated Trailer Brake Module.
The Front ParkSense system will automatically
disable if a snow plow has been connected to
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using ParkSense. Always check carefully
behind your vehicle, look behind you, and be
sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other
vehicles, obstructions, and blind spots before
backing up. You are responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your
surroundings. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
Before using ParkSense, it is strongly recom -
mended that the ball mount and hitch ball
assembly be disconnected from the vehicle
when the vehicle is not used for towing.
Failure to do so can result in injury or damage
to vehicles or obstacles because the hitch ball
will be much closer to the obstacle than the
rear fascia/bumper when the vehicle sounds
the continuous tone. Also, the sensors could
detect the ball mount and hitch ball assembly,
depending on its size and shape, and give a
false indication that an obstacle is behind the
vehicle, and could cause false braking.
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212STARTING AND OPERATING
TIRE SIZE
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label
represents the actual tire size on your vehicle.
Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
RIM SIZE
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire
size listed.
INFLATION PRESSURE
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your
vehicle for all loading conditions up to full Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
CURB WEIGHT
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total
weight of the vehicle with all fluids, including
vehicle fuel, at full capacity conditions, and with no
occupants or cargo loaded into the vehicle. The
front and rear curb weight values are determined
by weighing your vehicle on a commercial scale
before any occupants or cargo are added.
LOADING
The actual total weight and the weight of the front
and rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be
determined by weighing it when it is loaded and
ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a
commercial scale to insure that the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) has not been exceeded. The
weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the
load is properly distributed over the front and rear
axle. Weighing the vehicle may show that the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of either the front or
rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be
shifted from front to rear or rear to front as
appropriate until the specified weight limitations
are met. Store the heavier items down low and be
sure that the weight is distributed equally. Stow all
loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse
effect on the way your vehicle steers and handles
and the way the brakes operate.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and
information on limits to the type of towing you can
reasonably do with your vehicle. Before towing a
trailer, carefully review this information to tow your
load as efficiently and safely as possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
coverage, follow the requirements and
recommendations in this manual concerning
vehicles used for trailer towing.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If
you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles. This could
cause you to lose control. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.

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