STARTING AND OPERATING127
(Continued)
the brake pedal to move the gear selector out of
PARK Ú
page 122. Pull the gear selector toward
you when shifting into REVERSE or PARK, or when
shifting out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides
a precise shift schedule. 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 shift positions.
Manual downshifts can be made using the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control.
Pushing the ERS (“-”/”+”) 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. Úpage 130. Some models will display
both the selected gear limit, and the actual current
gear, while in ERS mode.
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 acceler -
ating. 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.
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.
NOTE:On four-wheel drive vehicles be sure that the
transfer case is in a drive position. When exiting the vehicle, always:
Apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into PARK.
Turn the engine off.
Remove the key fob.
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 movement 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 trans
-
mission 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.
4
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140STARTING AND OPERATING
Care should be taken to avoid sudden
accelerations when both rear wheels are on a
slippery surface. This could cause both rear wheels
to spin, and allow the vehicle to slide sideways on
the crowned surface of a road or in a turn.
POWER TAKE OFF (PTO) OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle when equipped with PTO Prep and the
AS66RC/AS69RC automatic 6-speed, will allow for
an aftermarket upfit with a transmission driven
PTO (power take off). The customer will have the
ability to operate the PTO in either a “stationary”,
“mobile” or “remote” mode. The vehicles will be
factory set to the “stationary” mode. To select a
different mode, or to change any other PTO setting,
you will need to enter the commercial vehicle
menu on the instrument cluster screen. Details of
the PTO selection modes and further PTO information is available at the Ram Truck Body
Builder’s web site: https://www.ramtrucks.com/
ram-commercial/body-builders-guide.html
HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system provides
increased vehicle response and ease of
maneuverability in tight spaces. The system will
provide mechanical steering capability if power
assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted,
it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under
these conditions, you will observe a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially at very low
vehicle speeds and during parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not
indicate that there is a problem with the power
steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power
steering pump may make noise for a short
amount of time. This is due to the cold, thick
fluid in the steering system. This noise should
be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system.
POWER STEERING FLUID CHECK
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should
only be checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal
noises are apparent, and/or the system is not
functioning as anticipated. Check fluid level when
the engine is cold and off. Coordinate inspection
efforts through an authorized dealer.
WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip
differential never run the engine with one rear
wheel off the ground since the vehicle may drive
through the rear wheel remaining on the ground.
You could lose control of the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at
the end of the steering wheel travel will increase
the steering fluid temperature and it should be
avoided when possible. Damage to the power
steering pump may occur.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface
and with the engine off to prevent injury from
moving parts and to ensure accurate fluid level
reading. Do not overfill. Use only manufacturer's
recommended power steering fluid.
22_DPF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 140
STARTING AND OPERATING141
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper
indicated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled
fluid from all surfaces Ú page 407.
CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with the Cruise
Control system, or the Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) system:
Cruise Control will keep your vehicle at a
constant preset speed.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) will adjust the
vehicle speed up to the preset speed to main -
tain a distance with the vehicle ahead.
NOTE:
In vehicles equipped with ACC, if ACC is not
enabled, Fixed Speed Cruise Control will not
detect vehicles directly ahead of you. Always be
aware of the feature selected.
Only one Cruise Control feature can operate at a
time. For example, if Fixed Speed Cruise Control is enabled, Adaptive Cruise Control will be
unavailable, and vice versa.
CRUISE CONTROL
When engaged, the Cruise Control takes over
accelerator operations at speeds greater than
20 mph (32 km/h).
The Cruise Control buttons are located on the right
side of the steering wheel.
Cruise Control Buttons
To Activate
Push the on/off button to activate the Cruise
Control. The cruise indicator light in the instrument cluster display will illuminate. To turn the system
off, push the on/off button a second time. The
cruise indicator light will turn off. The system
should be turned off when not in use.
To Set A Desired Speed
Turn the Cruise Control on. When the vehicle has
reached the desired speed, push the SET (-) button
and release. Release the accelerator and the
vehicle will operate at the selected speed. Once a
speed has been set, a message “CRUISE CONTROL
SET TO MPH (km/h)” will appear indicating the set
speed. A cruise indicator lamp, along with set
speed will also appear and stay on in the
instrument cluster display when the speed is set.
NOTE:The vehicle should be traveling at a steady speed
and on level ground before pushing the SET (-)
button.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power
steering system as the chemicals can damage
your power steering components. Such damage
is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
1 — On/Off Button
2 — CANCEL
3 — RES (+)
4 — SET (-)
WARNING!
Leaving the Cruise Control system on when not
in use is dangerous. You could accidentally set
the system or cause it to go faster than you
want. You could lose control and have an
accident. Always leave the system off when you
are not using it.
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(Continued)
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 if your vehicle is not equipped
with ACC Ú page 141.
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 will not detect vehi -
cles directly ahead of you. Always be aware of
the feature selected Ú page 412.
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 the vehicle to a complete stop
while following a target vehicle and hold
the vehicle for approximately two seconds
in the stop position. At this point, there will
be an “ACC may cancel soon” chime and
warning to the driver. When ACC is
cancelled, the system will release the
brakes and the driver must take over
braking. The system can be resumed
when the target vehicle drives off by
releasing the brake and pushing the
resume button on the steering wheel.
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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144STARTING AND OPERATING
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation
The buttons on the right side of the steering wheel
operate the ACC system.
Adaptive Cruise Control Buttons
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Menu
The instrument cluster display will show the
current ACC system settings. The information it
displays depends on ACC system status. Push the ACC on/off button until one of the
following appears in the instrument cluster display:
Adaptive Cruise Control Off
When ACC is deactivated, the display will read
“Adaptive Cruise Control Off.”
Adaptive Cruise Control Ready
When ACC is activated, but the vehicle speed
setting has not been selected, the display will read
“Adaptive Cruise Control Ready.”
Adaptive Cruise Control Set
When the RES (+) or the SET(-) button is pushed,
the display will read “ACC SET.”
When ACC is set, the set speed will show in the
instrument cluster display.
The ACC screen may display once again if any of
the following ACC activity occurs:
System Cancel
Driver Override
System Off
ACC Proximity Warning
ACC Unavailable Warning
The instrument cluster display will return to the last
display selected after five seconds of no ACC
display activity.
Activating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
The minimum set speed for the ACC system is
20 mph (32 km/h).
When the system is turned on and in the ready
state, the instrument cluster display will read “ACC
Ready.”
When the system is off, the instrument cluster
display will read “Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Off.”
NOTE:You cannot engage ACC under the following condi -
tions:
When in 4WD Low
When brakes are applied
When the parking brake is applied
When the automatic transmission is in PARK,
REVERSE or NEUTRAL
When the vehicle speed is below the minimum
speed range
When the brakes are overheated
When the driver’s door is open at low speeds
When the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled at low
speed
When Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Full Off
mode is active
1 — Adaptive Cruise Control On/Off Button
2 — Fixed Speed Cruise Control On/Off Button
3 — CANCEL
4 — Distance Button
5 — RES (+)
6 — SET (-)
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148STARTING AND OPERATING
Trailer Detect — If Equipped
When a trailer is detected, the ACC system
automatically defaults to the longest setting (four
bars). The setting can be overridden by pushing the
Distance Button on the steering wheel.
Overtake Aid
When driving with ACC engaged and following a
vehicle, the system will provide an additional
acceleration up to the ACC set speed to assist in
passing the vehicle. This additional acceleration is
triggered when the driver utilizes the left turn
signal and will only be active when passing on the
left hand side.
ACC Operation At Stop
If the ACC system brings your vehicle to a standstill
while following a vehicle ahead, your vehicle will
resume motion, without any driver interaction, if
the vehicle ahead starts moving within two
seconds of your vehicle coming to a standstill.
If the vehicle in front does not start moving within
two seconds of your vehicle coming to a standstill,
the ACC with Stop system will cancel and the
brakes will release. A cancel message will display
on the instrument cluster display and produce a
warning chime. The driver must now manually
operate the vehicle’s accelerator and brakes.
While ACC with Stop is holding your vehicle at a
standstill, if the driver seat belt is unbuckled or the
driver door is opened, the ACC with Stop system will cancel and the brakes will release. A cancel
message will display on the instrument cluster
display and produce a warning chime. The driver
must now manually operate the vehicle’s
accelerator and brakes.
Display Warnings And Maintenance
“WIPE FRONT RADAR SENSOR IN FRONT OF
VEHICLE” WARNING
The “ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar
Sensor” warning will display and a chime will
sound when conditions temporarily limit system
performance.
This most often occurs at times of poor visibility,
such as in snow or heavy rain. The ACC system may
also become temporarily blinded due to
obstructions, such as mud, dirt or ice. In these
cases, the instrument cluster display will display
“ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar Sensor”
and the system will deactivate.
This message can sometimes be displayed while
driving in highly reflective areas (i.e. ice and snow,
or tunnels with reflective tiles). The ACC system will
recover after the vehicle has left these areas.
Under rare conditions, when the radar is not
tracking any vehicles or objects in its path this
warning may temporarily occur.
NOTE:If the “ACC/FCW Unavailable Wipe Front Radar
Sensor” warning is active, Fixed Speed Cruise
Control is still available.
If weather conditions are not a factor, the driver
should examine the sensor. It may require cleaning
or removal of an obstruction. The sensor is located
in the camera in the center of the windshield, on
the forward side of the rearview mirror.
To keep the ACC system operating properly, it is
important to note the following maintenance
items:
Always keep the sensor clean. Carefully clear
the windshield.
Do not remove any screws from the sensor.
Doing so could cause an ACC system malfunc
-
tion or failure and require a sensor realignment.
Do not attach or install any accessories near the
sensor, including transparent material or after -
market grilles. Doing so could cause an ACC
system failure or malfunction.
WARNING!
When the ACC system is resumed, the driver
must ensure that there are no pedestrians,
vehicles or objects in the path of the vehicle.
Failure to follow these warnings can result in a
collision and death or serious personal injury.
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156STARTING AND OPERATING
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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 within 18 inches
(45 cm) of the rear fascia/bumper. Failure to do
so can result in the system misinterpreting a
close obstacle as a sensor problem, causing the
“Front/Rear ParkSense Unavailable Service
Required” message to be appear in the instru
-
ment cluster display.
LANESENSE — IF EQUIPPED
LANESENSE OPERATION
The LaneSense system is operational at speeds
above 37 mph (60 km/h) and below 112 mph
(180 km/h). It uses a forward looking camera to
detect lane markings and measure vehicle
position within the lane boundaries.
When both lane markings are detected and the
driver drifts out of the lane (no turn signal has been
applied) OR the driver departs the lane on the
opposite side of the applied turn signal (if the left
turn signal is applied and the vehicle departs to the
right), the LaneSense system provides a haptic
warning in the form of torque applied to the
steering wheel, as well as a visual warning in the
instrument cluster display to prompt the driver to
remain within the lane boundaries.
The driver may manually override the haptic
warning by applying torque to the steering wheel at
any time.
When only a single lane marking is detected and
the driver drifts across that lane marking (no turn
signal applied), the LaneSense system provides a
visual warning through the instrument cluster
display to prompt the driver to remain within the
lane.
When only a single lane marking is detected, a
haptic (torque) warning will not be provided.
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 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, giving a false
indication that an obstacle is behind the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
ParkSense is only a parking aid and it is
unable to recognize every obstacle, including
small obstacles. Parking curbs might be
temporarily detected or not detected at all.
Obstacles located above or below the sensors
will not be detected when they are in close
proximity.
The vehicle must be driven slowly when using
ParkSense in order to be able to stop in time
when an obstacle is detected. It is recom -
mended that the driver looks over his/her
shoulder when using ParkSense.
WARNING!
22_DPF_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 156
STARTING AND OPERATING157
NOTE:When operating conditions have been met, the
LaneSense system will monitor if the driver’s
hands are on the steering wheel and provide an
audible and visual warning to the driver if removed.
The system will cancel if the driver does not return
their hands to the wheel.
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 changed to 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 unintentional
lane departure occurs on the left side.
When the LaneSense system senses the lane
has been approached and is in a lane departure
situation, the visual warning in the instrument
cluster display will show the left lane line
flashing yellow (on/off). The LaneSense telltale changes from solid white to flashing yellow.
Lane Crossed (Flashing Yellow Lane Line) With Yellow 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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