2023 RAM 1500 belt

178STARTING AND OPERATING
Using TRSC

Trailer Reverse Steering Control Knob

To use the system, place the gear selector in PARK and put
your foot on the brake. Push the activation button located
above the TRSC knob in the center stack. The LED on the
button will glow solid and the instrument cluster display
will direct you to shift to REVERSE. Once in REVERSE the
system is active. Remove hands from the steering wheel
and slowly back up while turning the TRSC knob in the
direction you want the trailer to go. Turning the knob
clockwise will cause the trailer to turn right. Turning the
knob counterclockwise will cause the trailer to turn left.
If you release the knob, it will return to its center position,
and the trailer will back up in a straight line. Continue to control the accelerator and brake while
backing the trailer up.
NOTE:While active, TRSC will automatically disable the Rear Park
Assist system if it was previously enabled.
The system will limit the top speed your vehicle can travel
in REVERSE while using the feature. If needed, you can
shift to DRIVE or NEUTRAL to pull forward to get more
room or straighten out the trailer, and shift back to
REVERSE without the need to reactivate the feature.
The feature will cancel after 30 seconds in DRIVE or when
the vehicle speed reaches 8 mph (12 km/h).
To cancel out of the feature, come to a stop and shift to
PARK, or push the TRSC activation button.
Instrument Cluster Messages:

“Calibrate Trailer ” will display when a trailer is not
calibrated and the vehicle is at a standstill while the
button is pushed.
 “Calibrating Trailer” will display when the trailer is not
calibrated and the vehicle is moving while the button is
pushed.
 “To Activate Trailer Steering Shift To P” will display
when the trailer is calibrated successfully, the TRSC
activation button is pushed and the vehicle is not in
PARK.
 “Trailer Steering Ready, Shift To Reverse” will display
when the button is pushed, trailer is calibrated and the
vehicle is in PARK. 
“Trailer Steering Active” will display after the driver
shifts to REVERSE and indicates the feature is active.
 “Trailer Steering Unavailable” will display if there is a
fault in the system preventing activation, the driver’s
door is open, the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled, or the
tailgate is open.
Other reasons the feature may cancel:
 The driver overrides steering by placing hands on the
steering wheel.
 Trailer tracking is lost.
 If the trailer angle becomes excessive, the brakes apply
bringing the vehicle to a stop and then applying the
parking brake.
 Trailer steering button is pushed while active.
 Vehicle speed goes over 8 mph (12 km/h).
 Driver door is open and seat belt is unbuckled.
 Transmission shifted to PARK.
Trailer Memory
The trailer steering system will automatically retain the
calibration of the previous five trailers connected, so
recalibration will not be necessary when hooking up.
The next time the vehicle is started, place the vehicle in
DRIVE and drive a short distance. The TRSC system can
then be activated.
NOTE:Trailers may look different during day and night condi -
tions. In such cases, the trailer may need to recalibrate.
CAUTION!
Always observe the position of the trailer and
surroundings using the camera and mirrors to avoid
damage to the truck or trailer.

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STARTING AND OPERATING187
(Continued)
RECREATIONAL TOWING —
F
OUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
NOTE:The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral) for
recreational towing. The transmission must be shifted into
PARK for recreational towing. Refer to the following for the
proper transfer case N (Neutral) shifting procedure for
your vehicle.
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground,
with the engine running. Apply the parking brake.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL. The driver's door must be closed (or the driver's seat belt buckled) so
that the transmission will remain in NEUTRAL when
the brake pedal is released.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with air suspension, ensure the
vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height.
4. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed transfer case N (Neutral) button (at the
center of the transfer case switches). The N (Neutral)
indicator light will illuminate, and remain lit, when the
shift to N (Neutral) is complete. After the shift is
completed and the N (Neutral) light stays on, release
the N (Neutral) button.
CAUTION!
DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with only
one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear) will
cause severe transmission and/or transfer case
damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the
ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
 Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle
backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer
case.
 Before recreational towing, the transfer case must
be in N (Neutral). To be certain the transfer case is
fully in N (Neutral), perform the procedure outlined
under “Shifting Into N (Neutral)”. Internal transmis -
sion damage will result, if the transfer case is not in
N (Neutral) during towing.
 The transmission must be in PARK for recreational
towing.
 Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is released, and
remains released, while being towed.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require -
ments can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper
towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
 Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because fluid
will leak from the transfer case, causing damage to
internal parts.
 Do not use a fascia/bumper-mounted clamp-on tow
bar on your vehicle. The fascia/bumper face bar will
be damaged.
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) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the
transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should
always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
4

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282SAFETY
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Some of the most important safety features in your vehicle
are the restraint systems:
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
F
EATURES
 Seat Belt Systems
 Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air Bags
 Child Restraints
Some of the safety features described in this section may
be standard equipment on some models, or may be
optional equipment on others. If you are not sure, ask an
authorized dealer.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying air bag:

1. Children 12 years old and under should always ride buckled up in the rear seat of a vehicle with
a rear seat.

2. A child who is not big enough to wear the vehicle seat belt properly must be secured in the appropriate child
restraint or belt-positioning booster seat in a rear
seating position
Úpage 298. 3. If a child from 2 to 12 years old (not in a rear-facing
child restraint) must ride in the front passenger seat,
move the seat as far back as possible and use the
proper child restraint
Úpage 298.
4. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.
5. You should read the instructions provided with your child restraint to make sure that you are using it
properly.
6. All occupants should always wear their lap and shoulder belts properly.
7. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved back as far as practical to allow the front air
bags room to inflate.
8. Do not lean against the door or window. If your vehicle has side air bags, and deployment occurs, the side air
bags will inflate forcefully into the space between
occupants and the door and occupants could be
injured.
9. If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified to accommodate a disabled person, see
Úpage 398 for customer service contact
information.
SEAT BELT SYSTEMS
Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor driver
and could cause a collision that includes you. This can
happen far away from home or on your own street.
Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they
can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision. Some
of the worst injuries happen when people are thrown from
the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibility of ejection
and the risk of injury caused by striking the inside of the
vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle should be belted at all
times.
WARNING!
 Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of an
air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag can
cause death or serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-facing child
restraint.
 Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front
seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing child
restraint in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have
a rear seat, do not transport a rear-facing child
restraint in that vehicle.

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SAFETY283
(Continued)
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
Driver And Passenger BeltAlert — If Equipped
BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the
driver and outboard front seat passenger (if
equipped with outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert) to buckle their seat belts. The
BeltAlert feature is active whenever the ignition switch is
in the START or ON/RUN position.
Initial Indication
If the driver is unbuckled when the ignition switch is first in
the START or ON/RUN position, a chime will signal for a
few seconds. If the driver or outboard front seat passenger
(if equipped with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert)
is unbuckled when the ignition switch is first in the START
or ON/RUN position the Seat Belt Reminder Light will turn
on and remain on until both outboard front seat belts are
buckled. The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is
not active when an outboard front passenger seat is
unoccupied.
BeltAlert Warning Sequence
The BeltAlert warning sequence is activated when the
vehicle is moving above a specified vehicle speed range
and the driver or outboard front seat passenger is
unbuckled (if equipped with outboard front passenger
seat BeltAlert) (the outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert is not active when the outboard front passenger
seat is unoccupied). The BeltAlert warning sequence
starts by blinking the Seat Belt Reminder Light and
sounding an intermittent chime. Once the BeltAlert
warning sequence has completed, the Seat Belt Reminder
Light will remain on until the seat belts are buckled. The BeltAlert warning sequence may repeat based on
vehicle speed until the driver and occupied outboard front
seat passenger seat belts are buckled. The driver should
instruct all occupants to buckle their seat belts.
Change Of Status
If the driver or outboard front seat passenger
(if equipped with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert)
unbuckles their seat belt while the vehicle is traveling, the
BeltAlert warning sequence will begin until the seat belts
are buckled again.
The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is not active
when the outboard front passenger seat is unoccupied.
BeltAlert may be triggered when an animal or other items
are placed on the outboard front passenger seat or when
the seat is folded flat (if equipped). It is recommended that
pets be restrained in the rear seat (if equipped) in pet
harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts,
and cargo is properly stowed.
BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by an authorized
dealer. FCA US LLC does not recommend deactivating
BeltAlert.
NOTE:If BeltAlert has been deactivated and the driver or
outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with outboard
front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will turn on and remain on until the driver
and outboard front seat passenger seat belts are buckled.
Lap/Shoulder Belts
All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with lap/
shoulder belts.
The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only during very
sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the seat belt to move freely with you
under normal conditions. However, in a collision the seat
belt will lock and reduce your risk of striking the inside of
the vehicle or being thrown out of the vehicle.
WARNING!

Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work with
your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some colli -
sions, the air bags won’t deploy at all. Always wear
your seat belt even though you have air bags.
 In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly buckled
up. You can strike the interior of your vehicle or other
passengers, or you can be thrown out of the vehicle.
Always be sure you and others in your vehicle are
buckled up properly.
 It is dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in
these areas are more likely to be seriously injured
or killed.
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284SAFETY
(Continued)

Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
 Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly. Occupants, including the
driver, should always wear their seat belts whether or
not an air bag is also provided at their seating posi -
tion to minimize the risk of severe injury or death in
the event of a crash.
 Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could make your
injuries in a collision much worse. You might suffer
internal injuries, or you could even slide out of the
seat belt. Follow these instructions to wear your seat
belt safely and to keep your passengers safe, too.
 Two people should never be belted into a single seat
belt. People belted together can crash into one
another in a collision, hurting one another badly.
Never use a lap/shoulder belt or a lap belt for more
than one person, no matter what their size.
WARNING!WARNING!
A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of injury
in a collision. The seat belt forces won’t be at the
strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your
abdomen. Always wear the lap part of your seat belt
as low as possible and keep it snug.
 A twisted seat belt may not protect you properly. In a
collision, it could even cut into you. Be sure the seat
belt is flat against your body, without twists. If you
can’t straighten a seat belt in your vehicle, take it to
an authorized dealer immediately and have it fixed.
 A seat belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle will
not protect you properly. The lap portion could ride
too high on your body, possibly causing internal inju -
ries. Always buckle your seat belt into the buckle
nearest you.
 A seat belt that is too loose will not protect you prop -
erly. In a sudden stop, you could move too far
forward, increasing the possibility of injury. Wear
your seat belt snugly. A seat belt that is worn under your arm is dangerous.
Your body could strike the inside surfaces of the
vehicle in a collision, increasing head and neck
injury. A seat belt worn under the arm can cause
internal injuries. Ribs aren’t as strong as shoulder
bones. Wear the seat belt over your shoulder so that
your strongest bones will take the force in a collision.
 A shoulder belt placed behind you will not protect you
from injury during a collision. You are more likely to
hit your head in a collision if you do not wear your
shoulder belt. The lap and shoulder belt are meant to
be used together.
 A frayed or torn seat belt could rip apart in a collision
and leave you with no protection. Inspect the seat
belt system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or
loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced imme -
diately. Do not disassemble or modify the seat belt
system. If your vehicle is involved in a collision, or if
you have questions regarding seat belt or retractor
conditions, take your vehicle to an authorized FCA
dealer or authorized FCA Certified Collision Care
Program facility for inspection.
WARNING!

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SAFETY285
Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions

1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and
adjust the seat.

2. The seat belt latch plate is above the back of the front seat, and next to your arm in the rear seat (for
vehicles equipped with a rear seat). Grab the latch
plate and pull out the seat belt. Slide the latch plate
up the webbing as far as necessary to allow the seat
belt to go around your lap.

Pulling Out The Latch Plate

3. When the seat belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”

Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle

4. Position the lap belt so that it is snug and lies low across your hips, below your abdomen. To remove
slack in the lap belt portion, pull up on the shoulder
belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, tilt the latch
plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug seat belt
reduces the risk of sliding under the seat belt in a
collision.

Positioning The Lap Belt

5. Position the shoulder belt across the shoulder and chest with minimal, if any slack so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The
retractor will withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.
6. To release the seat belt, push the red button on the buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract to its
stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate
down the webbing to allow the seat belt to retract
fully.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure
Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted lap/
shoulder belt.

1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the anchor point.

2. At about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) above the latch plate, grab and twist the seat belt webbing
180 degrees to create a fold that begins immediately
above the latch plate.
3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded webbing. The folded webbing must enter the slot at the top of
the latch plate.
4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it clears the folded webbing and the seat belt is no longer twisted.
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286SAFETY
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the driver and outboard front passenger seats, the top
of the shoulder belt can be adjusted upward or downward
to position the seat belt away from your neck. Push or
squeeze the anchorage button to release the anchorage,
and move it up or down to the position that serves you
best.

Adjustable Anchorage

As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you will prefer
the shoulder belt anchorage in a lower position, and if you
are taller than average, you will prefer the shoulder belt
anchorage in a higher position. After you release the
anchorage button, try to move it up or down to make sure
that it is locked in position.
NOTE:The adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage is equipped
with an Easy Up feature. This feature allows the shoulder
belt anchorage to be adjusted in the upward position
without pushing or squeezing the release button. To verify
the shoulder belt anchorage is latched, pull downward on
the shoulder belt anchorage until it is locked into position.Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is not long enough to fit properly, even when
the webbing is fully extended and the adjustable upper
shoulder belt anchorage (if equipped) is in its lowest
position, an authorized dealer can provide you with a Seat
Belt Extender. The Seat Belt Extender should be used only
if the existing seat belt is not long enough. When the Seat
Belt Extender is not required for a different occupant, it
must be removed.
WARNING!
Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could make your
injuries in a collision much worse. You might suffer
internal injuries, or you could even slide out of the
seat belt. Follow these instructions to wear your seat
belt safely and to keep your passengers safe, too.
 Position the shoulder belt across the shoulder and
chest with minimal, if any slack so that it is comfort -
able and not resting on your neck. The retractor will
withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.
 Misadjustment of the seat belt could reduce the
effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.
 Always make all seat belt height adjustments when
the vehicle is stationary.WARNING!
ONLY use a Seat Belt Extender if it is physically
required in order to properly fit the original seat belt
system. DO NOT USE the Seat Belt Extender if, when
worn, the distance between the front edge of the
Seat Belt Extender buckle and the center of the occu -
pant’s body is LESS than 6 inches.
 Using a Seat Belt Extender when not needed can
increase the risk of serious injury or death in a
collision. Only use the Seat Belt Extender when the
lap belt is not long enough and only use in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the Seat Belt Extender when not needed.

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SAFETY287
Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

Seat belts must be worn by all occupants including
pregnant women: the risk of injury in the event of an
accident is reduced for the mother and the unborn child if
they are wearing a seat belt.
Position the lap belt snug and low below the abdomen and
across the strong bones of the hips. Place the shoulder
belt across the chest and away from the neck. Never place
the shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm.
Seat Belt Pretensioner
The front outboard seat belt system is equipped with
pretensioning devices that are designed to remove slack
from the seat belt in the event of a collision. These devices
may improve the performance of the seat belt by removing
slack from the seat belt early in a collision. Pretensioners
work for all size occupants, including those in child
restraints.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat belt
placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC). Like the air bags, the pretensioners are
single use items. A deployed pretensioner or a deployed
air bag must be replaced immediately.
Energy Management Feature
The front outboard seat belt system is equipped with an
Energy Management feature that may help further reduce
the risk of injury in the event of a collision. The seat belt
system has a retractor assembly that is designed to
release webbing in a controlled manner.
Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors
(ALR)
The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) which is used to secure a child restraint system
Úpage 306. The figure below illustrates the locking
feature for each seating position.

Automatic Locking Retractor — (ALR) Locations (All Models)

If the passenger seating position is equipped with an ALR
and is being used for normal usage, only pull the seat belt
webbing out far enough to comfortably wrap around the
occupant’s mid-section so as to not activate the ALR. If the
ALR is activated, you will hear a clicking sound as the seat
belt retracts. Allow the webbing to retract completely in
this case and then carefully pull out only the amount of
webbing necessary to comfortably wrap around the
occupant’s mid-section. Slide the latch plate into the
buckle until you hear a "click"
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