2023 RAM 1500 brake

190STARTING AND OPERATING
OFF-ROAD DRIVING TIPS
Care should be taken when attempting to climb steep hills
or driving diagonally across a hill or slope. If natural
obstacles force you to travel diagonally up or down a hill,
choose a mild angle and keep as little side tilt as possible.
Keep the vehicle moving and make turns slowly and
cautiously.
If you must back down a hill, back straight down using
REVERSE gear. Never back down in NEUTRAL or diagonally
across the hill.
When driving over sand, mud, and other soft terrain, shift
to low gear and drive steadily. Apply the accelerator slowly
to avoid spinning the wheels.
Do not reduce the tire pressures for this type of driving.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is always
a good idea to check for damage. That way you can get any
problems taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
 Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as
required. 
Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly
on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and
suspension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to
the values specified in the Service Manual.
 Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage
to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and
propeller shafts.
 After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake
rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected
and cleaned as soon as possible.
 If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
CAUTION!
Always check the depth of the standing water before
driving through it. Never drive through standing
water that is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims
mounted on the vehicle.
 Determine the condition of the road or the path that
is under water and if there are any obstacles in the
way before driving through the standing water.
 Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
 Driving through standing water may cause damage
to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always
inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmis -
sion, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e., fluid
that is milky or foamy in appearance) after driving
through standing water. Do not continue to operate
the vehicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as this
may result in further damage. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
 Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause
it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious internal
damage to the engine. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not
have full braking power when you need it to prevent a
collision. If you have been operating your vehicle in dirty
conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as
necessary.

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MULTIMEDIA197
Safety/Driving Assistance
Control Screen Timeout This setting allows you to set the Control Screen to turn off automatically after five
seconds or stay open until manually closed.
Navigation Next Turn Pop-ups Displayed in Cluster This setting will display navigation prompts in the Instrument Cluster Display.
Phone Pop-ups Displayed In Cluster This setting will display smartphone notifications and messages in the Instrument
Cluster Display.
Fuel Saver Display This setting will enable fuel saver mode in the Instrument Cluster Display.
Ready To Drive Pop-ups This setting will enable the Ready To Drive Pop-ups in the Instrument Cluster Display.
Setting NameDescription
When the Safety/Driving Assistance button is selected on the touchscreen, the system displays the options related to the vehicle’s safety settings. These options will differ
depending on the features equipped on the vehicle. The settings may display in list form or within subfolders on the screen. To access a subfolder, select the desired folder; the
available options related to that feature will then display on the screen.
NOTE:Depending on the vehicle’s options, feature settings may vary.
Setting NameDescription
Forward Collision Warning Sensitivity — Located in Automatic Emergency Braking
Submenu This setting will change the distance at which the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) alert
sounds. The “Medium” setting will have the FCW system signal when an object is in view,
and the possibility of a collision is detected. The “Near” setting will have the FCW system
signal when the object is closer to the vehicle. The “Far” setting will have the FCW system
signal when an object is at a far distance from the vehicle.
Forward Collision Warning — Located in Automatic Emergency Braking Submenu This setting will turn the Forward Collision Warning system on or off. The “Off” setting will
deactivate the FCW system. The “Warning Only” setting will provide only an audible chime
when a collision is detected. The “Warning + Active Braking” setting will provide an
audible chime and apply some brake pressure when a collision is detected.
Pedestrian Emergency Braking — Located in Automatic Emergency Braking Submenu This setting will turn the Pedestrian Emergency Braking system on or off.
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202MULTIMEDIA
Trailer Brake/Trailer — If Equipped
When the Trailer Brake/Trailer button is pressed on the touchscreen, the system will display settings related to trailer towing.
NOTE:Depending on the vehicle’s options, feature settings may vary.
Setting Name Description
Auto Trailer Light Check This setting can be used to check the trailer lights when the trailer is electrically
connected to the vehicle. The available options are “On” or “Off”.
Trailer 1 Options for each Trailer are “Use This Trailer”, “Braking” (Light Electric, Heavy Electric,
Light Electric Over Hydraulic, and Heavy Electric Over Hydraulic), “Trailer Name”, and
“Tire Pressure” (Setup All Tires, Replace Single Tire, Set Target Tire Pressure, and Delete
Tire Settings).
Trailer 2 Options for each Trailer are “Use This Trailer”, “Braking” (Light Electric, Heavy Electric,
Light Electric Over Hydraulic, and Heavy Electric Over Hydraulic), “Trailer Name”, and
“Tire Pressure” (Setup All Tires, Replace Single Tire, Set Target Tire Pressure, and Delete
Tire Settings).
Trailer 3 Options for each Trailer are “Use This Trailer”, “Braking” (Light Electric, Heavy Electric,
Light Electric Over Hydraulic, and Heavy Electric Over Hydraulic), “Trailer Name”, and
“Tire Pressure” (Setup All Tires, Replace Single Tire, Set Target Tire Pressure, and Delete
Tire Settings).

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MULTIMEDIA203
Trailer 4 Options for each Trailer are “Use This Trailer”, “Braking” (Light Electric, Heavy Electric,
Light Electric Over Hydraulic, and Heavy Electric Over Hydraulic), “Trailer Name”, and
“Tire Pressure” (Setup All Tires, Replace Single Tire, Set Target Tire Pressure, and Delete
Tire Settings).
Trailer Surround Camera This setting will let you access options related to the “Trailer Surround Camera”.
Trailer Select Select from “Trailer 1”, “Trailer 2”, “Trailer 3”, and “Trailer 4”. These trailer designations
can be used to save different trailer settings.
Trailer Brake Type This setting will set the system to a specific trailer type. The available options are
“Light Electric”, “Heavy Electric”, “Light Electric Over Hydraulic”, and “Heavy Electric
Over Hydraulic”.
Trailer Name This setting will personalize the trailer name depending on the type of trailer you are
hauling. Select the trailer name from the following list: trailer, boat, car, cargo, dump,
equipment, flatbed, gooseneck, horse, livestock, motorcycle, snowmobile, travel, utility,
and 5th wheel.
Setting Name
Description
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206MULTIMEDIA
Brakes
Headlights with Wipers This setting will turn the headlights on when the wipers are activated.
Daytime Running Lights This setting will allow you to turn the Daytime Running Lights on or off.
Flash Lights With Lock This setting will allow you to turn the flashing of the lights when the Lock button is pushed
on the key fob on or off.
Auto Dim High Beams This setting will allow you to turn the Auto Dim High Beams on or off.
Steering Directed Lights This setting will turn the headlights with the steering wheel. The available options are
“On” and “Off”.
Setting Name
Description
After pressing the Brakes button on the touchscreen, the following settings will be available:
NOTE:Depending on the vehicle’s options, feature settings may vary.
Setting NameDescription
Auto Park Brake This setting will turn the Auto Park Brake on or off.
Brake Service This setting will allow you to retract the brakes for servicing.

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254MULTIMEDIA
Save
Pressing the SAVE button will let you save the timer data
for Recent, Last, and Best recorded times to an inserted
USB flash drive.
The Timers pages contain:
Reaction Time : Measures the driver's reaction time for
launching the vehicle against a simulated drag strip
timing light (behavior modeled after 500 Sportsman
Tree) displayed in the instrument cluster display.
NOTE:Drag timers (RT, 60 ft [20 m], 330 ft [100 m], 1/8 mile
[200 m], 1000 ft [300 m], and 1/4 mile [400 m]) and Acceleration Timers (0-60 mph [0-96 km/h] and
0-100 mph [0-160 km/h]) will be ready to acquire new
recent data measurements when the vehicle is at 0 mph
(0 km/h) and vehicle is in drive.
The timer listed shows the measured time required to
travel at the cited distance is met. Some timers will also
display speeds present at the time the distance was met.
 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h)
 0-100 mph (0-160 km/h)
 60 ft (20 m) ET
 330 ft (100 m) ET
 ⅛ Mile (200 m) + ET
 ⅛ Mile (200) + mph
 1000 ft (300 m) ET
 ¼ Mile (400 m) + ET
 ¼ Mile (400 m) + mph
 Brake Distance ft (meters)
NOTE:The distance measurement will be aborted if the brake
pedal is released or the parking brake is engaged, before
the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
Brake from mph (km/h)
NOTE:Brake Distance and Speed timers only display “ready”
when vehicle is traveling at a speed greater than 30 mph
(48 km/h).
GAUGES
When selected, this screen displays the following values:
Coolant Temperature
Shows the actual coolant temperature.
 Oil Temperature
Shows the actual oil temperature.
 Oil Pressure
Shows the actual oil pressure.
 Trans Temp
Shows actual transmission oil temperature.
 Battery Voltage
Shows actual battery voltage.
 Intake Air Temp
Shows actual intake air temperature.
If a gauge is selected, the Gauge Detail View Page will
appear on the screen. This page shows gauge values for
the previous two minutes on the selected gauge. Pressing the Left or Right Arrow will cycle through the
details for each of the gauges. Pressing the minimize
button beside the graph will return to the Gauge menu.
G-FORCE
When G-Force is selected, the following features will be
available:

Vehicle Speed
Measures the current speed of the vehicle in either
mph or km/h, starting at zero with no maximum value.
 Front G-Force
Measures the peak braking force on the front of the
vehicle.
 Right G-Force
Measures the peak force on the right side of the
vehicle.
 Left G-Force
Measures the peak force on the left side of the vehicle.
 Rear G-Force
Measures the peak acceleration force on the rear of
the vehicle.
NOTE:Front, Right, Left, and Rear G-Forces are all peak values.
These readings can be reset by clearing peak G-Force on
the instrument cluster.

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262
(Continued)
SAFETY
SAFETY FEATURES
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
The ABS provides increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically prevents wheel lock and enhances vehicle
control during braking.
The ABS performs a self-check cycle to ensure that the
ABS is working properly each time the vehicle is started
and driven. During this self-check, you may hear a slight
clicking sound as well as some related motor noises.
The ABS is activated during braking when the system
detects one or more wheels are beginning to lock. Road
conditions such as ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad
tracks, loose debris, or panic stops may increase the
likelihood of ABS activation(s).
You also may experience the following normal
characteristics when the ABS activates:
ABS motor noise or clicking sounds (you may continue
to hear for a short time after the stop)
 Brake pedal pulsations
 A slight drop of the brake pedal at the end of the stop The ABS is designed to function with the Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) tires. Modification may
result in degraded ABS performance.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light
The yellow ABS Warning Light will turn on when the ignition
is placed in the ON/RUN mode and may stay on for as long
as four seconds.
If the ABS Warning Light remains on or comes on while
driving, it indicates that the anti-lock portion of the brake
system is not functioning and that service is required.
However, the conventional brake system will continue to
operate normally if the ABS Warning Light is on.
If the ABS Warning Light is on, the brake system should be
serviced as soon as possible to restore the benefits of
Anti-Lock Brakes. If the ABS Warning Light does not come
on when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode, have
the light repaired as soon as possible.
WARNING!

The ABS contains sophisticated electronic equip -
ment that may be susceptible to interference caused
by improperly installed or high output radio transmit -
ting equipment. This interference can cause possible
loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation of
such equipment should be performed by qualified
professionals.
 Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their
effectiveness and may lead to a collision. Pumping
makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly
on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or
stop.
 The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded
by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning.
 The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
WARNING!

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SAFETY263
REAR SEAT REMINDER ALERT (RSRA)
RSRA alerts of the possible presence of an object,
passenger, or pet in the rear seats through a visual and
auditory notification. When the system is activated, it
displays the message “Check Rear Seat” on the
instrument cluster display and sounds an auditory alert
upon the driver placing the ignition in the OFF position to
exit the vehicle. The system will activate automatically if a
rear door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being
placed in the ON/RUN position. RSRA should be used as a
reminder to check the rear seats, it does not directly
detect objects, passengers, or pets and is only activated
when the previous conditions are met.
To enable or disable RSRA, see
Úpage 191.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (EBC)
S
YSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Electronic
Brake Control (EBC) system. This system includes
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS),
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Roll
Mitigation (ERM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill
Start Assist (HSA), and Traction Control System (TCS).
These systems work together to enhance both vehicle
stability and control in various driving conditions.
Your vehicle may also be equipped with Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sensing
the rate and amount of brake application, and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous braking
pressure during the stopping sequence (do not “pump”
the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless
braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is
released, the BAS is deactivated.
Brake System Warning Light
The red Brake System Warning Light will turn on when the
ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the Brake System Warning Light remains on or comes on
while driving, it indicates that the brake system is not
functioning properly and that immediate service is
required. If the Brake System Warning Light does not
come on when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode,
have the light repaired as soon as possible.
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
EBD manages the distribution of the braking torque
between the front and rear axles by limiting braking
pressure to the rear axle. This is done to prevent overslip
of the rear wheels to avoid vehicle instability, and to
prevent the rear axle from entering the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) before the front axle.
WARNING!
 Before exiting a vehicle, always come to a complete
stop, then shift the automatic transmission into
PARK and apply the parking brake.
 Always make sure the keyless ignition node is in the
OFF position, key fob is removed from the vehicle
and vehicle is locked.
 Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in a
vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally
injured. Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
 Do not leave children or animals inside parked vehi -
cles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup may cause
serious injury or death.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. BAS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving
on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. The
capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner, which
could jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of
others.
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