2021 RAM 1500 Owners Manual - SAFETY FEATURES



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 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.

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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.

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (EBC) SYSTEM

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).

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.

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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.

The ERM system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by monitoring the driver’s steering wheel input and the speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the rate of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicle’s speed are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it then applies the appropriate brake and may also reduce engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will occur. ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift occurring during severe or evasive driving maneuvers; it cannot prevent wheel lift due to other factors, such as road conditions, leaving the roadway, striking objects or other vehicles.

ESC enhances directional control and stability of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC corrects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel(s) to counteract the above conditions. Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path.

    Oversteer — when the vehicle is turning more than appropriate for the steering wheel posi- tion.
    Understeer — when the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the steering wheel posi- tion.

ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.

The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light located in the instrument cluster will start to flash as soon as the ESC system becomes active. The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light also flashes when the TCS is active. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions.

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Depending upon model and mode of operation, the ESC system may have multiple operating modes.

This is the normal operating mode for the ESC. Whenever the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in this mode. This mode should be used for most driving conditions. Alternate ESC modes should only be used for specific reasons as noted in the following paragraphs.

This mode may be useful if the vehicle becomes stuck. This mode may modify TCS and ESC thresholds for activation, which allows for more wheel spin than normally allowed.

To enter the “Partial Off” mode, momentarily push the ESC OFF switch and the ESC OFF Indicator Light will illuminate. To turn the ESC

on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF switch and the ESC OFF Indicator Light will turn off.

For vehicles with multiple partial ESC modes, the push and release of the button will toggle the ESC modes. Multiple attempts may be required to return to “ESC On”.

System may switch from ESC “Full Off” to “Partial Off” mode when vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed. When the vehicle speed slows below the predetermined speed the system will return to ESC “Full Off”.

ESC modes may also be affected by drive modes (if equipped).

This mode is intended for off-highway or

off-road use only and should not be used on any public roadways. In this mode, TCS and ESC features are turned off. To enter the “Full Off” mode, push and hold the ESC OFF switch for five seconds while the vehicle is stopped with the engine running. After five seconds, a chime will sound, the ESC OFF Indicator Light will illuminate, and the “ESC OFF” message will display in the instrument cluster. To turn ESC on again, momentarily push the ESC OFF switch.

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The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light in the instrument cluster will come on when the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode. It

should go out with the engine running. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light comes on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see an authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.

The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light also flashes when TCS is active. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions.

The ESC OFF Indicator Light indicates that the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is in a reduced mode.

    The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and the ESC OFF Indicator Light come on momentarily each time the ignition is placed in the ON/RUN mode.
    Each time the ignition is placed in the ON/ RUN mode, the ESC system will be on even if it was turned off previously.
    The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver that caused the ESC activation.

Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped HDC is intended for low speed off-road driving while in 4WD Low. HDC maintains vehicle speed

while descending hills during various driving

situations. HDC controls vehicle speed by actively controlling the brakes.

    Off (feature is not enabled and will not activate).
    Enabled (feature is enabled and ready but activation conditions are not met, or driver is actively overriding with brake or throttle application).
    Active (feature is enabled and actively controlling vehicle speed).

HDC is enabled by pushing the HDC switch, but the following conditions must also be met to enable HDC:

    Driveline is in 4WD Low.
    Vehicle speed is below 5 mph (8 km/h).
    The parking brake is released.
    The driver door is closed.

Once HDC is enabled it will activate automatically if driven down a grade of sufficient magnitude. The set speed for HDC is selectable by the driver, and can be adjusted by using the gear shift +/-. The following summarizes the HDC set speeds:

    P = No set speed. HDC may be enabled but will not activate.
    R = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
    N = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
    D = 0.6 mph (1 km/h) 6
    1st = 0.6 mph (1 km/h)
    2nd = 1.2 mph (2 km/h)
    3rd = 1.8 mph (3 km/h)
    4th = 2.5 mph (4 km/h)
    5th = 3.1 mph (5 km/h)
    6th = 3.7 mph (6 km/h)
    7th = 4.3 mph (7 km/h)
    8th = 5.0 mph (8 km/h)
    9th = 5.6 mph (9 km/h) – If Equipped

During HDC the +/- shifter input is used for HDC target speed selection, but will not affect the gear chosen by the transmission. When actively controlling HDC the transmission will shift appropriately for the driver-selected set speed and corresponding driving conditions.

The driver may override HDC activation with throttle or brake application at any time.

HDC will be deactivated but remain available if any of the following conditions occur:

    The driver overrides HDC set speed with throttle or brake application.
    The vehicle speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h) but remains below 40 mph (64 km/h).
    The vehicle is on a downhill grade of insuffi- cient magnitude, is on level ground, or is on an uphill grade.
    The vehicle is shifted to PARK.

HDC will be deactivated and disabled if any of the following conditions occur:

    The driver pushes the HDC switch.
    The driveline is shifted out of the 4WD Low.
    The parking brake is applied.
    The driver door opens.
    The vehicle is driven greater than 20 mph (32 km/h) for greater than 70 seconds.
    The vehicle is driven greater than 40 mph (64 km/h) (HDC exits immediately).
    HDC detects excessive brake temperature. Feedback To The Driver

The instrument cluster has an HDC icon and the

HDC switch has an LED icon, which offers feedback to the driver about the state HDC is in.

    The cluster icon and switch lamp will illumi- nate and remain on solid when HDC is enabled or activated. This is the normal oper- ating condition for HDC.

    The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash for several seconds, then extinguish when the driver pushes the HDC switch but enable conditions are not met.
    The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash for several seconds, then extinguish when HDC disables due to excess speed.
    The cluster icon and switch lamp will flash when HDC deactivates due to overheated brakes. The flashing will stop and HDC will activate again once the brakes have cooled sufficiently.

HSA is designed to mitigate roll back from a complete stop while on an incline. If the driver releases the brake while stopped on an incline, HSA will continue to hold the brake pressure for a short period. If the driver does not apply the throttle before this time expires, the system will release brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill as normal.

The following conditions must be met in order for HSA to activate:

    The feature must be enabled.
    The vehicle must be stopped.
    The parking brake must be off.
    The driver door must be closed.
    The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
    The gear selection must match vehicle uphill direction (i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle backing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
    HSA will work in REVERSE gear and all forward gears. The system will not activate if the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL.

This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the current setting, proceed as follows:

If disabling HSA using Uconnect Settings

page 237.

HSA will also provide assistance to mitigate roll back while towing a trailer.

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RAB may reduce the time required to reach full braking during emergency braking situations. It anticipates when an emergency braking situation may occur by monitoring how fast the throttle is released by the driver. The Electronic Brake Control System will prepare the brake system for a panic stop.

TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, the TCS may apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduce engine power to provide enhanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS, Brake Limited Differential (BLD), functions similarly to a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. BLD may remain enabled even if TCS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are in reduced modes.

TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an excessively swaying trailer and will take the appropriate actions to attempt to stop the sway.

TSC cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and follow the trailer tongue weight recommenda- tions page 214.

When TSC is functioning, the ESC Activation/ Malfunction Indicator Light will flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in the “Partial Off” or “Full Off” modes.


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