2021 RAM 1500 Owner’s Manual

The 2021 RAM 1500 is the pinnacle of modern full-size trucks because it is the perfect mix of rugged power and refined elegance. The RAM 1500 has a wide range of engine choices, including powerful V8 HEMI engines and a fuel-efficient EcoDiesel model. It can tow and haul with ease and has a luxurious and technologically advanced interior. Its unique air suspension system, available multifunction tailgate, and many driver-assistance features make driving more enjoyable, making the 2021 RAM 1500 a great choice for work and play.

STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING THE ENGINE

GASOLINE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt. The starter should not be operated for more than 10-second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such intervals will protect the starter from overheating.

WARNING

• When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the keyless ignition node is in the OFF mode, remove the key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to be 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 gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in a location accessible to children, and do not leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter ‘n Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power windows, and other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may cause serious injury or death.

DIESEL ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter is allowed to crank for up to 25-second intervals. Waiting a few minutes between such intervals will protect the starter from overheating.

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 ENGINE START/STOP button is in the OFF mode, the key fob is removed from the vehicle, and the 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 gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in a location accessible to children, and do not leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter ‘n Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power windows, and other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may cause serious injury or death.

NOTE: The engine starts at a very low ambient temperature could result in evident white smoke. This condition will disappear as the engine warms up.

CAUTION

• The engine is allowed to crank as long as 25 seconds. If the engine fails to start during this period, please wait at least two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating the start procedure.
• If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO NOT START the engine before you drain the water from the fuel filter to avoid engine damage.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Start the engine with the transmission in the PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting into any driving range.
NOTE

• This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be pressed to shift out of PARK.
• If equipped with an 8-speed transmission, starting the vehicle in NEUTRAL is not possible unless the Manual Park Release has been activated.

AUTOPARK
AutoPark is a supplemental feature to assist in placing the vehicle in PARK should the situations on the following pages occur. It is a backup system and should not be relied upon as the primary method by which the driver shifts the vehicle into PARK. The conditions under which AutoPark will engage are outlined on the following pages.

WARNING

• Driver inattention could lead to failure to place the vehicle in PARK. ALWAYS DO A VISUAL CHECK that your vehicle is in PARK by verifying that a solid (not blinking) “P” is indicated in the instrument cluster display and near the gear selector. If the “P” indicator is blinking, your vehicle is not in PARK. As an added precaution, always apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle.
• AutoPark is a supplemental feature. It is not designed to replace the need to shift your vehicle into PARK. It is a backup system and should not be relied upon as the primary method by which the driver shifts the vehicle into PARK.

If the vehicle is not in PARK and the driver turns off the engine, the vehicle may AutoPark. AutoPark will engage when all of these conditions are met:

• The vehicle is equipped with a rotary shifter and an 8- 8-speed transmission
• The vehicle is not in PARK
• Vehicle speed is 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h) or less
• Ignition switched from RUN to ACC

NOTE: For Keyless Enter ’n Go™ equipped vehicles, the engine will turn off and the ignition switch will change to ACC mode. After 30 minutes the ignition switches to OFF automatically, unless the driver turns the ignition switch OFF.

If the vehicle is not in PARK and the driver exits the vehicle with the engine running, the vehicle may AutoPark. AutoPark will engage when all of these conditions are met:

• The vehicle is equipped with a rotary shifter and an 8- 8-speed transmission
• The vehicle is not in PARK
• Vehicle speed is 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h) or less
• The driver’s seat belt is unbuckled
• The driver’s door is ajar
• The brake pedal is not pressed

The message “AutoPark Engaged Shift to P then Shift to Gear” will display in the instrument cluster.
NOTE: In some cases the ParkSense graphic will be displayed in the instrument cluster, causing the “AutoPark Engaged Shift to P then Shift to Gear” message to not be seen. In these cases, the gear selector must be returned to “P” to select the desired gear.
If the driver shifts into PARK while moving, the vehicle may AutoPark.
AutoPark will engage ONLY when vehicle speed is 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h) or less.
The message “Vehicle Speed is Too High to Shift to P” will be displayed in the instrument cluster if the vehicle speed is above 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h).

WARNING: If the vehicle speed is above 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h), the transmission will default to NEUTRAL until the vehicle speed drops below 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h). A vehicle left in the NEUTRAL position can roll. As an added precaution, always apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle.

4WD Low — If Equipped
AutoPark will be disabled when operating the vehicle in 4WD Low.
The message “AutoPark Disabled” will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
Additional customer warnings will be given when all of these conditions are met:

• The vehicle is not in the PARK
• The driver’s door is ajar
• The vehicle is in the 4WD Low range

The message “AutoPark Not Engaged” will be displayed in the instrument cluster. A warning chime will continue until you shift the vehicle into PARK or the driver’s door is closed.
ALWAYS DO A VISUAL CHECK that your vehicle is in PARK by looking for the “P” in the instrument cluster display and near the gear selector. As an added precaution, always apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle.

TIP START FEATURE
Do not press the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch briefly to the START position and release it. The starter motor will continue to run and will automatically disengage when the engine is running.

KEYLESS ENTER ‘N GO™ — IGNITION
This feature allows the driver to operate the ignition switch with the push of a button, as long as the Remote Start/Keyless Enter ’n Go™ key fob is in the passenger compartment.

NORMAL STARTING USING ENGINE
START/STOP BUTTON — GASOLINE ENGINE
To Turn On The Engine use the ENGINE START/STOP Button

1. The transmission must be in PARK.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system starts the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push the button again.

To Turn Off The Engine Use the ENGINE START/STOP Button

1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button. The ignition will return to the OFF mode.
2. If the gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two seconds or three short pushes in a row with the vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The ignition will remain in the ACC mode until the gear selector is in PARK and the button is pushed twice to the OFF mode.
3. If the gear selector is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed once with the vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h), the instrument cluster will display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message, and the engine will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK position, or it could roll.
   NOTE: If the gear selector is not in PARK, and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pushed once with the vehicle speed below 5 mph (8 km/h), the engine will shut off and the ignition will remain in the ACC position. If vehicle speed drops below 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h), the vehicle may AutoPark.

FAQ’s