2021 RAM 3500 Owners Manual - Exterior Lights

Exterior Lights

The headlight switch is located on the left side of the instrument panel. This switch controls the operation of the headlights, parking lights, automatic headlights (if equipped), instrument panel light dimming, cargo light/trailer spotter lights (if equipped), and fog lights (if equipped).

Headlight Switch

Headlight Switch (Vehicles Sold In Canada)

Note:

Vehicles sold in Canada are equipped with a headlight switch with an AUTO and ON detent but without an OFF detent. Headlights will be deactivated when the headlight switch is placed in the parking lights position. However, the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) will be activated along with the front and rear marker lights. The DRLs may be deactivated when the parking brake is engaged.

To turn on the headlights, rotate the headlight switch clockwise. When the headlight switch is on, the parking lights, taillights, license plate light and instrument panel lights are also turned on. To turn off the headlights, rotate the headlight switch back to the O (off) position.

Note:

For vehicles sold in Canada, rotate the headlight switch clockwise from the parking lights and instrument panel lights position to the first detent to turn on headlights, parking lights, and instrument panel lights. Rotate the headlight switch to the second detent for the AUTO position.

MULTIFUNCTION LEVER

The multifunction lever is located on the left side of the steering column.

Multifunction Lever

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRLS) — IF EQUIPPED

The Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) come on whenever the engine is running, and the low beams are not on. The lights will remain on until the ignition is placed in the OFF or ACC position, or the parking brake is engaged.

Note:

• For vehicles sold in Canada, the Daytime Running Lights will automatically deactivate when the front fog lights are turned on.

• If allowed by law in the country in which the vehicle was purchased, the Daytime Running Lights can be turned on and off using the Uconnect system "⇨UCONNECT SETTINGS".

• On some vehicles, the Daytime Running Lights may deactivate, or reduce intensity, on one side of the vehicle (when a turn signal is activated on that side), or on both sides of the vehicle (when the hazard warning lights are activated).

HIGH/LOW BEAM SWITCH

Push the multifunction lever toward the instrument panel to switch the headlights to high beams. Pulling the multifunction lever back will turn the low beams on.

AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM HEADLAMP CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED

The Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control system provides increased forward lighting at night by automating high beam control through the use of a camera mounted on the inside rearview mirror or a windshield mounted camera. These cameras detect vehicle specific light and automatically switch from high beams to low beams until the approaching vehicle is out of view.

Note:

• The Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control can be turned on or off by selecting “ON” under “Auto Dim High Beams” within your Uconnect Settings "⇨UCONNECT SETTINGS", as well as turning the headlight switch to the AUTO position.

• Broken, muddy, or obstructed headlights and taillights of vehicles in the field of view will cause headlights to remain on longer (closer to the vehicle). Also, dirt, film, and other obstructions on the windshield or camera lens will cause the system to function improperly.

• If the windshield or Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control mirror is replaced, the mirror must be re-aimed to ensure proper performance. See a local authorized dealer.

• The Automatic High Beams will not activate until the vehicle is at or above 15 mph (24 km/h). To opt out of the Automatic High-Beam Sensitivity Control (default) and enter Reduced High-Beam Sensitivity Control (not recommended), toggle the multifunction lever six full on/off cycles within 10 seconds of ignition ON. The system will return to the default setting when the ignition is placed in the OFF position.

FLASH-TO-PASS

You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by lightly pulling the multifunction lever toward you. This will cause the high beam headlights to turn on, and remain on, until the lever is released.

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS — IF EQUIPPED

This system automatically turns the headlights on or off according to ambient light levels. To turn the system on, rotate the headlight switch to the AUTO position.

When the system is on, the Headlight Delay feature is also on. This means the headlights will stay on for up to 90 seconds after you place the ignition into the OFF position. To turn the automatic headlights off, turn the headlight switch out of the AUTO position.

Note:

The engine must be running before the headlights will turn on in the Automatic Mode.

DIRECTIONAL LED HEADLAMP SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED

This is a system consisting of LED (low/high beam) headlights that incorporate dynamic cornering with 5-degree inboard/15-degree outboard swivel. The headlights continuously and automatically adapt to the driving conditions around bends or when cornering based on steering wheel angle.

The system directs the headlights to light up the road in the best way, taking into account the speed of the vehicle and the bend or corner angle, as well as the speed of the vehicle while the steering wheel is being turned.

The adaptive lights are automatically activated when the vehicle is traveling above approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).

This system can be turned on/off through the Uconnect Settings under “Steering Directed Lights” "⇨UCONNECT SETTINGS".

PARKING LIGHTS AND PANEL LIGHTS

To turn on the parking lights and instrument panel lights, rotate the headlight switch clockwise. To turn off the parking lights, rotate the headlight switch back to the O (off) position.

Note:

• For vehicles sold in Canada, the first headlight switch position is the parking lights and instrument panel lights position (instead of the OFF position).

• Vehicles sold in Canada are equipped with a headlight switch with an AUTO and ON detent but without an OFF detent. Headlights will be deactivated when the headlight switch is placed in the parking lights position. However, the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) will be activated along with the front and rear marker lights. The DRLs may be deactivated when the parking brake is engaged.

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WITH WIPERS

If your vehicle is equipped with Automatic Headlights, it also has this customer-programmable feature. When your headlights are in the automatic mode and the engine is running, they will automatically turn on when the wiper system is on. This feature is programmable through the Uconnect system "⇨UCONNECT SETTINGS".

If your vehicle is equipped with the Rain Sensing Wiper system "⇨Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped", and it is activated, the headlights will automatically turn on after the wipers complete five wipe cycles within approximately one minute, and they will turn off approximately four minutes after the wipers completely stop.

Note:

When your headlights come on during the daytime, the instrument panel lights will automatically dim to the lower nighttime intensity.

HEADLIGHT DELAY

To assist when exiting the vehicle, the headlight delay feature will leave the headlights on for up to 90 seconds. This delay is initiated when the ignition is placed in the OFF position while the headlight switch is on, and then the headlight switch is cycled off. Headlight delay can be canceled by either turning the headlight switch on then off, or by placing the ignition in the ON position.

Note:

• This feature can be programmed through the Uconnect system "⇨UCONNECT SETTINGS".

• The headlight delay feature is automatically activated if the headlight switch is left in the AUTO position when the ignition is placed in the OFF position.

LIGHTS-ON REMINDER

If the headlights, parking lights, or cargo lights are left on after the ignition is placed in the OFF position, a chime will sound and a message will appear in the instrument cluster display when the driver’s door is opened.

FRONT FOG LIGHTS — IF EQUIPPED

To activate the front fog lights, turn on the parking lights or low beam headlights and push the fog light switch located within the headlight switch. Pushing the fog light switch a second time will turn the front fog lights off.

Fog Light Switch

Fog Light Switch (Vehicles Sold In Canada Only)

TURN SIGNALS

Move the multifunction lever up or down to activate the turn signals. The arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to show proper operation.

Note:

If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light bulb.

LANE CHANGE ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED

Lightly push the multifunction lever up or down, without moving beyond the detent, and the turn signal will flash three times then automatically turn off.

CARGO LIGHTS/TRAILER SPOTTER LIGHTS/TRAILER HITCH LIGHT WITH BED LIGHTS — IF EQUIPPED

The cargo light, bed lights, trailer spotter lights, and trailer hitch light are turned on by pushing the cargo light button located on the lower half of the headlight switch.

Cargo/Bed Lights Button On Headlight Switch

Cargo/Bed Lights Button On Headlight Switch (Vehicles Sold In Canada)

When the vehicle is stationary, these lights can also be turned on using the switch located just inside the pickup box, on the lower part of the bed light lens. A telltale will illuminate in the instrument cluster display when these lights are on. Pushing the switch a second time will turn the lights off.

Bed Light Switch (Without RamBox)

The cargo light and bed lights (if equipped) will turn on for approximately 30 seconds when a key fob unlock button is pushed, as part of the Illuminated Entry feature.

When these lights are activated using the button on the headlight switch, the cargo lights, trailer spotter lights, and trailer hitch light will remain illuminated when the vehicle transmission is in PARK, NEUTRAL, or REVERSE. The lights will turn off when the vehicle transmission is placed in DRIVE.

When the vehicle is placed in the REVERSE position, the trailer hitch light will turn on automatically. The trailer hitch light will turn off when the vehicle is placed in the DRIVE position.

Note:

For vehicles shipped to or sold in the states of California or Mississippi, the cargo, bed, and mirror spotter lights will not work while the vehicle is in motion. In every other state, the cargo and mirror spotter lights will turn off when the vehicle is in motion, but the bed light will remain on. In all states, including California and Mississippi, if a bed camera is deactivated, the bed lights will turn back on.

BATTERY SAVER

Timers are set to both the interior and exterior lights to protect the life of your vehicle’s battery.

If the ignition is in the OFF position, the interior lights will automatically turn off when:

• Any door is left ajar for 10 minutes.

• The Dome Defeat button is pushed.

• The cargo, bed, and spotter lights are manually activated by either the headlight switch or the truck bed switch.

Note:

Battery saver mode is canceled if the ignition is in the ON/RUN position.

If the headlights remain on while the ignition is placed in the OFF position, the exterior lights will automatically turn off after eight minutes. If the headlights are turned on and left on for eight minutes while the ignition is in the OFF position, the exterior lights will automatically turn off.