Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Manual

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ................ 420
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 420
▫ Jack Location ....................... 421
▫ Removing The Spare Tire ............... 426
▫ Preparations ........................ 427
▫ Instructions ........................ 428
 Hoisting ............................ 433 
Jump-Starting Procedures ................ 433
▫ With Portable Starting Unit ............. 435
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 436
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 437
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 437
▫ 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles ................ 438
▫ 2-Wheel Drive Vehicles ................ 438
6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
upper switch bank just below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may discharge your battery.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you
need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to an
authorized service center where it can be raised on
a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
420 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jack Location
The jack and jack tools are stored under the front
passenger seat.
Removal
To access the jack and jack tools you must remove the
plastic access cover, located on the side of the seat. To
remove the cover, pull the front part of the cover (closest
to the front of the seat) toward you to release a locking
tab. Once the front of the cover is loose, slide the cover
toward the front of the seat until it is free from the seat
frame.
Jack Access Cover6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 421

Remove the jack and tools by removing the wing bolt and
sliding the assembly from under the seat.WARNING!
After using the jack and tools, always reinstall them
in the original carrier and location. While driving
you may experience abrupt stopping, rapid accelera-
tion or sharp turns. A loose jack, tools, bracket or
other objects in the vehicle may move around with
force, resulting in serious injury.
Reinstalling The Jack And Tools
1. Lower the jack all the way down by turning the jack
turn-screw until the jack is snug.
Jack and Tools
422 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. Position the jack and tool bag (unrolled). Make sure
the lug wrench is under the jack near the jack turn-screw.3. Fold the flap and roll the jack tool kit into a cylindrical
package (in direction of arrows) and tie to the jack using
the tie straps.
Turn Screw and Lug
Folding Flap and Rolling Bag
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 423

Tying Bag to Jack with StrapsJack and Tools Tied
424 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4. Place the jack and tools in the storage position holding
the jack by the jack turn-screw, slip the jack and tools
under the seat so that the bottom slot engages into the
fastener on the floor, and then secure to the floor pan
using the wing bolt. Reinstall the plastic cover.
Jack and Tools6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 425

Removing The Spare Tire
Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up the
truck. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube.
Insert the tube through the access hole between the lower
tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the winch
mechanism tube. Rotate the wheel wrench handle coun-
terclockwise until the spare tire is on the ground with
enough cable slack to allow you to pull it out from under
the vehicle. When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the
end of the cable and pull it through the center of the
wheel.It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.
1 — Lower
2 — Raise
426 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
Preparations
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel. 2. Set the parking brake.
3. Place the shift lever into PARK. On four-wheel drive
vehicles, shift the transfer case to the 4L position.
4. Turn the ignition OFF.
5. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite the jacking
position. For example, if the right front
wheel is being changed, block the left
rear wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 427

Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
•Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
1. Remove the spare wheel, jack, and tools from storage.
Jack Warning Label
428 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES