Ram 1500 2015 Owner's Manual
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Follow these steps to activate the Manual Park Release:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove the
Manual Park Release access cover, which is just above
the parking brake release handle, below and to the left
of the steering column.
3. Using the screwdriver or similar tool, push the
Manual Park Release lever locking tab (just below the
middle of the lever) to the right.
4. While holding the locking tab in the disengaged
position, pull the tether strap to rotate the lever
rearward, until it locks in place pointing towards the
driver’s seat. Release the locking tab and verify that
the Manual Park Release lever is locked in the released
position.
5. The vehicle is now out of PARK and can be towed.
Release the parking brake only when the vehicle is
securely connected to a tow vehicle.
Manual Park Release Pull Strap6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 739
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To Reset The Manual Park Release:
1. Push the locking tab to the right, to unlock the lever.
2. Rotate the Manual Park Release lever forward to its
original position, until the locking tab snaps into place
to secure the lever.
3. Pull gently on the tether strap to confirm that the lever
is locked in its stowed position.
4. Re-install the access cover.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial wrecker service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles
may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting and Operating” section.
NOTE:Vehicles equipped with air suspension must be
placed in Transport mode, before tying them down (from
the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to#Air
Suspension#in#Starting and Operating#for more infor-
mation. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Transport mode
(for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be
fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow
these instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or
cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
740 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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Towing
Condition
Wheels
OFF the
Ground
2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is operable:
•Transmission inNEUTRAL
•30 mph (48 km/h)max speed
•15 miles (24 km)maxdistance
(6–speed transmission)
•30 miles (48 km)maxdistance
(8–speed transmission)
See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•Automatic Transmission inPARK
•Manual Transmission in gear (NOT
NEUTRAL)
•Transfer Case inNEUTRAL (N)
•To w i nforwarddirection
Wheel Lift
or Dolly
To w
FrontNOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED
FlatbedALLBEST METHODBEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 741
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If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” or “Shift
Lever Override” in this section for instructions on shift-
ing the automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
•When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do
not attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, this vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
•The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
•The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)
for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8-speed transmission.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km) for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8-speed transmission, tow with the rear
wheelsOFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised
742 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 745 of 871
and the rear wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a
suitable steering wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels
in the straight position) with the rear wheels raised and
the front wheels on the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and
the opposite end on a towing dolly.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer
case is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the
forward direction, withALLwheels on the ground),IF
the transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmis-
sion is inPARK(for automatic transmissions) or in gear
(NOT in NEUTRAL, for manual transmissions). Refer to
“Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information and detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 743
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Page 747 of 871
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
!ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L..........748
!ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L..........749
!ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.4L..........750
!ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II) . . .751
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............751
!EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS..........................752
!REPLACEMENT PARTS..................753
!DEALER SERVICE......................754
!MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...........754
▫Engine Oil..........................755
▫Engine Oil Filter......................758
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................759
▫Accessory Drive Belt Inspection...........762
▫Maintenance-Free Battery...............764
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............765
▫Front Driveshaft Lubrication — 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive Models Only)..........766
▫Body Lubrication.....................767
▫Windshield Wiper Blades...............767
7
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▫Adding Washer Fluid..................771
▫Exhaust System......................772
▫Cooling System......................774
▫Brake System........................782
▫Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level..............................784
▫Transfer Case........................785
▫Automatic Transmission................786
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................790
!FUSES..............................797
▫Power Distribution Center...............798
!VEHICLE STORAGE....................807
!REPLACEMENT BULBS.................808
!BULB REPLACEMENT..................809
▫Base Quad / Premium Bi-Halogen: Low Beam
Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp, Front Park
And Turn — If Equipped...............810
▫Fog Lamps — If Equipped..............812
▫Rear Tail/Stop, Turn Signal And Backup Lamps
..................................812
▫Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) With
Cargo Lamp.........................814
▫Cab Top Clearance Lamps — If Equipped . . . .816
▫Rear Lamp Bar ID Marker (Dual Rear Wheels) —
If Equipped..........................817
▫Side Marker Lamps (Dual Rear Wheels) —
If Equipped.........................818
746 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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!FLUID CAPACITIES....................819
!FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PA R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..821
▫Engine.............................821
▫Chassis............................824
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 747
Page 750 of 871
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter5 — Battery2 — Engine Oil Dipstick6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir3 — Engine Oil Fill7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)4—BrakeFluidReservoir8—EngineCoolantReservoir
748 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE