weight DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2005 3.G Owners Manual

of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers andconvertiblechild seats. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt.
•The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg).Convertiblechild seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old.
•Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger airbag
unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag deployment
could cause severe injury or death to infants in this
position.
•Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who
are older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible
child seats used in the forward-facing direction are for
children who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who
are older than one year. These child seats are also held
in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.
•The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weigh-
ing more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small
to fit the vehicle’s seat belts properly. If the child
cannot sit with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat
cushion while the child’s back is against the seat back,
they should use a belt-positioning-booster seat. The
child and booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt. (Some booster seats are equipped
with a front shield and are held in the vehicle by the
lap portion.) For further information refer to
www.seatcheck.org.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

WARNING!
•Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
•A rearward facing child restraint should only be
used in a rear seat, or in the front seat if the
passenger’s front airbag is Off. If the airbag is left
On, a rearward facing child restraint in the front
seat may be struck by a deploying passenger
airbag which may cause severe or fatal injury to
the infant.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it before you buy it.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•The passenger seat belts are equipped with either
cinching latch plates or switchable seat belt retractors,
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
•Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
Because of the construction of the Cummins Diesel
engine, engine run-in is enhanced by loaded operating
conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve final
finish and fit during the first 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
CAUTION!
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your vehicle.
•Limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h) during the
first 500 miles (805 km) of towing.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
This vehicle is designed to carry passengers in the cab
only. For safety reasons, NEVER TRANSPORT PASSEN-
GERS IN THE CARGO AREA.
WARNING!
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset. This
display mode becomes less sensitive to instantaneous
changes in fuel consumption as the number of total
vehicle miles since the last reset increases. It is suggested
that this mode be reset periodically for general operation
or when driving conditions change significantly (for
example, at the end of a trip or when a trailer is
connected or disconnected).
Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. The estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level.When Distance To Empty = 0, the fuel gauge pointer will
initially be on the red “E” marker. At this point (fuel
gauge pointer on the red “E” marker) there is reserve fuel
capacity, which corresponds to approximately 8% of tank
volume. This reserve capacity was put in place to prevent
the likelihood of customers running out of fuel when
operating at maximum load conditions in areas where
there aren’t many gas stations.
NOTE:The Distance To Empty will remain equal to
zero, until the vehicle runs out of fuel or is refueled.
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
•26 gallons - 1500 short box models
•34 gallons - 1500 Quad Cab (if equipped)/2500/3500
short box models
•35 gallons - 1500/2500/3500 long box models
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STORAGE
Center Storage Compartment — If Equipped
The center portion of the seat folds down to provide an
armrest with unique storage compartments under the lid.
Push the button on the front of the armrest to raise the
cover. Inside there is a power outlet (if equipped),
removable coin holder (if equipped), and two dividers toconfigure the storage area into compartments. For ex-
ample, compartments can be configured to hold a lap-top
computer, a cellular telephone, CD’s and miscellaneous
items. The top of the cover provides a generous firm
surface to serve as a desktop for your “mobile office.”
WARNING!
•This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the
armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.
•In an accident, the latch may open if the total
weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs
(4.5 kg). These items could be thrown about
endangering occupants of the vehicle. Items
stored should not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

You can carry wide building materials (sheets of ply-
wood, etc.) by building a raised load floor. Place lumber
across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the
floor.
WARNING!
The pickup box is intended for load carrying pur-
poses only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.
WARNING!
•Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds may
need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough roads may
cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo that may
result in vehicle damage. If wide building materials
are to be frequently carried, the installation of a
support is recommended. This will restrain the
cargo and transfer the load to the pickup box floor.
•If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup-
ports must be installed to transfer the weight of
the load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage
may result. The use of proper supports will permit
loading up to the rated payload.
•Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an
accident causing serious or fatal injury.
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................269
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................271
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........272
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........273
▫Tire Spinning........................273
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................274
▫Replacement Tires.....................275
▫Alignment And Balance.................276

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information.......276

Tire Chains...........................276

Snow Tires...........................278

Tire Rotation Recommendations............279
▫Dual Rear Wheels.....................280

Engine Runaway.......................281
Fuel Requirements......................281
▫Adding Fuel.........................282
▫Bulk Fuel Storage.....................284
▫Fuel Specifications....................284

Vehicle Loading........................286
▫Certification Label.....................286

Trailer Towing.........................289
▫Definitions..........................289
▫Axle Lubricant And Trailer Towing.........291
▫Trailer Towing Recommendations..........291
▫Trailer Towing — Hitches...............292
▫Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric
Trailer Brakes........................293
▫Trailer Weight And Trailer Tongue Weight....294
STARTING AND OPERATING 221
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▫Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................295
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......296
▫Cooling System Tips — Trailer Towing......297
▫Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature
Warning Light.......................298
▫Towing With An Automatic Transmission....298

Snowplow............................298
▫Before Plowing.......................299
▫Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 299
▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached...........................300
▫Methods For Removing Snow............301
▫Operating Tips.......................301
▫General Maintenance...................301
Recreational Towing — 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................302
▫Recreational Towing – 2 Wheel Drive
Models............................302
▫Recreational Towing Procedure — Manual
Shift Transfer Case — If Equipped.........303
▫Returning To Normal Operation — Manual
Shift Transfer Case....................305
▫Recreational Towing Procedure — Electronic
Shift Transfer Case — If Equipped.........306
▫Returning To Normal Operation — Electronic
Shift Transfer Case....................308

Driving Off-Road.......................310

Traction.............................311

Engine Data Plate......................311
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
Tire and Loading Information
STARTING AND OPERATING 265
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combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 – 750 = 650 lb.)5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
266 STARTING AND OPERATING