jump start DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Owners Manual

WARNING! (Continued)
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in Section 6.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver’s side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher ................ 314
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 315
▫ 3500 Models — If Equipped ............. 315
▫ Preparations For Jacking ............... 316
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 317
 Hoisting ............................ 326 
Jump Starting ........................ 326
▫ With Portable Starting Unit ............. 330
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 330
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ...... 330
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 331
▫ 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles ................ 331
▫ 2–Wheel Drive Vehicles ................ 332
6

To Stow The Flat Or Spare — If Equipped
Refer to Upfitters Body Builders Guide for information
on stowing your spare tire (if equipped).
HOISTING
A conventional floor jack may be used at the jacking
locations. Refer to the graphics that show jacking loca-
tions. However, a floor jack or frame hoist must never be
used on any other parts or the underbody.
CAUTION!
Never use a floor jack directly under the differential
housing of a loaded truck or damage to your vehicle
may result.
JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing,
do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connect-
ing jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch
each other. Keep open flames or sparks away from
battery vent holes. Always wear eye protection
when working with batteries.
•Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12-Volt system, i.e.,
do not use a 24-Volt power source.
NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicle’s charging system.
326 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Your vehicle is equipped with two 12-Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper
cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place the transmission in
PARK. Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads.
Observe charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries.
If the indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either
battery, replace that battery.CAUTION!
Use the Jump-Start Procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in the
center. Do not attempt jump-starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If the charge indicator (if equipped) has a
green dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
1. Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of
booster battery and the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the discharged battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 327
6

vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure a good
connection is made, free of dirt and grease.
WARNING!
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting to jump-start.
3. Take care that the clamps from one cable do not
inadvertently touch clamps from the other cable. Do not
lean over the battery when making connection. The
negative connection must provide good electrical con-
ductivity and current carrying capacity. 4. After the engine is started or if the engine fails to start,
cables must be disconnected in the following order:
a. Disconnect the negative cable at the engine ground.
b. Disconnect the negative cable at the negative post
on booster battery.
c. Disconnect the cable from the positive post of both
batteries.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
•Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
•Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 329
6

Door Locks............................. 27
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 250
Dual Rear Wheels ..................... 280,322
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 201
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 153
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 144
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 133
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........234,242
Emergency Brake ........................ 254
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 330
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 314
Jump Starting ......................... 326
Tow Hooks .......................... 330
Towing ............................. 331
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 382Engine
............................... 335
Air Cleaner .......................... 340
Block Heater ......................... 223
Break-In Recommendations ................ 72
Compartment Identification ............... 335
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 378
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 73,284
Flooded, Starting ...................... 222
Jump Starting ......................... 326
Oil .............................. 338,378
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 339
Oil Selection .......................... 339
Oil Synthetic ......................... 340
Temperature Gauge .................... 164
Event Data Recorder ...................... 57
Exhaust Gas Caution ................73,284,345
Exhaust System ....................... 73,345
Exterior Lighting ........................ 125
INDEX 413
10

HitchesTrailer Towing ........................ 292
Hoisting .............................. 326
Hood Release .......................... 121
Hub Caps ............................. 321
Ignition ............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint .......................... 60
Inflation Pressure Tires .................... 276
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 81
Instrument Cluster .................... 161,162
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 160
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 363
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 364
Interior Appearance Care .................. 362 Interior Lights
.......................... 123
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 129
Introduction ............................. 4
Jack Location ........................... 315
Jump Starting .......................... 326
Key, Programming ........................ 17
Key, Replacement ........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Keyless Entry System ...................... 21
Keys ................................. 12
Lane Change and Turn Signals .............. 127
Lap Belts .............................. 45
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 36
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren) ...................... 64
Life of Tires ............................ 274
416 INDEX