ground DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G User Guide

Slots in the wheels will assist in properly orienting the
inner and outer wheels. Align these slots when assem-
bling the wheels for best access to the tire valve on the
inner wheel. The tires of both dual wheels must be
completely off the ground when tightening to insure
wheel centering and maximum wheel clamping.Dual wheel models require a special heavy-duty lug nut
tightening adapter (included with the vehicle) to cor-
rectly tighten the lug nuts. Also, when it is necessary to
remove and install dual rear wheels, use a proper vehicle
lifting device.
NOTE:
When installing a spare tire (if equipped) as part
of a dual rear wheel end combination, the tire diameter of
the two individual tires must be compared. If there is a
significant difference, the larger tire should be installed in
a front location. Correct direction of rotation for dual tire
installations must also be observed.
Oiling Location
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WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.2. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to negative
(-) post of booster battery. Connect the other end of the
jumper cable to a good ground on the engine block of the
Attaching Booster Cables
1 — Discharged Battery
2 — Booster Battery
328 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
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NOTE:The transfer case must be in the neutral position,
and the transmission must be in PARK (automatic trans-
mission), or in gear (manual transmission) to tow a
4-Wheel Drive vehicle with one end of the vehicle raised.
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the 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.
2–Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in NEUTRAL and the ignition key in the
OFF position along with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground. Speed must not exceed
30 mph (50 km/h) and distance must not exceed 15 miles
(25 km).
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km) can cause severe damage to the
transmission.
If the vehicle is to be towed faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or more than 15 miles (25 km) the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground. It may also be towed on a flatbed or with the
front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a dolly.
332 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait for 15 minutes after engine shutdown
to check the oil.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always
maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the
dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the bottom of the SAFE zone will result in a reading at the
top of the safe zone on these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.
338 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a
child, contact a physician immediately. Clean up any
ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine cold, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in
the coolant recovery bottle should be between the ranges
indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking forengine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
352 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type. It is
important that the transmission fluid be maintained at
the prescribed level using the recommended fluid.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer’s recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this sec-
tion for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check – 545RFE Transmission
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 180°F (82°C). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (25 km) of driving. At normal operatingtemperature, the fluid on the end of the dipstick cannot
be held comfortably between the fingertips.
Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
To properly check the automatic transmission fluid level,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily in each gear position
ending with the lever in PARK.
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 357
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•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under “Odometer/Trip Odometer” under “In-
strument Cluster Description” in Section 4 of this.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
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