tires Ram 1500 2013 Get to Know Guide 

PARKVIEW® REAR BACK-UP CAMERA
• You can see an on-screen image of the rear surroundings of your vehicle wheneverthe shift lever is put into REVERSE. The ParkView®Rear Back-Up Camera image
will be displayed in the rearview mirror or touchscreen display along with a caution
note to “check entire surroundings” across the top of the screen. After five seconds
this note will disappear.
• If the rearview mirror or touchscreen display appears foggy, clean the ParkView
®
camera located to the left of the tailgate handle.
WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up; even when using the ParkView®Rear
Back-Up Camera. Always check carefully behind your vehicle, and be sure to
check for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, obstructions, or blind spots before
backing up. You must continue to pay attention while backing up. Failure to do so
can result in serious injury or death.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) – 2500 MODELS
ONLY
Tire Light Load Inflation Switch Description
•
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System on your vehicle has two different tire pressure
settings based on vehicle loading. The Tire Light Load Switch is located on the
Instrument Panel below the climate controls.
• The “Light Load Inflation” and “Max Load Inflation” tire pressures recommended for your vehicle based on vehicle loading are found on the Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information Label located on the rear face of the driver front door.
•
When the vehicle is in the “Light Load Inflation” setting, the Tire Light Load Inflation
switch is On. The indicator light is Off when in the “Max Load Inflation” setting.
Light Load Inflation (Indicator Light On)
• If the passenger and cargo weights are less than the Light Load Pressure Definition shown on the Supplemental Tire Pressure Information Label, inflate or
deflate tires to the correct “Light Load Inflation” pressure. If the indicator light is
not on, the mode can be changed by pushing the switch once.
• If the light on the switch flashes On and Off, after the button is pressed to switch
between modes, this indicates conditions are not correct to switch modes. The system
will not allow switching modes until the tire pressures have been set to Light Load
Inflation as indicated on the Supplemental Tire Pressure Information Label.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
38

•IF THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING TO SHOW LOW AIR PRESSURE, BRING THE AIR
PRESSURE IN THAT TIRE TO THE PLACARD VALUE SHOWN ON THE LABEL ON THE
DRIVER DOOR. NOTE: AFTER INFLATION, THE VEHICLE MAY NEED TO BE DRIVEN FOR UP
TO 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE FLASHING LIGHT WILL GO OFF.
Max Load Inflation (Indicator Light Off)
• If the passenger and cargo weights exceed the Light Load Pressure Definition shown on the Supplemental Tire Pressure Information Label, adjust tires to the
correct “Max Load Inflation” pressure. If the indicator is on, reset by pushing the
switch once.
• If the tire pressure monitoring light and a “low tire” message appears in the cluster, inflate the tire pressures to the “Max Load Inflation” setting as indicated
in the Supplemental Tire Pressure Information Label.
• After any tire pressure adjustment, the vehicle may need to be driven for up to
20 minutes at speeds over 15 mph for the tire pressure information to be updated, or for
a low tire pressure warning to go out.
• For additional information, refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD.
POWER SLIDING REAR WINDOW
• The switch for the power sliding rear window is located on the overhead con-
sole.
• Push the switch right to open the glass and pull the switch left to close the
glass.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
39

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
•Dial toll-free 1-800-521-2779 for U.S. Residents or 1-800-363-4869 for Canadian
Residents.
• Provide your name, vehicle identification number, license plate number, and your location, including the telephone number from which you are calling.
• Briefly describe the nature of the problem and answer a few simple questions.
• You will be given the name of the service provider and an estimated time of arrival. If you feel you are in an “unsafe situation”, please let us know. With your consent,
we will contact local police or safety authorities.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LIGHTS
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
•
If this indicator light flashes during acceleration, apply as little throttle as possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions. To improve the vehicle's traction when starting off in deep
snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch the ESC system off.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
•
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly, when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
• As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) which display in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure EVIC display illuminates, you should stop
and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
• IF THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING INDICATING A LOW TIRE PRESSURE, ADJUST THE AIR
PRESSURE IN THE LOW TIRE TO THE AIR PRESSURE SHOWN ON THE VEHICLE PLACARD
OR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE LABEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. NOTE: AFTER
INFLATION, THE VEHICLE MAY NEED TO BE DRIVEN FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE
FLASHING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF.
•
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low EVIC display.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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•Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction,
the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue each time the vehicle is restarted as long as
the malfunction exists.
• When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle, to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
NOTE:
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per 12° F (7° C) of air temperature
change. Keep this in mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the
Winter. Example: If garage temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the outside temperature is
32°F (0°C), then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),
which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this outside temperature condition.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels. TPMS
pressures and warning have been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket
wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or balance
beads if your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
- Engine Temperature Warning Light
• This light warns of an overheated engine condition.
• If the light turns on and a warning chime sounds while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately.
• We recommend that you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others could be badly burned by
steam or boiling coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer for service if
your vehicle overheats.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
131

8-Stud — Dual Rear Wheels
• Dual wheels are flat-mounted and center-piloted. The lug nuts are a two-pieceassembly. When the tires are being rotated or replaced, clean these lug nuts and
add two drops of oil at the interface between the hex and the washer.
• Slots in the wheels will assist in prop- erly 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 com-
pletely off the ground when tightening,
to ensure wheel centering and maxi-
mum wheel clamping.
• Dual wheel models require a special heavy-duty lug nut tightening adapter
(included with the vehicle) to correctly
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 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. The correct direction
of rotation for dual tire installations must also be observed.
These dual rear wheels should be tightened as follows:
1.
Tighten the wheel nuts in the numbered
sequence to a snug fit.
2.Retighten the wheel nuts in the same
sequence to the torques listed in the
table. Go through the sequence a sec-
ond time to verify that specific torque
has been achieved. Retighten to speci-
fications at 100 miles (160 km) and
after 500 miles (800 km).
•It is recommended that wheel stud nuts
be kept torqued to specifications at all
times. Torque wheel stud nuts to specifications at each lubrication interval.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
145

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.
•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 dealer where it can be raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jackshould 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
• 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.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• 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.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable. It
could slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully tighten the
wheel bolts until the vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning
may result in personal injury.
• To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel covers with care to avoid
contact with any sharp edges.
•
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the
places provided.
•A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could injure the occupants
in the vehicle. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
147

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by arocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then, move the shift lever back and forth between REVERSE and
DRIVE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion,
without spinning the wheels, is most effective.
• Allow the engine to idle with the transmission shift lever in NEUTRAL for at least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize overheating
and reduce the risk of transmission failure during prolonged efforts to free a stuck
vehicle.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) then press the
"ESC Off" switch, to place the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in "Partial
Off" mode, before rocking the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission
overheating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel speeds
may cause tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do not
spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) when you are stuck. Do
not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
154

Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
• Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the oil
indicator system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road conditions.
• Lube the front drive shaft fitting (2500/3500 (4x4) models only).
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
169

Maintenance Chart – Diesel Engine
Miles:
7,500 15,000 22,500 30,000 37,500 45,000 52,500 60,000 67,500 75,000 82,500 90,000 97,500
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78
Or Kilometers:
12,000 24,000 36,000 48,000 60,000 72,000 84,000 96,000 108,000 120,000 132,000 144,000 156,000
Rotate the tires. X XXXXXXXXXXXX
Lubricate front drive shaft fitting (4x4). X XXXXXXXXXXXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X XXXXXXXXXXXX
Replace engine fuel filter element. XXXXXX
Replace chassis mounted fuel filter element. XXXXXX
Inspect the brake linings. XXXX
Inspect and adjust parking brake. XXXX
Inspect the front and rear axle surfaces. If gear oil
leakage is suspected, check the fluid level. If using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or
frequent trailer towing change the axle fluid. XXXXXX
Inspect drive belt; replace as required. XXXX
Check the transfer case fluid (4x4). XX
Change the transfer case fluid (4x4). XInspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for damage,
wear, improper looseness or end play; replace if
necessary.
XXXXXX
Inspect wheel bearings. XXX
Change automatic transmission fluid (AS69RC
transmission only). XXX
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
175

TIRE PRESSURES
• Check the inflation pressure of each tire, including the spare tire, at least monthlyand inflate to the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
•
The tire pressures recommended for your vehicle are found on the “Tire and Loading
Information” label located on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE:
Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD
for more information regarding tire warn-
ings and instructions.
WARNING!
•Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect
vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the recom-
mended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause collisions. Under-inflation
is the leading cause of tire failure and may result in severe cracking, component
separation, or “blow out”. Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock.
Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause damage that results in tire failure.
Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You could lose control of
your vehicle. Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
WHEEL AND WHEEL TRIM CARE
•All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and chrome plated wheels, should
be cleaned regularly with a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion.
• To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use MOPAR®Wheel Cleaner or
equivalent or select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do not use
oven cleaner. These products may damage the wheel's protective finish. Avoid
automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may damage
the wheel's protective finish. Only MOPAR
®Wheel Cleaner or equivalent is
recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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