Engine Ram 1500 2015 Owner's Manual

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd gear
and REVERSE (with manual transmission), while gently
pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accel-
erator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the en-
gine.
NOTE:For trucks equipped with 8-speed automatic
transmission: Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can
only be achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h) or
less. Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL
for more than two seconds, you must press the brake
pedal to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission 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:Press the#ESC Off#switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in#Partial Off#mode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed, press the#ESC
Off#switch again to restore#ESC On#mode.
734 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.
•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 trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow
hooks.
NOTE:For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 735

WARNING!
•Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle.
Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.
•Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, caus-
ing serious injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only to rescue a
vehicle stranded off-road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use one of the
following procedures to temporarily move the shift lever:
Column Shifter — If Equipped
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Tilt the steering wheel to the full up position.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool, into the access port
(ringed circle) on the bottom of the steering column
and push and hold the override release lever up.
736 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Center Console Shifter — If Equipped
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove the
shift lever override access cover (located to the right of
the shift lever).
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access
hole, and push and hold the override release lever
down.Shift Lever Override Access Port6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 737

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

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

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

!FLUID CAPACITIES....................819
!FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PA R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..821
▫Engine.............................821
▫Chassis............................824
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 747

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

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (6-Speed Trans Only) 8 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)3 — Engine Oil Fill9 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (2500/3500 Models Only)4 — Engine Oil Dipstick10 — Coolant Pressure Cap5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir11 — Engine Coolant Reservoir6 — Battery
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 749