jump start Ram 2500 2011 User Guide

NOTE:When using a portable battery booster pack
follow the manufacturer ’s operating instructions and
precautions.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any
other booster source with a system voltage greater
than 12 Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor,
alternator or electrical system may occur.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump-starting if the battery is frozen.
It could rupture or explode and cause personal injury.
Preparations for Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the
engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.NOTE:The positive battery post is covered with a
protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain access to the
positive battery post.
Positive Battery Post
502 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical
contact. You could be seriously injured.
•Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission
into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories.3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park
the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in per-
sonal injury or property damage due to battery ex-
plosion.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 503

CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.
1. Connect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable to the
positive(+)post of the discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable to the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end(-)of the jumper cable to the
negative(-)post of the booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative(-)jumper
cable to a good engine ground (exposed metal part of the
discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and
the fuel injection system.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative(-)jumper cable from the
engine ground of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. Disconnect the negative end(-)of the jumper cable
from the negative(-)post of the booster battery.
504 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive(+)post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the shift lever
rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE while ap-
plying slight pressure to the accelerator. In general, the
least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to maintain
the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or racing
the engine is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the 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.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 505

Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) can
provide a measure of protection in the case of engine
backfire. Do not remove the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such removal is necessary
for repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one is
near the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should beused to assure most efficient service. MOPARengine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are
recommended.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water. Refer to
“Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
(Continued)
526 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Electrical Power Outlets................... 160
Electronic Brake Control System............. 390
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 390
Brake Assist System.................... 392
Electronic Stability Program............... 396
Traction Control System................. 391
Electronic Range Select (ERS)............... 316
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 135
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 396
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC).............................147,223
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case........327,334
Emergency Brake........................ 387
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 505
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 482
Jump Starting......................... 501
Tow Hooks.......................... 507
Emission Control System Maintenance......520,574Engine..........................516,517,518
Air Cleaner.......................... 526
Block Heater......................... 307
Break-In Recommendations................ 81
Compartment Identification.........516,517,518
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 571
Exhaust Gas Caution..................83,440
Flooded, Starting...................... 306
Fuel Requirements..................... 569
Jump Starting......................... 501
Multi-Displacement.................... 387
Oil ...........................523,569,571
Oil Filler Cap......................... 524
Oil Selection.......................524,569
Oil Synthetic......................... 525
Temperature Gauge.................... 206
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 64
Ethanol............................... 437
Event Data Recorder...................... 67
606 INDEX

Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 552
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls............. 458
Interior Appearance Care.................. 549
Interior Lights.......................... 125
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 130
Introduction............................. 4
Inverter Outlet (115V)..................... 164
Jack Location........................... 482
Jump Starting.......................... 501
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 17
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 16
Key-In Reminder......................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 20
Keys................................. 12
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 128Lane Change Assist...................... 128
Lap Belts.............................. 48
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 40
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren)...................... 73
Latches................................ 86
Leaks, Fluid............................ 86
Life of Tires............................ 416
Light Bulbs............................. 86
Lights..............................86,122
Airbag........................62,67,84,220
Alarm.............................. 210
Anti-Lock........................... 221
Automatic Headlights................... 123
Brake Assist Warning................... 399
Brake Warning........................ 215
Bulb Replacement...................... 559
Cap Top Clearance..................... 565
Cargo .............................. 126
610 INDEX