torque Ram 2500 2011 User Guide

NOTE:ABS improves steering control of the vehicle
during hard braking maneuvers.
WARNING!
•ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
•The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Traction Control System (TCS) – If Equipped
The TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s), and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS functions similarly to a
limited-slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESC are in
the “Partial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)” in this section of this manual. This brake
pressure modulation transfers drive torque from slipping
to non-slipping wheels to provide optimal forward
traction.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 391

this mode. This mode should be used for almost all
driving situations. ESC should only be turned to “Partial
Off” or “ESP Off” for specific reasons as noted below.
ESC Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESC
Off” switch. When inPartial Offmode, the TCS portion
of ESC, except for the “limited slip” feature described in
the TCS section, has been disabled and theESC Off
Indicator Lightwill be illuminated. All other stability
features of ESC function normally. This mode is intended
to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than ESC would nor-
mally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESC on
again, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch. This will
restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation.NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situa-
tion requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING!
In the “Partial Off” mode, the engine torque reduc-
tion and stability features are desensitized. There-
fore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESC is
unavailable.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 397

5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. On
single rear-wheel (SRW) trucks, install the spare wheel
and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end of the wheel
nuts toward the wheel. On 3500 dual rear-wheel models
(DRW) the wheel nuts are a two-piece assembly with a
flat face. Lightly tighten the wheel nuts. To avoid the risk
of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully tighten the
wheel nuts until the vehicle has been lowered.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the wheel
nuts using a crisscross pattern. The correct wheel nut
tightness is 130 ft lbs (177 N·m) torque (1500 Series), 135 ft
lbs (183 N·m) torque for 2500/3500 single-rear wheel
(SRW) models, and 145 ft lbs (197 N·m) for 3500 dual
rear-wheel models. If in doubt about the correct tight-
ness, have them checked with a torque wrench by your
authorized dealer or at a service station.WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle. Al-
ways stow the jack parts and the extra tire and wheel
in the places provided.
7. Install the wheel center cap and remove the wheel
blocks. Do not install chrome or aluminum wheel center
caps on the spare wheel. This may result in cap damage.
8. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. If the bottle
jack will not lower by turning the dial (thumbwheel) by
hand, it may be necessary to use the jack drive tube in
order to lower the jack. Stow the replaced tire, jack, and
tools as previously described.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
496 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

nut bolt circle and strike the high side down with a
rubber mallet. Be sure that the hub caps and wheel skins
are firmly seated around the wheel.
Wheel Nuts
All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally to elimi-
nate the possibility of wheel studs being sheared or the
bolt holes in the wheels becoming elongated. This is
especially important during the first few hundred miles/
kilometers of operation to allow the wheel nuts to
become properly set. All wheel nuts should first be firmly
seated against the wheel. The wheel nuts should then be
tightened to recommended torque. Tighten the wheel
nuts to final torque in increments. Progress around the
bolt circle, tightening the wheel nut opposite to the wheel
nut just previously tightened until final torque is
achieved. Recommended torques are shown in the fol-
lowing chart.
Disc
WheelsType Nut Stud Size Torque
Ft. Lbs.Torque
Newton
Meters
Cone 9/16-18 120-150 160-200
Flanged 9/16-18 130-160 190-220
8-Stud — Dual Rear Wheels
Dual wheels are flat-mounted and center-piloted. The lug
nuts are a two-piece assembly. 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.
498 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 asecond time to verify that specific torque has been
achieved. Retighten to specifications 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.
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
NOTE:Vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels can-
not be stored under the vehicle because the wheel
retainer will not fit through the wheel pilot hole. Secure
the flat tire in the bed of the truck.Have the flat tire
repaired or replaced immediately.
Tightening Pattern
500 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Lubricant Selection
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
This fluid level can be checked by removing the filler
plug. The fluid level should be to the bottom edge of the
filler plug hole with the vehicle in a level position.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only the manufacturer ’s recommended trans-
mission fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion. It is important that the transmission fluid be main-
tained at the prescribed level using the recommended
fluid.
CAUTION!
•Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission
as the chemicals can damage your transmission
components. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration 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 Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 543

Fluid Level Check...................543,544
Fluid Type........................543,572
Gear Ranges.......................... 311
Shifting............................. 316
Special Additives...................... 546
Torque Converter...................... 316
Axle Fluid..........................541,572
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 541
Back-Up Camera........................ 147
Battery............................... 526
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 24
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 127
Belts, Seat............................40,84
Body Builders Guide....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 529
B-Pillar Location........................ 407
Brake Assist System...................... 392
Brake Control System, Electronic............. 390Brake Fluid.........................539,572
Brake System........................390,539
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 390
Fluid Check.......................... 539
Master Cylinder....................... 539
Parking............................. 387
Warning Light........................ 215
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 309
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 81
Bulb Replacement....................... 559
Bulbs, Light..........................86,559
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 565
Calibration, Compass..................... 237
Camera, Rear........................... 147
Camper............................... 193
Capacities, Fluid........................ 569
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine).......................... 524
10
INDEX 603

High Speed.......................... 413
Inflation Pressures..................... 412
Life of Tires.......................... 416
Load Capacity.....................407,408
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 424
Pressure Warning Light.................. 217
Quality Grading....................... 598
Radial.............................. 414
Replacement......................... 417
Rotation............................ 421
Safety...........................401,411
Sizes............................... 403
Snow Tires........................... 420
Spinning............................ 415
Tread Wear Indicators................... 416
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 454
Torque Converter Clutch................316,322
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 507
Towing............................448,508Disabled Vehicle....................... 508
Guide.............................. 454
Recreational.......................... 471
Weight.............................. 454
Traction.............................. 361
Traction Control......................... 391
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)................. 400
Trailer Towing.......................... 448
Cooling System Tips.................... 465
Hitches............................. 453
Minimum Requirements................. 455
Mirrors.............................. 99
Trailer and Tongue Weight............... 454
Wiring.............................. 463
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 454
Trailer Weight.......................... 454
Transfer Case........................... 542
Electronically Shifted.................327,334
Fluid............................... 572
618 INDEX

Washing Vehicle......................... 547
Water
Driving Through...................... 362
Wheel and Wheel Trim.................... 548
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care................ 548
Wheel Cover........................... 497
Wheel Nut Torque....................... 498
Winch................................ 366
Accessories.......................... 370
Operation........................... 371
Rigging Techniques..................... 383
Usage.............................. 366Wind Buffeting.......................38,159
Window Fogging........................ 296
Windows.............................. 34
Power............................... 34
Rear Sliding.......................... 177
Windshield Defroster...................... 84
Windshield Washers................129,130,530
Fluid............................129,530
Windshield Wiper Blades.................. 530
Windshield Wipers....................... 129
Wiper Blade Replacement.................. 530
Wipers, Intermittent...................... 130
620 INDEX