Ram 2500 2013 Owner's Manual

Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground 2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdistance
(6–speed transmission)
• 30 miles (48 km) maxdistance
(8–speed transmission) See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Auto Transmission in PARK
• Manual Transmission in gear ( NOT
NEUTRAL)
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 629

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, see ”Manual Park Release” or “Shift Lever
Override” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic transmission out of PARK
for towing.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed. If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•
The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)
for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8-speed transmission.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km), for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8-speed transmission, tow with the rear
wheels OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised
and the rear wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a
suitable steering wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels
630 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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, with ALLwheels on the ground), IFthe transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmis-
sion is in
PARK(for automatic transmissions) or in gear
(NOT in Neutral, for manual transmissions). Refer to
“Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for
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 631

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........636
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 4.7L ..........637
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L ..........638
 ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II) . . .639
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............639
 EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .640
 REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................641
 DEALER SERVICE ..................... .641
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........642▫
Engine Oil ......................... .643
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... .646
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................646
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............647
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............648
▫ Front Driveshaft Lubrication – 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive) Models (Ram Trucks
Only) ............................. .649
▫ Body Lubrication .....................649
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............650
7

▫Adding Washer Fluid ..................651
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .652
▫ Cooling System ..................... .654
▫ Brake System ....................... .661
▫ Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle
Fluid Level ........................ .663
▫ Transfer Case ....................... .665
▫ Automatic Transmission ................665
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... .668
 FUSES ............................. .675
▫ POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER .........675
VEHICLE STORAGE ....................685
 REPLACEMENT BULBS .................686
 BULB REPLACEMENT ..................687
▫ Base Quad / Premium Bi-Halogen: Low Beam
Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp, Front Park
And Turn – If Equipped ................687
▫ Fog Lamps – If Equipped ...............689
▫ Rear Tail/Stop, Turn Signal And Backup
Lamps ............................ .690
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) With
Cargo Lamp ........................ .692
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lamps – If Equipped . . . .693
634 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Rear Lamp Bar ID Marker (Dual Rear Wheels) —
If Equipped ......................... .694
▫ Side Marker Lamps (Dual Rear Wheels) — If
Equipped .......................... .695
 FLUID CAPACITIES ....................696 
FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PARTS ............................. .698
▫ Engine ............................ .698
▫ Chassis ........................... .700
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 635

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter5 — Battery
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Fill 7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
636 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 4.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter6 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Battery 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 637

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (6-Speed Trans Only) 8 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (2500/3500 Models Only)
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 11 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
6 — Battery 638 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE