towing Ram 2500 2013 Repair Manual

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
654 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintenance Chart
Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV joints. XX X X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod
ends, and replace if necessary. XXX X X X X
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 axle fluid. XXX X X X X
706 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Replace spark plugs
(5.7L engine).** XX X X X
Replace the ignition cables
(4.7L Engine). X
Flush and replace the engine
coolant at 10 years or 150,000
miles (240,000 km) whichever
comes first. XX
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s), if using your
vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. X
708 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter. X
Inspect the transfer case fluid,
change for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing. X
Change the transfer case fluid. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if
necessary. X
** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 709

Dealer Service........................... .641
Defroster, Rear Window .....................222
Defroster, Windshield ......................118
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................169
Differential, Limited-Slip ....................441
Dipsticks Power Steering ........................ .467
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................628
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................658
Door Locks ..............................34
Door Locks, Automatic ......................36
Driving Off-Pavement ......................... .422
Off-Road ............................ .422
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................... .443
Dual Rear Wheels ........................ .512E-85 Fuel
.............................. .530
Electrical Power Outlets .....................205
Electric Rear Window Defrost .................222
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case .............392
Electronic Brake Control System ...............473
Anti-Lock Brake System ..................473
Brake Assist System .....................474
Traction Control System ...................474
Electronic Range Select (ERS) .................362
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........177
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............480
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......189
Emergency Brake ........................ .468
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ................621
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................577
Jump Starting ......................... .617
Tow Hooks ........................... .623
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........640
10
INDEX 725

Gear Ranges............................ .365
Gear Select Lever Override ..................624
General Information ........................20
Glass Cleaning .......................... .673
Grocery Bag Retainer ...................... .221
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................540
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................539
Guide, Body Builders ........................6
GVWR ................................ .537
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Stand-
ing Water ............................ .443
Hazard Warning Flasher ....................577
Headlights ............................. .687
Automatic ........................... .158
Cleaning ............................ .672
High Beam ........................... .168
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch .........168Passing
............................. .168
Switch .............................. .158
Head Restraints ......................... .149
Heated Mirrors .......................... .133
Heater ................................ .314
Heater, Engine Block ...................... .351
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . .168
Hill Descent Control ...................... .479
Hill Descent Control Indicator ................479
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ .544
Hoisting ............................... .617
Hood Release ........................... .156
Hub Caps .............................. .595
Ignition .................................16
Key..................................12
Ignition Key Removal .......................16
Illuminated Entry ..........................22
728 INDEX

Tires ................................493
Locks ..................................34
Automatic Door .........................36
Child Protection .........................37
Door .................................34
Power Door ............................36
Low Tire Pressure System ...................513
Lubrication, Body ........................ .649
Maintenance Free Battery ....................647
Maintenance Procedures ....................642
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .704
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......640
Manual, Service ......................... .718
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ...................... .665
Lubricant Selection ..................... .700
Memory Seat ........................... .151
Methanol .............................. .527Mirrors
............................... .127
Electric Powered ....................... .132
Heated .............................. .133
Memory ............................. .151
Outside ............................. .129
Rearview ............................ .127
Trailer Towing ........................ .135
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................513
Mopar Parts ............................ .641
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .527
Multi-Function Control Lever .................167
Navigation System (Uconnect® gps) ............189
New Vehicle Break-In Period .................115
Occupant Restraints ........................46
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................67
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................526
10
INDEX 731

Mirrors............................. .132
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ...........205
Seats ............................... .137
Sliding Rear Window ....................223
Steering ............................. .466
Sunroof ............................. .202
Windows ..............................43
Power Steering Fluid ...................... .700
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts ................63
Pretensioners Seat Belts ..............................62
Programmable Electronic Features .............283
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless Entry) . .23
Radial Ply Tires ......................... .501
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ...........655
Radio Operation ......................... .313
Rain Sensitive Wiper System .................171
Ramp Travel Index ....................... .423Rear Axle (Differential)
.....................663
Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails .................240
Rear Park Sense System .....................180
Rear Seat, Folding ........................ .146
Rear Window Features .....................222
Rear Window, Sliding ..................... .223
Reclining Rear Seats ...................... .145
Recorder, Event Data .......................81
Recreational Towing ...................... .566
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N) ........569
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) ......572
Reformulated Gasoline .....................527
Refrigerant ............................. .649
Reminder, Seat Belt .........................62
Remote Control Starting System .........................30
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ..................23
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ..........311
Remote Starting System ......................30
10
INDEX 733

Safety.............................. .487
Sizes ............................... .488
Snow Tires ........................... .502
Spinning ............................ .505
Tread Wear Indicators ....................505
Tire Safety Information .....................487
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................549
Tonneau Cover .......................... .674
Tonneau Cover Cleaning ....................674
Torque Converter Clutch ....................376
Tow Hooks, Emergency .....................623
Towing ............................... .539
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .628
Guide .............................. .545
Recreational .......................... .566
Weight .............................. .545
Traction ............................... .442
Traction Control ......................... .474
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................485 Trailer Towing
.......................... .539
Cooling System Tips .....................561
Hitches ............................. .544
Minimum Requirements ..................550
Mirrors ............................. .135
Trailer and Tongue Weight .................549
Wiring .............................. .558
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .545
Trailer Weight ........................... .545
Transfer Case ........................... .665
Electronically Shifted .....................392
Fluid ............................... .700
Transmission ........................... .355
Automatic ........................... .355
Fluid ............................... .700
Maintenance .......................... .665
Shifting ............................. .352
T

ransmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . .29
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . . .23
10
INDEX 737