Ram 2500 2017 Owner's Manual

1. Remove the spare wheel, jack, and tools from storage.
2. Using the lug wrench, loosen, but do not remove, thewheel nuts by turning them counterclockwise one turn
while the wheel is still on the ground. Changing a
dually tire requires the lug wrench adapter.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with hub caps/wheel
covers they must be removed before raising the vehicle off
the ground. Refer to ”Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If
Equipped” in this section.
Lug Wrench Adapter
Lug Wrench Adapter And Wrench
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3. Placement of the jack:
Front Jacking Location
When changing the front wheel, assemble the jack drive
tube to the jack and connect the drive tube to the extension
tube. Place the jack under the axle as close to the tire as
possible with the drive tubes extending to the front.
Connect the jack tube extension and wheel wrench.Rear Jacking Location
When changing a rear wheel, assemble the jack drive tube
to the jack and connect the drive tube to the extension tube.
Place the jack under the axle between the spring and the
shock absorber with the drive tubes extending to the rear.
Front Jacking Location
Rear Jacking Location
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Connect the jack tube extension and wheel wrench.
CAUTION!
Before raising the wheel off the ground, make sure that
the jack will not damage surrounding truck parts and
adjust the jack position as required.
NOTE: 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.
4. By rotating the wheel wrench clockwise, raise the ve- hicle until the wheel just clears the surface.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the
vehicle unstable. It could slip off the jack and hurt
someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough to
remove the tire.
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) trucks, if the outer tire is being replaced then leave the inner wheel on the vehicle. If the inner wheel
is being replaced remove the outer wheel and replace
the inner wheel. The wheel nuts are a two-piece assem-
bly 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.
Rear Inner Wheel Proper Placement
(Dual Rear Wheel Equipped)
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6. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on thewrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until each
nut has been tightened twice. For the correct lug nut
torque refer to “Torque Specifications” in this section. If
in doubt about the correct tightness, have them checked
with a torque wrench by you authorized dealer or
service station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle. Always
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. Stow the replaced tire, jack, and tools as previously described.
NOTE: 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.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE: Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do not
substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
Dual Rear Wheel Placement
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To Stow The Flat Or Spare
NOTE: Have the flat tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.
WARNING!
A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard stop
could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have the
deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immediately.
1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing the ground and toward the rear of the vehicle for conve-
nience in checking the spare tire inflation. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel.
Reinstalling The Retainer
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2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tiltthe retainer at the end of the cable and position it
properly across the wheel opening. 3. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube with
the curved angle facing away from the vehicle. Insert the
tube through the access hole between the lower tailgate
and the top of the bumper and into the winch mecha-
nism tube.
Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel
And Positioning It
Wheel Wrench And Jack Extension Tube AssembledAnd In Position
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4. Rotate the wheel wrench handle clockwise until thewheel is drawn into place against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue to rotate until you feel the winch
mechanism slip, or click three or four times. It cannot be
overtightened. Push against the tire several times to
ensure it is firmly in place.
NOTE: The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.Reinstalling The Jack And Tools (2500 And 3500
Series)
1. Tighten the jack all the way down by turning the jack turn-screw counterclockwise until the jack is snug.
2. Position the jack and tools into bracket assembly. Make sure the lug wrench is under the jack near the jack
turn-screw. Snap tools into bracket assembly clips. In-
stall the jack into bracket assembly and turn the jack-
turn-screw clockwise until jack is snug into bracket
assembly.
Rotating The Wheel Wrench Handle
Jack And Tools Bracket Assembly
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3. Place the jack and tool bracket assembly in the storageposition holding the jack by the jack turn-screw, slip the
jack and tools under the seat so that the bottom slot
engages into the fastener on the floor.
NOTE: Ensure that the jack and tool bracket assembly
slides into the front hold down location. 4. Turn the wing bolt clockwise to secure to the floor pan.
Reinstall the plastic cover.
Jack Hold Down Fastener
Wing Bolt/Jack And Tools (2500/3500 Series)
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Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If Equipped
The hub caps must be removed before raising the vehicle
off the ground.
CAUTION!
Use extreme caution when removing the front and rear
center caps. Damage can occur to the center cap and/or
the wheel if screwdriver type tools are used. A pulling
motion, not a pry off motion, is recommended to
remove the caps.
For single rear wheel (SRW) models, use the flat blade on
the end of the lug wrench to pull the hub cap off. Insert the
blade end into the pull off notch and carefully pull the hub
cap off with a back and forth motion.
On 3500 models with dual rear wheels (DRW), you must
first remove the hub caps. The jack handle driver has a
hook at one end that will fit in the pull off notch of the rear
hub caps. Position the hook and pull straight out on the
ratchet firmly. The hub cap should pop off. The wheel skins
can now be removed. For the front hub cap, use the flat
blade on the end of the lug wrench to pull the caps off. The
wheel skin can now be removed.
CAUTION!
• Use a pulling motion to remove the hub cap. Do not
use a twisting motion when removing the hub cap,
damage to the hub cap; finish may occur.
• The rear hub caps on the dual rear wheel has two
pull off notches. Make sure that the hook of the jack
handle driver is located squarely in the cap notch
before attempting to pull off.
You must use the flat end of the lug wrench to pull off the
wheel skins. Locate the hub cap pull notches (2 notches on
each cap). Insert the flat tip completely and using a back
and forth motion, loosen the wheel skin. Repeat this
procedure around the tire until the skin pops off.
Replace the wheel skins first using a rubber mallet. When
replacing the hub caps, tilt the cap retainer over the lug 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.
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HOISTING
A conventional floor jack may be used at the jacking
locations. Refer to the graphics that show jacking locations.
However, a floor jack or frame hoist must never be used on
any other parts of the underbody.
CAUTION!
Never use a floor jack directly under the differential
housing of a loaded truck or damage to your vehicle
may result.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
If your vehicle has a discharged battery, it can be jump-
started using a set of jumper cables and a battery in another
vehicle or by using a portable battery booster pack. Jump-
starting can be dangerous if done improperly, so please
follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:When using a portable battery booster pack, follow
the manufacturer ’s operating instructions and precautions.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump-starting if the battery is frozen. It
could rupture or explode and cause personal injury.
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.
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 may be covered with a
protective cap if equipped. Lift up on the cap to gain access
to the positive battery post. Do not jump off fuses. Only
jump directly off positive post which has a positive (+)
symbol on or around the post.
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