towing Ram 2500 (Diesel) 2007 Service Manual

the vehicle, may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. Allow the engine to idle with the transmission
selector 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 pro-
longed efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow
hooks.
NOTE:For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
Chains are not recommended for freeing a stuck vehicle.
Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.
WARNING!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.
Tow straps and chains may break, causing serious
injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 403
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TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
the main structural members of the vehicle—not to
bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws
applying to vehicles under tow must be observed.
4-Wheel- Drive Vehicles
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the transfer case while towing,
always use one of the following methods.NOTE:The Transfer Case must be in the neutral posi-
tion, and the transmission must be in Park (Automatic
Transmission), or in gear (Manual Transmission) to tow a
4WD vehicle with one end of the vehicle raised.
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
2–Wheel- Drive Vehicles
Provided that transmission is operable, tow on a flatbed
or with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a
dolly.
404 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
Vehicles equipped with California emissions controls
have a sophisticated onboard diagnostic system called
OBDII. This system monitors the performance of the
emissions, engine, and automatic transmission control
systems. When these systems are operating properly,
your vehicle will provide excellent performance and fuel
economy, as well as engine emissions well within current
government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light.” It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be driveable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the “Malfunction Indicator
Light” on could cause further damage to the emission
control system. It could also affect fuel economy and
driveability. The vehicle must be serviced before any
emissions tests can be performed.
If the “Malfunction Indicator Light” is flashing,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Mopar parts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
410 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.Never operate the engine with oil level below the “ADD”
mark or above the upper “SAFE” mark.Change Engine Oil (5.9L Diesel Engine)
Road conditions as well as your kind of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine if any apply to you:
•Frequent short trips where the engine does not achieve
full operating temperature (operating temperature de-
fined as 190° F (66° C ) coolant temperature).
•Extensive engine idling (over 10 minutes per hour of
operation) at ambient temperatures less than 32° F (0°
C).
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Frequent trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-road or desert operation.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 415
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Severe usage consists of:
•Off-the-highway operation;
•Trailer towing;
•Snow plow operation;
•Prolonged operation with heavy loading, especially in
hot weather.
NOTE:If the transmission is disassembled for any
reason, the fluid and filter should be changed, and the
bands adjusted (if equipped).
Special Additives
The manufacturer recommends against the addition of
any additives to the transmission. Exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be avoided,
since they may adversely affect seals.
Front Wheel Bearings
Front wheel bearings for all Dodge Ram Trucks are
sealed-for-life. They do not require greasing or seal
replacement. In some instances, these bearings will
“purge” excess grease and the bearing housing will look
slightly wet. This is normal.
•Periodic inspection for excess play is recommended.
•If a bearing assembly is accidentally separated when
servicing the brake rotors, it should be replaced.
Rear Wheel Bearings
Clean and repack when brake linings are replaced or
rotors resurfaced.
Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty
For 3500 Two-Wheel Drive and Four-Wheel Drive mod-
els over 10,000 lbs. (4 535 kg) Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating.
458 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The “Scheduled” maintenance services, listed inbold
typein this section (Section 8) must be done at the times
or mileages specified to assure the continued proper
functioning of the emission control system. These, and all
other maintenance services included in this manual,
should be done to provide best vehicle performance and
reliability. More frequent maintenance may be needed for
vehicles in severe operating conditions such as dusty
areas and very short trip driving.
Inspection and service also should be done any time a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE:Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emis-
sion control devices and systems on your vehicle may be
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual using any automotive part which has been
certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of Califor-
nia, California Air Resources Board regulations.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES — 5.9L TURBO
DIESEL
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
First is Schedule“B”. It is for vehicles that are operated
under one or more of the following conditions that are
listed below and at the beginning of the schedule.
•Frequent short trips where the engine does not achieve
full operating temperature (operating temperature de-
fined as 190° F (66° C ) coolant temperature).
•Extensive engine idling (over 10 minutes per hour of
operation) at ambient temperatures less than 32° F (0°
C).
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Frequent trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
494 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Schedule “B”
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions.
•Frequent short trips where the engine does not achieve
full operating temperature (operating temperature de-
fined as 190° F (66° C ) coolant temperature).
•Extensive engine idling (over 10 minutes per hour of
operation) at ambient temperatures less than 32° F (0°
C).
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Frequent trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•Extensive operation at high engine speeds (greater
than 2900 rpm) and loads (greater than 70% throttle).
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
coolant every 100,000 miles (160 000 km) or 60 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
SCHEDULE “B” 497
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Miles 45,000 52,500 60,000 67,500 75,000
(Kilometers) (72 000) (84 000) (97 000) (109 000) (121 000)
[Months] [36] [42] [48] [54] [60]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Lubricate Front Drive Shaft Fitting (4X4). X X X X X
Rotate tires. X X X X X
Check spare tire for proper pressure and correct
stowage.X X XXX
Lubricate outer tie rod ends. X X X X X
Drain and refill transfer case fluid (4X4). X
Change front and rear axle fluid (4X4). X X X
Drain and refill automatic transmission fluid,
change main sump filter and spin-on cooler filter
(if equipped). If your vehicle is used for police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing.X
Change manual transmission fluid. X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not replaced at 100,000 miles (160 000 km).X
516 SCHEDULE “A”
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Electronic Range Select (ERS)............... 295
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 139
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 151
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case........... 310
Emergency Brake........................ 320
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 402
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 386
Jacking............................. 389
Jump Starting......................... 399
Tow Hooks.......................... 403
Towing ............................. 404
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 494
Engine............................408,409
Air Cleaner........................422,424
Block Heater.......................276,283
Break-In Recommendations................ 74
Compartment......................408,409
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 488Cooling ............................. 444
DataPlate ........................... 411
Identification......................408,409
Idling .............................. 286
Jump Starting......................... 399
Oil ..............................414,488
Oil Filler Cap......................... 418
Oil Synthetic.......................285,419
Runaway............................ 348
Temperature Gauge..................... 200
Event Data Recorder...................... 58
Exhaust Brake.......................... 290
Exhaust Gas Caution................ 76,190,444
Exhaust System................. 76,443,444,459
ExteriorLighting ........................ 130
Fabric Care............................ 465
Fan .................................. 450
538 INDEX

General Information.................... 18,114
Glass Cleaning.......................... 466
Grocery Bag Retainer..................... 181
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 359
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 358
GVWR ............................... 355
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™).............. 89
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 386
Head Restraints......................... 117
Headlights............................ 474
High Beam........................... 134
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 134
Lights On Reminder.................... 132
Passing............................. 134
Switch .............................. 130
Heated Mirrors....................... 88,181
Heated Seats........................... 125
Heater............................... 259High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 134
Hitches
TrailerTowing ........................ 362
Hoisting .............................. 398
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 160
Hood Release.......................... 127
Hoses.............................451,453
Hub Caps............................. 394
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 453
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 19
Infant Restraint........................ 60,61
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 343
Information Center...................... 151
Information Center, Vehicle................. 151
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 84
540 INDEX