ECU Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2011 Owner's Guide

Tire Size
The tire size on the Label represents the actual tire size on
your vehicle. Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded.
The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over front and rear axle. Weighing
the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the front
or rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier
items down low and be sure that the weight is distributed
equally. Stow all loose items securely before driving.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 329

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission
in PARK. For four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure
the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL. Always,
block or\bchock\bthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
(Continued)
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
1. If equipped, remove the spare wheel, jack, and tools
from storage.
2. Using the wheel wrench, loosen, but do not remove,
the wheel nuts by turning them counterclockwise one
turn while the wheel is still on the ground. 3. 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.
Jack Warning Label
Front Jacking Locations
362 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

When changing a rear wheel, assemble the jack drive
tube to the jack and connect the drive tube to the
extension tube. Securely place the jack under the sway
bar bracket (unless both tires are flat on one side, then
place jack under shock bracket) facing forward in vehicle.
Connect the jack tube extension and lug wrench.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 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
vehicle until the wheel just clears the surface.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
Rear Jacking Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 363

WARNING!
•Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake system and/or
impair its performance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also labeled on the origi-
nal factory installed hydraulic master cylinder
reservoir.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard
or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a accident.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403

REPLACEMENT BULBS
LIGHT BULBS – InteriorBulb No.
Overhead Console Lamps ............... TS212-2
Dome Lamp ........................... 7679
NOTE: For lighted switches, see your authorized dealer
for replacement instructions.
All of the inside bulbs are brass or glass-wedge base.
Aluminum base bulbs are not approved.
LIGHT BULBS – Exterior Bulb No.
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) ..... 921
Fog Lamp ............................. 9145
Dual Headlamp ......................... H13
Quad Headlamp – Low Beam ............... H11
Quad Headlamp – High Beam ..............9005
Side Marker (Dual Headlamp) .............3157K
Side Marker (Quad Headlamp) ............3157NA
Rear Cargo Lamp ........................ 921
Cab Roof Marker Lamps .................194NA
BULB REPLACEMENT
Dual or Quad Headlamp/Front Park and Turn
Signal – If Equipped
1. Open the hood.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the four plastic push-in fasteners that secure
the upper radiator seal to the grille support and both
fender ledges.
4. Remove the two plastic push-in rivets that secure the
upper radiator seal to the radiator.
5. Remove the upper radiator seal from the vehicle.
6. Remove the two headlamp assembly attachment
screws.
420 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Fuel........................... 326
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 148
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 388
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 390
Air Conditioning ........................ 249
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 249
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 260
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............390,391
Air Conditioning System .............249,253,390
Air Pressure, Tires .................... 308,317
Airbag ................................ 50
Airbag Deployment ....................... 56
Airbag Light ................... 51,55,59,75,191
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 58
Airbag, Side ............................ 54
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ............... 54
Alarm Light ........................... 183
Alarm, Panic ............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 18 Alarm System (Security Alarm)
............... 18
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 243
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............397,398
Capacities ........................... 426
Disposal ............................ 400
Anti-Lock Warning Light ...............191,296
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Anti-Theft System ........................ 18
Appearance Care ........................ 409
Ashtray ............................... 159
Assistance Towing ....................... 102
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 35
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 82
Automatic Headlights .................... 139
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 253
Automatic Transmission Adding Fluid ......................... 407
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 408
458 INDEX

Hazard Warning Flasher................. 358
Headlights ........................... 139
High Beam ........................ 145,187
High Beam Indicator .................... 187
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 145
Illuminated Entry ....................... 19
Instrument Cluster ..................... 180
Interior .......................... 141,154
Lights On Reminder .................... 143
Low Fuel ............................ 187
Oil Pressure .......................... 189
Passing ............................. 144
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 193
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............. 183
Service ............................. 420
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 183
Transfer Case ......................... 280
Turn Signal ...................... 75,144,420
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 180Limited-Slip Differential
................287,405
Loading Vehicle ......................... 328
Tires ............................... 303
Locks ................................. 28
Child Protection ........................ 32
Door ................................ 28
Power Door ........................... 29
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) .............................. 64
Lubrication, Body ....................... 392
Lug Nuts ........................... 364,366
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 389
Maintenance Procedures ................... 385
Maintenance Schedule .................430,432
Maintenance Schedules .................... 430
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) ..... 383
Manual, Service ......................... 453
466 INDEX

And Pregnant Women................... 49
Child Restraint ....................... 61,72
Extender ............................. 49
Front Seat ............................ 38
Inspection ............................ 74
Reminder ............................ 193
Seats .............................. 121,131
Adjustment .......................... 121
Child ............................... 72
Heated ............................. 129
Memory ............................ 132
Power .............................. 127
Reclining ............................ 123
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ................ 18
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........397,427
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Sentry Key Programming ................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 16
Service Assistance ....................... 449 Service Contract
......................... 451
Service Manuals ........................ 453
Setting the Clock ................ 21 1,212,216,225
Settings, Personal ........................ 205
Shifting ............................... 268
Automatic Transmission ................. 270
Transfer Case ......................... 279
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ....................... 348,351
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ....................... 349,353
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 46
Shoulder Belts ........................... 38
Signals, Turn ...................... 75,144,180
Sliding Rear Window Power .............................. 171
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 317
Snow Plow ............................ 344
Snow Tires ............................ 319
470 INDEX