flat tire Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2014 Owner's Guide

Inspect the wheel mounting surface prior to mounting
the tire and remove any corrosion or loose particles.
NOTE:Dual wheels are flat mounted, center piloted.
The lug nuts are a two-piece assembly. When the tires are
being rotated or replaced, clean these lug nuts and add
two drops of oil at the interface between the hex and the
washer. Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do not
substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
Tighten the lug nuts/bolts in a star pattern until each
nut/bolt has been tightened twice.
Wheel Mounting Surface
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 421

Jacking Instructions
Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible before raising the
vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for
lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 425

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 a collision. 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. Install the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped
end of the nuts toward the wheel on single rear wheel
Rear Jacking Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 427

(SRW) models. On dual rear wheel models (DRW) the
lug nuts are a two-piece assembly with a flat face.
Lightly tighten the nuts. To avoid risk of forcing the
vehicle off the jack, do not fully tighten the nuts until
the vehicle has been lowered.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts using a crisscross pattern. For the proper lug nut
torque specifications refer to “Wheel and Tire Torque
Specifications” in this section. If in doubt about the
correct tightness, have them checked with a torque
wrench by your authorized dealer or at a service
station.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle. Al-
ways stow the jack parts and the extra tire and wheel
in the places provided. 7. Install wheel center cap (if equipped) and remove
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. 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. Stow the replaced tire, jack,
and tools as previously described.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If Equipped
The hub caps must be removed before raising the vehicle
off the ground.
428 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 recom-
mended 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.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 429

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.
Dual Rear Wheels
Slots in the wheels will assist in properly orienting the
inner and outer wheels. Align these slots when assem-
bling the wheels for best access to the tire valve on the
inner wheel. The tires of both dual wheels must be
completely off the ground when tightening to insure
wheel centering and maximum wheel clamping.
Dual wheel models require a special heavy-duty lug nut
tightening adapter (included with the vehicle) to cor-
rectly tighten the lug nuts. Also, when it is necessary to
remove and install dual rear wheels, use a proper vehicle
lifting device.NOTE:
When installing a spare tire (if equipped) as part
of a dual rear wheel end combination, the tire diameter of
the two individual tires must be compared. If there is a
significant difference, the larger tire should be installed in
a front location. The correct direction of rotation for dual
tire installations must also be observed.
It is recommended that wheel stud nuts be kept torqued
to specifications at all times. Torque wheel stud nuts to
specifications at each lubrication interval.
• Retighten the wheel nuts in the same sequence to the
torques listed in the table. Go through the sequence a
second time to verify that specific torque has been
achieved. Retighten to specifications at 100 miles
(160 km) and after 500 miles (800 km).
To Stow The Flat Or Spare — If Equipped
Refer to Upfitters Body Builders Guide for information
on stowing your spare tire (if equipped).
430 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

•Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and automatic trans-
mission as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
• Lube the front drive shaft fitting.
8
M
A I
N T
E
N
A
N
C E
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 509

WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
524 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Hazard Warning Flasher..................420
Jump Starting ......................... .431
Tow Hooks ........................... .437
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........448
Engine ................................ .445
Air Cleaner .......................... .454
Break-In Recommendations ................108
Compartment Identification ................445
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................504
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................110
Flooded, Starting ...................... .295
Fuel Requirements ..................... .380
Jump Starting ......................... .431
Oil................................. .451
Oil Filler Cap ......................... .453
Oil Selection .......................... .452
Oil Synthetic ......................... .454
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .453
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............69Entry System, Illuminated
....................23
Ethanol ............................... .382
Event Data Recorder ........................73
Exhaust Gas Caution .......................110
Exhaust System ...........................110
Exterior Lighting ......................... .151
Exterior Lights ...........................114
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .454
Engine Fuel .......................... .504
Engine Oil ........................... .454
Engine Oil Disposal .....................454
Flashers Turn Signal ............................114
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ .430
Flooded Engine Starting ....................295
Fluid, Brake ............................ .506
Fluid Capacities ......................... .503
530 INDEX

Gross Axle Weight Rating...................390
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................389
Guide, Body Builders ........................6
GVWR ................................ .387
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Stand-
ing Water ............................ .324
Hazard Warning Flasher ....................420
Headlights ............................. .496
Automatic ........................... .151
Cleaning ............................ .482
High Beam ........................... .161
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch .........161
Passing ............................. .161
Switch .............................. .151
Head Restraints ......................... .141
Heated Mirrors .......................... .129
Heater ................................ .269High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . .161
Hitches
Trailer Towing ........................ .393
Hoisting ............................... .431
Hood Release ........................... .148
Hub Caps .............................. .428
Ignition .................................16
Key..................................12
Ignition Key Removal .......................16
Illuminated Entry ..........................23
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ....................19
Infant Restraint ...........................74
Inflation Pressure Tires .....................367
Information Center, Vehicle ..................212
Inside Rearview Mirror .....................119
Instrument Cluster ....................... .200
Instrument Panel and Controls ................197
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ...............482
532 INDEX