Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2014 Owner's Manual

Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground 2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdistance See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Auto Transmission in PARK
• Manual Transmission in gear ( NOT
NEUTRAL)
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 439

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle’s Key Fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s
battery is discharged, see “Shift Lever Override” in this
section for instructions on shifting the automatic trans-
mission out of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed. If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with the rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•
The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km), tow with the rear wheels OFFthe ground.
Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed,
or with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a
towing dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel
stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight position)
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground.
440 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and
the opposite end on a towing dolly.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer
case is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the
forward direction, with ALLwheels on the ground), IF
the transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmis-
sion is in PARK(for automatic transmissions) or in gear
(NOT in NEUTRAL, for manual transmissions). Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information and detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
•
Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 441

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L ..........445
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.4L ..........446
 ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II) . . .447
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............447
 EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .448
 REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................449
 DEALER SERVICE ..................... .449
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........450
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .451▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... .454
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................454
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............455
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............456
▫ Front Prop Shaft Lubrication — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................ .457
▫ Body Lubrication .....................457
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............457
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................458
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .459
7

▫Cooling System ..................... .461
▫ Brake System ....................... .469
▫ Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................. .471
▫ Transfer Case ....................... .473
▫ Automatic Transmission — Aisin F21-250 HD
Transmission — If Equipped .............474
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... .477
 FUSES ............................. .484
▫ Power Distribution Center ...............485
 VEHICLE STORAGE ....................494
 REPLACEMENT BULBS .................495 
BULB REPLACEMENT ..................496
▫ Base Quad / Premium Bi-Halogen: Low Beam
Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp, Front Park
And Turn — If Equipped ...............496
▫ Fog Lamps — If Equipped ..............498
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) With
Cargo Lamp ........................ .499
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lamps — If Equipped . . . .501
 FLUID CAPACITIES ....................503
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PARTS ............................. .504
▫ Engine ............................ .504
▫ Chassis ........................... .506
444 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter6 — Battery
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick 7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.4L
1 — Coolant Pressure Bottle6 — Battery
2 — Transmission Dipstick 7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
3 — Engine Oil Fill 8 — Washer Solvent
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Air Cleaner Filter
446 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. 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 emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL 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 MIL is flashing, while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines
that the fuel filler cap is loose, improperly
installed, or damaged, a loose gascap indicator
will display in the EVIC telltale display area.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447

“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further in-
formation. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press
the SELECT button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which
you can use prior to going to the test station. To check if
your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must do the
following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not crank or start the engine.
NOTE: If you crank or start the engine, you will have to
start this test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part
of a normal bulb check.
448 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE