Ram Cargo Van 2015 Owner's Manual

2. Rotate the nut to the left until the winch mechanismstops turning freely. This will allow enough slack in
the cable to allow you to pull the spare tire out from
underneath the vehicle.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
winch T-handle only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
3. To remove the compact spare tire/cover assembly, assemble the winch T-handle extensions to form a
spare tire hook, and pull the spare tire out from under
the vehicle. NOTE:
If either front tire is flat it may be necessary to
jack up the vehicle to remove the compact spare tire/
cover assembly from under the vehicle.
Pulling Spare Tire
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 549

4. Stand the tire/cover assembly upright and remove thewheel spacer by squeezing the winch retaining tabs
together. Push the retainer through the spare tire to
release it from the wheel.Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice orslippery areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever into PARK.
5. Turn OFF the ignition.
Removing Wheel Spacer
550 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

6. Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonallyopposite of the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right front
tire, block the left rear wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.Jacking 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.
• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
(Continued)
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 551

WARNING!(Continued)
•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 compact spare tires, flat or inflated,
are securely stowed, compact spares must be
stowed with the valve stem facing the ground.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the Jacking
Instructions for this vehicle.
NOTE: Refer to the “Compact Spare Tire” section of
“Tires – General Information” for information about the
compact spare tire, its use, and operation.
Jack Warning Label
552 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

1. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts byturning them to the left one turn while the wheel is
still on the ground.
2. There are two jack engagement locations on each side of the vehicle body. These locations are on the sill
flange of the vehicle body.CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated.
Rear jack locations are between a pair of down-facing
tabs on the sill flange of the vehicle side body.
Jack Locations
Rear Jacking Locations
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 553

Front jack location is on the sill flange of the vehicle body
and is located 6 in (150 mm) from door edge.
Rear Jack EngagedFront Jack Locations
554 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:In some situations the jack may need to be
placed on its side in order to be pushed under the vehicle.
Return the jack to its correct orientation once it is under
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that 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.
3. Place the wrench on the jack screw and turn to the right until the jack head is properly engaged in the
described location. Do not raise the vehicle until you
are sure the jack is securely engaged.
4. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the right, using the swivel wrench. Raise the vehicle only until
the tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is
obtained to install the compact spare tire. Minimum
tire lift provides maximum stability.
Front Jack Engaged
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 555

WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
5.
Remove the wheel lug nuts, for vehicles with wheel
covers, remove the cover from the wheel by hand. Do not
pry the wheel cover off. Then pull the wheel off the hub.
6. Install the compact spare tire. Lightly tighten the lug nuts.
CAUTION!
Be sure to mount the compact spare tire with the valve
stem facing outward. The vehicle could be damaged if
the compact spare tire is mounted incorrectly.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack,
do not tighten the wheel nuts fully until the vehicle
has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury.
Mounting Compact Spare Tire
556 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:Do not install the wheel cover on the compact
spare.
7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
8. Refer to “Torque Specifications” in this section for proper wheel lug nut torque.
9. Lower the jack to its fully-closed position.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire
repaired or replaced immediately. 10. Place the deflated (flat) tire and compact spare tire
cover assembly in the rear cargo area. Do not stow
the deflated tire in the compact spare tire location.
Have the full-sized tire repaired or replaced, as soon
as possible.
11. Stow the cable and wheel spacer before driving the vehicle. Reassemble the winch handle extensions to
form a “T” and fit the winch T-handle over the drive
nut. Rotate the nut to the right until the winch
mechanism clicks at least three times.
NOTE: Refer to the “Spare Tire Tools” section for in-
structions on assembling the T-handle.
12. Stow the jack, jack handle and winch handle tools back in the stowage compartment.
13. Check the compact spare tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct the tire pressure, as required.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 557

Securing The Compact Spare Tire
1. Assemble the winch handle extensions to form aT-handle and fit the winch T-handle over the drive
nut. Rotate the nut to the left until the winch mecha-
nism stops turning freely. This will allow enough slack
in the cable to allow you to pull the wheel spacer out
from under the vehicle.
WARNING!
A loose compact spare tire/cover assembly, thrown
forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger
the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the com-
pact spare tire with the cover assembly in the place
provided.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
winch T-handle only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
2. Assemble the winch handle extensions to form the spare tire hook, and pull the wheel spacer from under
the vehicle.
3. Turn the compact spare tire so that the valve stem is down, and place the tire into the compact spare
tire/cover assembly. Slide the wheel spacer through
the center of the wheel and compact spare tire/cover
assembly, so that the two retainer tabs snap out and
engage the compact spare tire cover on the opposite
side.
558 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES