torque RAM CHASSIS CAB 2009 Owners Manual

engine is running, immediate service is required and you
may experience reduced performance, an elevated/
rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may require
towing. The light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds as a bulb check.
If the light does not come on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
22. SERV 4WD IndicatorThe 4WD indicator will be illuminated when-
ever the 4WD mode is engaged for either the
manual or electric shift 4WD systems. The
SERV 4WD indicator monitors the electric shift
4WD system. If the SERV 4WD light stays on or comes on
during driving, it means that the 4WD system is not
functioning properly and that service is required. 23. Transmission Temperature Indicator (Automatic
Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off-road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
24. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
25. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 171
4

NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in SECOND or FIRST gear selections in high
ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed
(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from DRIVE to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” switch has not been
activated;
•transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
NOTE: If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5

economy) and automatic closed-throttle downshifts to
3rd gear are performed (for improved braking) when
driving conditions warrant. Pressing the “TOW HAUL
O/D OFF” button a second time to select O/D OFF will
disable 4th and 5th gear completely, which should elimi-
nate any excessive transmission shifting.
The “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF” light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has
been activated. Pressing the switch a third time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF”
modes are desired, the button must be pressed each time
the engine is started.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature, designed to improve fuel economy, has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation inthe upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to second
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is
normal. Pressing the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button,
when the transmission is sufficiently warm, will dem-
onstrate that the transmission is able to shift into and
out of overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven in several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5

the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds of shifting from
PARK into any other gear position.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The transfer case provides 4 mode positions-2(rear)-
wheel drive high range, 4-wheel drive high range, neu-
tral, and 4-wheel drive low range. This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel
drive position (2H) for normal street and highway con-
ditions such as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the transfer case 4H
and 4L positions can be used to lock the front and rear
driveshafts together and force the front and rear wheels
to rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by
simply moving the shift lever to the desired positions.
The 4H and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on
dry, hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear
and damage to the driveline components.
The 4-wheel drive light (4WD), located in the instrument
cluster, alerts the driver that the vehicle is in 4-wheel
drive and that the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. This light illuminates when the transfer case is
shifted to either the 4H or 4L positions. There is no light
for the 2H or NEUTRAL positions.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
230 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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 (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. Correct nut tightness is 135 ft
lbs (183 N·m) torque for single rear wheel (SRW) models
and 145 ft lbs (197 N·m) for dual rear wheel models. 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.
320 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

These dual rear wheels should be tightened as follows:1. Tighten the wheel nuts in the numbered sequence to a
snug fit.
2. Retighten the wheel nuts in the same sequence to the
torques listed in the table. Go through the sequence a
Tightening Pattern (8 Studs)
Tightening Pattern (10 Studs)
324 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

second time to verify that specific torque has been
achieved. Retighten to specifications at 100 miles
(160 km) and after 500 miles (800 km).
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.
Wheel Nut Torque
All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally to elimi-
nate the possibility of wheel studs being sheared or thebolt holes in the wheels becoming elongated. This is
especially important during the first few hundred miles/
kilometers of operation to allow the wheel nuts to
become properly set. All nuts should first be firmly
seated against the wheel. The nuts should then be
tightened to recommended torque. Tighten the nuts to
final torque in increments. Progress around the bolt
circle, tightening the nut opposite to the nut just previ-
ously tightened until final torque is achieved. Recom-
mended torques are shown in the following chart.
Disc Wheels Type Nut
Stud SizeTorque Ft Lbs Torque Newton
Meters
Cone9/16-18120-150160-200
Flanged 9/16-18130-160190-220
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 325
6

Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type. It is
important that the transmission fluid be maintained at
the prescribed level using the recommended fluid.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer’s recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this sec-
tion for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check – 545RFE Transmission
Check the fluid level while the transmission is at normal
operating temperature 180°F (82°C). This occurs after at
least 15 miles (25 km) of driving. At normal operatingtemperature, the fluid on the end of the dipstick cannot
be held comfortably between the fingertips.
Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
To properly check the automatic transmission fluid level,
the following procedure must be used:
1. Operate the engine at idle speed and normal operating
temperature.
2. The vehicle must be on level ground.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily in each gear position
ending with the lever in PARK.
5. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and reinsert it until
seated.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 357
7

Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............64,67
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 130
Tip Start .............................. 222
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......262,276
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 261
Tire Markings .......................... 258
Tire Safety Information .................... 258
Tires ............................ 75,266,406
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 274
Air Pressure .......................... 266
Chains .............................. 276
Dual ............................ 280,322
General Information .................... 266
High Speed .......................... 271
Inflation Pressures ..................... 267
Life of Tires .......................... 274
Load Capacity ........................ 262
Quality Grading ....................... 406
Radial .............................. 272 Replacement
......................... 274
Rotation ............................ 279
Safety ........................... 258,266
Sizes ............................... 259
Snow Tires ........................... 278
Spinning ............................ 273
Steel Carcass Ply ...................... 269
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 273
Wheel Nut Torque ..................... 320
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 294
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 229
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 330
Towing ............................... 289
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 100
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 331
Guide .............................. 293
Recreational .......................... 304
Weight .............................. 293
Towing Assistance ....................... 100
INDEX 423
10

Warning Lights
(Instrument Cluster Description)............. 162
Warnings and Cautions ..................... 6
Warranty Information ..................... 404
Washers, Windshield .................. 130,344
Washing Vehicle ......................... 360
Water Driving Through ...................... 250
Wheel and Wheel Trim .................... 361
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care ................ 361
Wheel Cover ........................... 321
Wheel Nut Torque .................... 320,325
Wind Buffeting .......................... 34 Window Fogging
........................ 214
Windows .............................. 32
Power ............................... 32
Rear Sliding ........................ 34,154
Windshield Defroster .................. 205,208
Windshield Washers ................ 129,130,344
Fluid ............................... 344
Windshield Wiper Blades .................. 344
Windshield Wipers ....................... 129
Wiper Blade Replacement .................. 344
Wipers, Intermittent ...................... 129
YES Essentials\3 Fabric Cleaning Procedure ...... 361
INDEX 425
10