towing RAM CHASSIS CAB 2023 Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: RAM, Model Year: 2023, Model line: CHASSIS CAB, Model: RAM CHASSIS CAB 2023Pages: 444, PDF Size: 20.51 MB
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340IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
(Continued)
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 equipment 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 fascia/bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles
under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers,
defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN mode, not the ACC mode.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle's battery
is discharged, Ú
page 337.
TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
FCA US LLC recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the
transmission is operable, the vehicle may be towed
(with the rear wheels on the ground) under the
following conditions:
The transmission must be in NEUTRAL
Ú page 337.
The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph
(48 km/h).
The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles
(24 km) for 6–speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8–speed transmission.
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) for 6–speed
transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for 8–speed
transmission, tow with the rear wheels OFF the
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 rear wheels
raised and the front wheels ON the ground.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
FCA US LLC recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the 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 ALL wheels on
the ground), IF the transfer case is in NEUTRAL and
the transmission is in PARK Ú page 195.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck,
do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may
result from improper towing.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the approved
requirements can cause severe engine and/or
transmission damage. Damage from improper
towing is not covered under the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if
the remaining wheels are on the ground).
Internal damage to the transmission or
transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel
lift is used when towing.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY341
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS —
I
F EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow
hooks.
Emergency Tow Hooks
NOTE:For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of
damage to the vehicle.ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced
Accident Response System.
This feature is a communication network that
takes effect in the event of an impact Úpage 302.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data
recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to
record data that will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed under certain crash
or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle Úpage 304.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
approved requirements can cause severe
transmission and/or transfer case damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
CAUTION!
WARNING!
Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle.
Chains may break, causing serious injury or
death.
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged,
causing serious injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue
a vehicle stranded off-road. Do not use tow
hooks for tow truck hookup or highway towing.
You could damage your vehicle.
7
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342
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. This system will alert you when it
is time to change your engine oil by displaying the
words “Oil Change Due” in your instrument cluster
display. The engine oil change indicator system is
duty cycle based, which means the engine oil
change interval may fluctuate depending on your
personal driving style. Failure to change the engine
oil per the maintenance schedule can result in
internal engine damage.
An authorized dealer will reset the oil change
indicator message after completing the scheduled
oil change. If a scheduled oil change is performed
by someone other than an authorized dealer, the
message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under instrument cluster display
Úpage 89. For Gasoline Engines, under no circumstances
should oil change intervals exceed 8,000 miles
(13,000 km), 12 months or 350 hours of engine
run time, whichever comes first. The 350 hours of
engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.
For Diesel Engines, under no circumstances
should oil change intervals exceed 15,000 miles
(24,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first
or sooner if prompted by the oil change indicator
system.
NOTE:
It is recommended that every 3,000 miles
(4,800 km), check the engine oil level at least
30 minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut
off. Checking the oil level while the vehicle is on
level ground will improve the accuracy of the oil
level reading. Add oil only when the level is at or
below the ADD or MIN mark.
Severe service (high ambient temperature,
short trips, heavy loading, trailer towing,
off-road, or law enforcement use) may reduce
oil change intervals.
For Diesel Engines, configured with optional B20
capability are operated with greater than 5% levels
of biodiesel, the oil change interval must not
exceed 12,500 miles (20,000 km) or 400 hours,
whichever comes first under any circumstances.
See the Fuel Requirements section for more
information regarding operation with biodiesel
blend (B6-B20) fuel meeting ASTM specification
D-7467.
Perform Service Indicator — Diesel Engine
Your vehicle will require emissions maintenance at
a set interval. To help remind you when this
maintenance is due, the instrument cluster will
display “Perform Service”. When the “Perform
Service” message is displayed on the instrument
cluster it is necessary to have the emissions
maintenance performed. Emissions maintenance
may include replacing the Closed Crankcase
Ventilation (CCV) filter element. The procedure for
clearing and resetting the “Perform Service”
indicator message is located in the appropriate
Service Information.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance
items may result in damage to the vehicle.
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344SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE PLAN — GASOLINE ENGINE
Mileage Or Time Passed
(Whichever Comes First)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Change engine oil. Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km), 12 months or 350 hours of
engine run time, whichever comes first.
Additional Inspections
Rotate the tires. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends,
and replace if necessary. X
X X XX XX
Inspect the front and rear axle surfaces.
If gear oil leakage is suspected, check
the fluid level. If using your vehicle for
police, taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing, change axle fluid. X
X X XX XX
Inspect the brake linings, parking brake
function. X
X X XX XX
Additional Maintenance
Replace the cabin air filter. To be replaced every 12,000 miles (19,000 km).
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. XX XXX
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE345
Replace spark plugs.
1X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at
10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
whichever comes first. X
X
Change the automatic transmission fluid
(AS66RCTransmission Only). X
X X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, change for
any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. X
X
Change the transfer case fluid. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary.
X
1. The spark plug change interval is mileage based only, yearly intervals do not apply.
Mileage Or Time Passed
(Whichever Comes First)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If you have
any doubt about your ability to perform a service job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.
Failure to properly inspect and maintain your vehicle could result in a component malfunction and affect vehicle handling and performance. This could
cause an accident.
8
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348SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level. If
using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road or frequent trailer
towing change the axle fluid. X
XXXXX
Inspect the transfer case fluid
(4x4), change for any of the
following: police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. X
XXX X
Change the transfer case fluid
(4x4). X
X
Change automatic transmission
fluid (AS69RC transmission only). X
XXX
Change automatic transmission
fluid and sump filter (AS69RC
transmission only). X
X
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s). X
Mileage Or Time Passed
(Whichever Comes First):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
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368SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter
damage:
Do not interrupt the ignition when the transmis
-
sion is in gear and the vehicle is in motion.
Do not try to start the vehicle by pushing or
towing the vehicle.
Do not idle the engine with any ignition compo -
nents disconnected or removed, such as when
diagnostic testing, or for prolonged periods
during very rough idle or malfunctioning oper -
ating conditions.
COOLING SYSTEM
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection
every 12 months (before the onset of freezing
weather, where applicable). If the engine coolant is
dirty or rusty in appearance, the system should be
drained, flushed and refilled with fresh coolant.
Check the front of the A/C condenser or radiator
for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty,
clean by gently spraying water from a garden hose
vertically down the face of the A/C condenser or
the back of the radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle
rubber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the
connection at the coolant recovery bottle and
radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks.
DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP
WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill
NOTE:Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant
properly. Failure to fill these systems properly could lead to severe internal engine damage. If any
coolant is needed to be added to the system
please contact an authorized dealer.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
contains visible sediment, have an authorized
dealer clean and flush with Organic Additive
Technology (OAT) coolant (conforming to
MS.90032).
For the proper maintenance intervals
Úpage 344.
Selection Of Coolant
For further information Ú page 419.
NOTE:
Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT)
engine coolant, may result in engine damage
and may decrease corrosion protection. OAT
engine coolant is different and should not be
mixed with Hybrid Organic Additive Technology
(HOAT) engine coolant or any “globally compat -
ible” coolant. If a non-OAT engine coolant is
introduced into the cooling system in an emer -
gency, the cooling system will need to be
drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh OAT
coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an autho -
rized dealer as soon as possible.
Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant products. Do not use additional rust
inhibitors or anti-rust products, as they may not
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from
under the hood, do not open the hood until the
radiator has had time to cool. Never open a
cooling system pressure cap when the radi -
ator or coolant bottle is hot.
Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry away
from the radiator cooling fan when the hood is
raised. The fan starts automatically and may
start at any time, whether the engine is
running or not.
When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the igni -
tion to the OFF position. The fan is tempera -
ture controlled and can start at any time the
ignition is in the ON position.
WARNING!
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394SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Tire Loading And Tire Pressure
NOTE:The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on
the driver’s side B-pillar or the rear edge of the
driver's side door.
Check the inflation pressure of each tire, including
the spare tire (if equipped), at least monthly and
inflate to the recommended pressure for your
vehicle.
Example Tire Placard Location (Door) Example Tire Placard Location (B-pillar)
Tire And Loading Information Placard
Tire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about
the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the
vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not
exceed the load carrying capacity of the tire on your
vehicle. You will not exceed the tire's load carrying
capacity if you adhere to the loading conditions,
tire size, and cold tire inflation pressures specified
on the Tire And Loading Information Placard
Úpage 180.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross
axle weight ratings (GAWR) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded.
For further information on GAWR, vehicle loading,
and trailer towing Ú page 180.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE395
To determine the maximum loading conditions of
your vehicle, locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on the Tire And Loading
Information Placard. The combined weight of
occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue
weight (if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your
vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs. (4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5x150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg and
there will be five 68 kg passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 295 kg (635-340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as
shown in step 4.
NOTE:
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and towing
capacities of your vehicle with varying seating
configurations and number and size of occu
-
pants. This table is for illustration purposes only
and may not be accurate for the seating and
load carry capacity of your vehicle.
For the following example, the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
865 lbs (392 kg).
8
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE401
Summer tires do not contain the all season
designation or mountain/snowflake symbol on the
tire sidewall. Use Summer tires only in sets of four;
failure to do so may adversely affect the safety and
handling of your vehicle.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow
tires during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified
by a mountain/snowflake symbol on the tire
sidewall. If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the original
equipment tires. Use snow tires only in
sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than
what was originally equipped with your vehicle and
should not be operated at sustained speeds over
75 mph (120 km/h). For speeds above 75 mph
(120 km/h) refer to original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended safe
operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice,
skid and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces
may be poorer than that of non-studded tires.
Some states prohibit studded tires; therefore, local
laws should be checked before using these tire
types.
SPARE TIRES — IF EQUIPPED
For restrictions when towing with a spare tire
designated for temporary emergency use
Ú
page 187.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and
wheel equivalent in look and function to the
original equipment tire and wheel found on the
front or rear axle of your vehicle. This spare tire
may be used in the tire rotation for your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option, refer to an authorized
tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation
pattern.
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency
use only. You can identify if your vehicle is
equipped with a compact spare by looking at the
spare tire description on the Tire And Loading
Information Placard located on the driver’s side
door opening or on the sidewall of the tire.
Compact spare tire descriptions begin with the
letter “T” or “S” preceding the size designation.
Example: T145/80D18 103M.
T, S = Temporary Spare Tire
Since this tire has limited tread life, the original
equipment tire should be repaired (or replaced)
and reinstalled on your vehicle at the first
opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel,
since the wheel is designed specifically for the
compact spare tire. Do not install more than one
compact spare tire and wheel on the vehicle at any
given time.
WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice conditions.
You could lose vehicle control, resulting in
severe injury or death. Driving too fast for
conditions also creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do
not take your vehicle through an automatic car
wash with a compact or limited use temporary
spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
8
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