2004 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS engine

Trailer Towing Mirrors Ð If Equipped
These mirrors are designed with an adjustable mirror
head to provide a greater vision range when towing
extra-wide loads. To change position inboard or out-
board, the mirror head should be rotated (flipped Out or
In). A small blindspot mirror is integrated onto the main
mirror surface.
Cooling System Tips Ð Trailer Towing
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
²City DrivingÐwhen stopped, put the transmission in
N (Neutral) and increase the engine idle speed.
²Highway DrivingÐreduce your speed.
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²Air ConditioningÐturn it off temporarily.
²Hilly TerrainÐTurn overdrive off.
See Cooling System Operating information in the Service
and Maintenance section of this manual for more infor-
mation.
Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature Warning
Light
All vehicles with automatic transmissions are equipped
with a transmission sump oil temperature sensor and
warning light. If elevated transmission temperatures are
encountered, the engine controller will select the most
desirable gear until the transmission temperatures are
reduced. If transmission oil temperatures continue to
rise, a warning light located in the instrument cluster will
illuminate. If this should occur, stop the vehicle, shift to
Neutral, and run the engine at idle or faster until the light
goes off.
Towing With An Automatic Transmission
Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may
shift into and out of Overdrive, or a lower gear, when
driving in hilly areas, when heavily loaded, or when
towing into heavy winds.
When this condition occurs, select TOW/HAUL mode or
shift into a lower gear to prevent excessive transmission
wear and/or overheating, and to provide better engine
braking.
NOTE:Do not exceed the following RPM while manu-
ally downshifting:
²5800 rpm with 3.7L engines.
²5800 rpm with 4.7L engines.
²5600 rpm with 5.7L engines.
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2. The maximum number of occupants in the truck
should not exceed two.
3. The total GVWR or the Front GAWR or the Rear
GAWR should never be exceeded.
4. The snowplow prep packages are not available with
the Sport Package.
5. Cargo capacity will be reduced by the addition of
options or passengers, etc.
The loaded vehicle weight, including the snowplow
system, all aftermarket accessories, driver, passengers,
options, and cargo, must not exceed either the Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight (GAWR)
ratings. These weights are specified on the Safety Com-
pliance Certification Label on the driver's side door
opening.
NOTE: Detach the snowplow when transporting
passengers.Vehicle front end wheel alignment was set to specifica-
tions at the factory without consideration for the weight
of the plow. Front end tow-in should be checked and
reset if necessary at the beginning and end of the
snowplow season. This will help prevent uneven tire
wear.
The blade should be lowered whenever the vehicle is
parked.
Maintain and operate your vehicle and snowplow equip-
ment following the recommendations provided by the
specific snowplow manufacturer.
Over the Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached
The blade restricts air flow to the radiator and causes the
engine to operate at higher than normal temperatures.
Therefore, when transporting the plow, angle the blade
completely and position it as low as road or surface
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General Maintenance
Snowplows should be maintained in accordance with the
plow manufacturer's instructions. Whenever the plow is
disconnected from the vehicle, coat the exposed angling
cylinder rods with chassis lubricant. The lift cylinder
should be extended upward and chassis lubricant ap-
plied to the lift rod. The hydraulic hoses interconnect to
keep the couplers clean.
Keep all snowplow electrical connections and battery
terminals clean and free of corrosion.
When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and driv-
etrain damage, the following precautions should be ob-
served.
²Operate with transfer case in 4L when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to
exceed 15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in
4H.
²Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal before shifting
the transmission.
RECREATIONAL TOWING Ð 4±WHEEL DRIVE
VEHICLES (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
NOTE:Both the Manual Shift and Electronic Shift
transfer cases must be shifted into Neutral (N) for
recreational towing. Automatic transmissions must be
placed in P (Park) position for recreational towing.
Manual transmissions must be left in gear (not in neutral)
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for recreational towing. Refer below for the proper trans-
fer case Neutral shifting procedure for your vehicle.
Recreational Towing Procedure Ð Manual Shift
Transfer Case Ð If Equipped
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing:
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (NEUTRAL) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
3. Depress the brake pedal.4. Shift automatic transmission to N (NEUTRAL), or
depress the clutch on manual transmissions.
5. Shift transfer case lever into N (NEUTRAL).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift automatic transmission into Reverse (R).
8. Release brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that
there is no vehicle movement.
9.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 with the transmission in Drive (D).
10. Shut OFF the engine and place the ignition key to the
unlocked OFF position.
11. Shift automatic transmission into P (PARK).
12. Apply the parking brake.
13. Attach vehicle to tow vehicle with tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
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CAUTION!
Damage to the automatic transmission may occur if
the transmission is shifted into P (PARK) with the
transfer case in N (NEUTRAL) and the engine RUN-
NING. With the transfer case in N (NEUTRAL)
ensure that the engine is OFF prior to shifting the
transmission into P (PARK)
Returning to Normal Operation Ð Manual Shift
Transfer Case
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
3. Depress the brake pedal.4. Shift automatic transmission to N (NEUTRAL), or
depress the clutch on manual transmissions.
5. Shift transfer case lever to desired position.
6. Shift automatic transmission into P (Park).
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N
(NEUTRAL) position without first fully engaging
the parking brake. The transfer case N (NEUTRAL)
position disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain and will allow the ve-
hicle to move regardless of the transmission posi-
tion. The parking brake should always be applied
when the driver is not in the vehicle.
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CAUTION!
²Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
²Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case and damage
the internal parts.
Recreational Towing Procedure Ð Electronic
Shift Transfer Case Ð If Equipped
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in Neutral (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
3. Place ignition key in the ON position.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Shift automatic transmission to Neutral (N) or depress
clutch on manual transmission.
6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for
4 seconds.
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7. After shift is completed and the Neutral (N) light
comes on release Neutral (N) button.
8. Start engine.
9. Shift automatic transmission into Reverse (R).
10. Release brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that
there is no vehicle movement.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 with the transmission in Drive
(D).
12. Shut engine OFF and place ignition key to the
unlocked OFF position.
13. Shift automatic transmission into Park (P).
14. Apply parking brake.
15. Attach vehicle to tow vehicle with tow bar.
16. Release parking brake.NOTE:Items 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the Neutral (N) selection button,
and must continue to be met until the 4 seconds elaspes
and the shift has been completed. If any of these require-
ments (with the exception of 3 - Key ON) are not met
prior to depressing the Neutral (N) button or are no
longer met during the 4 second timer, then the Neutral
(N) indicator light will flash continuously until all re-
quirements are met or until the Neutral (N) button is
released.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key in not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:Flashing neutral (N) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
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