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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.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use of safety chains is recom-
mended.Attach towing device to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle — not to bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws applying to vehicles
under tow must be observed.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of the vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Provided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in Neutral and the ignition key in the OFF
position along with the front wheels raised and the rear
wheels on the ground. The speed must not exceed 30
mph (50 km/h) and the distance must not exceed 15
miles (25 km).
If the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km ),
it must be towed on a flatbed, or with the rear wheels
raised and the front wheels on the ground, or with the
front end raised and the rear wheels on a towing dolly.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 299
6
Page 301 of 416
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment 3.7L V6..............304
Engine Compartment 4.7L V-8..............305
Engine Compartment 5.7L HEMI V-8.........306
Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........307
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............307
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................308
Replacement Parts......................309
Dealer Service.........................310Maintenance Procedures..................310
▫Engine Oil..........................311
▫Engine Oil Filter......................314
▫Drive Belts — Check Condition And
Tensioner...........................315
▫Spark Plugs.........................315
▫Ignition Cables.......................316
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................316
▫Engine Fuel Filter.....................316
7
Page 308 of 416

cap until aclickingsound is heard. This is an indication
that the gas cap is properly tightened. Press the odometer
reset button to turn the message off. If the problem
persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving
the problem will turn the MIL light off.
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 which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
308 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 316 of 416

CAUTION!
When replacing plugs, do not overtighten. You could
damage them and cause them to leak.
Ignition Cables
Replace the ignition cables (5.7L engines only) at the
mileage interval shown in the maintenance charts.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Under normal driving conditions, replace the air filter at
the intervals shown on Schedule “A”. If, however, you
drive the vehicle frequently under dusty or severe con-
ditions, the filter element should be inspected periodi-
cally and replaced if necessary at the intervals shown on
Schedule “B”.
WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide a measure of protection
in the case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
cleaner unless such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near the
engine compartment before starting the vehicle with
the air cleaner removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Fuel Filter
A plugged fuel filter can cause stalling, limit the speed at
which a vehicle can be driven or cause hard starting.
Should an excessive amount of dirt accumulate in the
fuel tank, frequent filter replacement may be necessary.
316 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 318 of 416

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, the
vehicle should be stopped, the engine shut off and the
vehicle allowed to cool. Thereafter, service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications, should be ob-
tained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Battery
All Dodge trucks are equipped with maintenance-free
batteries. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 341 of 416

POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER (FUSE/RELAY)
Your vehicle is equipped with two electrical power
distribution centers located next to each other in the left
side of the engine compartment.
The power distribution centers house new plug-in
“Maxi” fuses which replace all the in-line fusible links
previously used. The power distribution centers also
contain “Mini”fuses and plug-in “ISO” relays. A label
inside the latching cover of the Power Distribution Cen-
ters identifies each component for ease of replacement, if
necessary. These fuses and relays can be obtained from
your dealer.
FUSE BLOCK
CAUTION!
When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it suggests a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.
NOTE:If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for
longer than 21 days you may want to take steps to protect
your battery. You may do this by disconnecting the
battery or by disconnecting the two ignition-off draw
(I.O.D.) fuses located in the Auxiliary Power Distribution
Center (PDC) located in the engine compartment. The
I.O.D. cavities include a snap-in retainer that allows the
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 341
7
Page 343 of 416
Cavity Fuse/Color Description
F1 15 Amp BlueInstrument Clus-
ter Battery Feed
F 2 10 Amp RedOccupant Classi-
fication Module
(OCM) Battery
Feed
F3 10 Amp RedIgnition Run/
Start for Control-
ler (NGC), Inte-
grated Power
Module (IPM),
AC Relay and
Fuel Pump Re-
lay
F4 10 Amp RedDoor Node and
Non-Memory
Power Mirror
Switch Battery
Feed
Fuse Block
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 343
7
Page 344 of 416
F5 (2) 10 Amp RedAirbags (2 Fuses
in Yellow
Holder)
F6 10 Amp RedIgnition Run/
Start Unlock
F7 25 Amp NaturalRadio Battery
Feed
F8 10 Amp RedIgnition Run/
Start fro
Cluster/Transfer
Case/Seat Sw.
Back lighting
F9 10 Amp RedSDAR/DVD Bat-
tery Feed
F10 10 Amp Red Spare
F11 10 Amp Red Heated Mirrors
F12 20 Amp YellowCluster Battery
Feed
F13 10 Amp RedIgnition Run
HVAC Module/
Heated Rear
Glass (EBL) Re-
lay
F14 10 Amp RedABS Module Ig-
nition Run
F15 15 Amp BlueBattery Feed
Blue Tooth,
Compass/Trip
Computer
(CMTC), Sentry
Key Diagnostics
F16 20 Amp YellowReconfigurable
Power Outlets
F17 20 Amp YellowCigar Lighter
Ignition
F18 10 Amp Red Spare Fuse
344 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE