2005 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS brakes

under the bumper. This connector contains the follow-
ing vehicle circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn
lamp, right stop/turn lamp, and ground. With the
optional Trailer Tow Prep package a 7-way connector
is provided with the following additional circuits:
backup lamp, trailer battery and electric brake.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the brake
circuits.
•Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60%
to 65% of the weight in front of the axle(s). Loads
balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear can
cause the trailer to sway severely side to side which
will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer. Failure
to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of many
trailer accidents. (For a5th Wheelstyle trailer, this
range of loading on theKing Pinshould be between
15% and 25%.)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel. When towing cargo such
as livestock, dynamic load shifts can occur that require
the driver to maintain attention.
Trailer Towing — Hitches
With a Class I Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow
trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) maximum.
With a Class II Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 3,500
lbs (1 587 kg ) maximum. Tongue weight must be equal to
at least 10% of GTW, but no more than 15% of GTW.
With a Class III Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 5,000
lbs (2 268 kg) maximum. Factory-installed rear step
bumpers are rated a Class III hitch.
STARTING AND OPERATING 299
5

A frame mounted hitch of up to Class IV rating, as rated
by the hitch manufacturer, may also be installed. With a
Class IV Hitch, you can tow a trailer with a Gross Trailer
Weight of up to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) maximum depend-
ing on your vehicle equipment.
Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer
Brakes
NOTE:A 4-way trailer tow connector, located behind
the bumper, is standard equipment on all Ram pickup
models. This connector contains the following vehicle
circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn lamp, right stop/
turn lamp, and ground. With the optional Trailer Tow
Prep package a 7-way connector is also provided with the
following additional circuits: backup lamp, trailer battery
and electric brake.
NOTE:There is also a 4–way connector located under
the instrument panel, located to the left of the brake
pedal that is used for the electric brake. This connectorcontains the following vehicle circuits; power ground,
battery, stop lamp switch and electric brake feed. The
4–way is optional with the trailer tow prep package.
CAUTION!
Adding lights or electrical devices to the headlamp/
park lamp circuit can be accomplished by connecting
to the standard 4-way trailer tow connector located
behind the rear bumper. The maximum current ca-
pacity for the park lamp circuit should not exceed 15
amps total (a typical park lamp bulb can draw from
0.5 to 1.0 amperes of current).
No connections can be made to the headlamp switch
itself, because it is not designed for high current
applications. Connections to the headlamp switch
will cause the exterior lights to malfunction.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the
brake circuits. Use an approved wiring harness con-
nector on the trailer.
Trailer Weight and Trailer Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment loaded on the trailer when in actual under-
way towing condition. The recommended way to mea-
sure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle
scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported
by the scale.
Tongue Weight is the weight placed on the vehicle’s
trailer hitch by the trailer. Always load a trailer with 60%to 65% of the weight in the front of the trailer. This places
10% to 15% of the GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle.
Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for
Class III or IV trailer hitches and tongue weights above
350 lbs (159 kg).
Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10% of GTW, but
no more than 15% of GTW.
STARTING AND OPERATING 301
5

WARNING!
The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
radiator pressure cap are a safety precaution. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system. To
prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the pres-
sure cap.
Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling indicate deterioration of the rubber.
Pay particular attention to those hoses nearest to high
heat sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose
routing to be sure hoses do not come in contact with any
heat source or moving component which may cause heat
damage or mechanical wear.Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
Inspect all hose connections such as clamps and cou-
plings to make sure they are secure and no leaks are
present.
Components should be replaced immediately if there is
any evidence of wear or damage that could cause failure.
Brake System
Power Disc Brakes (front and rear)
Disc brakes do not require periodic adjustment.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service, or immedi-
ately if the brake system warning lamp indicates system
failure.
372 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic
reservoir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” dot and an “MIN” dot. The fluid level must be
kept within these two dots. Do not add fluid above the
MAX mark, because leakage may occur at the cap.
With disc brakes the fluid level can be expected to fall as
the brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a system check
should be conducted.
Refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts for the correct Fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point, or is unidentified as to specification,
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!
Do not allow a petroleum-base fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Seal damage may result.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 373
7

B-Pillar Location........................ 264
Brake Fluid............................ 406
Brake System........................255,372
Anti-Lock.........................256,257
Disc Brakes.......................... 372
Hoses.............................. 374
Master Cylinder....................... 372
Parking............................. 254
Warning Light........................ 170
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 68
Bulb Replacement....................... 391
Bulbs, Light............................ 390
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 398
Calibration, Compass..................... 134
Camper............................... 157
Capacities, Fluid........................ 403
Caps, Filler
Fuel.............................285,286Oil (Engine).......................... 356
Power Steering........................ 363
Car Washes............................ 385
Carbon Monoxide Warning............70,158,288
Cargo Light............................ 119
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 206
Cassette Tape Player................174,177,180
Catalytic Converter....................291,359
CD Changer......................178,189,195
CD Player..................187,191,193,197,200
Cellular Phone.......................... 83
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 397
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 150
Certification Label....................... 293
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 261
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 165
Child Restraint.......................... 56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............60,64
INDEX 437
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Disc Brakes............................ 372
Disposal
Engine Oil........................... 371
Door Ajar............................. 167
Door Locks............................. 15
Door Opener, Garage..................... 137
Drive Belts............................ 357
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 365
Dual Rear Wheels.....................281,334
E-85 Fuel............................. 289
Electric Rear Window Defrost..........81,214,218
Electrical Power Outlets................... 147
Electronic Speed Control................... 125
Emergency Brake........................ 254
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 341
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 320
Jacking............................. 327Jump Starting......................... 337
Tow Hooks.......................... 341
Towing............................. 342
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 408
Emission Related Components.............. 361
Engine............................348,349
Air Cleaner.......................... 358
Break-In Recommendations................ 68
Compartment Identification............348,349
Coolant (Antifreeze).................370,405
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 288
Flooded, Starting...................... 230
Fuel Requirements..................... 403
Oil ...........................353,403,405
Oil Filler Cap......................... 356
Oil Selection.......................355,403
Oil Synthetic......................... 356
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Equipment Identification Plate.............. 318
INDEX 439
10