2005 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL wheel torque

reserve fuel capacity, which corresponds to approxi-
mately 8% of tank volume. This reserve capacity was put
in place to prevent the likelihood of customers running
out of fuel when operating at maximum load conditions
in areas where there aren’t many gas stations. (See page
130 for more information.)
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
•34 gallons - 2500/3500 short box models
•35 gallons - 2500/3500 long box models
28. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(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 thislight comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
29. Check Gages
This light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine
Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature
gages indicate a reading either too high or too low.
Examine the gages carefully, and follow the instructions
above for each indicated problem.
NOTE:When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gage, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
Temperature gages may not show accurate readings.
When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch
to ON to obtain accurate readings.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
4

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 2500/3500 single rear
wheel (SRW) models. On 3500 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 2500/3500 single rear wheel
322 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

(SRW) models and 145 ft. lbs. (197 N·m) for 3500 dual rear
wheel models. If in doubt about the correct tightness,
have them checked with a torque wrench by your 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.
Always stow the jack parts and the extra tire and
wheel in the places provided.
7. Install wheel center cap and remove wheel blocks. Do
not install chrome or aluminum wheel center caps on the
spare wheel. This may result in cap damage.
8. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. If the jack
will not lower by turning the dial (thumb wheel) byhand, it may be necessary to use the jack drive tube in
order to lower the jack. Stow the replaced tire, jack, and
tools as previously described.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.
Hub Caps
The hub caps must be removed before raising the vehicle
off the ground.
For 2500/3500 single rear wheel (SRW) models, use the
blade on the end of the lug wrench to pry the cap off.
On 3500 models with dual rear wheels (DRW), you must
first remove the hub caps. The jack handle driver has a
hook at one end that will fit in the pry off notch of the
rear hub caps. Position the hook and pull out on the
ratchet firmly. The cap should pop off. The wheel skins
can now be removed. For the front hub cap on 3500
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 323
6

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
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 Nuts
All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally to elimi-
nate the possibility of wheel studs being sheared or the
bolt holes in the wheels becoming elongated. This is
especially important during the first few hundred miles
of operation to allow the wheel nuts to become properly
set. All nuts should first be firmly seated against thewheel. The nuts should then be tightened to recom-
mended torque. Tighten the nuts to final torque in
increments. Progress around the bolt circle, tightening
the nut opposite to the nut just previously tightened until
final torque is achieved. Recommended torques are
shown in the following chart.
Disc
WheelsType Nut Stud Size Torque
Ft. Lbs.Torque
Newton
Meters
Cone 9/16-18 120-150 160-200
Flanged 9/16-18 130-160 190-220
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel and
position it properly across the wheel opening.
For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow
with the valve stem toward the rear of the vehicle.
326 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Tire Safety Information.................... 260
Tires ...............................70,268
Air Pressure.......................... 268
Alignment........................... 276
Chains.............................. 276
Changing............................ 317
Compact Spare........................ 272
Dual............................280,324
General Information.................... 268
High Speed.......................... 271
Inflation Pressures..................... 269
Jacking............................. 318
Load Capacity.....................264,265
Radial.............................. 271
Replacement......................... 275
Rotation............................. 279
Safety...........................260,268
Sizes............................... 261
Snow Tires........................... 278Spare Tire........................... 317
Spinning............................ 273
Tread Wear Indicators................... 274
Wheel Mounting....................... 318
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 322
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 294
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 241
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 331
Towing
Disabled Vehicle....................... 332
Guide.............................. 295
Recreational.......................... 302
Trailering............................ 291
Weight.............................. 295
Traction............................... 311
Traction Control......................... 370
Trailer Towing.......................... 289
Hitches............................. 292
Mirrors...........................81,296
444 INDEX

Tips ................................ 297
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 294
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 295
Trailer Weight.......................... 295
Transfer Case
Fluid............................... 399
Transmission
Automatic........................237,370
Fluid............................... 399
Maintenance.......................... 370
Manual..........................241,370
Shifting............................. 237
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener............ 134
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 274
Trip Computer.......................... 128
Trip Odometer.......................167,168
Turn Signals................... 118,163,385,389
Underhood Fuses........................ 383Universal Transmitter..................... 134
Variance, Compass....................... 133
Vehicle Identification Number................ 7
Vehicle Loading......................265,286
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 8
Vehicle Storage......................... 384
Voltmeter............................. 162
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . 162
Warnings and Cautions..................... 6
Warranty Information..................... 426
Washers, Windshield..................121,359
Washing Vehicle......................... 379
Wheel Alignment and Balance............... 276
Wheel and Wheel Trim.................... 381
Wheel Changing........................ 317
Wheel Mounting........................ 318
Wheel Nut Torque....................322,326
INDEX 445
10