2007 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL engine

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never put any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
All Models
The jack and jack tools are stored under the front
passenger seat. Lift the flap on the side of the seat for
access.
Remove the jack and tools by removing the wing bolt and
sliding the assembly from under the seat.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 355
6

NOTE:The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
Tire Changing Procedure
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
Do not raise this vehicle using a bumper jack. The jack is
designed as a tool for changing tires on this vehicle only.
It is not recommended that the jack be used for service
purposes or to lift more than one wheel at a time.
Preparations
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or
slippery areas. Set the parking brake and place the gear
selector in PARK (automatic transmission) or REVERSE
(manual transmission). On four-wheel drive vehicles,
shift the transfer case to the “4L” position.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 357
6

•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
•Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if the right front
wheel is being changed, block
the left rear wheel.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the
vehicle is being jacked.
Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
•Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible before raising the
vehicle.
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be
raised.
•Apply the parking brake firmly before jacking.
•Never start the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated.
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
358 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JUMP-STARTING
WARNING!
To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing, do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from battery
vent holes. Always wear eye protection when work-
ing with batteries.
Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 volt system, i.e. do
not use a 24 volt power source.
NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicles charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12–volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery, with jumper
cables, to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be followed:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If indica-
tor (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 367
6

2. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to negative
(-) post of booster battery. Connect the other end of the
jumper cable to a good ground on the engine block of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure a good
connection is made, free of dirt and grease.
WARNING!
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of
the discharge battery. The resulting electrical
spark could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting jump start.
3. Take care that the clamps from one cable do not
inadvertently touch clamps from the other cable. Do not
lean over the battery when making connection. The
negative connection must provide good electrical con-
ductivity and current carrying capacity.
4. After the engine is started or if the engine fails to start,
cables must be disconnected in the following order: a. Disconnect the negative cable at the engine ground.
b. Disconnect the negative cable at the negative post
on booster battery.
c. Disconnect the cable from the positive post of both
batteries.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 369
6

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
With Portable Starting Unit
There are many types of these units available. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for necessary precautions
and operation.
CAUTION!
It is very important that the starting unit operating
voltage does not exceed 12 Volts D.C. or damage to
battery, starter motor, alternator, or electrical system
may occur.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE
(automatic transmissions) and between 1st and RE-
VERSE (manual transmissions), while applying slight
pressure to the accelerator.
In general, the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine is most effective. Racing the
engine or spinning the wheels, due to the frustration of
370 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

not freeing the vehicle, may lead to transmission over-
heating and failure. Allow the engine to idle with the
transmission selector in NEUTRAL for at least one
minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This will
minimize overheating and reduce the risk of transmis-
sion failure during prolonged efforts to free a stuck
vehicle.
EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with 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.
WARNING!
Chains are not recommended for freeing a stuck
vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury or
death.
WARNING!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps and chains may break, causing
serious injury.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 371
6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Engine Compartment ....................378
▫ 5.9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel ...........378

Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) .........379

Replacement Parts ......................379

Engine Data Plate ......................380

Dealer Service .........................380

Service Information .....................380

Maintenance Procedures ..................383
▫ Engine Oil ..........................383 ▫
Drive Belt ...........................389
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................389
▫ Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .......391
▫ Maintenance Free Batteries ...............394
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............396
▫ Power Steering — Fluid Check ............397
▫ Front Suspension Ball Joints ..............397
▫ Steering Linkage — Inspection ............398
▫ Front Prop Shaft Lubrication .............398
7