2007 RAM CHASSIS CAB Owners Manual

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 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 385
6

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.386 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
the main structural members of the vehicle—not to
bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws
applying to vehicles under tow must be observed. 4-Wheel- Drive Vehicles
CAUTION!To avoid damage to the transfer case while towing,
always use one of the following methods.
NOTE: The Transfer Case must be in the neutral posi-
tion, and the transmission must be in Park (Automatic
Transmission), or in gear (Manual Transmission) to tow a
4WD vehicle with one end of the vehicle raised. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 387
6

The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly. 2–Wheel- Drive Vehicles
Provided that transmission is operable, tow on a flatbed
or with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a
dolly.388 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLECONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 6.7L Diesel Engine ....392

Engine Compartment— 5.7L Gas Engine ......393

Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) .........394
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............394

Replacement Parts ......................395

Engine Data Plate ......................395

Dealer Service .........................395

Service Information .....................396

Maintenance Procedures ..................398 ▫ Engine Oil ..........................398
▫ Drive Belts (Gas Engines) ...............406
▫ Drive Belt (Diesel Engines) ..............406
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter (Gas Engines) .....406
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter (Diesel Engines) ....407
▫ Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter (Diesel
Engines) ............................410
▫ Engine Fuel Filter (Gas Engines) ...........413
▫ Spark Plugs (Gas Engines) ...............413
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▫ Catalytic Converter (Gas Engines) .........413
▫ Intervention Regeneration Strategy – EVIC
Message Process Flow (Catalyst Full Message)
(Diesel Engines Only) ..................415
▫ Emission-Related Components (Gas Engines) . . 418
▫ Maintenance Free Battery (Gas Engines) .....418
▫ Maintenance Free Batteries (Diesel Engines) . . . 419
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............420
▫ Power Steering — Fluid Check ............421
▫ Front Suspension Ball Joints ..............422
▫ Steering Linkage — Inspection ............422
▫ Front Prop Shaft Lubrication .............422
▫ Front Axle Universal Drive Joints And Pivot
Bearings ............................423 ▫ Body Lubrication .....................423
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ................424
▫ Windshield Washers ...................424
▫ Exhaust System ......................425
▫ Cooling System .......................426
▫ Fan ...............................432
▫ Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler (Diesel
Engines) ............................432
▫ Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses .......433
▫ Fuel System Connections ................433
▫ Brake System ........................434
▫ Clutch Hydraulic System ................436
▫ Clutch Linkage .......................436390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

▫ Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ..............................436
▫ Transfer Case — If Equipped .............437
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......438
▫ Automatic Transmission (Gas Engine Only) . . . 438
▫ Automatic Transmission (Diesel Engine Only) . 441
▫ Front And Rear Wheel Bearings ...........444
▫ Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty ...........................445
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion ...........................452

Fuses (Integrated Power Module) ...........457
Vehicle Storage ........................461

Replacement Light Bulbs .................461

Bulb Replacement ......................462
▫ Headlight (Halogen)/Front Park And
TurnLights .........................462
▫ Fog Lights ..........................465
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lights — If Equipped ....466

Fluid And Capacities ....................468

Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ........469
▫ Engine .............................469
▫ Chassis ............................471 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 391
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.7L DIESEL ENGINE 392 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE