2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL wheel

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)NOTE:For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:•
http:// www.dodge.com/towing.
•
http:// www.dodge.ca (Canada).
Trailer and Tongue WeightAlways load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to sway severelyside 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. Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
STARTING AND OPERATING 389
5

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.•
When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•
Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to theframe or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
PARK. With four-wheel-drive vehicles, make sure the
transfer case is not in neutral. Always, block or
chock
the trailer wheels.
•
GCWR must not be exceeded.
•
Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
STARTING AND OPERATING 391
5

WARNING!
Attaching a snowplow to this vehicle could adversely
affect performance of the airbag system in an acci-
dent. Do not expect that the airbag will perform as
described earlier in this manualRECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur
if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive ModelsRecreational towing of two-wheel drive models is not
allowed.Towing with the rear wheels on the ground can
result in severe transmission damage.Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these requirements can cause severe
damage to the transmission and/or transfer case.
NOTE: Both the manual shift and electronic shift trans-
fer cases must be shifted into NEUTRAL for recreational
towing. Automatic transmissions must be shifted into the
PARK position for recreational towing. Refer to the
following for the proper transfer case NEUTRAL shifting
procedure for your vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 397
5

•
The ignition key must be ON for a transfer case shift to
take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the key is not ON, the shift will not take
place and no position indicator lights will be on or
flashing.
•
Flashing Neutral position indicator light indicates that
shift requirements have not been met.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
despite the transmission position. The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in
the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•
Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
•
Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case and fluid loss
will damage internal parts.
EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION PLATEThe equipment Identification Plate is located on the hood
inner surface.
The following information about your vehicle is dis-
played on this plate: Model, Wheelbase, Vehicle Identifi-
cation Number, Truck Order Number, and code numbers
with descriptions of all production and special equip-
ment on the truck as shipped from the factory.
NOTE:Always refer to the Equipment Identification
Plate When Ordering Parts.
STARTING AND OPERATING 403
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTSHazard Warning Flasher ............... 406
 Jacking Instructions ................... 407
▫ Jack Location ...................... 407
▫ Removing The Spare Tire ............. 408
▫ Tire Changing Procedure .............. 409
▫ Preparations ....................... 409
▫ Instructions ....................... 410
▫ Hub Caps/Wheel Covers ............. 414
Hoisting ........................... 418
 Jump-Starting Procedures ............... 419
 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................ 421
 Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ..... 422
 Towing A Disabled Vehicle .............. 422
▫ 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles ............... 423
▫ 2–Wheel Drive Vehicles ............... 423
6

Removing The Spare TireRemove the spare tire before attempting to jack the truck.
Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube. Insert
the tube through the access hole between the lower
tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the winch
mechanism tube. Rotate the wheel wrench handle coun-
terclockwise until the spare tire is on the ground with
enough cable slack to allow you to pull it out from under
the vehicle. When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the
end of the cable and pull it through the center of the
wheel.
NOTE:Always stow the spare tire with the valve stem
facing the ground.
It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to
avoid tangling the loose cable.
Removing the Spare Tire
1 — Lower
2 — Raise
408 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 an
authorized service center where it can be raised on
a lift.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•
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.
Preparations1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
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.
2. Set the parking brake.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 409
6

3. Place the shift lever into PARK. On four-wheel drive
vehicles, shift the transfer case to the 4L position.
4. Turn the ignition OFF.
5. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite the jacking
position. For example, if the right front
wheel is being changed, block the left
rear wheel.
NOTE: 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.
•
Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
•
Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
•
Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
(Continued)
410 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES