2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL weight

Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:•
The tongue weight of the trailer.
•
The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•
The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE: Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard in the “Tire Safety Information” section of this
manual.
Towing RequirementsTo promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•
Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(805 km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may dam-
age your vehicle.
•
During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.

Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires–General Information” for proper tire inflation
procedures.

Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.

Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires–General Infor-
mation” for the proper inspection procedure.

When replacing tires, refer to “Tires–General Informa-
tion” for proper tire replacement procedures. Replac-
ing tires with a higher load carrying capacity will not
increase the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.

An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.

Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:For 2500/3500 trucks with a 5.7L engine oper-
ating under a gross combined weight rating of 14,000 lbs
(6 350 kg) or greater, SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recom-
mended for all operating temperatures.
Lubricants, which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber, should not be used.Synthetic Engine OilsYou may use synthetic engine oils if the recommended oil
quality requirements are met, and the recommended
maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed.Materials Added to Engine OilDo not add any supplemental materials, other than leak
detection dyes, to the engine oil. Engine oil is an engi-
neered product and its performance may be impaired by
supplemental additives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil and Oil FiltersCare should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service
station, or governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in
your area.Engine Oil FilterThe engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.Engine Oil Filter SelectionThe manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type oil
filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The quality
of replacement filters varies considerably. Only high-
quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MOPAR engine oil filters are a high-quality oil
filter and are recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 433
7

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
2500/3500 Shortbed Models 34 Gallons129 Liters
2500/3500 Longbed Models 35 Gallons132 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
5.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified). For trucks oper-
ating under a gross combined weight rating lessthan
14,000 lbs (6 350 kg). 7 Quarts
6.6 Liters
5.7L Engine (SAE 5W-30, API Certified). For 2500/3500
trucks operating under a gross combined weight rating
greater than 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg). 7 Quarts
6.6 Liters
Cooling System
5.7L Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
100,000 Mile Formula) 18.7 Quarts
17.7 Liters
478 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
EngineComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology)
Engine Oil — 5.7L Engine (For
trucks operating under a gross com-
bined weight rating lessthan
14,000 lbs/(6,350 kg.) Use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil — 5.7L Engine (For
2500/3500 trucks operating under a
gross combined weight rating
greater than 14,000 lbs/(6,350 kg.) Use API Certified SAE 5W-30 Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for
correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil Filter MOPAREngine Oil Filter (P/N 04884899AB) or equivalent
Spark Plugs (5.7L Engine) LZFR5C–11 (Gap 0.043 in [1.09 mm])
Fuel Selection (5.7L Engine) 87 Octane Acceptable - 89 Octane Recommended
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 479
7

Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 479
Fog Lights ....................... 135,193,468
Fold Flat Load Floor ..................... 174
Four Wheel Drive ....................... 260
Four-Way Hazard Flasher .................. 406
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 421
Front Axle (Differential) ................... 448
Fuel ................................. 375
Adding ............................. 379
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 381
Gauge .............................. 200
Octane Rating ...................... 375,479
Requirements ...................... 375,478
Tank Capacity ........................ 478
Fuses ................................ 458
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 153
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............381,428
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 375 Gasoline, Reformulated
................... 375
Gauges ............................... 188
Coolant Temperature ................... 190
Fuel ............................... 200
Oil Pressure .......................... 190
Speedometer ......................... 189
Tachometer .......................... 189
Voltmeter ............................ 188
Gear Ranges ........................... 255
General Information ................. 18,114,374
Glass Cleaning .......................... 456
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 172
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 384
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 384
Guide, Body Builders ...................... 6
GVWR ............................... 381
Hands-Free Phone (uconnect) ............... 86
INDEX 515
10

Life of Tires.......................... 359
Load Capacity ..................... 350,351
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 366
Pressure Warning Light .................. 197
Quality Grading ....................... 506
Radial .............................. 357
Replacement ......................... 359
Rotation ............................ 363
Safety ........................... 346,354
Sizes ............................... 347
Snow Tires ........................... 363
Spare Tire ........................... 408
Spinning ............................ 357
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 358
Wheel Mounting ...................... 409
Wheel Nut Torque ..................... 414
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 389
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 259
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 422 Towing
............................... 383
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 101
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 422
Guide .............................. 389
Recreational .......................... 397
Weight .............................. 389
Towing Assistance ....................... 101
Traction .............................. 304
Traction Control ......................... 334
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................. 345
Trailer Towing .......................... 383
Cooling System Tips .................... 396
Hitches ............................. 388
Minimum Requirements ................. 390
Mirrors .............................. 85
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 389
Wiring .............................. 393
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 389
Trailer Weight .......................... 389
INDEX 525
10