2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL tow

WARNING! (Continued)
•
Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•
Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
•
If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•
To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
•
Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
1. Remove the spare wheel, jack, and tools from storage. 2. Using the wheel wrench, loosen, but do not remove,
the wheel nuts by turning them counterclockwise one
turn while the wheel is still on the ground.
3. Placement of the Jack:
•
For 2500/3500 4x2 series trucks, when changing a
front wheel, place the bottle jack under the frame
rail behind the wheel. Locate the jack as far forward
as possible on the straight part of the frame.
Jack Warning Label
4x2 Jacking Location
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 411
6

•
Connect the jack tube extension and wheel wrench.
Before raising the wheel off the ground, make sure
that the jack will not damage surrounding truck
parts and adjust the jack position as required.NOTE:
If the 2500/3500 bottle jack will not lower by
turning the dial (thumbwheel) by hand, it may be neces-
sary to use the jack drive tube in order to lower the jack.
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
Rear Jacking Location (All)
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 413
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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. The correct nut tightness is
135 ft lbs (183 N·m) torque for 2500/3500 single-rear
wheel (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 authorized 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. Al-
ways 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 bottle
jack will not lower by turning the dial (thumbwheel) by
hand, 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/Wheel CoversThe 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 hub cap off.
414 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

circle, tightening the nut opposite to the nut just previ-
ously tightened until final torque is achieved. Recom-
mended 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 9/16-18 130-160 190-220To Stow The Flat Or Spare
WARNING!
A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have
the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately. 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.
Attach the wheel wrench to the extension tube. Rotate the
winch mechanism until the wheel is drawn into place
against the underside of the vehicle. Continue to rotate
until you feel the winch mechanism slip, or click three or
four times. It cannot be overtightened. Push against the
tire several times to be sure it is firmly in place.
HOISTINGA conventional floor jack may be used at the jacking
locations. Refer to the graphics that show jacking loca-
tions. However, a floor jack or frame hoist must never be
used on any other parts or the underbody.
418 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Never use a floor jack directly under the differential
housing of a loaded truck or damage to your vehicle
may result.JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURESDo not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion cannot be started this way. Also, there is a greater
risk of an accident when a vehicle is being pushed or
towed. If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type of start
can be dangerous if done improperly, so follow this
procedure carefully.
WARNING!
•
Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Don’t lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush contami-
nated area immediately with large quantities of
water.
•
A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes.
•
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.
1. Remove all metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets which might make an unintended electrical
contact.
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2. Park the booster vehicle within cable reach but with-
out letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles, place the automatic transmission in PARK
and turn the ignition OFF.
3. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the same cable to the positive terminal of the discharged
battery.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.5. Connect the other cable; first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery, and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
•
You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•
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.
420 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPEDYour 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.
•
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow
hooks. Tow straps and chains may break, causing
serious injury.
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 VEHICLEProper 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.
422 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

4-Wheel Drive Vehicles
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the transfer case while towing,
always use one of the following methods.•
The transfer case must be in the neutral position, and
the transmission must be in PARK to tow a 4-Wheel
Drive vehicle with one end of the vehicle raised.
•
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
2–Wheel Drive VehiclesProvided that the transmission is operable, tow with the
transmission in NEUTRAL and the ignition key in the
OFF position along with the front wheels raised and the
rear wheels on the ground. Speed must not exceed
30 mph (50 km/h) and distance must not exceed 15 miles
(25 km).
If the vehicle is to be towed faster than 30 mph (50 km/h)
or more than 15 miles (25 km) the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground. It may also be towed on a flatbed or with the
front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a dolly.
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (50 km/h) or for more than
15 miles (25 km) can cause severe damage to the
transmission.
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