2009 RAM CHASSIS CAB wheel size

at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference will adversely affect shifting and can
cause damage to the transfer case.
NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the front and
rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift to take
place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
Because 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit. NOTE:
Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low or uneven tire
pressures, excessive vehicle loading, or cold tempera-
tures.
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
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 231
5

Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
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
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2WD
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4WD AUTO
Automatic 4–wheel drive sends power to the rear wheels.
4–wheel drive will be automatically engaged when the
vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional traction for
varying road conditions.
4WD LOCK
4-Wheel Drive Lock Range - Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

4WD LOCK positions at a given road speed. Take care
not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the
transfer case.
Because 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.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
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2WD
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry, hard surfaced roads.
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5

Information placard for the size designation of your tire.
The service description and load identification will be
found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend
that you contact your original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.(Continued)
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5

•On 4X2 vehicles, class “U” snow chains are permitted
on the rear wheels only of vehicles equipped with
LT245/70R17, LT265/70R17, and LT235/80R17 size
tires.
•On 4X4 Single Rear Wheel (SRW) vehicles, class “U”
snow chains are permitted on the rear wheels only on
vehicles equipped with LT265/70R17.
CAUTION!
Do not use tire chains on the 4X2 front wheels of
SRW (Single Rear Wheels) equipped with LT245/
70R17, LT265/70R17 tires or 4X4 front tires of vehicles
equipped with LT265/70R17tires. There may not be
adequate clearance for the chains and you are risking
structural or body damage to your vehicle.
SNOW TIRES
Snow tires should be of the same size and type construc-
tion as the front tires. Consult the manufacturer of the
snow tire to determine any maximum vehicle speed
requirement associated with the tire. These tires should
always be operated at the vehicle maximum capacity
inflation pressures under any load condition.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid
and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states pro-
hibit studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

second time to verify that specific torque has been
achieved. Retighten to specifications at 100 miles
(160 km) and after 500 miles (800 km).
It is recommended that wheel stud nuts be kept torqued
to specifications at all times. Torque wheel stud nuts to
specifications at each lubrication interval.
Wheel Nut Torque
All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally to elimi-
nate the possibility of wheel studs being sheared or thebolt holes in the wheels becoming elongated. This is
especially important during the first few hundred miles/
kilometers of operation to allow the wheel nuts to
become properly set. All nuts should first be firmly
seated against the wheel. The nuts should then be
tightened to recommended torque. Tighten the nuts to
final torque in increments. Progress around the bolt
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 Wheels Type Nut
Stud SizeTorque Ft Lbs Torque Newton
Meters
Cone9/16-18120-150160-200
Flanged 9/16-18130-160190-220
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 325
6

Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............64,67
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 130
Tip Start .............................. 222
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......262,276
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 261
Tire Markings .......................... 258
Tire Safety Information .................... 258
Tires ............................ 75,266,406
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 274
Air Pressure .......................... 266
Chains .............................. 276
Dual ............................ 280,322
General Information .................... 266
High Speed .......................... 271
Inflation Pressures ..................... 267
Life of Tires .......................... 274
Load Capacity ........................ 262
Quality Grading ....................... 406
Radial .............................. 272 Replacement
......................... 274
Rotation ............................ 279
Safety ........................... 258,266
Sizes ............................... 259
Snow Tires ........................... 278
Spinning ............................ 273
Steel Carcass Ply ...................... 269
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 273
Wheel Nut Torque ..................... 320
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 294
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 229
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 330
Towing ............................... 289
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 100
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 331
Guide .............................. 293
Recreational .......................... 304
Weight .............................. 293
Towing Assistance ....................... 100
INDEX 423
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