2011 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual

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
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws applying to
vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see Brake/
Transmission Interlock Manual Override (under Starting
and Operating, Automatic Transmission) for instructions
on shifting the automatic transmission out of the PARK
position for towing.CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition must be in the ON/RUN or ACC position,
not in the LOCK position.
Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 519

Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL. Speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) and the
distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
15 miles (24 km) with rear wheels on the ground can
cause severe damage to the transmission. Such dam-
age is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15 miles (24 km), tow with the rear wheels
OFFthe
ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a
flatbed, or with the rear wheels raised using a wheel lift
or towing dolly.
Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the 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.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer
case is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the
forward direction, with ALLwheels on the ground), IF
the transfer case is in NEUTRAL and the transmission is
in PARK (for automatic transmissions) or in gear (NOT
in Neutral, for manual transmissions). Refer to “Recre-
ational Towing” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
520 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 towing.
•Failure to follow these towing methods could
result in damage to the transmission and/or trans-
fer case. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 521

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 3.7L ............. 526
 Engine Compartment — 4.7L ............. 527
 Engine Compartment — 5.7L ............. 528
 Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) ....... 529
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 529
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 530
 Replacement Parts ..................... 531
 Dealer Service ........................ 531 
Maintenance Procedures ................. 532
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 533
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 535
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 536
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 536
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 538
▫ Front Driveshaft Lubrication – 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive) Models (Ram Trucks
Only) ............................. 539
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 539
7

▫Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 540
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 540
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 541
▫ Cooling System ..................... 544
▫ Brake System ....................... 550
▫ Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................. 553
▫ Transfer Case ....................... 554
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 554
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 557
 Fuses .............................. 564
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module ......... 564
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 569 
Replacement Bulbs .................... 570
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 571
▫ Dual Or Quad Headlamp/Front Park And
Turn Signal — If Equipped ............. 571
▫ Fog Lamps ......................... 573
▫ Rear Tail/Stop, Turn Signal And Backup
Lamps ............................ 573
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
With Cargo Lamp .................... 575
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lamps — If Equipped . . . 576
▫ Rear Lamp Bar ID Marker
(Dual Rear Wheels) — If Equipped ........ 578
▫ Side Marker Lamps (Dual Rear Wheels) — If
Equipped .......................... 579
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 580
524 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ....... 582
▫ Engine ............................ 582 ▫
Chassis ........................... 583
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 525

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.7L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
2 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped) 8 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3 — Engine Oil Dipstick 9 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Battery 11 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
6 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
526 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE