2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab jump start

Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the
engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.
NOTE:The positive battery post is covered with a
protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain access to the
positive battery post.WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical
contact. You could be seriously injured.
•Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission
into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories.
Positive Battery Post
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 393

3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park
the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this procedure could result in per-
sonal injury or property damage due to battery ex-
plosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.
1. Connect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable to the
positive(+)post of the discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable to the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end(-)of the jumper cable to the
negative(-)post of the booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative(-)jumper
cable to a good engine ground (exposed metal part of the
discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and
the fuel injection system.
394 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative(-)jumper cable from the
engine ground of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. Disconnect the negative end(-)of the jumper cable
from the negative(-)post of the booster battery.8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive(+)post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 395

Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic main-
tenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water. Refer to
“Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
•Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
414 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 396
Hazard Warning Flasher............... 380
Jump Starting....................... 392
Tow Hooks......................... 397
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 407
Engine............................... 405
Air Cleaner......................... 413
Block Heater........................ 281
Break-In Recommendations.............. 78
Compartment Identification............. 405
Coolant (Antifreeze).................. 454
Exhaust Gas Caution................ 79,345
Flooded, Starting..................... 280
Jump Starting....................... 392
Oil ............................410,454
Oil Filler Cap....................... 412
Oil Selection........................ 411
Oil Synthetic........................ 412Temperature Gauge................... 190
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 61
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Event Data Recorder...................... 64
Exhaust Gas Caution................... 79,345
Exhaust System....................... 79,419
Exterior Lighting........................ 148
Exterior Lights.......................... 82
Filters
Air Cleaner......................... 413
Engine Fuel........................ 454
Engine Oil.......................412,454
Engine Oil Disposal................... 412
Flashers
Turn Signal.................... 82,153,190
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 392
Flooded Engine Starting................... 280
Fluid Capacities......................... 453
490 INDEX

Information Center, Vehicle................. 204
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 87
Instrument Cluster....................188,190
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 187
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 439
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 440
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls............. 358
Interior Appearance Care.................. 438
Interior Lights.......................... 151
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 155
Introduction............................. 4
Inverter Outlet (115V)..................... 170
Jack Location........................... 380
Jump Starting.......................... 392
Key-In Reminder......................... 16
Key, Programming........................ 18
Key, Replacement........................ 17Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 16
Keyless Entry System...................... 20
Keys................................. 12
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 153
Lane Change Assist...................... 154
LapBelts .............................. 49
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 40
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)....... 69
Latches................................ 82
Leaks, Fluid............................ 82
LifeofTires ............................ 334
LightBulbs ............................. 82
Lights.............................. 82,147
Airbag.................... 59,60,63,80,201
Alarm ............................ 193
Anti-Lock.......................... 202
Anti-Lock Warning................... 314
10
INDEX 493