2012 Ram Cargo Van Owner's Manual

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 513
 If Your Engine Overheats ................ 513
 Jacking And Tire Changing ............... 514
▫ Jack Location ....................... 515
▫ Spare Tire Removal ................... 516
▫ To Access Spare Tire Winch Drive Nut ..... 516
▫ Spare Tire Tools ..................... 518
▫ Spare Tire Removal Instructions .......... 520▫
Preparations For Jacking ............... 522
▫ Jacking Instructions ................... 523
▫ Securing The Spare Tire ................ 528
▫ Road Tire Installation ................. 530
 Jump-Starting Procedure ................ 532
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ............. 533
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ............... 534
6

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................. 536
 Shift Lever Override ................... 537 
Towing A Disabled Vehicle ............... 539
▫ Without The Ignition Key .............. 541
512 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
lower center area of the instrument panel.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 513

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.(Continued)
514 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING! (Continued)
•The jack is designed to be used as a tool for
changing tires only. The jack should not be used to
lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas.
Jack Location
The jack, jack handle and winch handle tools are stowed
behind the rear left side trim panel in the rear cargo area.
Turn the two cover latches to release the cover.Remove the pouch containing the scissors jack, jack
handle, and tools.
Jack And Tool Location6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 515

Spare Tire Removal
The spare tire is stowed inside a protective cover located
under the center of the vehicle between the front doors by
means of a cable winch mechanism. The “spare tire
drive” nut is located on the floor, under a plastic cap at
the front of the floor console or under front super console
forward bin liner.
To Access Spare Tire Winch Drive Nut
To access the spare tire winch drive nut and lower the
spare tire, you will need to refer to one of the following
center console configurations.
Super Console
For vehicles equipped with the Super Console, the spare
tire winch assembly drive nut is located beneath the
console.
Spare Tire Location
516 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

1. Pull the lower drawer out from the rear of the floor
console.2. Open the front drawer to expose the storage compart-
ment.
Super Console
1 — Lower Drawer
2 — Front Drawer
3 — Front Drawer Liner
Lower Drawer6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 517

3. Remove the liner from the console’s storage compart-
ment to access the spare tire winch drive nut.
Premium/Base/Cargo Center Console
Pull the Winch Cover assembly plug (if equipped) to
access the winch drive nut.
Spare Tire Tools
The tool pouch contains three pieces and can be as-
sembled into a spare tire hook; to remove the compact
spare tire/cover assembly from under the vehicle, or a
Winch T-handle; to raise/lower the compact spare tire/
cover assembly.Drive Nut Access
Winch Cover Assembly Plug (If Equipped)
518 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES