2013 Ram 1500 spare wheel

NOTE:
Aero Mode may be disabled through vehicle settings in the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) or in the Uconnect
®8.4 Radio (If Equipped).
•
Entry/Exit Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately 2 in (51 mm)- This position lowers
the vehicle for easier passenger entry and exit as well as lowering the rear of the
vehicle for easier loading and unloading of cargo. To enter Entry/Exit Mode, press
the “Down” button once from the NHR while the vehicle speed is below 33 mph
(53 km/h). Once the vehicle speed goes below 15 mph (24 km/h) the vehicle
height will begin to lower. If the vehicle speed remains between 15 mph (24 km/h)
and 25 mph (40 km/h) for greater than 60 seconds, or the vehicle speed exceeds
25 mph (40 km/h) the Entry/Exit change will be cancelled. To return to Normal
Height Mode, press the “Up” button once while in Entry/Exit or drive the vehicle
over 15 mph (24 km/h). Entry/Exit mode may not be available due to vehicle
payload, an EVIC message will be displayed when this occurs. Refer to "Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)" in "Understanding Your Instrument Panel" for
further information.
• Refer to your Owner’s Manual on the DVD for further details.
Air Suspension Modes
• The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect the system in unique situations:
Tire Jack Mode
•
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension system has a feature which
allows the automatic leveling to be disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Transport Mode
• To assist with flat bed towing, the air suspension system has a feature which will put the vehicle into Entry/Exit height and disable the automatic load leveling
system. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Wheel Alignment Mode
•
Before performing a wheel alignment this mode must be enabled. Refer to “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
33

2500/3500 Series Trucks
• Remove the jack and tool bracket assembly by removing the wing bolt and slidingthe jack and tool bracket assembly from under the seat.
Removing The Spare Tire
• Remove the spare tire before attempting to jack up the truck. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube. Insert the tube through the access hole between
the lower tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the winch mechanism tube.
Rotate the wheel wrench handle counterclockwise until the spare tire is on the
ground with enough cable slack to allow you to pull it out from under the vehicle.
When the spare is clear, tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through
the center of the wheel.
NOTE:
Always stow the spare tire with the valve stem facing the ground.
1. Wheel Wrench
2. Spare Tire
• It is recommended that you stow the flat or spare to avoid tangling the loose
cable.
NOTE:
The winch mechanism is designed for
use with the jack extension tube only.
Use of an air wrench or other power tools
is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
136

Preparations
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever into PARK. On four-wheel drive vehicles, shift the transfercase to the 4L position.
5. Turn the ignition OFF.
• Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonally opposite the jacking position. For example, if the right front wheel is being changed, block the left rear wheel.
NOTE:
Passengers should not remain in the
vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Instructions
1. Remove the spare wheel, jack, and tools from storage.
2.
Using the wheel wrench, loosen, but
do not remove, the wheel nuts by turn-
ing them counterclockwise one turn
while the wheel is still on the ground.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
137

•For 2500/3500 4x4 series trucks, when changing the front wheel, assemble the
jack drive tube to the jack and connect the drive tube to the extension tube. Place
the jack under the axle as close to the tire as possible with the drive tubes
extending to the front. Connect the jack tube extension and wheel wrench.
• For 4x2 and 4x4 trucks, when changing
a rear wheel, assemble the jack drive
tube to the jack and connect the drive
tube to the extension tube. Place the
jack under the axle between the spring
and the shock absorber with the drive
tubes extending to the rear.
• Connect the jack tube extension and wheel wrench.
NOTE:
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.
• By rotating the wheel wrench clock- wise, raise the vehicle until the wheel
just clears the surface.
• Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. On single rear-wheel (SRW)
trucks, install the spare wheel and
wheel nuts with the cone shaped end
of the wheel nuts toward the wheel. On
3500 dual rear-wheel models (DRW)
the wheel nuts are a two-piece assem-
bly with a flat face. Lightly tighten the
wheel nuts. To avoid the risk of forcing
the vehicle off the jack, do not fully
tighten the wheel nuts until the vehicle
has been lowered.
• Using the lug wrench, finish tightening the wheel nuts using a crisscross pattern. The correct wheel nut tightness is 130 ft lbs (175 N·m) torque (1500 Series),
135 ft lbs (183 N·m) torque for 2500/3500 single-rear wheel (SRW) models, and
140 ft lbs (190 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.
• Install the wheel center cap and remove the wheel blocks. Do not install chrome or aluminum wheel center caps on the spare wheel. This may result in cap damage.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
141

8-Stud — Dual Rear Wheels
• Dual wheels are flat-mounted and center-piloted. The lug nuts are a two-pieceassembly. When the tires are being rotated or replaced, clean these lug nuts and
add two drops of oil at the interface between the hex and the washer.
• Slots in the wheels will assist in prop- erly orienting the inner and outer
wheels. Align these slots when assem-
bling the wheels for best access to the
tire valve on the inner wheel. The tires
of both dual wheels must be com-
pletely off the ground when tightening,
to ensure wheel centering and maxi-
mum wheel clamping.
• Dual wheel models require a special heavy-duty lug nut tightening adapter
(included with the vehicle) to correctly
tighten the lug nuts. Also, when it is necessary to remove and install dual rear
wheels, use a proper vehicle lifting device.
NOTE:
When installing a spare tire as part of a dual rear wheel end combination, the tire
diameter of the two individual tires must be compared. If there is a significant
difference, the larger tire should be installed in a front location. The correct direction
of rotation for dual tire installations must also be observed.
These dual rear wheels should be tightened as follows:
1.
Tighten the wheel nuts in the numbered
sequence to a snug fit.
2.Retighten the wheel nuts in the same
sequence to the torques listed in the
table. Go through the sequence a sec-
ond time to verify that specific torque
has been achieved. Retighten to speci-
fications 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
145

To Stow The Flat Or Spare
NOTE:
RAM 1500 vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels cannot be stored under the vehicle
because the wheel retainer will not fit through the wheel pilot hole. Secure the flat tire
in the bed of the truck. Have the flat tire repaired or replaced immediately.
• Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide the wheel retainer through thecenter 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.
CAUTION!
• Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on locations other than those indicated in the Jacking Instructions for this vehicle.
• 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.
• Use a back and forth motion to remove the hub cap. Do not use a twisting
motion when removing the hub cap, damage to the hub cap; finish may occur.
• The rear hub caps on the dual rear wheel has two pry off notches. Make sure that the hook of the jack handle driver is located squarely in the cap notch
before attempting to pull off.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
146

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.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need to get under
a raised vehicle, take it to an authorized dealer where it can be raised on a lift.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jackshould 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.
• 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.
• Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or
damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway as
possible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmission in PARK; a
manual transmission in REVERSE.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• 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.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable. It
could slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not fully tighten the
wheel bolts until the vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning
may result in personal injury.
• To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel covers with care to avoid
contact with any sharp edges.
•
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the
places provided.
•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 immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
147

TIRE PRESSURES
• Check the inflation pressure of each tire, including the spare tire, at least monthlyand inflate to the recommended pressure for your vehicle.
•
The tire pressures recommended for your vehicle are found on the “Tire and Loading
Information” label located on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE:
Refer to the Owner's Manual on the DVD
for more information regarding tire warn-
ings and instructions.
WARNING!
•Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect
vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the recom-
mended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause collisions. Under-inflation
is the leading cause of tire failure and may result in severe cracking, component
separation, or “blow out”. Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock.
Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause damage that results in tire failure.
Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You could lose control of
your vehicle. Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
WHEEL AND WHEEL TRIM CARE
•All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and chrome plated wheels, should
be cleaned regularly with a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion.
• To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use MOPAR®Wheel Cleaner or
equivalent or select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do not use
oven cleaner. These products may damage the wheel's protective finish. Avoid
automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may damage
the wheel's protective finish. Only MOPAR
®Wheel Cleaner or equivalent is
recommended.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
182