2013 Ram 1500 engine

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ...........571
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............571
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING 1500 SERIES
TRUCKS ............................ .572
▫ Jack Location ........................ .591
▫ Removal Of Jack And Tools (1500 Series) .....573
▫ Removing The Spare Tire ................593
▫ Preparations ........................ .596
▫ Jack Instructions (1500 Series) .............579
▫ To Stow The Flat Or Spare ...............585 ▫
Reinstalling The Jack And Tools (1500 Series) . .587
▫ Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If Equipped . . . .589
▫ Wheel Nuts ........................ .590
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING 2500 AND
3500 SERIES TRUCKS ...................591
▫ Jack Location ........................ .591
▫ Removal Of Jack And Tools
(2500, 3500 Series) .....................591
▫ Removing The Spare Tire ................593
▫ Preparations ........................ .596
6

▫Jack Instructions (2500, 3500 Series) .........597
▫ To Stow The Flat Or Spare ...............604
▫ Reinstalling The Jack And Tools (2500 And
3500 Series) ......................... .606
▫ Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If Equipped . . . .608
▫ Wheel Nuts ........................ .590
 HOISTING .......................... .612
 JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES ............612
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ..............613
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ................614 
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............616
 EMERGENCY TOW HOOKS — IF EQUIPPED . .618
 SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ................618
▫ Column Shifter — If Equipped ............619
▫ Center Console Shifter — If Equipped .......620
 MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 SPEED
TRANSMISSION (3.6L Engine) .............621
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........622
▫ Two-Wheel Drive Models ................625
▫ Four-Wheel Drive Models ................626
570 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
upper switch bank just below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional 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 the 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
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 571

supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT
(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 HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, 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 1500 SERIES
TRUCKS
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.
(Continued)
572 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!(Continued)
•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.
• 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. NOTE:
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air
suspension system has a feature which allows the auto-
matic leveling to be disabled. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
Jack Location
The jack and jack tools are stored under the front
passenger seat.
Removal Of Jack And Tools (1500 Series)
To access the jack and jack tools you must remove the
plastic access cover, located on the side of the front
passengers seat. To remove the cover, pull the front part
of the cover (closest to the front of the seat) toward you
to release a locking tab. Once the front of the cover is
loose, slide the cover toward the front of the seat until it
is free from the seat frame.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 573

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.
Jack Instructions (1500 Series)
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 flasher.
• 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.
• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
• 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. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 579

WARNING!(Continued)
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.
• 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 and jack tools are stored under the front
passenger seat.
Removal Of Jack And Tools (2500, 3500 Series)
To access the jack and jack tools you must remove the
plastic access cover, located on the side of the front
passengers seat. To remove the cover, pull the front part
of the cover (closest to the front of the seat) toward you to release a locking tab. Once the front of the cover is
loose, slide the cover toward the front of the seat until it
is free from the seat frame.
Remove the jack and tools by turning the wing bolt
counterclockwise, remove the wing bolt and then slide
the assembly out from under the seat.Jack Access Cover
592 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jack Instructions (2500, 3500 Series)
WARNING!
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 flasher.
• 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.
• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• 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 out.
598 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES