Page 278 of 360
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes 276 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 279 of 360

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer up in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to avoid
frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent
shifting does occur while in DRIVE, select TOW/HAUL
mode or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) shift control).
NOTE:Using TOW/HAUL mode or selecting a lower
gear range (using the ERS shift control) while operating
the vehicle under heavy loading conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.When towing a loaded trailer up steep grades at low
speeds (20 mph [32 km/h] or below), holding your
vehicle in first gear (using the ERS shift control) can help
to avoid transmission overheating.
If you regularly tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes of
continuous operation, then change the automatic trans-
mission fluid and filter(s) as specified forpolice, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing.Refer to the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
Page 281 of 360

Air Suspension System
To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle,
the air suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air
Suspension System” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.
NOTE:The vehicle must remain in the engine running
position while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of
the air suspension system.
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID
Your vehicle is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Re-
duction system to meet the very stringent diesel emis-
sions standards required by the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency.
The purpose of the SCR system is to reduce levels of NOx
(oxides of nitrogen emitted from engines) that are harm-
ful to our health and the environment to a near-zero level.
Small quantities of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is injectedinto the exhaust upstream of a catalyst where, when
vaporized, it converts smog-forming nitrogen oxides
(NOx) into harmless nitrogen (N2) and water vapor
(H2O), two natural components of the air we breathe.
You can operate with the comfort that your vehicle is
contributing to a cleaner, healthier world environment
for this and generations to come.
System Overview
This vehicle is equipped with a Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) injection system and a Selective Catalytic Reduc-
tion (SCR) catalyst to meet the emission requirements.
The DEF injection system consists of the following com-
ponents:
•DEF tank
•DEF pump
•DEF injector
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
Page 341 of 360
Mileage or time passed (which-
ever comes first):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Inspect drive belt; replace as nec-
essary.XXXXXX
Inspect wheel bearings. X X X X X
Additional Maintenance
Replace engine fuel filter element. X X X X X X X X X X
Replace chassis mounted fuel
filter element.XXXXXXXX X X
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level. If
using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road or frequent trailer
towing change the axle fluid. *
7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 339
Page 342 of 360
Mileage or time passed (which-
ever comes first):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Inspect the transfer case fluid
(4x4), change for any of the fol-
lowing: police, taxi, fleet, or fre-
quent trailer towing.XXXX X
Change the transfer case fluid
(4x4).XX
Change automatic transmission
fluid (AS69RC transmission only).XXXX X
Change the automatic transmis-
sion fluid and sump filter
(AS69RC transmission only).XX
340 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Page 343 of 360
Mileage or time passed (which-
ever comes first):
7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s) if using your ve-
hicle for any of the following: po-
lice, fleet, or frequent trailer tow-
ing (68RFE transmission only).XX
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s).X
Change the manual transmission
fluid if using your vehicle for any
of the following: police, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing.XX
Replace Crankcase Ventilation
Filter (CCV).XX
7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 341
Page 345 of 360

Inspection and service should also be performed anytime a
malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all receipts.
* Inspect the front and rear axle surfaces every 20,000
miles (32,000 km). If gear oil leakage is suspected, check
the fluid level. If using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing change the axle fluid
every 20,000 miles (32,000 km).
** Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 15,000 miles (24 000 km) or six months or 500
Hours, whichever comes first.
**** Under no circumstances should the air cleaner filter
element exceed 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months,
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
***The manufacturer highly recommends that all
cooling system service, maintenance, and repairs be
performed by your local authorized dealer.
WARNING!
•You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
•Failure to properly inspect and maintain your ve-
hicle could result in a component malfunction and
effect vehicle handling and performance. This
could cause an accident.
7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 343
Page 350 of 360

Tank Capacity..........................121
Fueling.................................92
Gauges
Speedometer...........................23
Tachometer............................18
Voltmeter..............................63
Gross Axle Weight Rating....................75
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating..................74
Hitches
Trailer Towing..........................77
Information Center, Vehicle...................30
Instrument Cluster.........................16
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls...............82
Intervention Regeneration Strategy..............41
Keyless Enter-N-Go........................61Lights
Airbag................................23
Alarm................................24
Anti-Lock.............................18
Brake Warning..........................21
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator)..........18
Fog ..................................26
High Beam............................22
High Beam Indicator......................22
Instrument Cluster.......................18
Seat Belt Reminder.......................22
Security Alarm..........................24
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).............24
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description).......18
Maintenance Procedures....................101
Maintenance Schedule......................128
New Vehicle Break-In Period..................14
348 INDEX - RAM 1500