ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
See Load limits in the Load Carrying
chapter for load specification terms found
on the tire label and Safety Compliance
label and instructions on calculating your
vehicle's load.
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle. You
must distribute the load in your trailer so
that 10-15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Do not attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
frame or hook retainers of your vehicle
hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning tight corners. Do
not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle
may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations. The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 miles (80
kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position
P or position N to
aid engine and transmission cooling
and to help air conditioning
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
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Towing Vehicles Equipped with a
Driver-controlled Differential Lock
Note:
If you have to tow your vehicle to a
service facility with the drive axle wheels on
the ground, it is necessary to remove the
axle shafts before towing your vehicle.
Removing Axle Shafts before Towing
1. Shift the main differential to the unlocked (disengaged) position; the
differential lock light turns off.
2. Remove the cap screws and washers or stud nuts and washers from flanges
of both axle shafts.
3. Loosen the tapered dowels in the flanges of both axle shafts by holding
a 1 ½-inch diameter brass drift or
hammer against the axle shaft center
and hitting it with a five or six pound
hammer.
Note: Do not use a chisel or wedge to
loosen the axle shafts and dowels. Use of
a chisel or wedge can damage the hub, axle
shafts and oil seals.
4. Remove the tapered dowels and both axle shafts from the axle assembly.
5. Assemble a cover over openings of both wheel ends to prevent loss of
lubricant and keep dirt away from the
wheel bearing cavities.
Note: One of the axle shafts has two sets
of splines. One set to engage with the
differential side gear and one set to engage
with the shift collar for the differential lock.
It may be necessary to rotate the shaft
slightly to align the gear spline teeth with
the shift collar teeth in order to remove the
axle shaft.
Installing the Axle Shafts
1. Remove the covers from the wheel ends.
2. Shift the differential lock to the unlocked (disengaged) position. 3. Install the axle shafts as outlined in
Steps 4 through 10.
4. Place the gaskets on the wheel hub studs.
5. Push the right-hand axle shaft and gasket into the wheel end and housing
until the shaft stops against the
differential shift collar.
6. Push down and in on the axle shaft flange and rotate the shaft until the
splines of the shaft and shift collar are
engaged.
7. Push the axle shaft further into the housing until the shaft stops against
the differential side gear.
8. Push down on the axle shaft flange and
rotate the shaft until the splines of the
shaft and side gear engage.
9. Push the axle shaft completely into the
housing until the axle shaft flange and
the gasket are flush against the wheel
hub.
10. Install the left-hand axle shaft and gasket into the wheel end.
11. If tapered dowels are required, install
them at each stud and into the flange
of the axle shaft. Use a punch or drift
and hammer, if needed.
12. Install the fasteners and tighten to correct torque value. See the
Workshop Manual.
FIFTH WHEEL OPERATION WARNINGS
Failure to follow the fifth wheel
manufacturer
’s instructions for
hooking and unhooking as well as
sliding the fifth wheel could result in an
accident, personal injury or death.
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WARNINGS
When the tractor and trailer are
parked unattended, the trailer brake
hand control should never be used
to apply the brake, since air may leak from
the system, allowing vehicle movement,
resulting in possible property damage,
personal injury or death. Before hook-up, make sure:
•
The fifth wheel jaws are fully open.
• The fifth wheel is fully tilted back to
prevent body damage when the tractor
is backed under a trailer.
• You block the trailer wheels and adjust
and apply the trailer spring brakes.
Never chase a trailer.
• The brake hoses and light cords are
clear of the fifth wheel.
Hook-up
1. Back the tractor squarely under the trailer, engaging the fifth-wheel jaws
on the kingpin. Always back up slowly;
make sure the trailer is neither too high
nor too low. Avoid backing under the
trailer from an angle.
2. Connect the service and emergency brake hoses and trailer light connector.
3. Inspect the jaws of the fifth wheel to be sure they have fully closed on the
trailer kingpin and the trailer plate is
resting securely on the fifth wheel.
4. Make sure the coupler release lever is in the locked position.
5. Charge the trailer brake system. Set the trailer brakes, with either the hand
valve or tractor protection valve. Pull
against the trailer for an extra check of
proper hook-up. Do not pull hard
enough to damage or strain the
equipment.
6. Set the tractor parking brakes and fully
raise the trailer landing gear. 7.
Check the operation of all trailer lights
and correct any lights that may be
faulty.
Un-hook
1. Try to keep the tractor and trailer in a straight line.
2. Apply the parking brakes.
3. Lower the trailer landing gear, making sure it is on solid, level ground. The
weight of the trailer is to be on the
landing gear.
4. Block the trailer wheels.
5. Disconnect the brake hoses and light cords. Be sure hoses and cords are
clear.
6. Pull coupler release lever to disengage
the fifth wheel jaws.
7. Release the tractor parking brakes.
8. Pull out from the trailer slowly, allowing
the landing gear to take the load
gradually.
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Parking
WARNING
When parking your vehicle, do not
leave the transmission in gear; if the
key is in the on position and the
vehicle rolls, the engine could start. Failure
to follow these instructions could result in
an unattended vehicle moving, possibly
causing personal injury or property
damage. Always use the parking brake. When
parking on a grade, block the wheels and
turn the front wheels to one side so that if
your vehicle rolls, the front tires act against
the curb to stop your vehicle. The front
wheels are more effective at stopping a
rolling vehicle than the rear wheels.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy is affected by several
things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under, and how you
maintain your vehicle.
You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these things in mind:
•
Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds without
stopping.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling
at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% less
fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105
km/h]).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size. •
Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel
economy:
• Sudden accelerations or hard
accelerations.
• Warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Use the air conditioner or front
defroster.
• Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
• Rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving.
• Carry unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is
lost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] of
weight carried).
• Driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
Conditions
• Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski
racks or luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may
lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 8– 10
miles (12 –16 kilometers) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
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COLD WEATHER
PRECAUTIONS
Note:
Idling in cold weather does not heat
the engine to its normal operating
temperature. Long periods of idling,
especially in cold weather, can cause a
buildup of deposits which can cause engine
damage.
Changing to a lighter grade engine oil also
makes starting easier under these
conditions. Refer to Engine oil
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 256).
Diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally for cold
temperatures. Diesel fuel which has not
been properly formulated for the ambient
conditions may gel which can clog the fuel
filters. One indication that the fuel filter(s)
may be clogged is if the engine starts, stalls
after a short time, and then does not
restart. If you have been using biodiesel,
you may need to use a fuel with lower
biodiesel content, try another brand, or
discontinue using biodiesel. Do not use
alcohol based additives to correct fuel
gelling. This may result in damage to the
fuel injectors and system. Use the proper
anti-gel and performance improvement
product. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 256).
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel and
water separator that recirculates fuel from
the engine to help prevent fuel filter
clogging. To avoid engine fuel starvation
during cold weather operation of
32°F
(0°C) or below, we recommended that
the fuel level in your tank should not drop
below 1⁄4 full. This helps prevent air from
entering the fuel system and stalling the
engine. Your vehicle is equipped with a selective
catalyst reduction system that uses Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to operate properly.
You need to replenish your vehicle
’s DEF
at certain intervals. When filling your
vehicle ’s DEF tank in cold weather, you
must take special care to prevent damage
to the tank. See
Selective Catalytic
Reduction System (page 95).
In cold weather below
32°F (0°C), the
engine may slowly increase to a higher idle
speed if left idling in park (P) or neutral
(N).
If you operate your vehicle in a heavy
snowstorm or blowing snow conditions,
snow and ice can clog the engine air
induction. If this occurs, the engine may
experience a significant reduction in power
output. At the earliest opportunity, clear
all the snow or ice away from inside the air
filter assembly. Remove the air cleaner
cover and the pleated paper filter, leaving
the foam filter in and remove any snow or
ice. Make sure you install the foam filter
correctly in place. Remove any debris,
snow or ice on the foam filter by brushing
the surface with soft brush. Once you have
cleared all of the debris, reinstall the air
filter and assembly.
Do not use water, solvents, or a hard brush
for cleaning the foam filter. WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle damage
and/or personal burn injuries do not
start your engine with the air filter
removed and do not remove it while the
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Operation in Snow and Rain
Vehicle operation in heavy snowfall or
extreme rain conditions may feed
excessive amounts of snow or water into
the air intake system. This could plug the
air filter with snow and may cause the
engine to lose power and possibly shut
down.
We recommend the following actions after
operating your vehicle up to 199 mi
(320 km) in snowfall or extreme rain:
• Snow: At the earliest opportunity, open
the hood and clear all the snow and ice
from the air filter housing inlet (do not
remove the foam filter) and reset the
air filter restriction gauge.
Note: Removal of the foam filter degrades
your vehicle performance during snow and
hot weather conditions.
• Extreme rain: The air filter dries after
about 15– 30 minutes at highway
speeds. At the earliest opportunity,
open the hood and reset the air filter
restriction gauge.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deep
water as you may lose control of your
vehicle.
Note:
Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the wheel
hubs. When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
•
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
Operation in Standing Water
Ingestion of water into the diesel engine
can result in immediate and severe
damage to the engine. If driving through
water, slow down to avoid splashing water
into the intake. If the engine stalls, and you
suspect ingestion of water into the engine,
do not try to restart the engine. Consult
your dealer for service immediately.
Your fuel tank vents to the atmosphere by
valves on top of the tank and through the
fuel cap. If water reaches the top of the
tank, the valves may pull water into the
fuel tank. Water in the fuel can cause
performance issues and damage the fuel
injection system.
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Note:
When you try to restart your vehicle
after a fuel shutoff, your vehicle makes sure
that various systems are safe to restart.
Once your vehicle determines that the
systems are safe, then your vehicle will
allow you to restart.
In the event of a moderate to severe
collision, your vehicle is equipped with a
fuel pump shut-off feature that stops the
flow of fuel to the engine. Not every impact
will cause a shutoff.
After an accident, if the engine cranks but
does not start, this switch may have been
activated. This switch is located on the passenger
’s
side of the instrument panel. Open the
front passenger door and remove the small
access panel. The switch has a red button on top of it. To reset the switch:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no leaks are apparent, reset the
switch by pushing in on the reset
button.
4. Turn the ignition on.
5. Wait a few seconds and return the key
to off.
6. Make another check for leaks.
Running Out Of DEF (Diesel
Exhaust Fluid)
If your vehicle runs out of DEF, it will enter
into a speed limited mode and can also
enter into an idle-only mode. Normal
vehicle operation will not resume until DEF
is refilled. See Selective Catalytic
Reduction System (page 95).
Contact roadside assistance for help in
finding a retailer that sells DEF. See
Customer Assistance
(page 156).
JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE WARNINGS
Batteries normally produce explosive
gases which can cause personal
injury. Therefore, do not allow
flames, sparks or lighted substances to
come near the battery. When working near
the battery, always shield your face and
protect your eyes. Always provide correct
ventilation.
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Engine compartment (with engine off)
Inspect for glazing, fraying or cracking. There should be no
more than 5-7 cracks per rib, per 1 in (2.5 cm)
Belts (fan, alternator,
water pump and air
conditioning
compressor)
Inspect for signs of fluid puddles or dripping fluid on the
ground under the engine, or the underside of the engine.
Fluid leaks
Inspect for debris that may have collected on the HVAC air
inlet grille or inside the exterior module as this may reduce
system performance.
HVAC air inlet Engine starting (with parking brake applied)
Before entering the cab, verify that the vehicle is equipped
with spare electrical fuses (if used), three red reflective
triangles, a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher and
wheel chocks.
Safety and emergency
equipment
Walk around the vehicle and verify all steps and grab handles,
inside and out (as well as behind), are tight and clean. Use
extreme caution and a three-point stance at all times.
Inspect door latches for proper closing, latching and locking.
Set the parking brake. Make sure the gearshift lever is in
neutral (N) or park (P) (if equipped with a park position).
Starting the engine
Diesel engine:
Turn the key to the on position. Turn the key
to start when the wait to start indicator light in the instrument
cluster turns off.
Gasoline engine:
Turn the key to start, and then release it
as soon as the engine starts.
Verify pressure builds to normal operating range.
Engine oil pressure
A tone indicating low air pressure should sound immediately
after the engine starts but before the compressor has built-
up pressure. The tone should stop when the air pressure
reaches
70 psi (483 kPa). Let the air pressure build to
governed cutout pressure, which should occur between
115– 130 psi (793–896 kPa)
.
Low air pressure warning
tone (if equipped with an
air compressor)
Press the accelerator and verify that it operates smoothly,
without any binding or irregular feel. Release the pedal and
verify the engine returns to idle speed immediately.
Accelerator
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