2016 Ram 2500 towing

and the rear wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a
suitable steering wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels
in the straight position) with the rear wheels raised and
the front wheels on the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and
the opposite end on a towing dolly.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer
case is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the forward direction, with
ALLwheels on the ground), IF
the transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmis-
sion is in PARK(for automatic transmissions) or in gear
(NOT in NEUTRAL, for manual transmissions). Refer to
“Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information and detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 785

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing, while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity
Your vehicle is required to have an Onboard Diagnostic
system (OBD II) and a connection port to allow access to
information related to the performance of your emissions
controls. Authorized service technicians may need to
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 793

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
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 is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the A/C condenser (if equipped) or the back of the
radiator core.
818 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintenance Chart
Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X XX X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod
ends, and replace if necessary. XXX X X 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 axle fluid. XXX X X X X
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 877

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s) (six-speed auto-
matic only), if using your vehicle
for police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing. X
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s) (six-speed auto-
matic only). X
Inspect the transfer case fluid,
change for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing. XX
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 879

CleaningWheels .............................. .836
Climate Control ...................... .420, 431
Automatic ........................... .431
Cold Weather Operation ....................480
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............418
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .655
Console, Overhead ....................... .215
Contract, Service ......................... .888
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........821
Cooling System .......................... .818
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............820
Coolant Capacity ...................... .864
Coolant Level ...................818, 822, 824
Disposal Of Used Coolant .................822
Drain, Flush, And Refill ...................819
Inspection ........................ .822, 824
Points To Remember .....................824
Pressure Cap ......................... .821Radiator Cap
......................... .821
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......819, 864, 866
Corrosion Protection ...................... .833
Cruise Light ......................... .327, 329
Cupholders ............................ .237
Customer Assistance ...................... .885
Customer Programmable Features .............396
Data Recorder, Event .......................84
Daytime Running Lights ....................173
Dealer Service ........................... .797
Defroster, Rear Window .....................248
Defroster, Windshield ...................120, 424
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................183
Differential, Limited-Slip ....................589
Dipsticks Power Steering ........................ .615
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................782
10
INDEX 899

Garage Door Opener (HomeLink)..........217, 224
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ................686, 794
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .677
Gasoline (Fuel) .......................... .675
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................677
Gear Ranges ........................ .500, 512
Gear Select Lever Override ..................778
General Information ...................... .675
Glass Cleaning .......................... .838
Grocery Bag Retainer ...................... .247
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................690
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................689
Guide, Body Builders ........................6
GVWR ................................ .687
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Stand-
ing Water ............................ .591
Hazard Warning Flasher ....................727 Headlights
............................. .854
Automatic ........................... .171
Cleaning ............................ .838
High Beam ........................... .182
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch .........182
Passing ............................. .182
Switch .............................. .171
Head Restraints ......................... .160
Heated Mirrors ...................... .144, 248
Heater ............................. .421, 426
Heater, Engine Block ...................... .486
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . .182
Hill Descent Control ...................... .632
Hill Descent Control Indicator ................632
Hill Start Assist .......................... .623
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ .697
Hoisting ............................... .770
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ..............217
10
INDEX 903

Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).........311,666
Traction Control ....................... .630
Transfer Case ......................... .526
Turn Signal ..............122, 181, 326, 854, 857
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .300, 326
Limited-Slip Differential .................589, 828
Loading Vehicle ......................... .687
Tires ............................... .643
Locks ..................................38
Automatic Door .........................41
Child Protection .........................42
Door .................................38
Power Door ............................40
Low Tire Pressure System ...................666
Lubrication, Body .........................811
Lug Nuts ........................... .728, 729
Maintenance Free Battery ....................808
Maintenance Procedures ....................797 Maintenance Schedule
..................... .874
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . .307, 795
Manual, Service ......................... .890
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ...................... .829
Lubricant Selection ..................... .870
Memory Seat ........................... .164
Methanol .............................. .677
Mirrors ............................... .130
Electric Powered ....................... .142
Heated .............................. .144
Memory ............................. .164
Outside ............................. .138
Rearview ..................... .130, 131, 138
Trailer Towing ........................ .144
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................666
MOPAR Parts ........................ .796, 889
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .677
906 INDEX