2016 Ram 2500 Owner's Manual

Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF the Ground 2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdistance
(6–speed transmission)
• 30 miles (48 km) maxdistance
(8–speed transmission) See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Automatic Transmission in PARK
• Manual Transmission in gear ( NOT
NEUTRAL)
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 783

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” or “Gear
Selector Override” in this section for instructions on
shifting the automatic transmission out of PARK for
towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do
not attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, this vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)
for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8-speed transmission.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km) for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8-speed transmission, tow with the rear
wheels OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised
784 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........790
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L ..........791
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.4L ..........792
 ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II) . . .793
▫ Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity ....................... .793
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............794
 EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .795
 REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................796 
DEALER SERVICE ..................... .797
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........797
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .798
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... .802
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................802
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ...........806
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............808
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............809
▫ Front Driveshaft Lubrication — 2500/3500
(Four-Wheel Drive Models Only) ..........810
7

▫Body Lubrication .....................811
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............812
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................815
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .816
▫ Cooling System ..................... .818
▫ Brake System ....................... .825
▫ Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................. .827
▫ Transfer Case ....................... .829
▫ Automatic Transmission ................829
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... .833
 FUSES ............................. .841
▫ Power Distribution Center ...............842
VEHICLE STORAGE ....................851
 REPLACEMENT BULBS .................852
 BULB REPLACEMENT ..................854
▫ Base Quad / Premium Bi-Halogen: Low Beam
Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp, Front Park
And Turn — If Equipped ...............854
▫ Fog Lamps — If Equipped ..............856
▫ Rear Tail/Stop, Turn Signal And Backup
Lamps ............................ .857
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) With
Cargo Lamp ........................ .858
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lamps — If Equipped . . . .860
▫ Rear Lamp Bar ID Marker (Dual Rear Wheels) —
If Equipped ......................... .862
788 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Side Marker Lamps (Dual Rear Wheels) — If
Equipped .......................... .863
 FLUID CAPACITIES ....................864
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS, AND GENUINE
PARTS ............................. .866▫
Engine ............................ .866
▫ Chassis ........................... .870
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 789

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
5 — Battery6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
8 — Coolant Pressure Cap
9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
790 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE