2017 RAM CHASSIS CAB tire pressure

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options and cargo.
The label also specifies maximum capacities of front and
rear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the driver,
all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components in the
system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension
components sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi-
cle’s GVWR. Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label represents
the actual tire size on your vehicle. Replacement tires must
be equal to the load capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo loaded
into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight values are
determined by weighing your vehicle on a commercial
scale before any occupants or cargo are added.402 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)PARK. For four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure the
transfer case is not in NEUTRAL (N). Always block
or  chock  the trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
Towing Requirements — Tires
• Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
• Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting And Operat-
ing” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures
before trailer usage. • Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage before
towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General Information”
in “Starting And Operating” for the proper inspection
procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Informa-
tion” in “Starting And Operating” for proper tire re-
placement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
WARNING!• Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.410 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the
vehicle unstable. It could slip off the jack and hurt
someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough to
remove the tire.
5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. Install
the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped
end of the nuts toward the wheel on single rear wheel
(SRW) models. On dual rear wheel models (DRW) the
lug nuts are a two-piece assembly with a flat face.
Lightly tighten the nuts. To avoid risk of forcing the
vehicle off the jack, do not fully tighten the nuts until the
vehicle has been lowered.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts
using a crisscross pattern. For the proper lug nut torque
specifications refer to “Wheel and Tire Torque Specifi-
cations” in this section. If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by
your authorized dealer or at a service station. WARNING!A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle. Always
stow the jack parts and the extra tire and wheel in the
places provided.
7. Install wheel center cap (if equipped) and remove wheel
blocks. Do not install chrome or aluminum wheel center
caps on the spare wheel. This may result in cap damage.
8. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. If the jack will
not lower by turning the dial (thumbwheel) by hand, it
may be necessary to use the jack drive tube in order to
lower the jack. Stow the replaced tire, jack, and tools as
previously described.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible. 6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 433

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Next, shift back and forth between DRIVE and
REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd gear and
REVERSE (with manual transmission) while gently press-
ing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accelerator
pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking motion,
without spinning the wheels or racing the engine.
CAUTION!Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce the
risk of clutch or transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle. NOTE: Push the  ESC Off  switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in  Partial Off  mode, before
rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the  ESC Off 
switch again to restore  ESC On  mode.
WARNING!Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed. 6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 439

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems can result in civil penalties being assessed against
you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe and
abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool. Service,
including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
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 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 appli-
cable). 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.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks. 7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 471

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Oil Change Required” message is displayed.
Severe Operating Conditions can cause the change oil
message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles (5,600 km)
since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. Gasoline Engines:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed
8,000 miles (13,000 km), twelve months or 350 hours of
engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350 hours of
engine run or idle time is generally only a concern for fleet
customers.
Severe Duty:
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment or is
operated predominately at idle or very low engine RPM’s.
This type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and automatic transmis-
sion, and fill as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights506 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............ .472
Adding Fuel ............................. .400
Additives, Fuel ........................... .399
Adjust
Down ..............................111,112
Forward ............................110,111
Rearward ...........................110,111
Up................................111,112
Adjustable Pedals ......................... .137
Air Bag
Air Bag Operation .........................58
Air Bag Warning Light .....................55
Enhanced Accident Response ............. .64, 444
Event Data Recorder (EDR) ................ .444
If A Deployment Occurs ....................63
Knee Impact Bolsters .......................59
Maintaining Your Air Bag System ..............65
Side Air Bags ............................59
Transporting Pets .........................89
Air Bag Light ....................... .55, 92, 197
Air Bag Maintenance .........................65
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ..... .454
Air Conditioner Maintenance ................. .459
Air Conditioning .......................... .277
Air Conditioning Controls ................... .277 Air Conditioning Filter .................. .291, 460
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips .............. .291
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............. .459, 460
Air Conditioning System .............. .277, 290, 459
Air Pressure, Tires ......................... .377
Alarm, Panic ...............................25
Alarm (Security Alarm) ................... .20, 199
Alarm System (Security Alarm) .................20
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ................7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................. .472
Capacities ............................. .500
Disposal .............................. .474
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................ .353
Appearance Care .......................... .480
Ashtray ................................ .173
Assist, Hill Start .......................... .355
Auto Down Power Windows ...................39
Automatic Door Locks ........................33
Automatic Headlights ...................... .125
Automatic High Beams ..................... .126
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) .......... .290
Automatic Transmission ..................... .478
Adding Fluid .......................... .479
Fluid And Filter Changes .................. .480
Fluid Level Check ....................... .479518 INDEX

Fluid Type ......................... .478, 503
Shifting .............................. .327
Special Additives ........................ .478
Axle Fluid ........................ .476, 477, 503
Axle Lubrication ....................... .476, 477
Back-Up Camera .......................... .156
Battery .............................. .200, 458
Charging System Light ................... .200
Keyless Key Fob Replacement ................26
Belts, Seat .................................92
Body Builders Guide ..........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ................. .466
B-Pillar Location .......................... .371
Brake Assist System ........................ .355
Brake Control System, Electronic ............... .353
Brake Fluid .......................... .475, 503
Brake System ......................... .352, 475
Fluid Check ........................... .475
Master Cylinder ........................ .475
Parking .............................. .350
Warning Light .......................... .198
Brake/Transmission Interlock ................. .327
Bulb Replacement ......................... .495 Bulbs, Light ........................... .94, 494
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................... .498
Camera, Rear ............................ .156
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .......... .500
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .500
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine) ........................... .453
Power Steering ......................... .350
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................ .473
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................ .91, 400
Cargo Light ............................. .131
Car Washes .............................. .481
Center High Mounted Stop Light .............. .497
Center Seat Storage Compartment .............. .178
Certification Label ......................... .401
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .367
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .449
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ................91
Checks, Safety .............................91
Child Restraint .............................66
Child Restraints
Booster Seats ............................71
Child Restraints ..........................66 10 INDEX 519