2018 Ram 1500 User Guide

Follow these steps to activate the Manual
Park Release:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool,remove the Manual Park Release access
cover, which is just above the parking
brake release handle, below and to the left
of the steering column.
3. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal. 4. Using the screwdriver or similar tool, push
the Manual Park Release lever locking tab
(just below the middle of the lever) to the
right.
5. While holding the locking tab in the disengaged position, pull the tether strap
to rotate the lever rearward, until it locks
in place pointing towards the driver's seat.
Release the locking tab and verify that the
Manual Park Release lever is locked in the
released position. 6. The vehicle is now out of PARK and can be
towed. Release the parking brake only
when the vehicle is securely connected to
a tow vehicle.
To Reset The Manual Park Release:
1. Push the locking tab to the right, to unlock the lever.
Manual Park Release Access Cover
Manual Park Release Lever Locking Tab
Manual Park Release Tether
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2. Rotate the Manual Park Release leverforward to its original position, until the
locking tab snaps into place to secure the
lever.
3. Pull gently on the tether strap to confirm that the lever is locked in its stowed
position.
4. Re-install the access cover.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand,
or snow, it can often be moved using a rock-
ing motion. Turn the steering wheel right and
left to clear the area around the front wheels.
Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission)
or SECOND GEAR and REVERSE (with
manual transmission), while gently pressing
the accelerator. Use the least amount of ac-
celerator pedal pressure that will maintain
the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine. NOTE:
For trucks equipped with 8-speed automatic
transmission: Shifts between DRIVE and RE-
VERSE can only be achieved at wheel speeds
of 5 mph (8 km/h) or less. Whenever the
transmission remains in NEUTRAL for more
than two seconds, you must press the brake
pedal to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
NOTE:
Push the "ESC Off" switch, to place the Elec-
tronic Stability Control (ESC) system in "Par-
tial Off" mode, before rocking the vehicle.
Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in
“Safety” in the Owner’s Manual for further
information. 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
WARNING!
are stuck and do not let anyone near a
spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the
wheels may lead to transmission over-
heating and failure. Allow the engine to
idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
for at least one minute after every five
rocking-motion cycles. This will mini-
mize overheating and reduce the risk of
clutch or transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shift- ing between DRIVE/2nd gear and RE-
VERSE, do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission
overheating and failure. It can also dam-
age the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear
(no transmission shifting occurring).
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing
a disabled vehicle using a commercial towing
service. If the transmission and drivetrain are
operable, disabled vehicles may also be
towed as described under “Recreational Tow-
ing” in the “Starting And Operating” section.NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with air suspension must
be placed in Transport mode, before tying
them down (from the body) on a trailer or
flatbed truck. Refer to "Air Suspension" in
"Starting And Operating" for more informa-
tion. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Trans-
port mode (for example, engine will not run),
tie-downs must be fastened to the axles (not
to the body). Failure to follow these instruc-
tions may cause fault codes to be set and/or
cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The Ground
2WD Models4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
• Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdistance •
Auto Transmission in PARK
• Manual Transmission in gear
(NOT NEUTRAL)
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL
• Tow in FORWARDdirection
Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK
NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL
BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
CAUTION!
• Do not use sling type equipment when
towing. Vehicle damage may occur.
CAUTION!
•When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear sus-
CAUTION!
pension components. Damage to your ve-
hicle may result from improper towing.
225

Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your
vehicle with all four wheelsOFFthe ground
using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the
transmission is operable, the vehicle may be
towed (with rear wheels on the ground) under
the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL. Refer to "Manual Park Release" in this sec-
tion for instructions on shifting the
8–speed transmission to NEUTRAL when
the engine is OFF.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km) for 6–speed transmis-
sion, 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 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 requirements can cause severe en-
gine and/or transmission damage. Damage
from improper towing is not covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with
all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable meth-
ods 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 ALL
wheels on the ground), IFthe transfer case is
in NEUTRAL and the transmission is in PARK (for automatic transmissions) or in gear (NOT
in NEUTRAL, for manual transmissions). Re-
fer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And
Operating” for further information and de-
tailed instructions.
CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used
(if the remaining wheels are on the
ground). Internal damage to the trans-
mission or transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission and/or transfer case dam-
age. Damage from improper towing is
not covered under the New Vehicle Lim-
ited Warranty.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
226

Emergency Tow Hooks — If
Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with emer-
gency tow hooks.
NOTE:
For off-road recovery, it is recommended to
use both of the front tow hooks to minimize
the risk of damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuckvehicle. Chains may break, causing seri-
ous injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling
with tow hooks. Tow straps may become
disengaged, causing serious injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to
rescue a vehicle stranded off road. Do not
use tow hooks for tow truck hookup or
highway towing. You could damage your
vehicle.
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE
SYSTEM (EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced
Accident Response System.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Sys-
tems” in “Safety” for further information on
the Enhanced Accident Response System
(EARS) function.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR
is to record data that will assist in under-
standing how a vehicle’s systems performed
under certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hit-
ting a road obstacle.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Sys-
tems” in “Safety” for further information on
the Event Data Recorder (EDR).
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228

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING —
GASOLINE ENGINE.............230
Maintenance Plan — Gasoline Engine. .231
Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle ......234
SCHEDULED SERVICING —
1500 3.0L DIESEL ENGINE........234
Maintenance Plan — Diesel Fuel Up To
B5 Biodiesel (1500 Diesel) ........235
Additional Maintenance — B6 To
B20 Biodiesel (1500 Diesel) .......237
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE —
6.7L CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE .....237
Oil Change Indicator System —
Cummins Diesel...............238
Perform Service Indicator —
Cummins Diesel ..............239
Maintenance Plan — Cummins Diesel
Engine .....................239
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .........243
3.6L Engine.................243
5.7L Engine .................244
6.4L Engine .................245
3.0L Diesel Engine .............246
6.7L Diesel Engine — Six-Speed 68RFE
(2500/3500 Models) ............247
6.7L Diesel Engine — Six-Speed AS69RC
HD (3500/Chassis Cab Models) .....248
DEALER SERVICE — 3.0L DIESEL . . . .249
Engine Air Cleaner Filter.........249
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter . .249
Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter
Replacement .................250
Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of
Fuel ......................251
DEALER SERVICE — 6.7L DIESEL
ENGINE ................... .252
Engine Air Cleaner Filter.........252Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter . .253
Engine Mounted Fuel Filter
Replacement
.................254
Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter
Replacement .................255
Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of
Fuel ......................256
HOISTING ................. .257
TIRES .................... .257
Tire Safety Information..........257
Tires — General Information .......264
Tire Types ...................268
Spare Tires — If Equipped .........269
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care .......271
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES . . . .272
Treadwear...................272
Traction Grades ...............273
Temperature Grades .............273
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
229

SCHEDULED SERVICING — GASOLINE
ENGINE
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 fre-
quent 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 Op-
erating 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 pos-
sible, 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 un-
der “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel”.
1500 Models Only
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 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.
2500 – 3500 Models Only
NOTE:
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 All Models
NOTE:
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles
(6,500 km) or 350 hours of engine run time
if the vehicle is operated in a dusty and off
road environment or is operated predomi-
nantly at idle, or only 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 tire pressure and look for unusual
wear or damage. Rotate tires at the first
sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs
before the oil indicator system turns on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reser- voir, brake master cylinder, power steering
(2500/3500 Models Only) and automatic
transmission (six-speed only) and fill as
needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
230