2018 Ram 1500 towing

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).
227

Mileage or time passed (whichever comesfirst)
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
Replace engine air filter. XX X X X
Replace spark plugs. ** X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at
10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
whichever comes first. XX
Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter(s) (six-speed automatic only), if using
your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, or fre-
quent trailer towing. XX
Change automatic transmission fluid and
filter(s) (six-speed automatic only). X
Inspect the transfer case fluid, change for
any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. XX
Change the transfer case fluid. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. X
** The spark plug change interval is mile-
age based only, yearly intervals do not
apply.
233

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)10,000
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: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
16,000
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
Completely fill the Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X X X X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, and replace if necessary. X X X X X X X
Inspect the front and rear axle fluid. If gear oil leakage is sus-
pected, check the fluid level. If using your vehicle for police, taxi,
fleet, off-road or frequent trailer towing change the axle fluid. XX X X X
Inspect the brake linings, parking brake function. X X X X X X X
Inspect the transfer case fluid. X X X
Additional Maintenance
Replace cabin air filter X X X X X X X
Drain water from fuel filter assembly. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Replace fuel filter and drain water from the fuel filter assembly. Fuel filter replacement intervals should be every second oil change and must not exceed
20,000 miles (32 000 km) if using diesel fuel up to B5.
Replace engine air filter. XX X X X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years or
150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first. XX
Replace accessory drive belt(s). X
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
236

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)10,000
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: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
16,000
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
Inspect the transfer case fluid, change for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing. XX
Change transfer case fluid. X
WARNING!
• You can be badly injured working on or
around a motor vehicle. Do only service
work for which you have the knowledge
and the right equipment. If you have any
doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a com-
petent mechanic.
• Failure to properly inspect and maintain
your vehicle could result in a component
malfunction and effect vehicle handling
and performance. This could cause an
accident.
Additional Maintenance — B6 To
B20 Biodiesel (1500 Diesel)
NOTE:
• Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 8,000 miles (12,875 km)
or six months, whichever comes first when
using biodiesel blends greater than 5%
(B5).
• The owner is required to monitor mileage for B6-B20 biodiesel, the automatic oil
change indicator system does not reflect
the use of biofuels.
• Fuel filter change interval is maintained at every second oil change. This is especially
important with biodiesel usage.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE — 6.7L
CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required mainte-
nance items may result in damage to the
vehicle.
At Each Stop For Fuel
Check the engine oil level at least 30 minutes
after a fully warmed engine is shut off.
Checking the oil level while the vehicle is on
level ground will improve the accuracy of the
oil level reading. Add oil only when the level
is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
237

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first):7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and
boot seals for cracks or leaks and all parts for
damage, wear, improper looseness or end
play; replace if necessary. XX XX X X XX X X
Inspect the brake linings. XXX XX X
Inspect and adjust parking brake. XXX XX X
Inspect drive belt; replace as necessary. XXX XX X
Inspect wheel bearings. XX XX X
Additional Maintenance
Replace cabin air filter. XXX XX X
Replace engine fuel filter element. X X X X X X X X X X
Replace chassis mounted fuel filter element. X X X X X X 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 the axle fluid. *
Inspect the transfer case fluid (4x4), change
for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. XX XX X
Change the transfer case fluid (4x4). XX
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
240

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first):7,500
15,000
22,500
30,000
37,500
45,000
52,500
60,000
67,500
75,000
82,500
90,000
97,500
105,000
112,500
120,000
127,500
135,000
142,500
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Or Kilometers:
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
168,000
180,000
192,000
204,000
216,000
228,000
240,000
Change automatic transmission fluid
(AS69RC transmission only). XX XX X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and
sump filter (AS69RC transmission only). XX
Change automatic transmission fluid and fil-
ter(s) if using your vehicle for any of the fol-
lowing: police, fleet, or frequent trailer towing
(68RFE transmission only). XX
Change automatic transmission fluid and fil-
ter(s). X
Change the manual transmission fluid if using
your vehicle for any of the following: police,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing. XX
Replace Crankcase Ventilation Filter (CCV). X X
Flush and replace power steering fluid. X
Flush and replace engine coolant. *** X
Adjust valve lash clearance. X
Inspection and service should also be per-
formed anytime a malfunction is observed or
suspected. Retain all receipts.* Inspect the front and rear axle surfaces
every 20,000 miles (32,000 km). 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
the axle fluid every 20,000 miles
(32,000 km).
241

To determine the maximum loading condi-
tions of your vehicle, locate the statement
“The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs”
on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/
luggage and trailer tongue weight (if appli-
cable) should never exceed the weight refer-
enced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load
Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.(4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there
will be five 150 lb passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5x150) = 650 lbs.)
(5)Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely ex-
ceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity of your vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg
and there will be five 68 kg passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 295 kg (635-
340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.
NOTE:
• If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. The following table shows ex-
amples on how to calculate total load,
cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of
your vehicle with varying seating configura-
tions and number and size of occupants.
This table is for illustration purposes only
and may not be accurate for the seating and
load carry capacity of your vehicle.
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
262