2018 Ram 2500 parking brake

To Stow The Flat Or Spare
NOTE:
RAM 1500 vehicles equipped with alumi-
num wheels cannot be stored under the ve-
hicle because the wheel retainer will not fit
through the wheel pilot hole. Secure the flat
tire in the bed of the truck. Have the flat tire
repaired or replaced immediately.
1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem isdown. Slide the wheel retainer through
the center of the wheel and position it
properly across the wheel opening.
2. For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow with the valve stem toward
the rear of the vehicle.
3. Attach the lug wrench to the extension tubes with the curved angle facing away
from the vehicle. Rotate the lug wrench
handle clockwise until the wheel is drawn
into place against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue to rotate until you feel
the winch mechanism slip, or click three
or four times. It cannot be overtightened.
Push against the tire several times to be
sure it is firmly in place.
WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on theside of the vehicle close to moving traf-
fic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid
the danger of being hit when operating
the jack or changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dan-
gerous. The vehicle could slip off the
jack and fall on you. You could be
crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack.
• Never start or run the engine while the
vehicle is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to your
authorized dealer where it can be raised
on a lift.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool
for changing tires only. The jack should
not be used to lift the vehicle for service
purposes. The vehicle should be jacked
on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the
side of the vehicle close to moving traf-
fic, pull far enough off the road to avoid
WARNING!
the danger of being hit when operating
the jack or changing the wheel.
• Carefully follow these tire changing
warnings to help prevent personal injury
or damage to your vehicle:• Always park on a firm, level surface
as far from the edge of the roadway
as possible before raising the ve-
hicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flash-
ers.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite
the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set
an automatic transmission in
PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle
when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it
is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions
indicated and for lifting this vehicle
during a tire change.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
214

NOTE:
The positive battery post may be covered with
a protective cap if equipped. Lift up on the
cap to gain access to the positive battery
post. Do not jump off fuses. Only jump di-
rectly off positive post which has a positive
(+)symbol on or around the post.
WARNING!
• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling
fan whenever the hood is raised. It can
start anytime the ignition switch is ON.
You can be injured by moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as rings,
watch bands and bracelets that could
make an inadvertent electrical contact.
You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can
burn your skin or eyes and generate
hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Keep open flames or sparks
away from the battery.
1. Apply the parking brake, shift the auto- matic transmission into PARK and turn
the ignition to LOCK. 2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnec-
essary electrical accessories.
3. If using another vehicle to jump start the battery, park the vehicle within the jumper
cables reach, apply the parking brake and
make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other
as this could establish a ground connec-
tion and personal injury could result.
Jump Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump starting proce-
dure could result in personal injury or
property damage due to battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could
result in damage to the charging system of
the booster vehicle or the discharged ve-
hicle.
Connecting The Jumper Cables
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper
cable to the positive (+)post of the dis-
charged vehicle.
NOTE:
Do not jump off fuses. Only jump directly off
positive post.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+)post of
the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative (-)end of the jumper
cable to the negative (-)post of the
booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper cable to a good engine ground
(exposed metal part of the discharged
vehicle’s engine) away from the battery
and the fuel injection system.
WARNING!
Do not connect the jumper cable to the
negative (-) post of the discharged battery.
The resulting electrical spark could cause
the battery to explode and could result in
219

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 or coolant
bottle is hot.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads HOT (H), pull over and stop
the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on HOT (H), and you hear
continuous chimes, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE —
6-SPEED TRANSMISSION
If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector
cannot be moved out of the PARK position,
you can use one of the following procedures
to temporarily move the gear selector.
Column Gear Selector — If
Equipped
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Tilt the steering wheel to the full upposition.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool into the access port (ringed circle) on the bottom
of the steering column, and push and hold
the override release lever up. 6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL
position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
Shift Lock Manual Override Access Port
221

Center Console Gear Selector —
If Equipped
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool,remove the gear selector override access
cover (located to the right of the gear
selector).
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access hole, and push and hold the
override release lever down. 6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRALposition.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the gear selector override access cover.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 SPEED
TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully apply-
ing the parking brake before activating the
Manual Park Release. In addition, you
should be seated in the driver’s seat with
your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
activating the Manual Park Release. Acti-
vating the Manual Park Release will allow
your vehicle to roll away if it is not secured
by the parking brake, or by proper connec-
tion to a tow vehicle. Activating the
Manual Park Release on an unsecured
vehicle could lead to serious injury or
death for those in or around the vehicle.
In order to push or tow the vehicle in cases
where the transmission will not shift out of
PARK (such as a dead battery), a Manual
Park Release is available.
Gear Selector Override Access Cover
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
222

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
223

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
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X X X X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, and
replace if necessary. XXX X X X X
1500 Models:
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 tow-
ing, change axle fluid. XX X X X
2500/3500 Models:
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 tow-
ing, change axle fluid. XXX X X X X
Inspect the brake linings, replace as neces-
sary. XXX X X X X
Adjust parking brake as necessary. XXX X X XX
Inspect transfer case fluid. XX X
Additional Maintenance
Replace cabin air filter. XXX X X XX
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
232

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):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