2018 Ram 3500 tow

4. Position the lap belt so that it is snug andlies low across your hips, below your ab-
domen. To remove slack in the lap belt
portion, pull up on the shoulder belt. To
loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, tilt the
latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug
seat belt reduces the risk of sliding under
the seat belt in a collision.
5. Position the shoulder belt across the shoulder and chest with minimal, if any slack so that it is comfortable and not
resting on your neck. The retractor will
withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.
6. To release the seat belt, push the red button on the buckle. The seat belt will
automatically retract to its stowed posi-
tion. If necessary, slide the latch plate
down the webbing to allow the seat belt to
retract fully.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure
Use the following procedure to untwist a
twisted lap/shoulder belt.
1. Position the latch plate as close as pos-sible to the anchor point.
2. At about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) above the latch plate, grasp and twist the
seat belt webbing 180 degrees to create a
fold that begins immediately above the
latch plate.
3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded webbing. The folded webbing must
enter the slot at the top of the latch plate. 4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it
clears the folded webbing and the seat
belt is no longer twisted.
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the driver and front passenger seats, the
top of the shoulder belt can be adjusted
upward or downward to position the seat belt
away from your neck. Push or squeeze the
anchorage button to release the anchorage,
and move it up or down to the position that
serves you best.
Positioning The Lap Belt
Adjustable Anchorage
SAFETY
98

As a guide, if you are shorter than average,
you will prefer the shoulder belt anchorage in
a lower position, and if you are taller than
average, you will prefer the shoulder belt
anchorage in a higher position. After you
release the anchorage button, try to move it
up or down to make sure that it is locked in
position.
NOTE:
The adjustable upper shoulder belt anchor-
age is equipped with an Easy Up feature. This
feature allows the shoulder belt anchorage to
be adjusted in the upward position without
pushing or squeezing the release button. To
verify the shoulder belt anchorage is latched,
pull downward on the shoulder belt anchor-
age until it is locked into position.
WARNING!
• Wearing your seat belt incorrectly couldmake your injuries in a collision much
worse. You might suffer internal injuries,
or you could even slide out of the seat
belt. Follow these instructions to wear
WARNING!
your seat belt safely and to keep your
passengers safe, too.
• Position the shoulder belt across the
shoulder and chest with minimal, if any
slack so that it is comfortable and not
resting on your neck. The retractor will
withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.
• Misadjustment of the seat belt could
reduce the effectiveness of the safety
belt in a crash.
First Row Center Seat Belt Operating In-
structions (Regular Cab Only)
The first row center seat belt (Regular Cab
only) features a seat belt with a mini-latch
plate and buckle, which allows the seat belt
to detach from the lower anchor when the
seat is folded. The latch plate and regular
latch plate can then be stored out of the way
in the seat for added convenience to open up
utilization of the storage areas behind the
front seats when the seat is not occupied. 1. Remove the mini-latch plate and regular
latch plate from its stowed position on the
seat.
Connect Mini-Latch To Mini-Buckle
99

2. Grasp the mini-latch plate and pull theseat belt over the seat.
3. Route the shoulder belt to the inside of the right head restraint.
4. When the seat belt is long enough to fit, insert the mini-latch plate into the mini-
buckle until you hear a “click.” 5.
Sit back in seat. Slide the regular latch
plate up the webbing as far as necessary to
allow the seat belt to go around your lap.
6. When the seat belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch plate into the buckle until
you hear a “click.”
7. Position the lap belt so that it is snug and lies low across your hips, below your ab-
domen. To remove slack in the lap belt
portion, pull up on the shoulder belt. To
loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, pull on
the lap belt. A snug seat belt reduces the
risk of sliding under the seat belt in a
collision.
8. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is comfortable and not resting on
your neck. The retractor will withdraw any
slack in the seat belt.
9. To release the seat belt, push the red button on the buckle.
10. To disengage the mini-latch plate from the mini-buckle for storage, insert the
regular latch plate into the center red
slot on the mini-buckle. The seat belt
will automatically retract to its stowed
position. If necessary, slide the latch plate down the webbing to allow the seat
belt to retract fully. Insert the mini-latch
plate and regular latch plate into its
stowed position.
WARNING!
• If the mini-latch plate and mini-buckle
are not properly connected when the
seat belt is used by an occupant, the
Mini-Latch And Mini-Buckle Connected
Detaching Mini-Buckle With Seat Belt Tongue
SAFETY
100

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems
will be equipped with a rigid bar or a flexible
strap on each side. Each will have a hook or
connector to attach to the lower anchorage
and a way to tighten the connection to the
anchorage. Forward-facing child restraints
and some rear-facing child restraints will also
be equipped with a tether strap. The tether
strap will have a hook at the end to attach to
the top tether anchorage and a way to tighten
the strap after it is attached to the anchorage.
Center Seat LATCH
Regular Cab, Quad Cab, Or Crew Cab Full Bench
Rear Seat: No Lower Center LATCH Anchorages
Available
WARNING!
• Do not install a child restraint in thecenter position using the LATCH system.
This position is not approved for install-
ing child seats using the LATCH attach-
ments. You must use the seat belt and
tether anchor to install a child seat in
the center seating position.
WARNING!
• Never use the same lower anchorage toattach more than one child restraint.
Please refer to “To Install A LATCH-
Compatible Child Restraint” for typical
installation instructions.
Mega Cab Or Crew Cab Split Bench Rear Seat:
Center LATCH Anchorages Available
If a child restraint installed in the center
position blocks the seat belt webbing or
buckle for the outboard position, do not use
that outboard position. If a child seat in the
center position blocks the outboard LATCH
anchors or seat belt, do not install a child
seat in that outboard position.
WARNING!
Never use the same lower anchorage to
attach more than one child restraint.
Please refer to “To Install A LATCH-
Compatible Child Restraint” for typical
installation instructions. Always follow the directions of the child re-
straint manufacturer when installing your
child restraint. Not all child restraint systems
will be installed as described here.
To Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Re-
straint
If the selected seating position has a Switch-
able Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat
belt, stow the seat belt, following the instruc-
tions below. See the section “Installing Child
Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat Belt” to
check what type of seat belt each seating
position has.
1. Loosen the adjusters on the lower straps
and on the tether strap of the child seat so
that you can more easily attach the hooks
or connectors to the vehicle anchorages.
2.
Place the child seat between the lower an-
chorages for that seating position. For some
second row seats, you may need to recline
the seat and / or raise the head restraint to
get a better fit. If the rear seat can be moved
forward and rearward in the vehicle, you may
wish to move it to its rear-most position to
SAFETY
124

make room for the child seat. You may also
move the front seat forward to allow more
room for the child seat.
3. Attach the lower hooks or connectors ofthe child restraint to the lower anchorages
in the selected seating position.
4. If the child restraint has a tether strap, connect it to the top tether anchorage.
See the section “Installing Child Re-
straints Using the Top Tether Anchorage”
for directions to attach a tether anchor.
5. Tighten all of the straps as you push the child restraint rearward and downward
into the seat. Remove slack in the straps
according to the child restraint manufac-
turer’s instructions.
6.
Test that the child restraint is installed tightly
by pulling back and forth on the child seat at
the belt path. It should not move more than
1 inch (25.4 mm) in any direction.
How To Stow An Unused Switchable-ALR
(ALR) Seat Belt:
When using the LATCH attaching system to
install a child restraint, stow all ALR seat
belts that are not being used by other occu- pants or being used to secure child restraints.
An unused belt could injure a child if they
play with it and accidentally lock the seat belt
retractor. Before installing a child restraint
using the LATCH system, buckle the seat belt
behind the child restraint and out of the
child’s reach. If the buckled seat belt inter-
feres with the child restraint installation, in-
stead of buckling it behind the child re-
straint, route the seat belt through the child
restraint belt path and then buckle it. Do not
lock the seat belt. Remind all children in the
vehicle that the seat belts are not toys and
that they should not play with them.
WARNING!
• Improper installation of a child restraint
to the LATCH anchorages can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed. Follow the
child restraint manufacturer’s directions
exactly when installing an infant or child
restraint.
• Child restraint anchorages are designed
to withstand only those loads imposed
by correctly-fitted child restraints. Un-
WARNING!
der no circumstances are they to be used
for adult seat belts, harnesses, or for
attaching other items or equipment to
the vehicle.
Installing Child Restraints Using The Ve-
hicle Seat Belt
Child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap
belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
• Improper installation or failure to prop-erly secure a child restraint can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an in-
fant or child restraint.
The seat belts in the passenger seating posi-
tions are equipped with either a Switchable
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) or a
cinching latch plate or both. Both types of
125

WARNING!
• ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat onthe driver’s side floor area. To check for
interference, with the vehicle properly
parked with the engine off, fully depress
the accelerator, the brake, and the
clutch pedal (if present) to check for
interference. If your floor mat interferes
with the operation of any pedal, or is not
secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat
in your trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat
on the passenger’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or
slide into the driver’s side floor area
when the vehicle is moving. Objects can
become trapped under accelerator,
brake, or clutch pedals and could cause
a loss of vehicle control.
•
NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These ob-
jects could change the position of the
floor mat and may cause interference with
the accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
WARNING!
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor
mat fasteners are secure to the vehicle
carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals then re-
install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat
has been properly installed and is se-
cured to your vehicle using the floor mat
fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You
Should Make Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and
uneven wear patterns. Check for stones,
nails, glass, or other objects lodged in the
tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts,
cracks, and bulges. Check the wheel bolts for
tightness. Check the tires (including spare)
for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and lock-
ing.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid
leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or
if fuel, or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The
cause should be located and corrected imme-
diately.
SAFETY
136

To Accelerate For Passing.........178
To Resume Speed .............178
To Deactivate ................178
PARKSENSE FRONT AND REAR PARK AS-
SIST — IF EQUIPPED ...........179
Cleaning The ParkSense System .....179
PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA — IF
EQUIPPED................. .179
REFUELING THE VEHICLE —
GAS ENGINE ................ .181
Materials Added To Fuel ..........182
REFUELING THE VEHICLE— 1500 DIESEL
MODELS................... .182
Diesel Exhaust Fluid............183
Adding Diesel Exhaust Fluid........184
REFUELING THE VEHICLE — 2500/
3500 DIESEL MODELS ...........186
Diesel Exhaust Fluid............188
TRAILER TOWING.............191
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings) ...........191
Towing Requirements ...........191
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)............196
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle....................196
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel
Drive Models .................197
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel
Drive Models .................197
STARTING AND OPERATING
138

ENGINE BREAK-IN
RECOMMENDATIONS — 3.0L DIESEL
The diesel engine does not require a break-in
period due to its construction. Normal opera-
tion is allowed, providing the following rec-
ommendations are followed:
• Warm up the engine before placing it underload.
• Do not operate the engine at idle for pro- longed periods.
• Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent engine lugging.
• Observe vehicle oil pressure and tempera- ture indicators.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carrying or towing significant weight.
NOTE:
Light duty operation such as light trailer
towing or no load operation will extend the
time before the engine is at full efficiency.
Reduced fuel economy and power may be
seen at this time. The engine oil installed in the engine at the
factory is a high-quality energy conserving
type lubricant. Oil changes should be consis-
tent with anticipated climate conditions un-
der which vehicle operations will occur. The
recommended viscosity and quality grades
are shown under “Fluids And Lubricants” in
"Technical Specifications” in this manual.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL
OILS MUST NEVER BE USED.
ENGINE BREAK-IN
RECOMMENDATIONS — 6.7L DIESEL
The Cummins turbocharged diesel engine
does not require a break-in period due to its
construction. Normal operation is allowed,
providing the following recommendations are
followed:
• Warm up the engine before placing it under
load.
• Do not operate the engine at idle for pro- longed periods.
• Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent engine lugging. • Observe vehicle oil pressure and tempera-
ture indicators.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carrying or towing significant weight.
NOTE:
Light duty operation such as light trailer
towing or no load operation will extend the
time before the engine is at full efficiency.
Reduced fuel economy and power may be
seen at this time.
For additional vehicle break-in requirements,
refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting And
Operating” of the Owner’s Manual.
Because of the construction of the Cummins
turbocharged diesel engine, engine run-in is
enhanced by loaded operating conditions
which allow the engine parts to achieve final
finish and fit during the first 6,000 miles
(10 000 km).STARTING AND OPERATING
154