2019 Ram 1500 Traction

WARNING!(Continued)
and suspension components. You could lose control
and have a collision resulting in serious injury or
death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your vehicle.
• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity,
other than what was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could
result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have a collision.
• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having ad-
equate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Tire Types
All Season Tires — If Equipped
All Season tires provide traction for all seasons (Spring,
Summer, Fall, and Winter). Traction levels may vary be-
tween different all season tires. All season tires can be
identified by the M+S, M&S, M/S or MS designation on the
tire sidewall. Use all season tires only in sets of four; failure
to do so may adversely affect the safety and handling of
your vehicle.
Summer Or Three Season Tires — If Equipped
Summer tires provide traction in both wet and dry condi-
tions, and are not intended to be driven in snow or on ice.
If your vehicle is equipped with Summer tires, be aware
these tires are not designed for Winter or cold driving
conditions. Install Winter tires on your vehicle when am-
bient temperatures are less than 40°F (5°C) or if roads are
covered with ice or snow. For more information, contact an
authorized dealer.
Summer tires do not contain the all season designation or
mountain/snowflake symbol on the tire sidewall. Use
Summer tires only in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
538 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice conditions. You
could lose vehicle control, resulting in severe injury or
death. Driving too fast for conditions also creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
“mountain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the origi-
nal equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling
of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not
be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to original
equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended
safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures. While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and
traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some states prohibit stud-
ded tires; therefore, local laws should be checked before
using these tire types.
Spare Tires — If Equipped
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead
of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a
compact or limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel
equivalent in look and function to the original equipment
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 539

Dark Vapor Chrome, Black Satin Chrome, or Low Gloss
Clear Coat Wheels
CAUTION!
If your vehicle is equipped with these specialty
wheels, DO NOT USE wheel cleaners, abrasives, or
polishing compounds. They will permanently damage
this finish and such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. HAND WASH ONLY US-
ING MILD SOAP AND WATER WITH A SOFT
CLOTH. Used on a regular basis; this is all that is
required to maintain this finish.
Tire Chains (Traction Devices)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body clear-
ance. Follow these recommendations to guard against
damage.
•Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer.
Please follow the table below for proper tire size, chain
type, and axle recommendations:
Vehicle Axle Recommendations Tire SizesChain Class
1500 Models Rear Only275/65R18
275/55R20 S Class
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
•
Because of restricted traction device clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension components, it is
(Continued)
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 543

CAUTION!(Continued)
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs
that could indicate device breakage. Remove the
damaged parts of the device before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
• Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions on the method of installation, operating speed,
and conditions for use. Always use the suggested
operating speed of the device manufacturer ’s if it is
less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
Tire Rotation Recommendations
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving, and
braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal
rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires. The
benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with aggres-
sive tread designs such as those on all season type tires.
Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain mud,
snow and wet traction levels and contribute to a smooth,
quiet ride.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals. More frequent rotation is permissible if
desired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should
be corrected prior to rotation being performed.
544 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement, as measured under controlled condi-
tions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The Temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all pas-
senger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
STORING THE VEHICLE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than 21 days, we
recommend that you take the following steps to minimize
the drain on your vehicle’s battery:
• Disconnect the negative cable from battery.
•
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of compres-
sor damage when the system is started again.
546 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Passing................................71
Seat Belt Reminder ...................... .179
Security Alarm ......................... .181
Service ............................... .441
Traction Control ........................ .206
Turn Signals ................73, 192, 287, 442, 447
Warning Instrument Cluster Descriptions . . . .181, 192
Limited-Slip Differential ..................335, 521
Loading Vehicle ........................... .406
Tires................................. .528
Load Shed Battery Saver Mode .................177
Load Shed Battery Saver On ...................177
Load Shed Electrical Load Reduction .............177
Load Shed Intelligent Battery Sensor .............177
Locks Automatic Door ..........................41
Child Protection ..........................42
Power Door .............................37
Low Tire Pressure System .....................225
Lubrication, Body ......................... .509
Lug Nuts ............................ .556, 557
Maintenance Free Battery .....................497
Maintenance Schedule ...................... .489
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .184, 195 Manual
Service ............................... .678
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ....................... .522
Lubricant Selection ...................... .566
Media Hub .............................. .642
Memory Feature (Memory Seats) ................43
Memory Seat ........................... .43, 49
Memory Seats And Radio .....................43
Methanol ............................... .560
Mirrors ..................................61
Electric Powered ..........................63
Heated .................................66
Memory ................................49
Outside ................................62
Rearview ........................... .61, 436
Trailer Towing ...........................66
Modifications/Alterations V

ehicle .................................6
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ..................225
Mopar Parts ............................. .677
MP3 Control ............................. .642
Multi-Function Control Lever ...................69
Navigation System (Uconnect GPS) ..............396
12
INDEX 687

TiltDown .................................47
Up....................................47
Tilt Steering Column .........................58
Tip Start ................................ .294
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............528
Tire Markings ............................ .523
Tires......................... .287, 532, 539, 545
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .536
Air Pressure ........................... .532
Chains ............................... .543
Compact Spare ......................... .540
Dual ................................ .557
General Information ...................532, 539
High Speed ............................ .534
Inflation Pressure ....................... .533
Life Of Tires ........................... .536
Load Capacity ...................... .528, 529
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........186, 225
Quality Grading ........................ .545
Radial ............................... .534
Replacement ........................... .537
Rotation .............................. .544
Safety ............................ .522, 532
Sizes ................................ .524Snow Tires
............................ .539
Spare Tires ......................... .539, 541
Spinning .............................. .535
Trailer Towing .......................... .416
Tread Wear Indicators .....................536
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .556
Tire Safety Information ...................... .522
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................414
Tonneau Cover ........................ .150, 547
Tonneau Cover Cleaning .....................547
To Open Hood ........................... .106
Towing ............................. .407,
481
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .481
Guide ................................ .414
Recreational ........................... .424
Weight ............................... .414
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..................424
Traction ................................ .429
Traction Control .......................... .202
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ....................207
Trailer Towing ............................ .407
Cooling System Tips ..................... .422
Hitches ............................... .413
Minimum Requirements ....................414
Mirrors ................................66
692 INDEX