2019 Ram 3500 open hood

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 489
Preparations For Jump Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the
engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.
NOTE:
The positive battery post may be covered with a protective
cap if equipped. Lift up on the cap to gain access to the posi-
tive battery post. Do not jump off fuses. Only jump directly
off positive post which has a positive (+) symbol on or
around the post.
Positive Battery Post 1. Apply the parking brake, shift the automatic transmis-
sion into PARK and turn the ignition OFF.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
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.
6

494 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking 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,
while gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount ofaccelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the engine.
NOTE:
• For trucks equipped with an 8–speed transmission, shifts
between DRIVE and REVERSE 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.
• Push the "ESC Off" switch, to place the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in "Partial Off" mode, before rocking
the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in “Safety”
for further information. Once the vehicle has been freed,
push the "ESC Off" switch again to restore "ESC On" mode.
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.
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 are stuck and do not let anyone
near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.

522 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
• Do not interrupt the ignition when the transmission is ingear and the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not try to start the vehicle by pushing or towing the vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any ignition components disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic testing,
or for prolonged periods during very rough idle or
malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty
in appearance, the system should be drained, flushed and
refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of the A/C
condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any accumulation of
bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water
from a garden hose vertically down the face of the A/C
condenser (if equipped) or the back of the radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE CAP
WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
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 open a cooling system pressure cap when the
radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
• Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry away from the radiator cooling fan when the hood is raised. The fan
starts automatically and may start at any time, whether
the engine is running or not.
• When working near the radiator cooling fan, discon -
nect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition to the OFF
mode. The fan is temperature controlled and can start at
any time the ignition is in the ON mode.
WARNING! (Continued)

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 527
(Continued)
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically. Refer
to the “Maintenance Plan” in this section for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Fluid Level Check — Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service or immediately if
the brake system warning lamp indicates system failure.
If necessary, add fluid to bring level within the designated
marks on the side of the reservoir of the brake master
cylinder. Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area
before removing cap.With disc brakes the fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake linings wear. However, an unexpected drop in fluid
level may be caused by a leak and a system check should be
conducted.
Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical Specifica
-
tions” for further information.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and possibly
a collision. Driving with your foot resting or riding on
the brake pedal can result in abnormally high brake
temperatures, excessive lining wear, and possible brake
damage. You would not have your full braking capacity
in an emergency.
WARNING!
• Use only manufacturer's recommended brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical Speci -
fications” for further information. Using the wrong
type of brake fluid can severely damage your brake
system and/or impair its performance. The proper type
of brake fluid for your vehicle is also identified on the
original factory installed hydraulic master cylinder
reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign matter or mois -
ture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has been in
a tightly closed container. Keep the master cylinder
reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake fluid in a open
container absorbs moisture from the air resulting in a
lower boiling point. This may cause it to boil unexpect -
edly during hard or prolonged braking, resulting in
sudden brake failure. This could result in a collision.
7

683
Glass Cleaning ......................................................................... 563
Gross Axle Weight Rating ..................................................... 412
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................................................ 412
GuideBody Builders ........................................................................ 15
GVWR ....................................................................................... 410 H
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water ..................................................................................... 437
Hazard Warning Flashers ...................................................... 440
Head Restraints ......................................................................... 51
Head Rests ................................................................................. 51
Headlights ................................................................................ 447 Automatic High Beam .......................................................... 68
Cleaning................................................................................ 558
High Beam.............................................................................. 68
Lights On Reminder ............................................................. 70
Passing .................................................................................... 69
Switch...................................................................................... 67
Heated Mirrors .......................................................................... 63
Heater, Engine Block .............................................................. 297
Hill Descent Control ............................................................... 206
Hill Descent Control Indicator .............................................. 206
Hill Start Assist........................................................................ 198 Hitches
Trailer Towing .....................................................................417
Hoisting ....................................................................................531
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ........................................104
Hood Prop ................................................................................101
Hood Release ...........................................................................101
Hub Caps..................................................................................487 I
Ignition........................................................................................25 Switch ......................................................................................25
Illuminated Entry ......................................................................76
In Vehicle Help Vehicle User Guide ...............................................................16
Inside Rearview Mirror ........................................57, 58, 59, 441 Instrument Cluster Descriptions .........................................................................191
Display ..................................................................................165
Engine Oil Reset ..................................................................167
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning...........................................562
Integrated Trailer Brake Control...........................................421
Interior Appearance Care ......................................................561
Interior Lights ............................................................................73 Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) .......................................77
Introduction ...............................................................................13
Inverter Outlet (115V).............................................................126
iPod/USB/MP3 Control ........................................................643
11

690
Tire Stowage ............................................................................ 483
Tires................................................................... 289, 541, 548, 555 Aging (Life Of Tires)........................................................... 545
Air Pressure ......................................................................... 541
Chains ................................................................................... 552Compact Spare..................................................................... 549
Dual ............................................................................... 554, 565
General Information ................................................... 541, 548
High Speed........................................................................... 543Inflation Pressure ................................................................ 542
Life Of Tires ......................................................................... 545
Load Capacity .............................................................. 537, 538
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ....................... 186, 220
Quality Grading .................................................................. 555
Radial .................................................................................... 543Replacement......................................................................... 546
Rotation ................................................................................ 553
Safety............................................................................. 531, 541
Sizes....................................................................................... 533
Snow Tires ............................................................................ 548
Spare Tires .................................................................... 548, 550
Spinning................................................................................ 544
Trailer Towing ..................................................................... 420
Tread Wear Indicators ........................................................ 545
Wheel Nut Torque .............................................................. 565
To Open Hood ......................................................................... 101 Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ............................................418
Tonneau Cover ................................................................147, 558
Tonneau Cover Cleaning .......................................................558
Towing ..............................................................................411, 495 Disabled Vehicle ..................................................................495
Guide .....................................................................................418
Recreational ..........................................................................430
Weight ...................................................................................418
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..............................................430
Traction .....................................................................................436
Traction Control ......................................................................200
Traction Control Switch .........................................................200
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................................................... 205
Trailer Towing .........................................................................411 Cooling System Tips ........................................................... 426Hitches ..................................................................................417
Minimum Requirements ....................................................418
Mirrors ....................................................................................62
Tips ........................................................................................426Trailer And Tongue Weight...............................................418Wiring ...................................................................................424
Trailer Towing Guide .............................................................418
Trailer Weight ..........................................................................418
Transfer Case ...........................................................................530 Electronically Shifted ..........................................................309
Fluid ...................................................................................... 574