2020 Ram 1500 emergency towing

8
LANESENSE — IF EQUIPPED ...................................... 391
LaneSense Operation .................................................. 391
Turning LaneSense On Or Off ................................... 391
LaneSense Warning Message .................................... 392
Changing LaneSense Status ....................................... 395
 PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA ...................... 396
 SURROUND VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED ......................................................................... 398
 REFUELING THE VEHICLE .......................................... 403
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................................................... 405
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .................... 405
Payload.......................................................................... 405
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ......................... 406
Tire Size......................................................................... 406
Rim Size ........................................................................ 406
Inflation Pressure......................................................... 406
Curb Weight ................................................................. 406
Loading ......................................................................... 406
 TRAILER TOWING .......................................................... 407
Common Towing Definitions .................................... 407
Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight ........................................................................... 411
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ......................................................................... 413
Trailer And Tongue Weight .......................................413
Towing Requirements ................................................413
Towing Tips .................................................................420
 SNOWPLOW .................................................................... 421
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME,
ETC.) ...................................................................................422
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle ........422
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ...........................................................................423
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ...........................................................................423
 DRIVING TIPS ...................................................................427
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ...................................427
Driving Through Water .............................................427
Off-Road Driving Tips ................................................429
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS................................. 431
 ASSIST AND SOS SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ..............431
 BULB REPLACEMENT ....................................................436
Replacement Bulbs ......................................................436
Replacing Exterior Bulbs ............................................438
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9
FUSES.................................................................................. 444
External Power Distribution Center ........................ 445
Internal Power Distribution Center ......................... 449
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING .............................. 454
Jack Location ................................................................ 454
Removal Of Jack And Tools ....................................... 455
Removing The Spare Tire ........................................... 458
Preparations For Jacking ............................................ 462
Jacking Instructions ..................................................... 463
To Stow The Flat Or Spare ........................................ 468
Reinstalling The Jack And Tools ............................... 470
 JUMP STARTING ............................................................ 472
Preparations For Jump Start ...................................... 472
Jump Starting Procedure ............................................ 473
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .................................. 475
 MANUAL PARK RELEASE ............................................ 476
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ...................................... 477
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ................................ 478
Two-Wheel Drive Models .......................................... 480
Four-Wheel Drive Models.......................................... 480
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ................... 481
 ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) ................................................................................ 481
 EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ................................ 481
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING .............................................482
Maintenance Plan ........................................................483
Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle ...............................486
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT ............................................487
3.6L Engine With Stop/Start .....................................487
5.7L Engine Without Stop/Start ................................488
5.7L Engine With Stop/Start ......................................489
Checking Oil Level ......................................................490
Adding Washer Fluid..................................................490
Maintenance-Free Battery .......................................... 491
Pressure Washing ........................................................491
 DEALER SERVICE ........................................................... 492
Engine Oil — Gas Engine .......................................... 492
Engine Oil Filter ........................................................... 494
Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............................................494
Air Conditioner Maintenance ....................................496
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ................................501
Body Lubrication .........................................................502
Windshield Wiper Blades ...........................................503
Exhaust System ........................................................... 505
Cooling System ........................................................... 506
2020_DT_1500_OM_US.book Page 9

STARTING AND OPERATING 307

The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have
properly engaged the transmission into the PARK position:

• Look at the transmission gear position display and verifythat it indicates the PARK position (P), and is not blinking.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)

Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Apply the parking brake and
shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position
provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage
the drivetrain.
• Before moving the transmission gear selector out of PARK, you must start the engine, and also press the
brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector
could result.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further
information.
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478 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled
vehicles may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.)” in the “Starting And
Operating” section.
NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with the Active-Level Four Corner Air
Suspension System must be placed in Transport mode,
before tying them down (from the body) on a trailer or
flatbed truck. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Transport
mode (for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be
fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow these
instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or cause loss
of proper tie-down tension.
Refer to "Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension System
— If Equipped" in "Starting And Operating" for more infor-
mation.
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.

CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the engine to
idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at least one
minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This will
minimize overheating and reduce the risk of transmission
failure during prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster than
15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It can also
damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above 30 mph
(48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occur-
ring).

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 479
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other equip-
ment designed for this purpose, following equipment manu-
facturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory.
Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main structural
members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or associated
brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles under tow
must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode, not the ACC mode. If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle's battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” in this section for
instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK for
towing.
Towing
Condition Wheels OFF
The Ground 2WD Models
4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
• Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
• 30 miles (48 km) max distance See instructions in “Recreational Towing”
under “Starting And Operating”
• Automatic Transmission in
PARK
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction
Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
CAUTION!
• Do not use sling type equipment when towing. Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension components. Damage
to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
6
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480 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
(Continued)
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with all
four wheels OFF the 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.
NOTE:
Refer to “Manual Park Release” in this section for instruc -
tions on shifting the 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 30 miles (48 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels OFF the ground. Accept -
able 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.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels OFF
the ground. Acceptable methods 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), IF the transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N) and the transmission is in PARK.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating”
for further information and detailed instructions. CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if the remaining wheels are on the ground). Internal damage
to the transmission or transfer case will occur if a front
or rear wheel lift is used when towing.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 481
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency 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.
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM (EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” 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 understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed under
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety” for
further information on the Event Data Recorder (EDR).
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require
-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious
injury. CAUTION!
(Continued)
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.
6
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532 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a “moun-
tain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.
If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size
and type to the original 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 studded 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 Emer
-
gency” for further information.
Refer to the “Towing Requirements - Tires” in “Starting And
Operating” for restrictions when towing with a spare tire
designated for temporary emergency use.
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.
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.
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