2020 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab parking brake

STARTING AND OPERATING291
NOTE:
With electronic shift transfer case:
Steps 2 through 3 are requirements that
must be met before pushing the N (Neutral)
button, and must continue to be met until the
shift has been completed. If any of these
requirements are not met before pushing the
N (Neutral) button or are no longer met
during the shift, the N (Neutral) indicator light
will flash continuously until all requirements
are met or until the N (Neutral) button is
released.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for
a shift to take place and for the position indi -
cator lights to be operable. If the ignition is
not in the ON/RUN mode, the shift will not
take place and no position indicator lights will
be on or flashing.
A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not
been met.
Shifting Out Of N (Neutral)
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for normal usage:

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop,
leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Start the engine, and shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer case lever to the desired posi -
tion.
With electronic shift transfer case with rotary selector switch, push and hold the
transfer case N (Neutral) button until the
N (Neutral) indicator light turns off. After
the N (Neutral) indicator light turns off,
release the N (Neutral) button. After the
N (Neutral) button has been released, the
transfer case will shift to the position indi -
cated by the selector switch.
With electronic shift transfer case with push-button selector switch, push and
hold the switch for the desired transfer
case position, until the N (Neutral) indi -
cator light turns off and the desired posi -
tion indicator light turns on.
NOTE:
When shifting out of transfer case N (Neutral),
turning the engine off is not required, but may
be helpful to avoid gear clash. With 8-speed
automatic transmission, the engine must
remain running, since turning the engine off will
shift the transmission to PARK (and the trans -
mission must be in NEUTRAL for the transfer
case to shift out of NEUTRAL).
5. Turn the engine off. Shift automatic trans- mission into PARK. On 8-speed transmis -
sions the shifter will automatically select
PARK when the engine is turned off.
6. Release the brake pedal.
7. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
8. Start the engine.
5

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292STARTING AND OPERATING
9. Press and hold the brake pedal.
10. Release the parking brake.
11. Shift the transmission into gear, release the
brake pedal, and check that the vehicle
operates normally.
NOTE:
With electronic shift transfer case:
Steps 3 and 4 are requirements that must be
met before pushing the button to shift out of
N (Neutral), and must continue to be met
until the shift has been completed. If any of
these requirements are not met before
pushing the button or are no longer met
during the shift, the N (Neutral) indicator light
will flash continuously until all requirements
are met or until the button is released.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for
a shift to take place and for the position indi -
cator lights to be operable. If the ignition is
not in the ON/RUN mode, the shift will not
take place and no position indicator lights will
be on or flashing.
A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not
been met.
DRIVING TIPS
Driving On Slippery Surfaces
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or
other slippery surfaces may cause the driving
wheels to pull erratically to the right or left. This
phenomenon occurs when there is a difference
in the surface traction under the rear (driving)
wheels.
Driving Through Water
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to
ensure safety and prevent damage to your
vehicle.
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is
dangerous. Unequal traction can cause
sudden pulling of the rear wheels. You could
lose control of the vehicle and possibly have a
collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
WARNING!
Do not drive on or across a road or path
where water is flowing and/or rising (as in
storm run-off). Flowing water can wear away
the road or path's surface and cause your
vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to
follow this warning may result in injuries that
are serious or fatal to you, your passengers,
and others around you.

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308IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
F2220 Amp Blue –Engine Control Module GPEC / Heavy Duty / Other – If
Equipped
F22 25 Amp White (Cummins
Diesel) –
PCM – If Equipped
F23 30 Amp Pink –CBC Feed # 1
F24 30 Amp Pink –Driver Door Module
F25 30 Amp Pink –Front Wiper
F26 30 Amp Pink –Antilock Brakes / Stability Control Module / Valves – If
Equipped (DS 1500 Only)
F28 20 Amp Blue –Trailer Tow Backup Lights – If Equipped
F29 20 Amp Blue –Trailer Tow Parking Lights – If Equipped
F30 30 Amp Pink –Trailer Tow Receptacle / Trailer Tow (Separate E-Brake)/
Trailer Tow (BUX)
F31 30 Amp Pink –Diesel Heater Control – If Equipped (DS 1500 LD Diesel)
F31 20 Amp Blue –Aux App SSV Only - If Equipped
F32 ––Aux Feed, Special Services Vehicle-If Equipped (DS 1500
Only)
F33 20 Amp Blue –Trans Control Module – If Equipped (HD Only)
Aux Feed, SSV Only (DS 1500 Only)
F34 30 Amp Pink –Vehicle System Interface Module #2 – If Equipped (HD
Only)
SSV (DS 1500 Only)
F35 30 Amp Pink –Sunroof – If Equipped
Cavity Cartridge Fuse Micro Fuse Description

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY315
(Continued)
4500/5500 Models
These vehicles do not come equipped with a
jack.
NOTE:
Jacking and tire changing on 4500/
5500 models should be performed by an autho -
rized dealer, or knowledgeable service
personnel with the appropriate heavy duty
equipment, like a tire service company.
Preparations For Jacking

1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.

2. Place the gear selector into PARK. On four-wheel drive vehicles, shift the transfer
case to the 4L position.
3. Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
4. Apply the parking brake. 5. Turn the ignition OFF.
6. Block both the front and rear of the wheel
diagonally opposite the jacking position. For
example, if the driver’s front wheel is being
changed, block the passenger’s rear wheel.

Wheel Blocked

NOTE:
Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking Instructions 4500 And 5500 Series
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of
the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far
enough off the road to avoid being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
WARNING!
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 vehicle.
Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
Apply the parking brake firmly and set the
transmission in PARK.
Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be raised.
Never start or run the engine with the
vehicle on a jack.
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. If you need to get under a raised
vehicle, take it to a service center where it
can be raised on a lift.
6

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320IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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 positive 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 auto
-
matic transmission into PARK and turn the
ignition OFF.

2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unneces -
sary 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.
Jump Starting Procedure
Connecting The Jumper Cables

1. Connect the positive
(+) end of the jumper
cable to the positive (+)
post of the
discharged vehicle.

NOTE:
Do not jump off fuses. Only jump directly off
positive 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.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as
this could establish a ground connection and
personal injury could result.
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump starting procedure
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 vehicle.

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322IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
If your Air Conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off.
The A/C system adds heat to the engine
cooling system and turning the A/C off can
help remove this heat.
You can also turn the temperature control to
maximum heat, the mode control to floor and
the blower control to high. This allows the
heater core to act as a supplement to the
radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
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 the following procedure to temporarily
move the gear selector:

1. Turn the engine OFF.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Tilt the steering wheel to the full up position.
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.

Gear Selector Override Access Port Location Gear Selector Override Access Port
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.

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY323

Engaging The Access Port

6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 – SPEED
TRANSMISSION
To push or tow the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of PARK (such as
a depleted battery), a Manual Park Release is
available.
Manual Park Release Cover
Manual Park Release Pull Strap

WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying
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. Activating the Manual
Park Release will allow your vehicle to roll
away if it is not secured by the parking brake,
or by proper connection 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.
6

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324IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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) upwards.
5. While holding the locking tab in the disen -
gaged 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.

2. Rotate the Manual Park Release lever forward to its original position, until the
locking tab snaps into place to secure the
lever.
3. Pull gently on the tether strap to confirm that the lever is locked in its stowed posi-
tion.
4. Re-install the access cover.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 (D) and
REVERSE (R), while gently pressing the acceler -
ator. Use the least amount of accelerator pedal
pressure that will maintain the rocking motion,
without spinning the wheels or racing the
engine.

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