2020 Ram 3500 suspension

STARTING AND OPERATING341
Shifting Into (N) NEUTRAL
Use the following procedure to prepare your
vehicle for recreational towing.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on
level ground, with the engine running.
Firmly apply the parking brake.

2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL. NOTE:
If vehicle is equipped with air suspension,
ensure the vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Shift the transfer case into N (Neutral):
With manual shift transfer case, shift the
transfer case lever into N (Neutral)
With electronic shift transfer case, push
and hold the transfer case N (Neutral)
button. Some models have a small,
recessed “N” button (at the center of the
transfer case switches) that must be
pushed using a ballpoint pen or similar
object. Other models have a rectangular
N (Neutral) switch, below the rotary
transfer case control knob. The N
(Neutral) indicator light will blink while
the shift is in progress. The light will stop
blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to N
(Neutral) is complete. After the shift is
completed and the N (Neutral) light stays
on, release the N (Neutral) button.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Shift the transmission into REVERSE. 7. Release the brake pedal for five seconds
and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 with automatic transmission in DRIVE.
9. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL. Firmly apply the parking brake. Turn off the engine.
For vehicles with Keyless Enter-N-Go, push
and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button
until the engine shuts off.
10. Shift the transmission into PARK. On 8-speed transmissions the shifter will
automatically select PARK when the engine
is turned off.
11. Turn the ignition to the OFF mode, then cycle the ignition to the RUN mode and back
to the OFF mode. Remove the key fob from
the ignition.
12. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
13. Release the parking brake.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the NEUTRAL (N) position without first
fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer
case NEUTRAL (N) position disengages both
the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the automatic transmission is in PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied
when the driver is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in
NEUTRAL (N) before recreational towing to
prevent damage to internal parts.
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342STARTING AND OPERATING
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.
If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension,
the engine should be started and left running
for a minimum of 60 seconds (with all the
doors closed) at least once every 24 hours. This process allows the air suspension to
adjust the vehicle’s ride height to compen
-
sate for temperature effects.
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. 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 the 8-speed
automatic transmission, the engine must
remain running, since turning the engine OFF
will shift the transmission to PARK (and the
transmission must be in NEUTRAL for the
transfer case to shift out of NEUTRAL).
5. Turn the engine off. Shift automatic transmission into PARK. On 8-speed
transmissions 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.
9. Press and hold the brake pedal.
10. Release the parking brake.

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STARTING AND OPERATING345
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your
vehicle than does most on-road driving. After
going off-road, it is always a good idea to check
for damage. That way you can get any problems
taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
Completely inspect the underbody of your
vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steering,
suspension, and exhaust system for damage.
Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and
clean as required.
Check threaded fasteners for looseness,
particularly on the chassis, drivetrain compo -
nents, steering, and suspension. Retighten
them, if required, and torque to the values
specified in the Service Manual.
Check for accumulations of plants or brush.
These things could be a fire hazard. They
might hide damage to fuel lines, brake hoses,
axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts.
After extended operation in mud, sand,
water, or similar dirty conditions, have the
radiator, fan, brake rotors, wheels, brake
linings, and axle yokes inspected and
cleaned as soon as possible.If you experience unusual vibration after
driving in mud, slush or similar conditions,
check the wheels for impacted material.
Impacted material can cause a wheel imbal-
ance and freeing the wheels of it will correct
the situation.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes
may cause excessive wear or unpredictable
braking. You might not have full braking
power when you need it to prevent a collision.
If you have been operating your vehicle in
dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and
cleaned as necessary.
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358IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
(Continued)
FUSES
POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER
The Power Distribution Center is located in the
engine compartment near the battery. This
center contains cartridge fuses, micro fuses,
relays, and circuit breakers. A description of each fuse and component may be stamped on
the inside cover, otherwise the cavity number of
each fuse is stamped on the inside cover that
corresponds to the following chart.

Power Distribution Center Location

WARNING!
When replacing a blown fuse, always use
an appropriate replacement fuse with the
same amp rating as the original fuse. Never
replace a fuse with another fuse of higher
amp rating. Never replace a blown fuse with
metal wires or any other material. Do not
place a fuse inside a circuit breaker cavity
or vice versa. Failure to use proper fuses
may result in serious personal injury, fire
and/or property damage.
Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the
ignition is off and that all the other services
are switched off and/or disengaged.
If the replaced fuse blows again, contact an
authorized dealer.
If a general protection fuse for safety
systems (air bag system, braking system),
power unit systems (engine system, trans -
mission system) or steering system blows,
contact an authorized dealer.
WARNING! (Continued)
Cavity Cartridge Fuse Micro Fuse Description
F01––Spare
F02 60 Amp Yellow –ABS Pump Motor (HD Only)
F03 60 Amp Yellow –Rad Fan – If Equipped
F04 50 Amp Red 400W Inverter – If Equipped
F05 40 Amp Green –Compressor For Air Suspension – If Equipped

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY361
F46 –10 Amp Red Upfitters Relay Coil – If Equipped
F47 ––Spare
F48 ––Spare
F49 –10 Amp Red IP Cluster / CSG
F50 –20 Amp Yellow Air Suspension Control Module – If Equipped
F51 –10 Amp RedIgnition Node Module / Keyless Ignition Node Module,
Radio Frequency Hub Module / Electric Steering Column
Lock - If Equipped
F52 –5 Amp Tan Battery Sensor
F53 –20 Amp Yellow Trailer Tow – Left Turn/Stop Lights - If Equipped
F54 –20 Amp Yellow Non Memory Adjustable Pedals - If Equipped
F55 ––Spare
F56 –10 Amp Red Fuel Vapor Blocker Valve - If Equipped
F57 –20 Amp Yellow TCM / PCM / Solenoid Trans Pressure SW (RFE Trans Only)
– If Equipped
F58 –10 Amp Red Bed Lighting (LED) – If Equipped
F60 –—Spare
F61 –10 Amp Red NH3 Sensor / PM Sensor – If Equipped
F62 –10 Amp Red Air Conditioning Clutch
F63 –20 Amp Yellow Ignition Coils / CAPS
CavityCartridge Fuse Micro Fuse Description
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY363
F81 –20 Amp Yellow Trailer Tow Right Turn / Stop Lights - If Equipped
F82 –10 Amp Red Steering Column Control Module / Cruise Control
F83 ––Spare
F84 –15 Amp Blue ASBM / HVAC / ICS / Rear Heated Seat Switches
F85 –10 Amp Red Airbag Module
F86 –10 Amp Red Airbag Module
F87 –10 Amp RedAir Suspension / ITBM / Steering Column Control Module
/ MOD Gateway CAN-C Trailer TPM
F88 –15 Amp Blue Instrument Panel Cluster
F90/F91 –20 Amp Yellow Power Outlet / Batt
Power Outlet / Acc
F92 ––Spare
F93 ––Spare
F94 –10 Amp RedShift-By-Wire / Transfer Case Switch / Module TPM Trailer
/ Module Gateway Can-C Trailer TPM
F95 –10 Amp RedRearview Camera / Park Assist / CHMSL Camera / Blind
Spot Sensor / Surround View Camera
F96 –10 Amp Red Trailer Camera – If Equipped
F97 –20 Amp Yellow Front Heated Seat Passenger – If Equipped
F98 –20 Amp Yellow Front Heated Seat Driver – If Equipped
F99 –10 Amp Red HVAC / In-Car Temperature Sensor / CSG MOD
CavityCartridge Fuse Micro Fuse Description
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY381
(Continued)
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” in the
“Starting And Operating” section. NOTE:
Vehicles equipped with the 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 “Air Suspension System — If Equipped”
in “Starting And Operating” for more informa
-
tion.
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 over -
heating 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 occurring).
CAUTION! (Continued)
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE387
Mileage or time passed (whichever
comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV/Universal joints. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends,
and replace if necessary. X
X X XX XX
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level. If
using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet,
off-road or frequent trailer towing,
change axle fluid. X
X X XX XX
Inspect the brake linings, replace as
necessary. X
X X XX XX
Adjust parking brake as necessary. X XX XX XX
Inspect transfer case fluid. XX X
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