2021 RAM 1500 tow

374IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
NOTE:
Your vehicle may be transmitting data as
authorized by the subscriber Ú page 482.
The ASSIST and SOS buttons will only func -
tion if you are connected to an operable LTE
(voice/data) or 4G (data) network, which
comes as a built in function. Other Uconnect
services will only be operable if your SiriusXM
Guardian™ service is active and connected
to an operable LTE (voice/data) or 4G (data)
network. ASSIST Call
The ASSIST Button is used to automatically
connect you to any one of the following support
centers:
Roadside Assistance – If you get a flat tire, or
need a tow, just push the ASSIST button and
you’ll be connected to someone who can
help. Roadside Assistance will know what
vehicle you’re driving and its location. Addi
-
tional fees may apply for roadside assis -
tance.
SiriusXM Guardian™ Customer Care –
In-vehicle support for SiriusXM Guardian™.
Vehicle Customer Care – Total support for all
other vehicle issues.
SOS Call

1. Push the SOS Call button on the overhead console.

NOTE:
In case the SOS Call button is pushed in error,
there will be a ten second delay before the SOS
Call system initiates a call to a SOS operator. To
cancel the SOS Call connection, push the SOS
call button on the overhead console or press the cancellation button on the Device Screen.
Termination of the SOS Call will turn off the
green LED light on the overhead console.
2. The LED lights located within the ASSIST
and SOS buttons on the overhead console
will turn green once a connection to a SOS
operator has been made.
3. Once a connection between the vehicle and a SOS operator is made, the SOS Call
system may transmit the following
important vehicle information to a SOS
operator:
Indication that the occupant placed a
SOS Call
The vehicle brand
The last known GPS coordinates of the
vehicle
4. You should be able to speak with the SOS operator through the vehicle audio system
to determine if additional help is needed.
WARNING!
ALWAYS obey traffic laws and pay attention to
the road. ALWAYS drive safely with your hands
on the steering wheel. You have full
responsibility and assume all risks related to
the use of the features and applications in
this vehicle. Only use the features and
applications when it is safe to do so. Failure
to do so may result in an accident involving
serious injury or death.

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 374

378IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
6. Block both the front and rear wheel
diagonally opposite of each 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 raised or lifted.
JACK LOCATION
The jack and tools are stored under the front
passenger seat.
REMOVAL OF JACK AND TOOLS
To access the jack and tools, you must remove
the plastic access cover located on the side of
the front passenger’s seat. To remove the
cover, pull the front part of the cover (closest to
the front of the seat) toward you to release a
locking tab. Once the front of the cover is loose,
slide the cover toward the front of the seat until
it is free from the seat frame.

Pull Jack Access Cover From Front

Remove the jack and tools by turning the wing
bolt counterclockwise, remove the wing bolt
and then slide the assembly out from under the
seat.
Jack And Tools

Release the tool bag straps from the jack and
remove tools from bag.

Jack And Tool Bag

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 378

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY381
(Continued)
6. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tilt the retainer at the end of
the cable.

Tilting The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel

7. Pull the retainer through the center of the wheel.

Pulling The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel
NOTE:
The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the extension tubes only. Use of an air wrench
or other power tools is not recommended and
can damage the winch.
JACKING INSTRUCTIONS

Jack Warning Label

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.
Only use the jack in the positions indicated
and for lifting this vehicle during a tire
change.
If working on or near a roadway, be
extremely careful of motor traffic.
To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated,
are securely stowed, spares must be
stowed with the valve stem facing the
ground.
WARNING!
(Continued)
7

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 381

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY383
When changing a rear wheel, assemble the
extension with jack hook to the jack and
connect the extension tubes. Access the
rear jacking location from behind the rear
tire. Place the jack under the Jack Lifting
Point located on the rear axle lower control
arm bracket. Then locate the slot in the jack
lift plate onto the rear axle Jack Lifting Point.
Attach the extension with jack hook extend -
ing to the rear of the vehicle.

Rear Lifting Point Rear Jacking Location

Connect the long extensions to the lug
wrench.
5. By rotating the lug wrench clockwise, raise the vehicle until the wheel just clears the
ground surface. 6. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off.
Install the spare wheel and lug nuts with the
cone shaped end of the lug nuts toward the
wheel. Hand tighten the lug nuts with the
vehicle lifted. To avoid the risk of forcing the
vehicle off the jack, do not fully tighten the
lug nuts until the vehicle has been
completely lowered.
7. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench handle for increased leverage.
Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until
each lug nut has been tightened twice
Úpage 467. If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque
wrench by an authorized dealer or at a
service station.
CAUTION!
Before raising the wheel off the ground, make
sure that the jack will not damage
surrounding truck parts and adjust the jack
position as required.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can
make the vehicle less stable. It could slip off
the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
7

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 383

384IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
8. If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel
center cap, install the cap and remove the
wheel blocks. Do not install chrome or
aluminum wheel center caps on the spare
wheel. This may result in cap damage.
9. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the replaced tire, and secure the jack
and tools in the proper location.
10. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
TO STOW THE FLAT OR SPARE

1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing upward and toward the rear of the
vehicle for convenience in checking the
spare tire inflation. Slide the wheel retainer
through the center of the wheel.

Reinstalling The Retainer
2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give
clearance to tilt the retainer at the end of
the cable and position it properly across the
wheel opening.

Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel And Positioning It

WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop, could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack
parts and the spare tire in the places
provided.WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack
parts and the spare tire in the places
provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired
or replaced immediately.

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 384

390IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of PARK (P) (such
as a depleted battery), a Manual Park Release
is available.
Follow these steps to activate the Manual Park
Release:

1. Apply firm pressure to the brake pedal
while seated in the driver’s seat.

2. Apply the parking brake if possible. 3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool,
open the Manual Park Release cover, which
is located to the lower left of the steering
column.

Manual Park Release Access Cover

4. Behind the Manual Park Release access cover is the orange tether strap. Pull the
tether strap out as far as it will go, then
release it. The tether and lever will remain
outside of the trim panel and the
transmission should now be in NEUTRAL,
allowing the vehicle to be moved.
Manual Park Release Tether

To Reset The Manual Park Release:

1. Apply firm pressure to the brake pedal while seated in the driver’s seat.

2. Pull the tether strap out again, then release it.
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.

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 390

392IN 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 on Úpage 230. 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
Ú
page 165. 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 instruc -
tions may cause fault codes to be set and/or
cause loss of proper tie-down tension.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)
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 Detailed instruction on
Ú page 230
• 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

21_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 392

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY393
(Continued)
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to
prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow
bars and other equipment designed for this
purpose, following equipment FCA’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
fascia/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, find Instructions on
shifting the transmission out of PARK
Ú page 390.TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
FCA 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 (N).
Instructions on shifting the transmission to
NEUTRAL (N) when the engine is off
Ú page 390.
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) and farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels OFF the ground.
Acceptable methods to tow the vehicle on a
flatbed are as follows:
The front wheels raised and the rear wheels
on a towing dolly
Using a suitable steering wheel stabilizer to
hold the front wheels in the straight position
with the rear wheels raised when and the
front wheels ON the ground.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
FCA 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.
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 suspen -
sion components. Damage to your vehicle
may result from improper towing.
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.
7

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