2023 RAM 1500 battery replacement

WARNING: Operating, servicing and maintaining a passenger vehicle or off-highway motor
vehicle can expose you to chemicals including engine exhaust, carbon monoxide, phthalates, and
lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive
harm. To minimize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, do not idle the engine except as necessary,
service your vehicle in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves or wash your hands frequently when
servicing your vehicle. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle.
The driver’s primary responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle. Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control, resulting in an accident and personal injury. FCA US LLC strongly recommends that the driver use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may take their attention off the road. Use of any electrical devices, such as cellular telephones, computers, portable radios, vehicle navigation or other devices, by the driver while the vehicle is moving is dangerous and could lead to a serious accident. Texting while driving is also dangerous and should never be done while the vehicle is moving. If you find yourself unable to devote your full attention to vehicle operation, pull off the road to a safe location and stop your vehicle. Some states or provinces prohibit the use of cellular telephones or texting while driving. It is always the driver’s responsibility to comply with all local laws.
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared to help you get acquainted with your new Ram brand vehicle and to provide a convenient reference for common questions.
Not all features shown in this manual may apply to your vehicle. For additional information on accessories to help personalize your vehicle, visit mopar.com/om (USA), owners.mopar.ca (Canada) or your local Ram brand dealer.
This Owner’s Manual is intended to familiarize you with the important features of your vehicle. Your most up-to-date Owner’s Manual, Radio Instruction Manual and Warranty Booklet can be found by visiting the website on the back cover.
U.S. Residents: If you are the first registered retail owner of your vehicle, you may obtain a complimentary printed copy of the Warranty Booklet by calling 1-866-726-4636 or by contacting your dealer. Replacement kits can be purchased by visiting www.techauthority.com.
Canadian Residents: If you are the first registered retail owner of your vehicle, you may obtain a complimentary printed copy of the Warranty Booklet or purchase a replacement kit by calling 1-800-387-1143 or by contacting your dealer.
DRIVING AND ALCOHOL
Drunk driving is one of the most frequent causes of accidents. Your driving ability can be seriously impaired with blood alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you are drinking, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non-drinking driver, call a cab, a friend or use public transportation.
WARNING
Driving after drinking can lead to an accident. Your perceptions are less sharp, your reflexes are slower and your judgment is impaired when you have been drinking. Never drink and then drive.
This Owner’s Manual illustrates and describes the operation of features and equipment that are either standard or optional on this vehicle. This manual may also include a description of features and equipment that are no longer available or were not ordered on this vehicle. Please disregard any features and equipment described in this manual that are not on this vehicle. FCA US LLC reserves the right to make changes in design and specifications, and/or make additions to or improvements to its products without imposing any obligation upon itself to install them on products previously manufactured.
With respect to any vehicles sold in Canada, the name FCA US LLC shall be deemed to be deleted and the name FCA Canada Inc. used in substitution therefore.
FCA US LLC reserves the right to modify the terms or discontinue the Roadside Assistance Program at any time. The Roadside Assistance Program is subject to restrictions and conditions of use, that are determined solely by FCA US LLC.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK AT YOUR SERVICE. CALL 1-800-521-2779 OR VISIT CHRYSLER.RSAHELP.COM (USA) CALL 1-800-363-4869 OR VISIT FCA.ROADSIDEAID.COM (CANADA) SERVICES: Flat Tire Service, Out Of Gas/Fuel Delivery, Battery Jump Assistance, Lockout Service and Towing Service
Please see the Customer Assistance chapter in this Owner’s Manual for further information.

6
SAFETY
SAFETY FEATURES........................................................... 262
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................................. 262Rear Seat Reminder Alert (RSRA) ............................ 263
Electronic Brake Control (EBC) System .................. 263
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS ...................................... 269 Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) —
If Equipped ............................................................... 269
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) With
Mitigation — If Equipped ........................................... 274
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ............... 277
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ................................ 282 Occupant Restraint Systems Features ................... 282Important Safety Precautions .................................. 282Seat Belt Systems .................................................... 282
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) .................. 288Child Restraints ........................................................ 298
SAFETY TIPS .................................................................... 311 Transporting Passengers .......................................... 311
Transporting Pets ..................................................... 311
Connected Vehicles .................................................. 311
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside
The Vehicle ............................................................... 311
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle .................................................. 312
Exhaust Gas ............................................................. 313Carbon Monoxide Warnings .................................... 313
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS .................................... 314
ASSIST AND SOS SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ................. 314
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING .................................... 317 Preparations For Jacking.......................................... 317Jack Location ............................................................ 318
Removal Of Jack And Tools ...................................... 318
Removing The Spare Tire ......................................... 319
Jacking Instructions.................................................. 321To Stow The Flat Or Spare ....................................... 323
Reinstalling The Jack And Tools .............................. 324
JUMP STARTING ............................................................. 325 Preparations For Jump Start .................................... 325Jump Starting Procedure.......................................... 325
REFUELING IN EMERGENCY........................................... 326
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ....................................... 327
MANUAL PARK RELEASE ............................................... 328
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .......................................... 329
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ..................................... 330 Two-Wheel Drive Models .......................................... 331Four-Wheel Drive Models ......................................... 331
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped ..................... 332
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) .............................................................................. 332
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ..................................... 332
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING ................................................. 333 Maintenance Plan ..................................................... 334
ENGINE COMPARTMENT ................................................337 3.6L Engine With Stop/Start ................................... 337
5.7L Engine Without Stop/Start ............................... 3385.7L Engine With Stop/Start .................................... 339
Checking Oil Level ..................................................... 340Adding Washer Fluid ................................................ 340
Maintenance-Free Battery ....................................... 340Pressure Washing ..................................................... 341
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ................................................. 341 Engine Oil .................................................................. 341
Engine Oil Filter ........................................................ 342
Engine Air Cleaner Filter .......................................... 342
Air Conditioner Maintenance ................................... 344
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............................... 346Body Lubrication ....................................................... 347
Windshield Wiper Blades ......................................... 347
Exhaust System ........................................................ 348
Cooling System ......................................................... 349
Brake System ........................................................... 352
Automatic Transmission .......................................... 353
Rear Axle And 4x4 Front Driving Axle
Fluid Level ................................................................. 353
Transfer Case ........................................................... 354
Fuses .......................................................................... 354Bulb Replacement .................................................... 365

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16
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
KEYS
KEY FOB
Your vehicle is equipped with a key fob which supports
Passive Entry, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE), Keyless
Enter ‘n Go™ (if equipped), remote air suspension
lowering (if equipped), and Remote Start (if equipped).
The key fob allows you to lock or unlock all doors, tailgate,
and the RamBox (if equipped) as well as activate the Panic
Alarm from distances up to approximately 66 ft (20 m). The key fob does not need to be pointed at the vehicle to
activate the system. The key fob also contains an
emergency key, which is stored in the rear of the key fob.
NOTE:
 The key fob’s wireless signal may be blocked if the key
fob is located next to a mobile phone, laptop, or other
electronic device. This may result in poor performance.
 If your vehicle is equipped with a Wireless Charging
Pad, the key fob may not be detected if it is placed
within 6 inches (15 cm) of the pad
Úpage 68.
 With the ignition in the ON position and the vehicle
moving at 2 mph (4 km/h), all RKE commands are
disabled.

Key Fob

In case the ignition switch does not change with the push
of a button, the key fob may have a low or fully depleted
battery. A low key fob battery can be verified by referring to
the instrument cluster display, which will display a
procedure to follow.
NOTE:A low key fob battery condition may be indicated by a
message in the instrument cluster display, or by the LED
light on the key fob. If the LED key fob light no longer
illuminates from key fob button pushes, then the key fob
battery requires replacement
Úpage 402.
To Lock/Unlock The Doors And Tailgate
All doors, liftgate, and RamBox (if equipped) can be
programmed to either unlock on the first push of the
unlock button, or for the first push to unlock only the
driver’s door, then twice within five seconds to unlock all
doors, liftgate, and RamBox (if equipped). To lock all the
doors, liftgate, and RamBox (if equipped), push the lock
button once.
When the doors are unlocked, the turn signals will flash
and the illuminated entry system will be activated. When
the doors are locked, the turn signals will flash and the
horn will chirp.
The horn chirp when the lock button is pushed can be
programmed on/off within Uconnect Settings
Úpage 191.
1 — LED Indicator Light
2 — Unlock
3 — Tailgate Lowering (If Equipped)
4 — Air Suspension Remote Lowering (If Equipped)
5 — Lock
6 — Remote Start (If Equipped)
7 — Panic
8 — Emergency Key

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE17
Using The Panic Feature
To turn the Panic feature on or off, push the Panic button
on the key fob. When the Panic feature is activated, the
turn signals will flash, the horn may pulse on and off
(if equipped with horn alarm), and the interior lights will
turn on.
The Panic feature will stay on for three minutes unless you
turn it off by either pushing the Panic button a second time
or driving the vehicle at a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) or
greater.
NOTE:
The interior lights will turn off if you place the ignition in
the ON/RUN position while the Panic feature is
activated. However, the exterior lights and horn
(if equipped with horn alarm) will remain on.
 You may need to be less than 35 ft (11 m) from the
vehicle when using the key fob to turn off the Panic
feature due to the radio frequency noises emitted by
the system.
Key Left Vehicle Feature
If a valid key fob is no longer detected inside the vehicle
while the vehicle’s ignition system is in the ON/RUN or
START position, the message “Key Fob Has Left The
Vehicle” will be shown in the instrument cluster display
along with an interior chime. An exterior audible and visual
alert will also be activated to warn the driver.
The vehicle’s horn will rapidly chirp three times along with
a single flash of the vehicle’s exterior lights.
NOTE:
The doors have to be open and then closed in order for
the vehicle to detect a key fob; the Key Left Vehicle
feature will not activate until all of the doors are closed.
 These alerts will not be activated in situations where
the vehicle’s engine is left running with the key fob
inside.
Air Suspension (Remote Lowering Of The
Vehicle) — If Equipped
For easy entry and loading, your vehicle can be
lowered by pushing the key fob air suspension
lowering button two times. When air
suspension lowering is requested using the key
fob, the vehicle will send a series of chirps and flashes to
alert the customer that the operation has begun and will
continue these alerts until it successfully lowers.
The following conditions must be met for the vehicle to
lower remotely:
 The vehicle must not already be in Entry/Exit ride
height.
 The vehicle battery must be fully charged.
 All doors must be closed.
 The key fob must be out of the vehicle.
 Gear selector must be in PARK.
NOTE:Ensure the vehicle is clear of all objects, pets, and people
prior to remote lowering. Canceling Remote Lowering
Vehicle lowering can be canceled at anytime. When
vehicle lowering is canceled, the vehicle will raise to the
next defined level and lock out the remote lowering
feature for five seconds until a new request is made.
To cancel vehicle lowering, push the key fob air
suspension lowering button one time during the lowering
process. When vehicle lowering is canceled, the horn will
chirp two times and the turn signal lamps will flash four
times. Once raising is completed, the horn will chirp
one time.
NOTE:More information on air suspension is provided later in
this manual, see Úpage 134.
Replacing The Battery In The Key Fob
The replacement battery model is one CR2450 battery.
NOTE:

Customers are recommended to use a battery
obtained from Mopar®. Aftermarket coin battery
dimensions may not meet the original OEM coin battery
dimensions.
 Perchlorate Material — special handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate for
further information.
2

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18GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Do not touch the battery terminals that are on the back
housing or the printed circuit board.
 Do not replace the coin battery if the LED on the key fob
above the top row buttons blinks when a button is
pressed. The coin battery should last a minimum of
three years with normal vehicle usage.

1. Remove the emergency key (1) by pushing the emergency key release button (2) on the side of the
key fob, and pulling the emergency key out with your
other hand.

Emergency Key Removal

2. Hold the key fob with the button side facing down, and locate the small rectangular gap on the left side
between the housing and the back cover of the key
fob. Use a small screwdriver (or similar tool) to pry
open the left side of the fob cover while applying
pressure until the cover snaps open.
3. Next, locate the gap on the right side of the key fob, which is positioned farther to the edge than the left
side gap. Pry open the right side, and remove the
back cover.
4. Remove the battery by using your thumb to slide the battery downward and back toward the key ring.

Key Fob Battery Location

NOTE:
When replacing the battery, ensure the (+) sign on the
battery is facing upward. Avoid touching the new battery
with your fingers. Skin oils may cause battery deterio -
ration. If you touch a battery, clean it with rubbing alcohol. 5. Replace the battery by using your thumb to push
down and slide the battery under the small lip on the
top edge of the opening.

Key Fob Battery Replacement

6. To assemble the key fob case, line up the top edge of the back cover with the top of the fob, and press the
edges into the interlocking hinges until all edges snap
together with no large visual gaps.
7. Reinsert the emergency key until it locks into place.
NOTE:The key fob battery should only be replaced by qualified
technicians. If the battery requires replacement, see an
authorized dealer.
1 — Emergency Key
2 — Emergency Key Release Button

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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL117
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an
inspection of your vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M), this check verifies the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is functioning
and is not on when the engine is running, and
that the OBD II system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may not be ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a depleted battery or a battery
replacement. If the OBD II system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test. Your vehicle has a simple ignition actuated test, which you
can use prior to going to the test station. To check if your
vehicle's OBD II system is ready, you must do the following:

1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, but do
not crank or start the engine.

NOTE:If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start this
test over.
2. As soon as you cycle the ignition switch to the ON position, you will see the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) symbol come on as part of a normal bulb check.
3. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will happen:
 The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition or start the engine. This means that
your vehicle's OBD II system is not ready and you
should not proceed to the I/M station.
 The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully illu -
minated until you place the ignition in the off posi -
tion or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle's OBD II system is ready and you can
proceed to the I/M station. If your OBD II system is
not ready, you should see an
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your vehicle
as you normally would in order for your OBD II system to
update. A recheck with the approved test routine may then
indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle's OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal vehicle
operation you should have your vehicle serviced before
going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail your
vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine running.
3

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334SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE PLAN
Refer to the Maintenance Plan for required maintenance. More frequent maintenance may be needed in severe conditions, such as dusty areas and very short trip driving. In some
extreme conditions, additional maintenance not specified in the maintenance schedule may be required.
NOTE:Using white lithium grease, lubricate the door hinge roller pivot joints twice a year to prevent premature wear.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System
Change the oil and filter.
 Rotate the tires at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns on.
 Inspect the battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
 Inspect the CV/Universal joints.
 Inspect the brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, and hoses.
 Inspect the engine cooling system protection and hoses.
 Inspect the exhaust system.
 Inspect the engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road conditions, replace the engine air cleaner, as necessary.
 Inspect and replace the Evaporative System Fresh Air Filter as necessary; replacement may be more frequent if vehicle is operated in extreme dusty conditions.

23_DT_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 334

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE367
6. Rotate the bulb counterclockwise a quarter turn to
unlock the bulb from the lamp.
7. Pull the bulb straight out from the housing.
8. Reverse the procedure for installation of new bulb and covers.
High Beam

High Beam Headlight Cover

See the following steps to replace:

1. Open the hood.

2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Locate the high beam access cover, which can be found on the back side of the headlamps.
NOTE:It may be necessary to remove/reposition Air Cleaner
Assembly to access passenger side headlamp/side
marker light bulbs.
4. Reach behind the headlamp and disengage the access cover by rotating counterclockwise.
5. Disconnect the internal lamp wiring harness connector from the high beam bulb.
6. Rotate the bulb counterclockwise a quarter turn to unlock the bulb from the lamp.
7. Pull the bulb straight out from the housing.
8. Reverse the procedure for installation of new bulb and cover. Front Park And Turn
See the following steps to replace:

1. Open the hood.

2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Locate the park and turn socket, which can be found
on the back side of the headlamps.

Park And Turn Socket

4. Reach behind the headlamp and unlock the park and turn socket from the lamp by rotating counter -
clockwise a quarter turn.
5. Pull the bulb straight out from the housing.
6. Separate the bulb from the socket without twisting.
7. Reverse the procedure for installation of new bulb and covers.
CAUTION!
Do not contaminate the bulb glass by touching it with
your fingers or by allowing it to contact other oily
surfaces. Shortened bulb life will result.
 Always use the correct bulb size and type for replace -
ment. An incorrect bulb size or type may overheat
and cause damage to the lamp, the bulb socket, or
the lamp wiring.
CAUTION!
 Do not contaminate the bulb glass by touching it with
your fingers or by allowing it to contact other oily
surfaces. Shortened bulb life will result.
 Always use the correct bulb size and type for
replacement. An incorrect bulb size or type may
overheat and cause damage to the lamp, the bulb
socket, or the lamp wiring.
8

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