RAM 1500 (2019 year). Manual — part 30

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.

5. 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 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 lowered.

6. Lower vehicle to ground, finish tightening the lug nuts.

Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle

for increased leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a star

pattern until each nut has been tightened twice.

NOTE:

For the correct lug nut torque refer to “Torque

Specifications” in “Technical Specifications.”If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by an authorized dealer or service station.

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.

7. Install the wheel center 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.

8. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the

replaced tire, jack, and tools as previously described.

9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.

To Stow The Flat Or Spare

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.

470

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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.

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.

Reinstalling The Retainer

Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel

And Positioning It

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

471

3. Attach the lug wrench to the extension tubes with the

curved angle facing away from the vehicle. Insert the

extension tubes through the access hole between the

lower tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the

winch mechanism tube.

4. Rotate the lug wrench handle clockwise until the wheel

is drawn into place against the underside of the vehicle.

Continue to rotate until you feel the winch mechanism

slip, or click three or four times. It cannot be overtight-

ened. Push against the tire several times to ensure it is

firmly in place.

NOTE:

The winch mechanism is designed for use with the

extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other power

tools is not recommended and can damage the winch.

Lug Wrench And Extension Tubes Assembled And In

Position

Rotating The Lug Wrench Handle

472

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Reinstalling The Jack And Tools

1. Tighten the jack all the way down by turning the jack

turn-screw counterclockwise until the jack is snug.

2. Position the jack and tool bag. Make sure the lug wrench

is under the jack near the jack turn-screw.

3. Secure the tool bag straps to the jack.

4. Place the jack and tools in the storage position holding

the jack by the jack turn-screw, slip the jack and tools

under the seat so that the bottom slot engages into the

fastener on the floor.

NOTE:

Ensure that the jack slides into the front hold down

location.

Jack And Tool Bag

Jack And Tools Tied

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

473

5. Turn the wing bolt clockwise to secure to the floor pan.

Reinstall the plastic cover.

WARNING!

After using the jack and tools, always reinstall them in
the original carrier and location. While driving you
may experience abrupt stopping, rapid acceleration or
sharp turns. A loose jack, tools, bracket or other objects
in the vehicle may move around with force, resulting
in serious injury.

JUMP STARTING

If your vehicle has a discharged battery, it can be jump

started using a set of jumper cables and a battery in another

vehicle, or by using a portable battery booster pack. Jump

starting can be dangerous if done improperly, so please

follow the procedures in this section carefully.

WARNING!

Do not attempt jump starting if the battery is frozen. It
could rupture or explode and cause personal injury.

CAUTION!

Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any other
booster source with a system voltage greater than 12
Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor, alternator
or electrical system may occur.

NOTE:

When using a portable battery booster pack, follow

the manufacturer’s operating instructions and precautions.

Jack Hold Down Wing Bolt

474

IN 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.

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.

1. Apply the parking brake, shift the automatic transmis-

sion into PARK and turn the ignition OFF.

2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary 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.

Positive Battery Post

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

475

WARNING!

Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could
establish a ground connection and personal injury
could result.

Jump Starting Procedure

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.

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.

2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper

cable to the positive (+) post of the booster battery.

3. Connect the negative (-) end of the jumper cable to the

negative (-) post of the booster battery.

4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-) jumper

cable to a good engine ground (exposed metal part of

the discharged vehicle’s engine) away from the battery

and the fuel injection system.

WARNING!

Do not connect the jumper cable to the negative (-) post
of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury. Only use the specific ground point, do
not use any other exposed metal parts.

5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster

battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start

the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.

476

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

CAUTION!

Do not connect jumper cable to any of the fuses on the
positive battery terminal. The resulting electrical cur-
rent will blow the fuse.

6. Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in

the reverse sequence:

Disconnecting The Jumper Cables

1. Disconnect the negative (-) end of the jumper cable from

the engine ground of the vehicle with the discharged

battery.

2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative (-) jumper

cable from the negative (-) post of the booster battery.

3. Disconnect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable from

the positive (+) post of the booster battery.

4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper

cable from the positive (+) post of the vehicle with the

discharged battery.

If frequent jump starting is required to start your vehicle

you should have the battery and charging system in-

spected at an authorized dealer.

CAUTION!

Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if plugged
in long enough without engine operation, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS

In any of the following situations, you can reduce the

potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in

NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed

while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes.

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.

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

477

• 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.

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.

MANUAL PARK RELEASE

WARNING!

Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake before activating the Manual Park Re-
lease. 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.

In order to push or tow the vehicle in cases where the

transmission will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead

battery), a Manual Park Release is available.
Follow these steps to activate the Manual Park Release:
1. Apply the parking brake.

478

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

2. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove the

Manual Park Release access cover, which is just below

the Electric Park Brake switch, 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) to the right.

5. While holding the locking tab in the disengaged posi-

tion, 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 position.

4. Re-install the access cover.

Manual Park Release Access Cover

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

479

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 and

REVERSE, while gently pressing the accelerator. Use the

least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will main-

tain the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels or

racing the engine.

NOTE:

Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can only be

achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h) or less.

Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL for more

than two seconds, you must press the brake pedal to

engage DRIVE or REVERSE.

NOTE:

Push the

⬙ESC Off⬙ switch, to place the Electronic

Stability Control (ESC) system in

⬙Partial Off⬙ mode, before

rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in

“Safety” for further information. Once the vehicle has been

freed, push the

⬙ESC Off⬙ switch again to restore ⬙ESC On⬙

mode.

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 pro-
longed 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.

(Continued)

480

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

CAUTION! (Continued)

• 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 transmis-
sion shifting occurring).

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 “Recre-

ational Towing” in the “Starting And Operating” section.

NOTE:

Vehicles equipped with the Active-Level Four Cor-

ner 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 Trans-

port 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.

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

481

Refer to

⬙Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension System

— If Equipped

⬙ in ⬙Starting And Operating⬙ for more

information.

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 Tow-
ing” 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

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

manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-

datory. 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.

482

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.

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

instructions 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.

Acceptable 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.

CAUTION!

Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Damage
from improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.

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.

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

483

Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operat-

ing” for further information and detailed instructions.

CAUTION!

• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if the

remaining wheels are on the ground). Internal dam-
age to the transmission or transfer case will occur if
a front or rear wheel lift is used when towing.

• 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.

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.

WARNING!

• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains

may break, causing serious injury or death.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.

Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious
injury.

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.

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 Re-

sponse System (EARS) function.

484

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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 per-

formed 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).

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

485