Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual

NOTE:

The winch mechanism is designed for use with

the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.

Preparations

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

slippery areas.

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 the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.

2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.

3. Set the parking brake.

4. Place the gear selector into PARK. On four-wheel drive

vehicles, shift the transfer case to the 4L position.

5. Turn the ignition OFF.

Pulling The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel

764

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

6. Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonally

opposite the jacking position. For ex-
ample, if the right front wheel is being
changed, block the left rear wheel.

NOTE:

Passengers should not remain in the vehicle

when the vehicle is being jacked.

Jack Instructions (2500, 3500 Series)

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.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.

• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to

be raised.

• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic

transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE.

• 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.

(Continued)

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

765

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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.

Jack Warning Label

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!

Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the Jacking
Instructions for this vehicle.

1. Remove the spare wheel, jack, and tools from storage.

2. Using the lug wrench, loosen, but do not remove, the

wheel nuts by turning them counterclockwise one
turn while the wheel is still on the ground. Changing
a dually tire requires the lug wrench adapter.

NOTE:

If your vehicle is equipped with hub caps/wheel

covers they must be removed before raising the vehicle
off the ground. Refer to ”Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If
Equipped” in this section.

Lug Wrench Adaptor Shown In Jack And Tools

Assembly

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

767

3. Placement of the jack:

Front Jacking Location

When changing the front wheel, assemble the jack drive
tube to the jack and connect the drive tube to the
extension tube. Place the jack under the axle as close to
the tire as possible with the drive tubes extending to the
front. Connect the jack tube extension and wheel wrench.

Rear Jacking Location

When changing a rear wheel, assemble the jack drive
tube to the jack and connect the drive tube to the
extension tube. Place the jack under the axle between the
spring and the shock absorber with the drive tubes
extending to the rear.

Front Jacking Location

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

769

Connect the jack tube extension and wheel wrench.

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.

NOTE:

If the bottle jack will not lower by turning the dial

(thumbwheel) by hand, it may be necessary to use the
jack drive tube in order to lower the jack.

4. By rotating the wheel wrench clockwise, raise the

vehicle until the wheel just clears the surface.

WARNING!

Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.

5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. On

single rear-wheel (SRW) trucks, install the spare wheel
and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end of the wheel
nuts toward the wheel. On 3500 dual rear-wheel
models (DRW) trucks, if the outer tire is being re-
placed then leave the inner wheel on the vehicle. If the

Rear Jacking Location

770

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

inner wheel is being replaced remove the outer wheel
and replace the inner wheel. The wheel nuts are a
two-piece assembly with a flat face. Lightly tighten the
wheel nuts. To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off
the jack, do not fully tighten the wheel nuts until the
vehicle has been lowered.

Rear Inner Wheel Proper Placement (Dual Rear Wheel

Equipped)

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

771

6. 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. For the correct lug
nut torque refer to “Torque Specifications” in this
section. If in doubt about the correct tightness, have

them checked with a torque wrench by you authorized
dealer or service station.

WARNING!

A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could injure someone in the vehicle. Al-
ways stow the jack parts and the extra tire and wheel
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.

NOTE:

If the bottle jack will not lower by turning the dial

(thumbwheel) by hand, it may be necessary to use the
jack drive tube in order to lower the jack.

Dual Rear Wheel Placement

772

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.

NOTE:

Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do

not substitute with chrome plated wheel nuts.

To Stow The Flat Or Spare

NOTE: Have the flat tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.

WARNING!

A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have
the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.

1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing the

ground and toward the rear of the vehicle for conve-
nience 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

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

773

3. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack extension tube

with the curved angle facing away from the vehicle.
Insert the tube through the access hole between the
lower tailgate and the top of the bumper and into the
winch mechanism tube.

4. Rotate the wheel wrench handle clockwise until the

wheel is drawn into place against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue to rotate until you feel the winch

Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The

Wheel And Positioning It

Wheel Wrench And Jack Extension Tube Assembled And

In Position

774

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

mechanism slip, or click three or four times. It cannot
be overtightened. Push against the tire several times to
ensure it is firmly in place.

NOTE:

The winch mechanism is designed for use with

the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.

Reinstalling The Jack And Tools (2500 And 3500
Series)

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 tools into bracket assembly.

Make sure the lug wrench is under the jack near the
jack turn-screw. Snap tools into bracket assembly clips.
Install the jack into bracket assembly and turn the
jack-turn-screw clockwise until jack is snug into
bracket assembly.

Rotating The Wheel Wrench Handle

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

775

3. Place the jack and tool bracket assembly 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 and tool bracket assembly

slides into the front hold down location.

Jack And Tools Bracket Assembly

Jack Hold Down Fastener

776

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

Reinstall the plastic cover.

Hub Caps/Wheel Covers — If Equipped

The hub caps must be removed before raising the vehicle
off the ground.

CAUTION!

Use extreme caution when removing the front and
rear center caps. Damage can occur to the center cap
and/or the wheel if screwdriver type tools are used. A
pulling motion, not a pry off motion, is recom-
mended to remove the caps.

For single rear wheel (SRW) models, use the flat blade on
the end of the lug wrench to pull the hub cap off. Insert
the blade end into the pull off notch and carefully pull the
hub cap off with a back and forth motion.

On 3500 models with dual rear wheels (DRW), you must
first remove the hub caps. The jack handle driver has a
hook at one end that will fit in the pull off notch of the
rear hub caps. Position the hook and pull straight out on
the ratchet firmly. The hub cap should pop off. The wheel
skins can now be removed. For the front hub cap, use the

Wing Bolt/Jack And Tools (2500/3500 Series)

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

777

flat blade on the end of the lug wrench to pull the caps
off. The wheel skin can now be removed.

CAUTION!

• Use a pulling motion to remove the hub cap. Do not

use a twisting motion when removing the hub cap,
damage to the hub cap; finish may occur.

• The rear hub caps on the dual rear wheel has two

pull off notches. Make sure that the hook of the
jack handle driver is located squarely in the cap
notch before attempting to pull off.

You must use the flat end of the lug wrench to pull off the
wheel skins. Locate the hub cap pull notches (2 notches
on each cap). Insert the flat tip completely and using a
back and forth motion, loosen the wheel skin. Repeat this
procedure around the tire until the skin pops off.

Replace the wheel skins first using a rubber mallet. When
replacing the hub caps, tilt the cap retainer over the lug
nut bolt circle and strike the high side down with a
rubber mallet. Be sure that the hub caps and wheel skins
are firmly seated around the wheel.

HOISTING

A conventional floor jack may be used at the jacking
locations. Refer to the graphics that show jacking loca-
tions. However, a floor jack or frame hoist must never be
used on any other parts of the underbody.

CAUTION!

Never use a floor jack directly under the differential
housing of a loaded truck or damage to your vehicle
may result.

778

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES

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.

NOTE:

When using a portable battery booster pack

follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and
precautions.

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.

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 is covered with a

protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain access to the
positive battery post. Do not jump off fuses. Only jump
directly off positive post.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual - part 48