Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual

WARNING!

• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-

ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission

into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.

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

cal accessories.

Correct Positive Jumping Location

780

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park

the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.

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

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

781

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 electri-
cal 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.

CAUTION!

Do not connect jumper cable to any of the fuses on
the positive battery terminal. The resulting electrical
current 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 dis-
charged 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.

782

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 your 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.

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 (with automatic transmission) or 2nd gear
and REVERSE (with manual transmission), while gently
pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of accel-
erator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the en-
gine.

NOTE:

For trucks equipped with 8-speed automatic

transmission: 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.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

783

CAUTION!

Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine 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 clutch or transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.

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 “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. 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 gener-
ated 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 vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.

CAUTION!

• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-

tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.

(Continued)

784

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 trans-
mission shifting occurring).

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.

• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow

hooks. Tow straps may become disengaged, caus-
ing 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.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

785

GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE — 6-SPEED
TRANSMISSION

If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use one of the
following procedures to temporarily move the gear se-
lector:

Column Shifter — If Equipped

1. Turn the engine off.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.

3. Tilt the steering wheel to the full up position.

4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.

5. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool, into the access port

(ringed circle) on the bottom of the steering column
and push and hold the override release lever up.

6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.

7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.

Gear Selector Override Access Port

786

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Center Console Shifter — If Equipped

1. Turn the engine off.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.

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

gear selector override access cover (located to the right
of the gear selector).

4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.

5. Insert the screwdriver or similar tool into the access

hole, and push and hold the override release lever
down.

6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.

7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.

8. Reinstall the gear selector override access cover.

Gear Selector Override Access Cover

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

787

MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 SPEED
TRANSMISSION

WARNING!

Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake, before 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. Firmly apply the parking brake.

Manual Park Release Pull Strap

788

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

Manual Park Release access cover, which is just above
the parking brake release handle, below and to the left
of the steering column.

3. Using the screwdriver or similar tool, push the

Manual Park Release lever locking tab (just below the
middle of the lever) to the right.

4. While holding the locking tab in the disengaged

position, 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.

5. 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.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

789

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the trans-
mission 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 air suspension must be

placed in Transport mode, before tying them down (from
the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to

⬙Air

Suspension

⬙ in ⬙Starting And Operating⬙ for more infor-

mation. 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.

790

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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

• 15 miles (24 km) max distance (6–
speed transmission)

• 30 miles (48 km) max distance (8–
speed transmission)

See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”

• Automatic Transmission in PARK

• Manual Transmission in gear ( NOT
NEUTRAL)

• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)

• Tow in forward direction

Wheel Lift

or Dolly

Tow

Front

NOT ALLOWED

Rear

NOT ALLOWED

Flatbed

ALL

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 equip-
ment manufacturer’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 bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

791

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.

If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” or “Gear
Selector Override” in this section for instructions on
shifting the automatic transmission out of PARK for
towing.

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.
Damage 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 transmis-
sion is operable, this vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:

• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)

for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8-speed transmission.

If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km) for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8-speed transmission, tow with the rear
wheels OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised

792

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered 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 transmis-
sion is in PARK (for automatic transmissions) or in gear
(NOT in NEUTRAL, for manual transmissions). Refer to
“Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information and detailed instructions.

CAUTION!

• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal

damage 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 re-

quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

793

Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual - part 49