Dodge 1500 (2012 year). Manual

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.

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.

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.

WARNING!

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

604

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.

WARNING!

• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-

ever 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 watch bands or

bracelets that might 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.

Positive Battery Post

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

605

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 procedure could result in per-
sonal injury or property damage due to battery ex-
plosion.

CAUTION!

Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.

1. Connect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable to the
positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.

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.

606

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!

Do not connect the 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.

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.

Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:

6. Disconnect the negative (-) jumper cable from the
engine ground of the vehicle with the discharged battery.

7. Disconnect the negative end (-) of the jumper cable
from the negative (-) post of the booster battery.

8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper
cable from the positive (+) post of the booster battery.

9. Disconnect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable
from the positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.

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 that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

607

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the shift lever
rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE while ap-
plying slight pressure to the accelerator. In general, the
least amount of accelerator pedal pressure to maintain
the rocking motion without spinning the wheels or racing
the engine is most effective.

CAUTION!

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

CAUTION!

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

tween 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 overheating 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).

608

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.

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!

• Chains are not recommended 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

609

SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE

If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use one of the
following procedures to temporarily move the shift lever:

Column Shifter — If Equipped

1. Firmly set the parking brake.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
without starting the engine.

3. Tilt the steering wheel to the full up position

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

5. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, press and hold the
override tab through the access port (ringed circle) on the
bottom of the steering column.

6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.

7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.

Shift Lever Override Access Port

610

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Center Console Shifter — If Equipped

To access the override, carefully remove (using a flat-
bladed screwdriver) the override access cover which is
located on the right of the shift lever gate.

1. Firmly set the parking brake.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
without starting the engine.

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

4. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, press and hold the
override tab through the access port on the center con-
sole.

5. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.

6. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.

7. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover.

Shift Lever Override Access Cover

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

611

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial wrecker service. If the
transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting and Operating” section.

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

See instructions in “Recreational Towing”
under “Starting and Operating”

• Transmission in PARK

• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL

• Tow in forward direction

Wheel Lift or

Dolly Tow

Front

NOT ALLOWED

Rear

NOT ALLOWED

Flatbed

ALL

BEST METHOD

612

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the 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 applying to
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
position, not the ACC position.

If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, see “Shift Lever
Override” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic transmission out of the
PARK position for towing.

CAUTION!

Do not attempt to use sling type equipment when
towing. 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.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

613

Towing Without The Ignition Key Fob

Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK/OFF position. The only
approved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.

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, the vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL

. Speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) and the

distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).

CAUTION!

Towing faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
15 miles (24 km) with rear wheels on the ground can
cause severe damage to the transmission. Such dam-
age is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.

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), 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.

614

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles

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 and the transmission is
in PARK. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information.

CAUTION!

• Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.

Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when towing.

• Failure to follow these towing methods can cause

severe damage to the transmission and/or transfer
case. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

615

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CONTENTS

䡵 Engine Compartment — 3.7L . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620
䡵 Engine Compartment — 4.7L . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621
䡵 Engine Compartment — 5.7L . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622
䡵 Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) . . . . . . . 623

▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message . . . . . . . . . . . 623

䡵 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance

Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624

䡵 Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625
䡵 Dealer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 626

䡵 Maintenance Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 626

▫ Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 627
▫ Engine Oil Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . 632
▫ Front Driveshaft Lubrication – 2500/3500

(Four-Wheel Drive) Models
(Ram Trucks Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 633

▫ Body Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 633

▫ Windshield Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634
▫ Adding Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634
▫ Exhaust System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635
▫ Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 638
▫ Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 644
▫ Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid

Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646

▫ Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648
▫ Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From

Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651

䡵 Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 658

▫ Totally Integrated Power Module . . . . . . . . . 658

䡵 Vehicle Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 663
䡵 Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 664
䡵 Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665

▫ Dual Or Quad Headlamp/Front Park And

Turn Signal — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665

▫ Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667
▫ Rear Tail/Stop, Turn Signal And Backup

Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667

▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp

(CHMSL) With Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 669

▫ Cab Top Clearance Lamps — If Equipped . . . 671
▫ Rear Lamp Bar ID Marker (Dual Rear

Wheels) — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672

618

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

▫ Side Marker Lamps (Dual Rear Wheels) — If

Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 673

䡵 Fluid Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 674

䡵 Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts . . . . . . . 676

▫ Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 676
▫ Chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 678

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

619

Dodge 1500 (2012 year). Manual - part 38