DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON 2008 3.G Owners Manual

Operating Tips Chart
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 251
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures ± Gas Engines...........258
NManual Transmission ± If Equipped........258
NAutomatic Transmission ± If Equipped......258
NNormal Starting......................259
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................259
NAfter Starting........................261
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........261
mAutomatic Transmission..................262
NAutomatic Transmission With Overdrive.....262mManual Transmission....................268
NManual Transmission Ð 6 Speed (G56)......269
NRecommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........269
NDownshifting ± All Manual Transmissions....270
mFour-Wheel- Drive Operation..............271
NManually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................271
NShifting Procedure - Manually Shifted
Transfer Case........................273
NTransfer Case Reminder Light............274
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mLimited-Slip Differential Ð If Equipped.......275
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............276
mAxle Locker System.....................276
mStabilizer/Sway Bar System...............279
mPower Wagon ± Safe Off-Road Driving.......281
NOff-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics.......................281
NDriving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........286
NCrossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points).............................288
NHill Climbing........................291
NDriving Through Water.................294
NAiring Down For Off-Road Driving........296
NVehicle Recovery......................297NAfter Driving Off-Road.................301
mWinch Usage ± If Equipped...............302
NThings To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . 302
NUnderstanding The Features Of Your Winch . . 304
NWinch Accessories.....................306
NOperating Your Winch..................307
NRigging Techniques....................318
mParking Brake.........................321
mBrake System..........................322
NBrake Noise.........................323
NFour-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ±
If Equipped.........................323
mPower Steering........................325
254 STARTING AND OPERATING

mMulti Displacement System (MDS) Ð 5.7L Engine
Only................................326
mTire Safety Information...................326
NTire Markings........................326
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........330
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........331
mTires Ð General Information...............335
NTire Pressure.........................335
NTire Inflation Pressures.................336
NRadial-Ply Tires......................338
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........339
NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........339
NTire Spinning........................340NTread Wear Indicators..................341
NLife Of Tire.........................341
NReplacement Tires.....................342
NAlignment And Balance.................343
mSupplemental Tire Pressure Information Ð
If Equipped...........................344
mTire Chains...........................344
mSnow Tires...........................345
mTire Rotation Recommendations............346
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð
If Equipped...........................347
NTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ªLight
Loadº Reset Switch Description ±
If Equipped.........................350
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
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NTire Pressure Monitor System Components . . . 355
NGeneral Information...................357
mFuel Requirements......................357
NReformulated Gasoline.................358
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............358
NMMT In Gasoline.....................359
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................359
NMaterials Added To Fuel................360
NFuel System Cautions..................360
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............361
mAdding Fuel..........................362
NAdding Fuel (Gas Engines)..............362
mVehicle Loading........................364NCertification Label.....................364
mTrailer Towing.........................367
NCommon Towing Definitions.............367
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............371
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................372
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............372
NTowing Requirements..................373
NTowing Tips.........................380
NTrailer Towing Mirrors Ð If Equipped......381
mSnowplow............................383
mRecreational Towing Ð 4±Wheel Drive Vehicles
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................384
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

NRecreational Towing Procedure Ð Manual
Shift Transfer Case Ð If Equipped.........384
NReturning To Normal Operation Ð Manual
Shift Transfer Case....................386mEquipment Identification Plate.............387
STARTING AND OPERATING 257
5

STARTING PROCEDURES ± GAS ENGINES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission ± If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch is fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission ± If Equipped
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the starting procedure.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
Tip Start Feature Ð Automatic Transmission Only
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
normal starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
Ignition Key Positions
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
5

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
260 STARTING AND OPERATING