warning DODGE POWER WAGON 2005 2.G Owner's Guide

Electronically Disconnecting Stabilizer/Sway Bar
Stabilizer bars are used to help distribute load force from
one side of the vehicle to the other. This helps to reduce
body roll and create a smoother ride during on-road
driving. However, this becomes a disadvantage when the
vehicle is driven off-road when a higher level of suspen-
sion articulation is needed. By disconnecting the stabi-
lizer bars, each wheel can now reach its maximum range
of movement. This enables the vehicle to maintain a
greater tire contact patch, and thus more traction, when
traversing severe off-road terrain.
Increased Ride Height
Due to the use of longer springs and monotube shocks,
the Power Wagon has an increased ride height of ap-
proximately 1.4 inches in the front and 1.0 inch in the
rear. It allows the truck to traverse larger obstructions
and provides a better seating position from which to
view the trail. A major advantage to increasing ride
height is the positive effect it has on approach/departureand break over angles. More ride height allows for more
aggressive angles, further improving off-road capability.
12,000 lb. Winch
The 2005 Power Wagon is theonly pickup truckto offer
an electric vehicle recovery winch from the factory. The
winch provides the vehicle with an additional level of
capability and versatility. This winch uses the electrical
power from the vehicle charging system to power a
motor that winds wire rope onto the winch drum via
planetary gear reduction. By nature, a winch is capable of
generating very high forces and should be used with
care. Do not operate the winch without reading and
understanding the complete winch section of owner’s
manual, including all warnings and cautions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
3

Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirror(s)
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in a right side convex
mirror will look smaller and farther away than they
really are. Relying too much on your right side
convex mirror could cause you to collide with an-
other vehicle or other object. Use your inside mirror
when judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen
in the right side convex mirror. Some vehicles will
not have a convex right side mirror.
Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature
All6x9inch exterior mirrors are hinged and may be
moved either forward or rearward to resist damage. The
hinges have three detent positions; full forward, full
rearward, and normal.
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

SEATS
The seating options available in this truck are the result of
extensive customer research and evaluations.
WARNING!
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
40-20-40 Front Seat
As the name implies, the seat is divided into 3 segments.
The outboard seat portions are each 40% of the total
width of the seat. The back of the center portion (20%)
easily folds down to provide an armrest/center storage
compartment (if equipped).
102 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Each outboard seat is independently adjustable forward
or backward and is equipped with a back recliner. The
manual seat adjustment handle is found at the front edge
of each seat cushion. Pull up on the handle and slide the
seat to get the most comfortable position.
WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
properly adjusted and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Reclining Seats
The recliner handle is on the outside of the seat cushion.
Pull up on the handle to release the seat back and adjust
for comfort.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103
3

WARNING!
You can be seriously, even fatally injured riding in a
seat with the seatback reclined. Do not ride with the
seatback reclined so that the shoulder belt is no
longer resting against your chest. If you ride in this
position, the shoulder harness will no longer be
restraining you. In a collision you could slide under
the seat belt and receive serious or fatal injuries.
Recline in a seat only when the vehicle is parked.
Adjustable Head Restraints
Head restraints can reduce the risk of whiplash injury in
the event of impact from the rear. Pull up or push down
on the restraints so that the upper edge is as high as
practical, at least to the level of the ears.To lower the head restraint, push in the button and then
push down on the head restraint.
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are latched fully before
driving.
LIGHTS
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 109
3

Intermittent Wiper System
The intermittent feature of this system was designed for
use when weather conditions make a single wiping cycle,
with a variable pause between cycles, desirable. For
maximum delay between cycles, rotate the control knob
into the upper end of the delay range.The delay interval decreases as you rotate the knob until
it enters the LO continual speed position. The delay can
be regulated from a maximum of about 15 seconds
between cycles, to a cycle every 2 seconds. The delay
intervals will double in duration when the vehicle speed
is 10 mph (16 km) or less.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
116 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL—IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tion at speeds greater than (refer to the table below for
the speed for your specific engine). The controls are
mounted on the steering wheel.
To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button to the ON position. In the
instrument cluster, the word“CRUISE”illuminates when
the system is on.
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Set At A Desired Speed
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
and release the SET button. Release the accelerator and
the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, normal braking, clutch
pressure while slowing the vehicle, or pressing the CAN-
CEL button will deactivate speed control without erasing
the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button to the OFF
position or turning off the ignition erases the memory.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control ON when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system to
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the
system OFF when you aren’t using it.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME button. Resume can be used at any speed above
(refer to the table below for the speed for your specific
engine).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
3

To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000
feet (610 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below the
SET speed. If the vehicle speed drops below (refer to the
table below for the speed for your specific engine), the
speed control will automatically disengage. If this hap-
pens, you can push down on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with a 5–speed-manual transmission
should be operated in 4th gear or lower under the above
conditions.Vehicles equipped with a Automatic transmission may
exhibit several downshifts under the above conditions.
To reduce the frequency of the downshifts and to im-
prove vehicle performance, it is advisable to lock out
overdrive by pressing the“TOW/HAUL”button located
at the end of the gear shifter.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
3