steering wheel DODGE POWER WAGON 2006 2.G Owner's Manual

CAUTION!
Winching or rocking the vehicle off hard objects
increases the risk of underbody damage.
Hill Climbing
Hill climbing requires good judgment and a good under-
standing of your abilities and your vehicle’s limitations.
Hills can cause serious problems. Some are just too steep
to climb and should not be attempted. You should always
feel confident with the vehicle and your abilities. You
should always climb hills straight up and down. Never
attempt to climb a hill on an angle.
•Before Climbing A Steep Hill– As you approach a
hill consider its grade or steepness. Determine if it is
too steep. Look to see what the traction is on the hill
side trail. Is the trail straight up and down? What is on
top and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks, branchesor other obstacles on the path? Can you safely recover
the vehicle if something goes wrong? If everything
looks good and you feel confident, then change trans-
mission into a lower gear, shift the transfer case into 4L
(Low) and proceed with caution. You should use first
gear and 4L (Low) for very steep hills.
•Driving Up Hill– Once you have determined your
ability to proceed and have shifted into the appropri-
ate gear, line your vehicle up for the straightest
possible run. Accelerate with an easy constant throttle
and apply more power as you start up the hill. Do not
race forward into a steep grade, the abrupt change of
grade could cause you to lose control. If the front end
begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring
all four tires back on the ground. As you approach the
crest of the hill ease off the throttle and slowly proceed
over the top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach
the crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain
headway by turning the steering wheel no more than
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CAUTION!
Pulling the vehicle off an obstacle, without first
clearing the object, may result in additional under-
body damage.
•Rock Cycling Your Vehicle– Rock cycling your ve-
hicle is one of the easiest, fastest and most commonly
used methods. This simply involves shifting your
vehicle from drive to reverse, while applying throttle
after each shift. During this process, for additional
traction, try turning your steering wheel quickly back
and forth no more than a
14turn. If you are stuck in
mud, sand, or snow try spinning your tires during this
process to clean the debris from the tread and improve
the traction. You want to create a rocking motion with
the vehicle. This helps build vehicle momentum,
which hopefully gets you out. Remember to ease off
and on the accelerator before and after the shift. If aftera few rock cycles your vehicle is not free, stop and try
another method of recovery. Continuous rock cycling
will only cause unnecessary damage to your vehicle
and the environment.
CAUTION!
Damage can occur when spinning your tires at an
excessive high speed. Do not spin your tires faster
than an indicated 35 mph
•Using The Tow Hooks With A Tow Strap–Tow
straps are a quick and easy way to recover your
vehicle from minor situations if you have a secondary
vehicle which is not stuck. The tow hooks on your
vehicle are designed to take the abusive force gener-
ated during vehicle recovery. Do not use the bumper
or any other vehicle component as an attachment
point. Using tow straps requires coordination between
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Winch cables are under high tension when in use
and can become a projectile if they fail. Never stand
over or straddle the winch cable. Never jerk or
overload the winch cable. Never stand in front of the
vehicle while winching. Failure to follow these in-
structions can result in serious or fatal injury.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After driving off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage.
•Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
•Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
•Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard, or they might hide
damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals,
and propeller shafts.
•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake drums and rotors,
brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
packed material. Packed foreign material can cause a
wheel imbalance and cleaning the wheels will correct
the situation.
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5

LOCK
Locks the automatic transmission shift control into the
PARK position. It also engages the steering wheel lock (if
equipped) when the steering wheel is turned.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
OFF
Unlocks the steering wheel (if equipped with locking
wheel) and the automatic transmission shift control with
engine off.
ON
This is the normal running position.
START
Starts the engine. When the engine starts, release the key.
The ignition key will return to the ON position for
normal driving.
ACC
Allows the electrical accessories to be used when the
engine is not running.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel-drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity,
other than what was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could
result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have an accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Alignment And Balance
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
•Fast tire wear.
•Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear.
•Vehicle pull to right or left.
Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right.
Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.
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5

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. And with four-wheel-drive
vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in neutral.
Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
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▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............380
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............380
▫Steering Linkage — Inspection............381
▫Front Prop Shaft Lubrication.............382
▫Body Lubrication.....................382
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................383
▫Windshield Washers...................383
▫Exhaust System......................384
▫Cooling System.......................385
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......389
▫Brake System........................389
▫Clutch Hydraulic System................391
▫Clutch Linkage.......................391▫Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level..............................391
▫Transfer Case........................392
▫Front Drive Shaft.....................392
▫Manual Transmission..................392
▫Automatic Transmission................393
▫Front Wheel Bearings..................396
▫Selection Of Lubricating Grease...........396
▫Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty...........................397
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................401

Integrated Power Module.................405

Vehicle Storage........................405
364 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Event Data Recorder...................... 56
Exhaust Gas Caution.............. 71,162,322,384
Exhaust System....................... 71,384
Exterior Lighting........................ 123
Filters
Air Cleaner........................375,398
Engine Fuel.......................... 375
Engine Oil........................374,418
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 374
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 125
Flat Tire Stowage.....................349,355
Flooded Engine Starting................... 278
Fluid, Brake........................... 419
Fluid Capacities......................... 417
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 393
Power Steering........................ 380Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 418
Fog Lights.......................124,174,415
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 156
Four Wheel Drive....................... 287
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 346
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 359
FrontAxle ............................. 391
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 396
Fuel................................. 317
Adding............................. 319
Filter ............................... 375
Gauge.............................. 175
Octane Rating......................317,418
Requirements......................317,417
Tank Capacity........................ 417
Fueling ............................... 319
Fuses................................ 405
Garage Door Opener..................... 142
456 INDEX

Cruise .............................. 176
Daytime Running...................... 124
Fog ..........................124,174,415
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 290
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 346
Headlights........................... 123
High Beam........................127,169
High Beam Indicator.................... 169
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 127
Instrument Cluster..................... 168
Intensity Control....................... 122
Interior..........................121,134
Lights On Reminder.................... 124
Passing............................. 126
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 169
Service...........................406,407
Transfer Case......................... 290
Transmission Warning................... 175
Turn Signal..................125,168,407,410Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 168
Limited-Slip Differential................291,392
Loading Vehicle......................... 324
Tires ............................... 301
Locks................................. 17
Child Protection........................ 21
Door................................ 17
Ignition.............................. 15
Keys................................ 12
Power Door........................... 18
Steering Wheel......................... 15
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) . 62
Lubricants............................. 396
Lubrication, Body....................... 382
LugNuts ............................. 353
Lumbar Support........................ 116
Maintenance........................... 370
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 378
INDEX 459
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