2005 DODGE POWER WAGON automatic transmission

Ignition/Starter Switch...................266
▫Lock..............................266
▫Off ...............................266
▫On................................266
▫Start..............................266
▫ACC ..............................267
▫Manual Transmission Key Release Button....267
▫Key Reminder.......................267

Starting Procedures.....................267
▫Manual Transmission..................267
▫Automatic Transmission................268
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................268
▫After Starting........................269
Transmission Shifting....................270
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive.....270
▫Manual Transmission—6-Speed..........275

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation..............277
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................277
▫Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case..............................279
▫Transfer Case Reminder Light............280

Limited-Slip Differential—If Equipped.......281

Parking Brake.........................282

Brake System..........................283
▫Brake Noise.........................284
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▫Materials Added To Fuel................309
▫Adding Fuel.........................309
▫Fuel System Cautions..................312
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............313

Catalytic Converter.....................313

Vehicle Loading........................315
▫Certification Label.....................315

Trailer Towing.........................318
▫To Maintain Warranty Coverage...........318
▫Axle Lubricant And Trailer Towing.........320
▫Trailer Towing Recommendations..........320
▫Trailer Towing—Hitches...............321▫Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer
Brakes.............................322
▫Trailer Weight And Trailer Tongue Weight....323
▫Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................325
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors—If Equipped......326
▫Cooling System Tips—Trailer Towing......326
▫Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature
Warning Light.......................327
▫Towing With An Automatic Transmission....327

Snowplow............................328
▫Dodge Power Wagon Models.............328
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a1⁄4turn quickly back and forth. This will provide a
freshbiteinto the surface and will usually provide
enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not
make it to the top, place the vehicle in reverse and
back straight down the grade using engine resistance
along with the vehicle brakes.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn
around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline
increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in
severe injury.
•Driving Down Hill–Before driving down a steep hill
you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe
descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too
steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there
obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty ofdistance at the base of the hill to regain control if the
vehicle descends to fast? If you feel confident in your
ability to proceed then make sure you are in 4L (Low)
with the transmission in 1st gear (manually select 1st
gear on automatic transmissions) and proceed with
caution. Allow engine braking to control the descent
and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not allow
the tires to lock.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in neutral. Use vehicle
brakes in conjunction with engine braking. De-
scending a grade too fast could cause you to lose
control and be seriously injured.
•Driving Across An Incline–If at all possible avoid
driving across an incline. If it is necessary, know your
vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an incline places
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

an uneven stack, spool out that section of the rope and
reposition it to the opposite end of the drum, which will
free up space for continued winching.
16. Secure vehicle. Once recovery of the vehicle is com-
plete, be sure to secure the vehicle’s brakes and put the
transmission inpark(automatic) orlowgear for
manualtransmissions. Release tension in the wire rope.
17. Disconnect wire rope. Disconnect from the anchor.
18. Rewind wire rope. The person handling the wire
rope should walk the rope in and not let it slide through
the hand, control the winch at all times.
WARNING!
To prevent serious injury, NEVER put your fingers
inside the hook area as you are powering-in.
NOTE: How to spool under no load:Arrange the
remote control lead so it cannot be caught in the winch.
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5

IGNITION/STARTER SWITCH
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.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Startingof 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).
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.
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.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
268 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.
270 STARTING AND OPERATING

“N”Neutral
Shift to Neutral when the vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with the engine running. The engine may
be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
“D”Drive
This position provides all forward gears, including 3rd
gear direct and 4th or 5th (if equipped) gear overdrive
(see Overdrive Operation). Use this range for most city
and highway driving.
“2”Second
Use this position for driving slowly in heavy city traffic
or on mountain roads where more precise speed control
is desirable. Use it also when climbing long grades, and
for engine braking when descending moderately steep
grades.
NOTE:Do not exceed maximum engine speed.“1”First
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds (20 mph [32 km/h] or less)
when going downhill.
NOTE:Do not exceed maximum engine speed.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed
(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
•the transmission selector is in Drive;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
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