2005 DODGE POWER WAGON brake light

•Use an approved wiring harness connector on the
trailer. Standard equipment on all RAM pickup mod-
els provides a 4-way trailer tow connector located
under the bumper. This connector contains the follow-
ing vehicle circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn
lamp, right stop/turn lamp, and ground. With the
optional Trailer Tow Prep package a 7-way connector
is provided with the following additional circuits:
backup lamp, trailer battery and electric brake.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the brake
circuits.
•Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60%
to 65% of the weight in front of the axle(s). Loads
balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear can
cause the trailer to sway severely side to side whichwill cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer. Failure
to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of many
trailer accidents.
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel. When towing cargo such
as livestock, dynamic load shifts can occur that require
the driver to maintain attention.
Trailer Towing—Hitches
With a Class I Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow
trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) maximum.
With a Class II Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 3,500
lbs (1 587 kg ) maximum. Tongue weight must be equal to
at least 10% of GTW, but no more than 15% of GTW.
STARTING AND OPERATING 321
5

With a Class III Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 5,000
lbs (2 268 kg) maximum. Factory-installed rear step
bumpers are rated a Class III hitch.
A frame mounted hitch of up to Class IV rating, as rated
by the hitch manufacturer, may also be installed. With a
Class IV Hitch, you can tow a trailer with a Gross Trailer
Weight of up to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) maximum depend-
ing on your vehicle equipment.
Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer
Brakes
NOTE:A 4-way trailer tow connector, located behind
the bumper, is standard equipment on all Ram pickup
models. This connector contains the following vehicle
circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn lamp, right stop/
turn lamp, and ground. With the optional Trailer TowPrep package a 7-way connector is also provided with the
following additional circuits: backup lamp, trailer battery
and electric brake.
NOTE:There is also a 4–way connector located under
the instrument panel, located to the left of the brake
pedal that is used for the electric brake. This connector
contains the following vehicle circuits; power ground,
battery, stop lamp switch and electric brake feed. The
4–way is optional with the trailer tow prep package.
322 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Adding lights or electrical devices to the headlamp/
park lamp circuit can be accomplished by connecting
to the standard 4-way trailer tow connector located
behind the rear bumper. The maximum current ca-
pacity for the park lamp circuit should not exceed 15
amps total (a typical park lamp bulb can draw from
0.5 to 1.0 amperes of current).
No connections can be made to the headlamp switch
itself, because it is not designed for high current
applications. Connections to the headlamp switch
will cause the exterior lights to malfunction.
CAUTION!
Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the
brake circuits. Use an approved wiring harness con-
nector on the trailer.
Trailer Weight and Trailer Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment loaded on the trailer when in actual under-
way towing condition. The recommended way to mea-
sure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle
scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported
by the scale.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
5

a minimum of two (2) minutes for the oil to fully drain
into the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
NOTE:If it is necessary to check the transmissionbelow
the operating temperature, the fluid level should be
between the two“COLD”(lower) holes on the dipstick
with the fluid at approximately 70°F (21°C) (room tem-
perature). If the fluid level is correctly established at
room temperature, it should be between the“HOT”
(upper) reference holes when the transmission reaches
180°F (82°C). Remember it is best to check the level at the
normal operating temperature.CAUTION!
Be aware that if the fluid temperature is below 50°F
(10°C) it may not register on the dipstick. Do not add
fluid until the temperature is elevated enough to
produce an accurate reading.
7. Check for leaks. Release parking brake.
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make certain that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated. It is normal for the
dipstick cap to spring back slightly from its fully seated
position, as long as its seal remains engaged in the
dipstick tube.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 381
7

At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant bottle, brake master
cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Lubricate the driveshaft grease fitting and tie rod end
links.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the CV joints (if equipped) and front suspen-
sion components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the manual transmission fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
412 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
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Brake Fluid............................ 408
Brake System........................283,376
Anti-Lock........................... 284
Disc Brakes.......................... 376
Hoses.............................. 377
Master Cylinder....................... 376
Parking............................. 282
Warning Light........................ 162
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 70
Bulb Replacement....................... 394
Bulbs, Light............................ 394
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 402
Calibration, Compass..................... 127
Camper............................... 148
Capacities, Fluid........................ 406
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine).......................... 359
Power Steering........................ 367Car Washes............................ 389
Carbon Monoxide Warning............72,150,313
Cargo Light............................ 113
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 198
Cassette Tape Player................166,169,172
Catalytic Converter....................313,362
CD Changer......................170,181,187
CD Player..................179,183,185,189,192
Cellular Phone.......................... 90
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 400
Center Lap Belts......................... 44
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 142
Certification Label....................... 315
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 287
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 157
Child Restraint.......................... 59
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............63,66
Child Seat............................59,65
Cigar Lighter........................... 140
INDEX 441
10

Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 374
Exhaust Gas Caution..............72,150,313,371
Exhaust System....................72,370,371
Exterior Lighting........................ 111
Filters
Air Cleaner........................361,385
Engine Fuel.......................... 362
Engine Oil........................360,407
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 360
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 113
Flat Tire Stowage.....................337,343
Flooded Engine Starting................... 268
Fluid, Brake........................... 408
Fluid Capacities......................... 406
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 380
Power Steering........................ 367Fog Lights.......................... 113,405
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 144
Four Wheel Drive....................... 277
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 334
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 347
Front Axle............................. 378
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 383
Fuel................................. 307
Adding............................. 309
Filter............................... 362
Gauge.............................. 164
Octane Rating......................307,407
Requirements......................307,406
Tank Capacity........................ 406
Fueling............................... 309
Fuses................................ 393
Garage Door Opener..................... 130
GasCap .............................. 310
444 INDEX

Infant Restraint.......................... 59
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 304
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 84
Instrument Cluster....................156,157
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 155
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 392
Interior Appearance Care.................. 391
Intermittent Wipers...................... 116
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 336
Jack Operation.......................... 338
Jump Starting.......................... 344
Key, Replacement........................ 14
Key, Sentry............................. 13
Key-In Reminder......................... 12
Keyless Entry System...................... 24
Keys................................12,18Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 113
Lap Belts.............................. 44
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 36
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 63
Lights..............................74,109
Airbag............................58,158
Anti-Lock Warning..................162,284
Battery Saver......................... 111
Brake Warning........................ 162
Bulb Replacement...................... 394
Cap Top Clearance..................... 402
Center Mounted Stop................... 400
Check Engine......................... 157
Courtesy/Reading..................... 122
Cruise.............................. 161
Daytime Running...................... 112
Dual Wheel Assembly Rear............... 403
Fog ............................. 113,405
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 280
446 INDEX