Page 73 of 467
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected the cause should be located and corrected.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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▫Step Button.........................136
▫Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........137
▫Distance To Empty (DTE)...............137
▫Trip Odometer (ODO)..................138
▫Elapsed Time (ET).....................138
▫C/T Button.........................138
▫Automatic Compass Calibration...........139
▫Manual Compass Calibration.............139
▫Recalibrating The Compass..............139
▫Outside Temperature...................141
Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........142
▫Programming Homelink................143
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 146▫Using Homelink......................147
▫Erasing Homelink Buttons...............147
▫Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 147
▫Security............................148
Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............148
▫Open Sunroof - Express Mode............149
▫Comfort Stop........................149
▫Closing Sunroof - Express...............150
▫Pinch Protect Feature...................150
▫Pinch Protect Override.................150
▫Venting Sunroof - Express...............150
▫Sunshade Operation...................150
▫Wind Buffeting.......................151
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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High-Pressure Monotube Shocks/New Front and
Rear Springs
The new variable-rate shocks and revised springs help to
create a suitable on-road ride without compromising
off-road competency. The shocks are designed to provide
improved stability, durability, and suspension articula-
tion.
Off-Road Tires
These tires are specifically designed for extreme off-road
use, while also maintaining quite on-road operation.The
tires utilize long-life compounds for increased durability,
and a deep-groove tread for extra traction. The LT285/
70R17D used provides a large contact patch for better
traction, two full-width steel belts for improved strength,
as well as a reinforced sidewall to help protect against
bruising and shredding.
Skid Plates And Underbody Protection
Steel skid plates protect the major driveline components
of the truck including the fuel tank, transfer case and
steering damper. In addition the Power Wagon is
equipped with boxed cross membes and fore/aft rails.
This additional protection allows the vehicle to be uti-
lized in severe off-road situations that would be consid-
ered impassable by a normal truck.
Wheel Flares
Not just for looks, the wheel flares on the Power Wagon
were designed to help cover its new larger off-road tires.
The larger flares also help to reduce the amount of debris
that can be flung up by the more aggressive tread pattern
on the tires.
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Wheels
Stylish forged aluminum 17wheels give the Power
Wagon a powerful stance. Forging a wheel from alumi-
num produces a stronger, lighter weight wheel than
machining or casting the wheel out of the same material.
Standard package features:
•
Fuel Tank Skid Plate - protects the fuel tank from
impingement damage.
•Transfer Case Skid Plate and Tubing - protects the
transfer case and exhaust catalyst from impingement
damage.
•Heavy Duty Cross Members - protects the under
carriage and supports the under body protection skid
plates.
•Fore/Aft rails - which connect the cross member for
additional support and prevent the truck from getting
hung up on large rocks between the cross members.
•Steering Dampener Skid Plate - protects the steering
dampener from impingement damage.
•Electronically Locking Front And Rear Axle Differen-
tials With 4:56 Gears - improves mobility and articu-
lation by locking the differentials.
•Electronically Disconnecting Stabilizer/Sway Bar - im-
proves mobility and articulation by disconnecting the
Stabilizer/Sway Bar.
•160 Amp Alternator - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
•Heavy Duty Battery - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
•Heavy Duty Cooling Fan - provides enhanced engine
and transmission cooling under vigorous off-road
conditions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83
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RESET Button
Use this button to reset the following displays:
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Trip Odometer (ODO)
Elapsed time (ET)
Global Reset
If the RESET button is pressed twice within 2 seconds
while in any of the 3 resettable displays (AVG ECO,
ODO, ET), the Global Reset will reset all 3 displays.
Step Button
Use this button to choose or cycle through the four trip
conditions.
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
Average fuel economy is a running average of the
amount of fuel used and the distance the vehicle has
traveled.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will momen-
tarily blank. Then, the history information will be erased,
and the averaging will continue from where it was before
the reset.
Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. This is not resettable
NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.When the DTE value is less than 30 miles estimated
driving distance, the DTE display will change to an
alternating test display of “LO” and “FUEL”. This dis-
play will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel.
Adding a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will
turn off the “LO FUEL” text and a new DTE value will be
displayed, based on the current values in the DTE
calculation and the current fuel tank level.
NOTE:It is possible for DTE to display “LO FUEL”
before the low fuel warning light turns on in the instru-
ment cluster. This could occur because low fuel warning
is set to a specified fuel tank volume and DTE is an
estimated distance calculation based on fuel economy
and remaining fuel tank volume.
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
•34 gallons - short box models
•35 gallons - long box models
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Page 168 of 467

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Check Gages
This light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine
Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature
gages indicate a reading either too high or too low.
Examine the gages carefully, and follow the instructions
above for each indicated problem.
NOTE:When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gage, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
Temperature gages may not show accurate readings.
When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch
to ON to obtain accurate readings.
2. Voltage Gauge
When the engine is running, the gauge indicates
the electrical system voltage. The pointer should
stay within the normal range if the battery is charged. Ifthe pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical sys-
tem should be serviced.
NOTE:If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the “Check Gages” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound. The “Check Gages”
indicator may also illuminate prior to the voltage gauge
moving out of normal range. In either case, see you local
authorized Dealer for system service.
3. Turn Signal Indicators
Lights in instrument cluster flash when outside turn
signals are operating. (See page 125 for more informa-
tion.)
4. Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
18. Brake System Warning Light
This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the
parking brake has not been released. This light will
illuminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when
braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if
the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will
flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on.If the light remains on when the parking brake is
released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until
the cause is corrected.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary
and continued operation of the vehicle in this condition is
dangerous.
Acceleration which causes the rear wheels to slip for a
period of time may result in the red brake light illumi-
nating and a brake switch code being set on ABS
equipped vehicles. Depressing the brake pedal should
extinguish the red brake light.
19. ABS Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual. This
light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for five seconds. If the ABS
light remains on or comes on during driving, it indicates
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 173
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