2006 DODGE POWER WAGON Owners Manual

Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift intoNEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
NOTE:On models equipped with Diesel engines, the
idle speed will automatically increase to 1000 rpm at
elevated coolant temperatures to improve engine cooling.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 225
4

Operating Tips Chart
226 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Axle Locker System.....................231

Stabilizer/Sway Bar System...............234

Power Wagon – Safe Off-Road Driving.......235
▫Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics.......................235
▫Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........240
▫Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points).............................242
▫HillClimbing ........................245
▫Driving Through Water.................248▫Airing Down For Off-Road Driving........250
▫Vehicle Recovery......................251
▫After Driving Off-Road.................255

Winch Usage..........................256
▫Things To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . 256
▫Understanding The Features Of Your Winch . . 258
▫Winch Accessories.....................260
▫Operating Your Winch..................261
▫Rigging Techniques....................273
5

Ignition/Starter Switch...................275
▫Lock..............................276
▫Off ...............................276
▫On................................276
▫Start..............................276
▫ACC ..............................276
▫Manual Transmission Key Release Button....277
▫Key Reminder.......................277

Starting Procedures.....................277
▫Manual Transmission..................277
▫Automatic Transmission................278
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................278
▫After Starting........................279
Transmission Shifting....................280
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive.....280
▫Manual Transmission — 6-Speed..........285

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation..............287
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................287
▫Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case..............................289
▫Transfer Case Reminder Light............290

Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped.......291

Parking Brake.........................292

Brake System..........................293
▫Brake Noise.........................294
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
— If Equipped.......................294

Power Steering........................296

Multi Displacement System (MDS) - 5.7L Engine
Only ................................296

Tire Safety Information...................296
▫Tire Markings........................296
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........300
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........301

Tires—General Information................305
▫Tire Pressure.........................305
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................306
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................308
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........309▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........310
▫Tire Spinning........................310
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................311
▫LifeOfTire .........................312
▫Replacement Tires.....................312
▫Alignment And Balance.................313

Supplemental Tire Pressure Information.......314

Tire Chains...........................314

Snow Tires...........................315

Tire Rotation Recommendations............316

Fuel Requirements......................317
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................317
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............318
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5

▫MMT In Gasoline.....................318
▫Sulfur In Gasoline.....................319
▫Materials Added To Fuel................319
▫Adding Fuel.........................319
▫Fuel System Cautions..................321
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............322

Catalytic Converter.....................323

Vehicle Loading........................324
▫Certification Label.....................324

TrailerTowing .........................327
▫Common Towing Definitions.............327
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............330
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................331▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............331
▫Towing Requirements..................332
▫TowingTips .........................337
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......339

Snowplow............................340
▫Dodge Power Wagon Models.............340

Recreational Towing — 4–Wheel Drive Vehicles
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................341
▫Recreational Towing Procedure — Manual
Shift Transfer Case — If Equipped.........342
▫Returning To Normal Operation — Manual Shift
Transfer Case........................343

Traction.............................344

Equipment Identification Plate.............344
230 STARTING AND OPERATING

Axle Locker System
Dodge Power Wagons are equipped with electronically
locking front and rear axles. Locking the axles provides
greater traction in severe low traction conditions or in
rock climbing environments where one wheel is likely to
not be in contact with the ground.
CAUTION!
Do not lock the front or rear axle on hard surfaced
roads. The ability to steer the vehicle is reduced and
damage to the drivetrain may occur when the axles
are locked on hard surfaced roads.
CAUTION!
Do not try to lock the rear axle if the vehicle is stuck
and the tires are spinning. You can damage driv-
etrain components. Lock the rear axle before at-
tempting situations or navigating terrain, which
could possibly cause the vehicle to become stuck.
The locking axles are controlled by the axle locker switch
located on the center console.
STARTING AND OPERATING 231
5

The switch has three positions, AXLE UNLOCK, REAR
LOCK, and FRONT/REAR. Under normal driving con-
ditions the switch should be left in the AXLE UNLOCK
position. In the AXLE UNLOCK position, the front andrear axles are unlocked. In the REAR LOCK position, the
rear axle is locked. In the FRONT/REAR position, the
front and rear axles are locked.
NOTE:Even when the axles are in the AXLE UNLOCK
position, the limited slip differential in the rear axle still
provides torque biasing capability for moderate low
traction environments.
During the command to lock the axle, the indicator light
will flash until the axle is locked. After the lock command
has been successfully executed, the light will remain on
solid.
To lock the rear axle, place the vehicle in 4LO by
following the procedure in Four Wheel Drive Operation,
located in this section of the manual. Move the axle
locker switch position to REAR LOCK while traveling
less than 3 MPH (5 KM/H). The RR indicator light will
remain on when the rear axle is locked.
Rotary Locking Axle Switch
232 STARTING AND OPERATING