2008 DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON wheel

NOTE:Dual rear wheel pickup models require properly
spaced rear clearance lights. If such a vehicle is operated
without a tailgate, suitable lights must be installed.
172 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
19. 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.
20. 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 185
4

When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

TPMS ªLight Loadº Reset Switch ± If Equipped
The TPMS ºLight Loadº reset switch allows you to
choose between Light Load vehicle conditions and Max
Load vehicle conditions tire pressures and related TPMS
warning levels. The switch is located in the instrument
panel, below the climate control panel. For additional
information refer to ªTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Ð If Equippedº in section 5 of this manual.
25. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If thislight comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
26. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
27. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
28. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to 1/16 tank, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with an overhead
console module (CMTC), it is possible for DTE to display
ªLO FUELº before the low fuel warning light turns on in
the instrument cluster. This could occur because the low
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 189
4

NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
SALES CODE REF Ð AM/FM/CD (SINGLE DISC)
RADIO WITH OPTIONAL SATELLITE RADIO AND
HANDS FREE PHONE CAPABILITY
NOTE:The radio sales code is located on the lower right
side of your radio faceplate.
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON or ACC
position to operate the radio.
REF Radio
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons.
²The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
²Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception.
²Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
²Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a
button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will
increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume. The center button of the
right hand control will allow you to change the mode.
Remote Sound System Controls
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 235
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures ± Gas Engines...........258
NManual Transmission ± If Equipped........258
NAutomatic Transmission ± If Equipped......258
NNormal Starting......................259
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................259
NAfter Starting........................261
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........261
mAutomatic Transmission..................262
NAutomatic Transmission With Overdrive.....262mManual Transmission....................268
NManual Transmission Ð 6 Speed (G56)......269
NRecommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........269
NDownshifting ± All Manual Transmissions....270
mFour-Wheel- Drive Operation..............271
NManually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................271
NShifting Procedure - Manually Shifted
Transfer Case........................273
NTransfer Case Reminder Light............274
5

mLimited-Slip Differential Ð If Equipped.......275
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............276
mAxle Locker System.....................276
mStabilizer/Sway Bar System...............279
mPower Wagon ± Safe Off-Road Driving.......281
NOff-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle
Characteristics.......................281
NDriving In Snow, Mud And Sand..........286
NCrossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High
Points).............................288
NHill Climbing........................291
NDriving Through Water.................294
NAiring Down For Off-Road Driving........296
NVehicle Recovery......................297NAfter Driving Off-Road.................301
mWinch Usage ± If Equipped...............302
NThings To Know Before Using Your Winch . . . 302
NUnderstanding The Features Of Your Winch . . 304
NWinch Accessories.....................306
NOperating Your Winch..................307
NRigging Techniques....................318
mParking Brake.........................321
mBrake System..........................322
NBrake Noise.........................323
NFour-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ±
If Equipped.........................323
mPower Steering........................325
254 STARTING AND OPERATING