2008 DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON Owners Manual

These cautions apply to all chain traction devices, includ-
ing link and cable (radial) chains.
NOTE:On 4x4 Power Wagon models, class ªUº snow
chains are permitted on the rear wheels only of vehicles
equipped with LT285/70R17D.
CAUTION!
Do not use tire chains on the 4X4 front wheels of Ram
Trucks equipped with LT285/70R17D. There may not
be adequate clearance for the chains and you are
risking structural or body damage to your vehicle.
SNOW TIRES
Snow tires should be of the same size and type construc-
tion as the front tires. Consult the manufacturer of the
snow tire to determine any maximum vehicle speed
requirement associated with the tire. These tires should
always be operated at the vehicle maximum capacity
inflation pressures under any load condition.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid
and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states pro-
hibit studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
STARTING AND OPERATING 345
5

TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates, and develop irregular wear patterns.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on On/Off Road
type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to main-
tain mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to
a smooth, quiet ride.
Follow the recommended tire rotation frequency for your
type of driving found in the ªMaintenance Schedulesº
Section of this manual. More frequent rotation is permis-
sible if desired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected prior to rotation being per-
formed.NOTE:On Canadian vehicles only, if your Ram truck is
equipped with All-Season type tires on the front and
ON/OFF Road type tires mounted on the rear, do not use
a front to back rotation pattern. Instead, rotate your tires
side to side at the recommended intervals.
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) will warn
the driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle
recommended cold tire inflation placard pressure. The
placard pressure is defined on the Tire and Loading
Information label. The Tire and Loading Information
label is located on the drivers side B-pillar. Vehicles
equipped to be operated in either the ªmax load inflation
pressureº condition described on the Tire and Loading
Information label or the alternative ªlight load inflation
pressureº condition described on the Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information label, may also be equipped with a
reset switch to choose the appropriate TPMS low pres-
sure warning threshold levels based upon the vehicle
load condition. The Supplemental Tire Pressure Informa-
tion label is located on the rear face of the driver door.
Operation of the ªLight Loadº reset switch is described
later in this manual section.The tire pressure will vary with temperature by approxi-
mately 1 psi (6.9 kPa) for every 12ÉF (6.5ÉC). This means
that when the outside temperature decreases, the tire
pressure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set
based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as
the tire pressure after a vehicle has not been driven for
more than 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1km/h)
after a 3 hour period.Refer to the ªTires ± General
Informationº in this section for information on how to
properly inflate the vehicle's tires.The tire pressure will
also increase as the vehicle is driven - this is normal and
there should be no adjustment for this increased pres-
sure.
The TPM System will warn the driver of a low tire
pressure if the tire pressure falls below the low pressure
warning threshold for any reason, including low tem-
perature effects, or natural pressure loss through the tire.
STARTING AND OPERATING 347
5

The TPM System will continue to warn the driver of low
tire pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not
turn off until the tire pressure is at or above recom-
mended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire pressure
warning has been illuminated, the tire pressure must be
increased to the recommended cold placard pressure in
order for the TPMS warning lamp to be turned off. The
system will automatically update and the TPMS warning
lamp will extinguish once the updated tire pressures
have been received. The vehicle may need to be driven
for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive
this information.
As an example, assume your vehicle has a recommended
cold tire inflation placard pressure (parked for more than
3 hours) of 35 psi (241 kPa). If the ambient temperature is
68_F (20_C) and the measured tire pressure is 30 psi (207
kPa), a temperature drop to 20_F (-7_C) will decrease the
tire pressure to approximately 26 psi (179 kPa). This tire
pressure is sufficiently low enough to turn ON the TirePressure Monitoring lamp. Driving the vehicle may cause
the tire pressure to rise to approximately 30 psi (207 kPa),
but the Tire Pressure Monitoring lamp will still be ON. In
this situation, the Tire Pressure Monitoring lamp will
turn OFF only after the tires have been inflated to the
vehicle's recommended cold tire placard pressure value.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have
been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement equip-
ment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style.
After-market wheels can cause sensor damage. Do
not use aftermarket tire sealants or balance beads if
your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as damage to
the sensors may result.
348 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure always
reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent mois-
ture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which
could damage the Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor.
NOTE:
²The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, nor to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition.
²The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
²Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
²The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the ªTire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light.º
²Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure,
and the TPM system will monitor the actual tire
pressure in the tire.
STARTING AND OPERATING 349
5

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ªLight
Loadº Reset Switch Description ± If Equipped
WARNING!
Never operate your vehicle with the TPMS and tire
pressures set to the Light Load Inflation Pressure
settings if carrying more than two occupants ( 150 lbs
each) plus 200 pounds of cargo. The vehicle ªLight
Load Definitionº is found in the Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information Label which is located on the
rear face of the driver door. Failure to do so may
cause you to lose control resulting in an accident,
causing serious or fatal injury.The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system ªLight Loadº
reset switch will allow the driver to switch between the
max load inflation pressure (cold) low pressure warning
threshold and the light load inflation pressure (cold) low
pressure warning threshold depending on the vehicle's
load condition. The Tire and Loading Information label
defines the recommended front and rear cold tire infla-
tion pressures for the vehicle when operating in the Max
Load condition. A Supplemental Tire Pressure Informa-
tion label is also available defining Light Load tire
inflation pressures when operating in the Light Load
condition. When the ªLight Loadº reset switch LED is
ON, the Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system is using
the light load inflation pressure (cold) low inflation
warning thresholds and will warn the driver if one or
more of the tire pressures are 25% or more below the
vehicle's defined light load inflation pressures.
350 STARTING AND OPERATING

ªLight Loadº Reset Switch Operation ± If
Equipped
²
This vehicle may have different recommended tire
pressure values between the front and rear tires as
shown in both the Tire Loading Information Label and
the Supplemental Tire Pressure Information Label
(located on the rear face of the driver door). It is also
equipped to be driven with tire pressures appropriate
to either a Light Load condition or the vehicle Max
Load condition.
²The ªLight Loadº reset switch will allow the driver to
change between the max load inflation pressure (cold)
low pressure warning threshold and the light load
inflation pressure (cold) low pressure warning thresh-
old depending on the vehicle's load condition. Refer to
the ªSupplemental Tire Pressure Informationº label for
the vehicle's Light Load inflation pressures and ªTire
and Loading Information º label for the vehicle's Max
Load inflation pressures.
Light Load Reset Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

²The TPMS system will always reset to the max load
inflation pressure (cold) low pressure warning thresh-
old condition when the system experiences a loss of
electrical power. For example, by momentarily discon-
necting the battery or IOD fuse.To switch from the max load inflation pressure (cold) low
pressure warning threshold to the light load inflation
pressure (cold) low pressure warning threshold, the
driver must first lower all four road tire pressures to the
Light Load Inflation Pressure values as listed on the
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information label. The
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information label is located
on the rear face of the driver door. Use an accurate tire
gauge to check the tire pressures when lowering all four
tire pressures. Next proceed to turning the ignition on to
the Run position. This may cause the TPMS low pressure
warning telltale lamp located in the Instrument Cluster to
turn ON and a chime to sound since the tire pressures
have been lowered below the max load inflation pressure
(cold) pressures. After all four tire pressures have been
lowered to the Light Load inflation pressures, press the
ªLight Loadº reset switch. If the ªLight Loadº switch
amber colored LED turns ON, the TPM system low
pressure telltale lamp will illuminate at a tire pressure
Example Supplemental Tire Pressure Label
352 STARTING AND OPERATING