2008 DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON fuel

Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
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.
78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NAverage Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........145
NDistance To Empty (DTE)...............145
NTrip Odometer (ODO)..................146
NElapsed Time (ET).....................146
NC/T Button.........................147
NAutomatic Compass Calibration...........147
NManual Compass Calibration.............148
NRecalibrating The Compass..............148
NOutside Temperature...................149
mGarage Door Opener Ð If Equipped.........150
NProgramming HomeLinkt...............151
NGate Operator/Canadian Programming.....154
NUsing HomeLinkt.....................155NReprogramming a Single HomeLinktButton . . 155
NSecurity............................155
NTroubleshooting Tips...................155
NGeneral Information...................156
mPower Sunroof Ð If Equipped.............156
NOpen Sunroof - Express Mode............157
NComfort Stop........................157
NClosing Sunroof - Express...............158
NPinch Protect Feature...................158
NPinch Protect Override.................158
NVenting Sunroof - Express...............158
NSunshade Operation...................158
NWind Buffeting.......................159
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 members 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.
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Wheels
Stylish forged aluminum 179wheels 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:
²
Fuel Tank Skid Plate - protects the fuel tank from
impingement damage.
²Transfer Case Skid Plate and Tubing - protects the
transfer case and exhaust catalyst from impingement
damage.
²Heavy Duty Cross Members - protects the under
carriage and supports the under body protection skid
plates.
²Fore/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.
²Steering Dampener Skid Plate - protects the steering
dampener from impingement damage.
²Electronically Locking Front And Rear Axle Differen-
tials with 4:56 Gears - improves mobility and articula-
tion by locking the differentials.
²Electronically Disconnecting Stabilizer Bar - improves
mobility and articulation by disconnecting the Stabi-
lizer Bar.
²160 Amp Alternator - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
²Heavy Duty Battery - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
²Heavy Duty Cooling Fan - provides enhanced engine
and transmission cooling under vigorous off-road
conditions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
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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.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 will be erased, and the
AVERAGING WILL CONTINUE FROM WHERE IT
WAS BEFORE THE RESET. The reset value is based on a
minimal amount of fuel used and the distance traveled
from the previous drive cycle. The displaymay take
several milesfor this value to change dependent upon
driving habits.
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 ªLOº and ªFUELº. 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 ªLO FUELº text and a new DTE value will be
displayed, based on the current values in the DTE
calculation and the current fuel tank level.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
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NOTE:It is possible for DTE to display ªLO FUELº
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:
²34 gallons - short box models
²35 gallons - long box models
Trip Odometer (ODO)
NOTE:The maximum value is approximately 6000
miles. Then the trip odometer must be reset in order to
update the trip odometer miles.
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Resetting of this screen will cause the trip odometer
to change to Zero.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset. Resetting the Elapsed Time will cause
the display to change to Zero.
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 ischarged. If the pointer moves to either extreme left or
right and remains there during normal driving, the
electrical system should be serviced.
NOTE:If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the ªCheck Gagesº indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound. The ªCheck Gagesº
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.
4. Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179
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