2008 DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON tires

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

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mPower Wagon Features....................84
NLocking Front And Rear Differentials........84
N4.56:1 Gears..........................84
NElectronically Disconnecting Stabilizer/Sway
Bar ................................85
NIncreased Ride Height...................85
N12,000 Lb. Winch.......................85
NHigh-Pressure Monotube Shocks/New Front
And Rear Springs......................86
NOff-Road Tires........................86NSkid Plates And Underbody Protection.......86
NWheel Flares..........................86
NWheels..............................87
NStandard Package Features................87
NMopar Options........................88
mMirrors...............................88
NInside Mirror.........................88
NAutomatic Dimming Mirror ± If Equipped....89
NOutside Mirrors.......................90
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POWER WAGON FEATURES
Locking Front and Rear Differentials
Most 4WD trucks are equipped with open differentials
front and rear. This design is used because it allows each
wheel to turn independently helping to eliminate bind-
ing when cornering. A disadvantage of using an open
differential is when one or more wheels lose traction; all
of the power is directed to those wheels resulting in a loss
of momentum. The Power Wagon is equipped with
electronically locking front and rear differentials. These
differentials, when engaged, mechanically lock together
the axle shafts forcing the wheels to spin at an equal rate.
This allows the vehicle to maintain its momentum and
thus prevents it from becoming stuck. The locking front
and rear differentials should only be engaged during
low-speed, extreme off-road situations where one wheel
is likely to not be in contact with the ground. It is notrecommended to drive the vehicle with the differentials
locked on pavement due to the reduced ability to turn
and speed limitations.
4.56:1 Gears
This is the highest axle ratio available in a full-size
pickup. The high gearing helps to compensate for the
increased rolling mass and increase diameter of the
off-road tires. As well, there are many advantages to a
higher axle ratio in off-road applications. When driving
downhill the high gearing enables the driver to use the
engine to slow the vehicle down in a more controlled
manner. When driving up a steep grade, the ratio helps
by keeping the truck in its power band helping to
maintain upward momentum.
84 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

²Off-Road Tuned Suspension And Shocks - improves
mobility, ground clearance and ride comfort.
²Heavy Duty Thermally Protected and Sealed Electric
Winch with Roller Fairlead - Useful for work and
vehicle recovery.
²17 Inch Forged Aluminum Wheels With 33 Inch Tires
- improves traction and differential ground clearance.
Mopar Options:
²
Rock Rails - protects the door sills from impingement
damage and provides a vehicle jacking point.
²Winch accessory kit - Contents include:
²Snatch Block/Pulley
²Clevis
²Tree strap
²Tow Strap
²Gloves
²ªPower Wagon embossedº storage bag
²Bed Liner - protects the bed from impingement dam-
age
NOTE:These Mopar options have been specially de-
signed and tested for the Power Wagon to meet the
vigorous off-road conditions.
MIRRORS
Inside Mirror
The mirror should be adjusted to center on the view
through the rear window.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

24. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires are significantly under-inflated. Ac-
cordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on asignificantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat 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.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, 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 TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187
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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

mMulti Displacement System (MDS) Ð 5.7L Engine
Only................................326
mTire Safety Information...................326
NTire Markings........................326
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........330
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........331
mTires Ð General Information...............335
NTire Pressure.........................335
NTire Inflation Pressures.................336
NRadial-Ply Tires......................338
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........339
NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........339
NTire Spinning........................340NTread Wear Indicators..................341
NLife Of Tire.........................341
NReplacement Tires.....................342
NAlignment And Balance.................343
mSupplemental Tire Pressure Information Ð
If Equipped...........................344
mTire Chains...........................344
mSnow Tires...........................345
mTire Rotation Recommendations............346
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð
If Equipped...........................347
NTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ªLight
Loadº Reset Switch Description ±
If Equipped.........................350
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
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