2008 DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON wheel torque

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

rear 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.NOTE:Left to right wheel speed difference may be
necessary to allow the axle to fully lock. If the indicator
light is flashing after placing the switch in the REAR
LOCK or FRONT/REAR position, drive the vehicle in a
turn or on loose gravel to expedite the locking action.
WARNING!
Do not use the locked axle position for normal
driving. A locked front axle is intended for off-road
driving only. Locking the front axle during on-road
driving will reduce the steering ability. This could
cause an accident and you may be seriously injured.
To lock the front axle move the axle locker switch to
FRONT/REAR while travelingless than 3 MPH (5
KM/H). The indicator light will be solid when the front
axle is locked.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The rear axle must be locked before the front
axle will lock.
To unlock the front axle move the axle locker switch to
REAR LOCK. The FRONT/REAR indicator light will go
out when the axle is unlocked.
NOTE:The axle lockers could be torque locked due to
side to side loads on the axle. Driving slowly while
turning the steering wheel from a left hand turn to a right
hand turn or driving in reverse for a short distance may
be required to release the torque lock and unlock the
axles.
To unlock the rear axle move the axle locker switch to
AXLE UNLOCK. The REAR LOCK indicator light will go
out when the rear axle is unlocked.Stabilizer/Sway Bar System
Power Wagon vehicles are equipped with an electronic
disconnecting stabilizer/sway bar. This system allows
greater front suspension travel in off-road situations.
This system is controlled by the electronic control sway
bar switch located on the instrument panel.
Electronic Control Sway Bar Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
5

The switch has two positions, on-road and off-road. The
system is normally in on-road mode, indicated by a solid
green light. The stabilizer/sway bar should remain in
on-road mode during normal driving conditions.
WARNING!
Do not disconnect the stabilizer bar and drive on
hard surfaced roads or at speeds above 18 MPH, you
may lose control of the vehicle, which could result in
serious injury. The front stabilizer bar enhances
vehicle stability and is necessary for maintaining
control of the vehicle. The system monitors vehicle
speed and will attempt to reconnect the stabilizer bar
at speeds over 18 MPH. This is indicated by a
flashing off road light and solid on road light. Once
vehicle speed is reduced below 14 MPH the system
will once again attempt to return to off road mode.To disconnect the stabilizer/sway bar, shift to either 4HI
or 4LO as shown in Four Wheel Drive Operation and
press the top of the stabilizer/sway bar button to obtain
the off-road position. The amber indicator light will flash
until the stabilizer/sway bar has been fully disconnected.
NOTE:The stabilizer/sway bar may be torque locked
due to left and right suspension height differences. This
condition is due to driving surface differences or vehicle
loading. In order for the stabilizer/sway bar to
disconnect/reconnect, the right and left halves of the bar
must be aligned. This alignment may require that the
vehicle be driven onto level ground or rocked from side
to side.
To return to on-road mode press the bottom of the
stabilizer/sway bar button.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Winch cables are under high tension when in use and
can become a projectile if they fail. Never stand over
or straddle the winch cable. Never jerk or overload
the winch cable. Never stand in front of the vehicle
while winching. Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious or fatal injury.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After driving off-road, it is
always a good idea to check for damage.
²Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle.
Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and
exhaust system for damage.
²Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
²Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard, or they might hide
damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals,
and propeller shafts.
²After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake drums and rotors,
brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
²If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
packed material. Packed foreign material can cause a
wheel imbalance and cleaning the wheels will correct
the situation.
STARTING AND OPERATING 301
5

4. By rotating the wheel wrench clockwise, raise the
vehicle until the wheel just clears the surface.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle unstable and cause an accident. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the
vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
5. Remove the wheel nuts and pull the wheel off. Install
the spare wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nuts toward the wheel on the rear wheel models.
6. Using the wheel wrench, finish tightening the nuts
using a crisscross pattern. Correct nut tightness is 135 ft.
lbs. (183 N´m) torque.If in doubt about the correct tight-
ness, have them checked with a torque wrench by your
dealer or at a service station.
396 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Wheel Nuts
All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally to elimi-
nate the possibility of wheel studs being sheared or the
bolt holes in the wheels becoming elongated. This is
especially important during the first few hundred miles
of operation to allow the wheel nuts to become properly
set. All nuts should first be firmly seated against the
wheel. The nuts should then be tightened to recom-
mended torque. Tighten the nuts to final torque in
increments. Progress around the bolt circle, tightening
the nut opposite to the nut just previously tightened until
final torque is achieved. Recommended torques are
shown in the following chart.
Disc
WheelsType Nut Stud Size Torque
Ft. Lbs.Torque
Newton
Meters
Cone 9/16-18 120-150 160-200
Flanged 9/16-18 130-160 190-220
To Stow The Flat Or Spare
Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide the
wheel retainer through the center of the wheel and
position it properly across the wheel opening.
For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow
with the valve stem toward the rear of the vehicle.
Attach the wheel wrench to the extension tube. Rotate the
winch mechanism until the wheel is drawn into place
against the underside of the vehicle. Continue to rotate
until you feel the winch mechanism slip or click 3 or 4
times. It cannot be overtightened. Push against the tire
several times to be sure it is firmly in place.
398 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Snow Tires........................... 345
Spare Tire........................... 392
Spinning............................ 340
Tread Wear Indicators................... 341
Wheel Mounting....................... 393
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 396
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 372
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 267
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 402
Towing............................... 367
Disabled Vehicle....................... 403
Guide.............................. 372
Recreational.......................... 384
Weight.............................. 372
Traction.............................. 276
Trailer Towing.......................... 367
Cooling System Tips.................... 381
Hitches............................. 371
Minimum Requirements................. 373Mirrors...........................92,381
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 372
Wiring.............................. 377
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 372
Trailer Weight.......................... 372
Transaxle
Automatic............................ 13
Manual.............................. 14
Transfer Case........................... 435
Fluid............................... 466
Transmission
Automatic........................262,436
Fluid............................... 466
Maintenance.......................435,436
Manual........................258,268,435
Shifting............................. 262
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) . . 150
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 341
Trip Computer.......................... 143
INDEX 501
10