RAM 2500 (2022 year). Manual in english — page 10

156

STARTING AND OPERATING

N (Neutral)
N (Neutral) — This range disengages both the front

and rear driveshafts from the powertrain. To be

used for flat towing behind another vehicle

Ú

page 225.

4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range locks

the front and rear driveshafts together forcing the

front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.

Additional traction and maximum pulling power for

loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed

25 mph (40 km/h).
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the

2H position for normal street and highway

conditions such as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the 4H and 4L

positions can be used to lock the front and rear

driveshafts together and force the front and rear

wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is

accomplished by simply moving the gear selector

to the desired positions once the appropriate

speed and gear requirements are met.

Ú

page 156 for further information.

The 4H and 4L positions are intended for loose,

slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and

4L positions on dry, hard surfaced roads may

cause increased tire wear and damage to the

driveline components.

The Transfer Case Position Indicator Light in the

instrument cluster will alert the driver that the

vehicle is in four-wheel drive and that the front and

rear driveshafts are locked together. This light will

illuminate when the transfer case is shifted into

either the 4H or 4L position. There is no light for the

2H or N (Neutral) positions on some models.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine

speed is approximately three times that of the 2H

or 4H positions at a given road speed. Take care

not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed

25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles

depends on tires of equal size, type and

circumference on each wheel. Any difference will

adversely affect shifting and can cause damage to

the drivetrain.
NOTE:

Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front

or rear wheels are spinning, as this can cause

damage to driveline components.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved

traction, there is a tendency to exceed safe turning

and stopping speeds. Do not go faster than road

conditions permit.
NOTE:

Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may be expe

-

rienced due to uneven tire wear, low or uneven tire

pressures, excessive vehicle loading, or cold

temperatures.

Shifting Procedure — Manually Shifted

Transfer Case

2H TO 4H

Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the

vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in

motion, shifts can be made up to 55 mph

(88 km/h). With the vehicle in motion, the transfer

case will engage/disengage faster if you

momentarily release the accelerator pedal after

completing the shift. Apply a constant force when

shifting the transfer case lever.

WARNING!

You or others could be injured or killed if you

leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer

case in the N (Neutral) position without first fully

engaging the parking brake. The transfer case

N (Neutral) position disengages both the front

and rear drive shafts from the powertrain and

will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the

transmission is in PARK. The parking brake

should always be applied when the driver is not

in the vehicle.

STARTING AND OPERATING

157

2H OR 4H TO 4L

NOTE:

When shifting into or out of 4L some gear noise

may be heard. This noise is normal and is not detri

-

mental to the vehicle or occupants.
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h),

shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. While the

vehicle is coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h),

shift the transfer case lever firmly to the desired

position. Do not pause in transfer case Neutral.
NOTE:



Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles

equipped with an automatic transmission may

require shutting the engine off to avoid gear

clash while completing the shift. If difficulty

occurs, shift the transmission into N (Neutral),

hold your foot on the brake, and turn the engine

off. Complete the range shift to the desired posi

-

tion.



Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the

vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty

may occur due to the mating teeth not being

properly aligned. Several attempts may be

required for teeth alignment and shift comple

-

tion to occur. The preferred method is with the

vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h). Avoid

attempting to engage or disengage 4L with the

vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to

5 km/h).



Do not attempt to shift into or out of 4L while the

transmission is in gear.

Transfer Case Position Indicator Light

The Transfer Case Position Indicator Light in the

instrument cluster is used to alert the driver that

the front axle is fully engaged and all four wheels

are driving.

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED

D

ESCRIPTION

This air suspension system is a rear leveling ride

height system. The main purpose of this system is

to maintain the truck’s rear ride height level. There

are two selectable heights that can be chosen

based on your operating conditions.
The system requires that the ignition be in the ON/

RUN position or the engine running with zero

vehicle speed for all user requested changes and

load leveling.

Rear Leveling Ride Height Switch

Normal Ride Height (NRH) – This is the standard

position of the suspension and is meant for normal

driving. It will automatically adjust to maintain the

rear ride height as conditions change.
Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) – Lowers the vehicle

approximately 1 inch (25 mm) for a level truck, to

be used as required while trailer towing. It will

automatically adjust to maintain the rear ride

height as conditions change.
Trailer Decoupling/Unloading – The air suspension

system will continue to load level after the vehicle

has been turned off for 10 minutes without

compressor activation. This allows for easy

removal of a trailer and/or load from the back of

the truck by maintaining the ride height. After

10 minutes you will need to turn the ignition to the

ON/RUN position for the air suspension to re-level

due to addition/removal of load in the vehicle. If

the air suspension system is disabled using the

4

158

STARTING AND OPERATING

settings menu (Tire Jack Mode, Transport Mode,

Alignment Mode, or Bed Lowering Mode) the

system will remain disabled when the vehicle is

turned off. Reactivating the air suspension can be

accomplished via the settings menu or driving the

vehicle above 5 mph (8 km/h) for Tire Jack Mode,

Alignment Mode, Transport Mode and Bed

Lowering Mode.
NOTE:



Most 3500 models will not lower to Alternate

Trailer Height (ATH) when unloaded.



For further information

Ú

page 213.

A

IR

S

USPENSION

M

ODES

The air suspension system has multiple modes to

protect the system in unique situations:
Tire/Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension

system has a feature which allows the automatic

leveling to be disabled

Ú

page 103 or

Ú

page 232.

NOTE:

This mode is intended to be enabled with the

engine running.
Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the

road, the air suspension system has a feature

which will put the vehicle into Entry/Exit height and

disable the automatic load leveling system

Ú

page 103 or

Ú

page 232.

NOTE:

This mode is intended to be enabled with the

engine running.
Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment, this mode

must be enabled

Ú

page 103 or

Ú

page 232.

NOTE:

This mode is intended to be enabled with the

engine running.
Bed Lowering Mode
This setting is used to lower the rear suspension to

the lowest possible height and disable the air

suspension system. It enables easier loading/

unloading of the truck and makes it easier to hook

up trailers

Ú

page 103 or

Ú

page 232.

Protection Strategy
In order to protect the air suspension system, the

vehicle will disable load leveling as required

(suspension overloaded, battery charge low, etc.).

Load leveling will automatically resume as soon as

system operation requirements are met. See an

authorized dealer if system does not resume.

I

NSTRUMENT

C

LUSTER

D

ISPLAY

M

ESSAGES

When the appropriate conditions exist, a message

will appear in the instrument cluster display

Ú

page 103.

An audible chime will be heard whenever a system

error has been detected.
See an authorized dealer for system service if

normal operation does not resume.

O

PERATION

Pushing the Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) button

once while at Normal Ride Height (NRH), will lower

the vehicle to Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) and will

illuminate the LED.
NOTE:

The LED will continuously blink until vehicle

Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) has been achieved

and the LED will turn on.
Pushing the Alternate Trailer Height (ATH) again

will raise the vehicle to Normal Ride Height (NRH).
NOTE:

The LED will continuously blink until Normal Ride

Height (NRH) has been achieved and the LED will

turn off.

WARNING!

The air suspension system uses a high pressure

volume of air to operate the system. To avoid

personal injury or damage to the system, see an

authorized dealer for service.

STARTING AND OPERATING

159

(Continued)



Transport Mode – No indicator lamps will be illu

-

minated. Transport Mode is disabled by driving

the vehicle, or deselecting the mode via the

interface.



Tire/Jack Mode – No indicator lamps will be illu

-

minated. Tire/Jack Mode is disabled by driving

the vehicle, or by deselecting the mode via the

interface.



Wheel Alignment Mode – No indicator lamps will

be illuminated. Wheel Alignment Mode is

disabled by driving the vehicle, or by deselecting

the mode via the interface.



Bed Lowering Mode – Telltale on the cluster will

be illuminated. Bed Lowering Mode is disabled

by driving the vehicle, or deselecting the mode

via the interface.

AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM — POWER WAGON

MODELS ONLY (IF EQUIPPED)

This vehicle 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 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 not recommended to drive the

vehicle with the differentials locked on pavement

due to the reduced ability to turn and speed

limitations.

AXLE Lock Selector

The locking axles are controlled by the axle lock

buttons.
Under normal driving conditions, the vehicle

should be left in the AXLE UNLOCK position.
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 4WD

LOW, 4WD HIGH or two-wheel drive

Ú

page 149.

Push the REAR LOCK button while traveling less

than 10 mph (16 km/h). The REAR LOCK indicator

light will remain on when the rear axle is locked.

1 — FRONT/REAR LOCK – the front and rear axles

are locked
2 — REAR LOCK – the rear axle is locked
3 — AXLE UNLOCK – the front and rear axles are

unlocked

CAUTION!



Do not lock the front or rear axle on hard

surfaced roads. The ability to steer the vehicle

is reduced and damage to the drivetrain may

occur when the axles are locked on hard

surfaced roads.



Do not try to lock the rear axle if the vehicle is

stuck and the tires are spinning. You can

damage drivetrain components. Lock the rear

axle before attempting situations or navi

-

gating terrain, which could possibly cause the

vehicle to become stuck.

CAUTION!

4

160

STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:

Left to right wheel speed difference may be

necessary to allow the axle to fully lock. If the indi

-

cator light is flashing after placing the vehicle in

the REAR LOCK or FRONT/REAR LOCK position,

drive the vehicle in a turn or on loose gravel to

expedite the locking action.

To lock the front axle, push the FRONT/REAR LOCK

button while traveling less than 10 mph (16 km/h)

in 4WD LOW. The FRONT/REAR LOCK indicator

light will be solid when the front axle is locked.
NOTE:

The rear axle must be locked before the front axle

will lock.
When both the axles are locked, to unlock the front

axle, push the REAR LOCK button while in 4WD

LOW. The FRONT/REAR LOCK 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, push the AXLE UNLOCK

button. The REAR LOCK indicator light will go out

when the rear axle is unlocked.

STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER

WAGON ONLY

Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic

disconnecting stabilizer/sway bar. This system

allows greater front suspension travel in off-road

situations.
Due to the use of taller springs, this vehicle has an

increased ride height of approximately 1.9 inches

(48.3 mm) in the front and 1.5 inches (38.1 mm)

in the rear. A major advantage to increasing ride

height is the positive effect it has on approach/

departure and break over angles.
This system is controlled by the electronic control

sway bar switch located below the instrument

panel.

SWAY BAR Disconnect Button

Push the SWAY BAR switch to activate the system.

Push the switch again to deactivate the system.

The Sway Bar Indicator Light (located in the

instrument cluster) will illuminate when the bar is

disconnected. The Sway Bar Indicator Light will

flash during activation transition, or when

activation conditions are not met. The stabilizer/

sway bar should remain in On-Road mode during

normal driving conditions.

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 a collision and you may

be seriously injured.

STARTING AND OPERATING

161

To disconnect the stabilizer/sway bar, shift to

either 4WD HIGH or 4WD LOW and push the SWAY

BAR button to obtain the Off-Road position

Ú

page 149. The Sway Bar 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 the On-Road mode, push the SWAY

BAR button again.

SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER

WAGON ONLY

O

FF

-R

OAD

D

RIVING

T

IPS

A

ND

V

EHICLE

C

HARACTERISTICS

Your vehicle has excellent on and off-road

capabilities. These off-road capabilities will allow

you to explore those wilderness trails where few

travel, providing a source of exciting and satisfying

recreation. Before you venture out, you should

contact your local governmental agency to

determine the designated Off-Road Vehicle (ORV)

trails or recreation areas. You should always tread

lightly and only use established roads, trails or ORV

recreational areas.
The National Forest Service, Bureau of Land

Management, or local Department of Natural

Resources are a wealth of information and usually

have maps with marked trails.

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,

this vehicle is equipped with boxed cross members

and fore/aft rails. This additional protection allows

the vehicle to be utilized in severe off-road

situations that would be considered impassable by

a normal truck.

Ramp Travel Index (RTI)

The RTI is the distance, in inches, that you can drive

your vehicle with one wheel on a 20-degree ramp

without lifting any other wheel off the ground. This

distance up the ramp divided by the wheelbase of

the vehicle and multiplied by 1,000 is the RTI. This

vehicle has an RTI of 429 (connected sway bar) or

an RTI of 538 (disconnected sway bar), which

means you can articulate one front wheel 22 inches

(56 cm) or 27.5 inches (70cm) in the air while the

other three wheels remain in contact with the

ground.

WARNING!

Do not disconnect the stabilizer bar and drive on

hard surfaced roads or at speeds above 18 mph

(29 km/h), you may lose control of the vehicle,

which could result in serious injury or death. The

front stabilizer bar enhances vehicle stability

and assists in maintaining control of the vehicle.

The system monitors vehicle speed and will

attempt to reconnect the stabilizer bar at speeds

over 18 mph (29 km/h). This is indicated by a

flashing off road light and solid on road light.

Once vehicle speed is reduced below 14 mph

(22 km/h), the system will attempt to return to

the Off-Road mode.

WARNING!

If the stabilizer/sway bar will not return to

On-Road mode, vehicle stability is reduced. Do

not attempt to drive the vehicle over 18 mph

(29 km/h). Driving faster than 18 mph (29 km/h)

may cause loss of control of the vehicle, which

could result in serious injury or death. Contact

your local service center for assistance.

4

162

STARTING AND OPERATING

Water Fording Characteristics

Water fording characteristic is the vehicle's ability

to cross a body of still water, where the powertrain

and drivetrain are safe from water ingestion. This

vehicle has high water fording characteristics with

the ability to cross a pool of water, without

stopping, 24 inches (60 cm) deep at a maximum

speed of 10 mph (16 km/h) and a pool of water

30 inches (76 cm) deep at a maximum speed of

5 mph (8 km/h), both with an entrance ramp angle

of 1.3 degrees.

Simultaneous Brake And Throttle

Operation

Many off-road driving conditions require the

simultaneous use of the brake and throttle (two

footed driving). When climbing rocks, logs, or other

stepped objects, using light brake pressure with

light throttle will keep the vehicle from jerking or

lurching. This technique is also used when you

need to stop and restart a vehicle on a steep

incline.

The Basics Of Off-Road Driving

You will encounter many types of terrain driving

off-road. You should be familiar with the terrain

and area before proceeding. There are many types

of surface conditions: hard packed dirt, gravel,

rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice. Every

surface has a different effect on your vehicle's

steering, handling and traction. Controlling your

vehicle is one of the keys to successful off-road

driving, so always keep a firm grip on the steering

wheel and maintain a good driving posture. Avoid

sudden accelerations, turns or braking. In most

cases there are no road signs, posted speed limits

or signal lights. Therefore you will need to use your

own good judgment on what is safe and what isn't.

When on a trail you should always be looking

ahead for surface obstacles and changes in

terrain. The key is to plan your future driving route

while remembering what you are currently driving

over.

When To Use Low Range

When driving off-road, shift into 4WD LOW for

additional traction or to improve handling and

control on slippery or difficult terrain. Due to the

lower gearing, low range will allow the engine to

operate in a higher power range. This will allow you

to idle over obstacles and down hills, with

improved control and less effort. Also, use 4WD

LOW in rain, ice, snow, mud, and sand to get heavy

loads rolling, improve traction, or whenever 4WD

HIGH traction will not do the job.

D

RIVING

I

N

S

NOW

, M

UD

A

ND

S

AND

There is a drastic reduction in traction when driving

in snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be less

responsive to steering, acceleration and braking

inputs. Therefore you should accelerate slowly,

leave greater stopping distances and avoid abrupt

vehicle maneuvers. You want to keep a slow

constant steady pace. The key is to maintain the

vehicle's momentum.



Snow – In heavy snow or for additional control

and traction at slower speeds, shift the trans

-

mission to a low gear and shift the transfer case

CAUTION!

The door sill height is 25 inches (63.5 cm).

Water may intrude into the interior of the vehicle

at greater depths.

WARNING!

Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down

cargo. Unsecured cargo can become projectiles

in an off-road situation.

CAUTION!

Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other

combustible materials. The heat from your

vehicle exhaust system could cause a fire.

STARTING AND OPERATING

163

to 4WD LOW if necessary. Do not shift to a lower

gear than necessary to maintain headway.

Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and

traction will be lost. If you start to slow to a stop,

try turning your steering wheel no more than a

quarter turn quickly back and forth, while still

applying throttle. This will allow the tires to get a

fresh "bite" and help maintain your momentum.



Mud – Deep mud creates a great deal of suction

around the tires and is very difficult to get

through. You should use 4WD LOW with a gear

low enough to maintain your momentum

without shifting. If you start to slow to a stop, try

turning your steering wheel no more than a

quarter turn quickly back and forth for addi

-

tional traction. Mud holes pose an increased

threat of vehicle damage and getting stuck.

They are normally full of debris from previous

vehicles getting stuck. As a good practice before

entering any mud hole, get out and determine

how deep it is, if there are any hidden obstacles

and if the vehicle can be safely recovered if

stuck.



Sand – Soft sand is very difficult to travel

through with full tire pressure. When crossing

soft sandy spots in a trail, maintain your

vehicle's momentum and do not stop. The key to

driving in soft sand is using the appropriate tire

pressure, accelerating slowly, avoiding abrupt

maneuvers and maintaining the vehicle's

momentum. If you are going to be driving on

large soft sandy areas or dunes, reduce your tire

pressure to a minimum of 15 psi (103 kPa) to

allow for a greater tire surface area. Reduced

tire pressure will drastically improve your trac

-

tion and handling, while driving on the soft sand,

but you must return the tires to normal air pres

-

sure before driving on pavement or other hard

surfaces. Be sure you have a way to air the tires

back up prior to reducing the pressure.

C

ROSSING

O

BSTACLES

(R

OCKS

A

ND

O

THER

H

IGH

P

OINTS

)

While driving off road, you will encounter many

types of terrain. These varying types of terrain bring

different types of obstacles. Before proceeding

review the path ahead to determine the correct

approach and your ability to safely recover the

vehicle if something goes wrong. Keeping a firm

grip on the steering wheel, bring the vehicle to a

complete stop and then inch the vehicle forward

until it makes contact with the object. Apply the

throttle lightly while holding a light brake pressure

and ease the vehicle up and over the object.

Using A Spotter

There are many times where it is hard to see the

obstacle or determine the correct path.

Determining the correct path can be extremely

difficult when you are confronting many obstacles.

In these cases have someone guide you over,

through, or around the obstacle. Have the person

stand a safe distance in front of you where they

can see the obstacle, watch your tires and

undercarriage, and guide you through.

CAUTION!

On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high

engine RPMs or vehicle speeds because engine

braking may cause skidding and loss of control.

CAUTION!

Reduced tire pressures may cause tire

unseating and total loss of air pressure. To

reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a

reduced tire pressure, reduce your speed and

avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.

WARNING!

Crossing obstacles can cause abrupt steering

system loading which could cause you to lose

control of your vehicle.

4

164

STARTING AND OPERATING

Crossing Large Rocks

When approaching large rocks, choose a path

which ensures you drive over the largest with your

tires. This will lift your undercarriage over the

obstacle. The tread of the tire is tougher and

thicker than the side wall and is designed to take

the abuse. Always look ahead and make every

effort to cross the large rocks with your tires.

Crossing A Ravine, Gully, Ditch, Washout

Or Rut

When crossing a ravine, gully, ditch, washout or a

large rut, the angled approach is the key to

maintaining your vehicle's mobility. Approach

these obstacles at a 45-degree angle and let each

tire go through the obstacle independently. You

need to use caution when crossing large obstacles

with steep sides. Do not attempt to cross any large

obstacle with steep sides at an angle great enough

to put the vehicle at risk of a rollover. If you get

caught in a rut, dig a small trench to the right or left

at a 45-degree angle ahead of the front tires. Use

the removed dirt to fill the rut ahead of the turnout

you just created. You should now be able to drive

out following the trench you just created at a

45-degree angle.

Crossing Logs

To cross a log, approach it at a slight angle

(approximately 10 to 15 degrees). This allows one

front tire to be on top of the log while the other just

starts to climb the log. While climbing the log,

modulate your brake and accelerator to avoid

spinning the log out from under your tires. Then

ease the vehicle off the log using your brakes.

Getting High Centered

If you get hung up or high centered on an object,

get out of the vehicle and try to determine what the

vehicle is hung up on, where it is contacting the

underbody and what is the best direction to

recover the vehicle. Depending on what you are in

contact with, jack the vehicle up and place a few

rocks under the tires so the weight is off of the high

point when you let the vehicle down. You can also

try rocking the vehicle or winching the vehicle off

the object.

H

ILL

C

LIMBING

Hill climbing requires good judgment and a good

understanding of your abilities and your vehicle's

limitations. Hills can cause serious problems.

Some are just too steep to climb and should not be

attempted. You should always feel confident with

the vehicle and your abilities. You should always

climb hills straight up and down. Never attempt to

climb a hill on an angle.



Before Climbing A Steep Hill – As you approach

a hill consider its grade or steepness. Determine

if it is too steep. Look to see what the traction is

on the hill side trail. Is the trail straight up and

down? What is on top and the other side? Are

there ruts, rocks, branches or other obstacles

on the path? Can you safely recover the vehicle

if something goes wrong? If everything looks

good and you feel confident, then change trans

-

mission into a lower gear, shift the transfer case

CAUTION!



Never attempt to straddle a rock that is large

enough to strike your axles or undercarriage.



Never attempt to drive over a rock which is

large enough to contact the door sills.

WARNING!

There is an increased risk of rollover when cross

-

ing an obstacle, at any angle, with steep sides.

CAUTION!

Do not attempt to cross a log with a greater

diameter than the running ground clearance or

the vehicle will become high centered.

CAUTION!

Winching or rocking the vehicle off hard objects

increases the risk of underbody damage.

STARTING AND OPERATING

165

into 4WD LOW and proceed with caution. You

should use first gear and 4WD LOW for very

steep hills.



Driving Uphill – Once you have determined your

ability to proceed and have shifted into the

appropriate gear, line your vehicle up for the

straightest possible run. Accelerate with an easy

constant throttle and apply more power as you

start up the hill. Do not race forward into a steep

grade, the abrupt change of grade could cause

you to lose control. If the front end begins to

bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring all

four tires back on the ground. As you approach

the crest of the hill ease off the throttle and

slowly proceed over the top. If the wheels start

to slip as you approach the crest of a hill, ease

off the accelerator and maintain headway by

turning the steering wheel no more than a

quarter turn quickly back and forth. This will

provide a fresh "bite" into the surface and will

usually provide enough traction to complete the

climb. If you do not make it to the top, place the

vehicle in REVERSE and back straight down the

grade using engine resistance along with the

vehicle brakes.



Driving Downhill – Before driving down a steep hill

you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe

descent. What is the surface traction? Is the

grade too steep to maintain a slow controlled

descent? Are there obstacles? Is it a straight

descent? Is there plenty of distance at the base of

the hill to regain control if the vehicle descends

too fast? If you feel confident in your ability to

proceed then make sure you are in 4WD LOW with

the transmission in FIRST gear (manually select

FIRST gear on automatic transmissions) and

proceed with caution. Allow engine braking to

control the descent and apply your brakes if

necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.



Driving Across An Incline – If at all possible

avoid driving across an incline. If it is necessary,

know your vehicle's abilities. Driving across an

incline places more weight on the downhill

wheels, which increases the possibilities of a

downhill slide or rollover. Make sure the surface

has good traction with firm and stable soils. If

possible transverse the incline at an angle

heading slightly up or down.



If You Stall Or Begin To Lose Headway – If you

stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a

steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop

and immediately apply the brake. Restart the

engine and shift into REVERSE. Back slowly

down the hill allowing the compression braking

of the engine and transmission to help regulate

your speed. If the brakes are required to control

vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid

locking or skidding the tires.

WARNING!

Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn

around on a steep grade. Driving across an

incline increases the risk of a roll over, which

may result in severe injury or death.

WARNING!

Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use

vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine brak

-

ing. Descending a grade too fast could cause you

to lose control and be seriously injured or killed.

WARNING!

Driving across an incline increases the risk of a

rollover, which may result in severe injury.

4

166

STARTING AND OPERATING

D

RIVING

T

HROUGH

W

ATER

Extreme care should be taken crossing any type of

water. Water crossings should be avoided if

possible and only be attempted when necessary, in

a safe responsible manner. You should only drive

through areas which are designated and approved.

You should tread lightly and avoid damage to the

environment. You should know your vehicle's

abilities and be able to recover it if something goes

wrong. You should never stop or shut a vehicle off

when crossing deep water unless you ingested

water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls

do not attempt to restart it. Determine if it has

ingested water first. The key to any crossing is low

and slow. You want to use FIRST gear in 4WD LOW

and proceed very slowly with a constant slow

speed (3-5 mph [5–8 km/h] maximum) and light

throttle. Keep the vehicle moving; do not try to

accelerate through the crossing. After crossing any

water higher than the bottom of the axle

differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle

fluids for signs of water ingestion.



Before You Cross Any Type Of Water – As you

approach any type of water you need to deter

-

mine if you can cross it safely and responsibly. If

necessary, get out and walk through the water

or probe it with a stick. You need to be sure of its

depth, approach angle, current and bottom

condition. Be careful of murky or muddy waters,

check for hidden obstacles. Make sure you will

not be intruding on any wildlife and you can

recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a

safe crossing is the water depth, current and

bottom conditions. On soft bottoms the vehicle

will sink in, effectively increasing the water level

on the vehicle. Be sure to consider this when

determining the depth and the ability to safely

cross.



Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or

Other Standing Water – Puddles, pools, flooded

or other standing water areas normally contain

murky or muddy waters. These water types

normally contain hidden obstacles and make it

difficult to determine an accurate water depth,

approach angle, and bottom condition. Murky or

muddy water holes are where you want to hook

up tow straps prior to entering. This makes for a

faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery. If

you are able to determine you can safely cross,

than proceed using the low and slow method.



Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or

Other Flowing Water – Flowing water can be

extremely dangerous. Never attempt to cross a

fast running stream or river even in shallow

water. Fast moving water can easily push your

vehicle downstream sweeping it out of control.

Even in very shallow water, a high current can

still wash the dirt out from around your tires

putting you and your vehicle in jeopardy. There

is still a high risk of personal injury and vehicle

damage with slower water currents in depths

greater than the vehicle's running ground clear

-

WARNING!

If the engine stalls or you lose headway or

cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade,

never attempt to turn around. To do so may

result in tipping and rolling the vehicle, which

may result in severe injury. Always back carefully

straight down a hill in REVERSE. Never back

down a hill in NEUTRAL using only the vehicle

brakes. Never drive diagonally across a hill,

always drive straight up or down.

CAUTION!

Water ingestion into the axles, transmission,

transfer case, engine or vehicle interior can

occur if you drive too fast or through too deep of

water. Water can cause permanent damage to

engine, driveline or other vehicle components

and your brakes will be less effective once wet

and/or muddy.

CAUTION!

Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system

effectiveness by depositing debris onto the

radiator.

STARTING AND OPERATING

167

ance. You should never attempt to cross flowing

water which is deeper than the vehicle's running

ground clearance. Even the slowest current can

push the heaviest vehicle downstream out of

control if the water is deep enough to push on

the large surface area of the vehicle's body.

Before you proceed determine the speed of the

current, the water's depth, approach angle,

bottom condition and if there are any obstacles,

then cross at an angle heading slightly

upstream using the low and slow technique.

A

IRING

D

OWN

F

OR

O

FF

-R

OAD

D

RIVING

Running lower tire pressure off-road can improve

your ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing

the tire air pressure allows the tire to bulge slightly,

improving its surface area for better flotation and

ability to mold or form to the ground contour.

Different terrain, tires, and vehicles require

different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like rock and

heavier vehicles require higher pressures than

softer surfaces such as sand and lighter vehicles.

You will need to experiment to determine what is

right for your situation. It is easier and faster to let

air out than it is to replace it. Start high and lower

it as required. Remember you must return the tires

to normal air pressure before driving on road or at

highway conditions. Be sure you have a way to

return the tires to their normal on road air

pressure.

V

EHICLE

R

ECOVERY

If you drive off-road, you may encounter a situation

where you will need to recover your vehicle. Vehicle

recovery should always be given consideration

before attempting a questionable obstacle. You

should never go off-road driving without the ability

to recover your vehicle from a situation. Having

another vehicle with you usually works best for

most situations. The first thing to do is assess the

situation. Why are you stuck? Are you hung up on

something? Would it be easier to go forward or to

go backward? Can you still move the vehicle? Is

there an anchor point to winch to? Are you alone or

do you have another vehicle to help? Is there high

risk of vehicle damage during the recovery

process? Answering these questions will help you

determine the best method of recovery. If you can

still move the vehicle slightly and the only issue is

slick ground, then rock cycling your vehicle would

be the first choice. If you have ample room, an

additional vehicle and there is low risk of vehicle

impact on the surroundings, then using a tow strap

to the vehicle tow hooks would be fast and easy. If

the vehicle is severely hung up or in a situation

where great care needs to be taken during the

recovery, then nothing can do the job better than a

winch. If you are severely hung up on something

you should jack the vehicle up and stack

something under the wheels to allow the vehicle to

roll off the object without causing further damage.

This should be tried before attempting any

recovery method.



Rock Cycling Your Vehicle – Rock cycling your

vehicle is one of the easiest, fastest and most

commonly used methods. This simply involves

shifting your vehicle from DRIVE to REVERSE,

while applying throttle after each shift. During

WARNING!

Never drive through fast moving deep water. It

can push your vehicle downstream, sweeping it

out of control. This could put you and your

passengers at risk of injury or drowning.

CAUTION!

Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of tire

damage and may cause tire unseating with total

loss of air pressure. To reduce the risk of tire

unseating, while at a reduced tire pressure,

drive at slower speeds and avoid sharp turns or

abrupt maneuvers.

CAUTION!

Pulling the vehicle off an obstacle, without first

clearing the object, may result in additional

underbody damage.

4

168

STARTING AND OPERATING

this process, for additional traction, try turning

your steering wheel quickly left and right no

more than a quarter turn. If you are stuck in

mud, sand, or snow try spinning your tires during

this process to clean the debris from the tread

and improve the traction. You want to create a

rocking motion with the vehicle. This helps build

vehicle momentum, which hopefully gets you

out. Remember to ease off and on the acceler

-

ator before and after the shift. If after a few rock

cycles your vehicle is not free, stop and try

another method of recovery. Continuous rock

cycling will only cause unnecessary damage to

your vehicle and the environment.



Using The Tow Hooks With A Tow Strap – Tow

straps are a quick and easy way to recover your

vehicle from minor situations if you have a

secondary vehicle which is not stuck. The tow

hooks on your vehicle are designed to take the

abusive force generated during vehicle

recovery. Do not use the bumper or any other

vehicle component as an attachment point.

Using tow straps requires coordination between

the two drivers. Good communication and line

of sight are required for a safe recovery. First

connect the tow strap to the correct attachment

points on both vehicles. There should be a least

20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) between the vehi

-

cles to allow for a safe recovery. If necessary

join two tow straps together using a 1.5 inch

hard wood dowel. This will keep the straps from

becoming knotted and is safer than using a

clevis pin if the strap breaks. Next have the tow

vehicle back-up, leaving two to three feet worth

of slack in the strap. Then the tow vehicle, using

light throttle, should accelerate tightening the

strap providing the pulling force needed to free

the vehicle. The vehicle being recovered should

assist in the recovery, at the time of the snap, by

slowly spinning the tires in the same direction as

the pulling vehicle. After the vehicle becomes

free, the driver of the previously stuck vehicle

should signal they are free and should hit their

brakes stopping both vehicles. The driver of the

pulling vehicle should let off the throttle without

using the brakes, once signaled by the other

driver. This sequence is important to avoid

having the recovered vehicle hit the pulling

vehicle.



Winching (Refer To “Winch Operation” For Addi

-

tional Information) – Winching is most

commonly used in the following situations:

there is no support vehicle available, a high

controlled force is required to recover the

vehicle, there is a high risk of environmental or

vehicle damage, or where nothing else seems to

work. A winch can deliver a high pulling force

with a great deal of control. It allows you to walk

the vehicle out of the situation in a slow

controlled manner. This control works well for

avoiding further vehicle damage. Once you

decide it is time to use the winch look for a good

anchor point. It needs to be strong enough to

hold more than the vehicle's weight and provide

a direction of pull as straight as possible. Use

block and tackle if necessary to improve the

angle of pull or increase the winch's pulling

force. If the anchor point is a tree use a strap

CAUTION!

Damage can occur when spinning your tires at

an excessive high speed. Do not spin your tires

faster than an indicated 30 mph (48 km/h).

WARNING!

Never use tow straps with end hooks or link two

straps with a clevis pin. These heavy metal

objects could become projectiles if a strap

breaks, which could cause severe injury. Never

leave more than 2 to 3 feet (0.60 to 1 meter) of

slack in the strap. More slack than this greatly

increases the risk of injury and vehicle damage.

Always keep everyone at least 30 feet (9 meters)

away from a strapping or winching situation.

STARTING AND OPERATING

169

around its base and hook the cable to the strap.

If it is another vehicle, then place that vehicle in

PARK and block the front tires. If you cannot find

an anchor point within reach try using your

spare tire by burying it. Once you have deter

-

mined an anchor point hook up the cable,

ensuring there are a least five wraps of cable

left on the drum, and place a floor mat or some

-

thing else over the strung out cable. Placing

something over the strung out cable helps keep

the cable on the ground if it breaks. Next, place

the vehicle in FIRST gear and apply a very light

throttle as you power the winch in. Be careful

not to allow slack in the cable as you recover the

vehicle. Do not try to guide the cable into the

drum. If it starts to bunch up on one end, let it.

You can re-spool the cable afterwards. Never

use a winch cable as a tow strap and always

stand back while winching.

A

FTER

D

RIVING

O

FF

-R

OAD

Off-road operation puts more stress on your

vehicle than does most on-road driving. After going

off-road, it is always a good idea to check for

damage. That way you can get any problems taken

care of right away and have your vehicle ready

when you need it.



Completely inspect the underbody of your

vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steering,

suspension, and exhaust system for damage.



Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and

clean as required.



Check threaded fasteners for looseness, partic

-

ularly on the chassis, drivetrain components,

steering, and suspension. Retighten them, if

required, and torque to the values specified in

the Service Manual.



Check for accumulations of plants or brush.

These things could be a fire hazard. They might

hide damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle

pinion seals, and propeller shafts.



After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or

similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan,

brake rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle

yokes inspected and cleaned as soon as

possible.



If you experience unusual vibration after driving

in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the

wheels for impacted material. Impacted mate

-

rial can cause a wheel imbalance and freeing

the wheels of it will correct the situation.

LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL

The limited-slip differential provides additional

traction on snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel,

particularly when there is a difference between the

traction characteristics of the surface under the

right and left rear wheels. During normal driving

and cornering, the limited-slip unit performs

similarly to a conventional differential. On slippery

surfaces, however, the differential delivers more of

the driving effort to the rear wheel having the

better traction.
The limited-slip differential is especially helpful

during slippery driving conditions. With both rear

wheels on a slippery surface, a slight application of

the accelerator will supply maximum traction.

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.

WARNING!

Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may

cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking.

You might not have full braking power when you

need it to prevent a collision. If you have been

operating your vehicle in dirty conditions, get

your brakes checked and cleaned as necessary.

4

170

STARTING AND OPERATING

When starting with only one rear wheel on an

excessively slippery surface, slight momentary

application of the parking brake may be necessary

to gain maximum traction.

Care should be taken to avoid sudden

accelerations when both rear wheels are on a

slippery surface. This could cause both rear wheels

to spin, and allow the vehicle to slide sideways on

the crowned surface of a road or in a turn.

WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY

(IF EQUIPPED)

T

HINGS

T

O

K

NOW

B

EFORE

U

SING

Y

OUR

W

INCH

General Winch Information

Your vehicle is equipped with an electric vehicle

recovery winch. This winch uses the electrical

power from the vehicle charging system to power a

motor that winds the winch rope onto the winch

drum via planetary gear reduction. By nature, a

winch is capable of generating very high forces and

should be used with care. Do not operate the winch

without reading and understanding the complete

winch Owner's Manual.

Tensioning The Winch Rope

The winch rope must be properly tensioned before

use. Follow the instructions below to tension the

rope:
1. Un-spool the rope leaving five wraps of rope

on the winch drum.

2. Attach the hook to a suitable anchor point.

3. Apply at least 1,000 lb (454 kg) of tension to

the rope while winding the rope. Always use

care to ensure the rope does not pile up on one

side of the drum and is neatly wound onto the

drum.

Low Voltage Interrupt

Your winch is equipped with a device that will

interrupt winch function if the vehicle charging

system voltage drops to a low level. The winch will

not power-in or out for 30 seconds if this device is

tripped. If the interrupt is tripped, the vehicle

should be operated at high idle for a few minutes

to allow the vehicle charging system to recover

before continuing to winch.

U

NDERSTANDING

T

HE

F

EATURES

O

F

Y

OUR

W

INCH

Winch Components

1. Remote Control: The remote control provides

the interface between the winch operator and

the winch. The remote control provides the

ability to power the winch in, out, and stop the

winch. To operate the winch, the toggle switch

is pushed down to power the winch in and up

WARNING!

On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip

differential never run the engine with one rear

wheel off the ground since the vehicle may drive

through the rear wheel remaining on the ground.

You could lose control of the vehicle.

CAUTION!

Be certain the anchor will withstand the load

required to tension the winch rope.

CAUTION!

The winch rope must spool on the winch drum in

the direction indicated on the drum rotation

decal on the winch.

STARTING AND OPERATING

171

(Continued)

to power the winch out. The winch will stop if

the switch is left in the neutral (center)

position.

2. Motor: The winch motor is powered by the

vehicle charging system.

3. Remote Socket: The remote socket (which will

be located on the bumper assembly) allows

the remote control to be attached to the

control pack to allow the winch to function.

4. Winch Drum With Integral Brake: The winch

drum allows the rope to be stored on the winch

and transmits force to the rope. The winch is

equipped with an integral brake that will stop

rotation of the winch drum if the winch motor

is stopped.

5. Synthetic Rope: The synthetic rope allows the

winch to be connected to an anchor to provide

a pulling force. This synthetic rope is highly

flexible, lightweight, and it floats.

6. Clutch Lever: The clutch lever allows the winch

drum to be disconnected from the winch motor

to allow the rope to be pulled from the winch by

hand.

Fairlead: The hawse fairlead acts as a guide for the

synthetic rope and minimizes damage to the rope.

W

INCH

A

CCESSORIES

The following accessories are necessary to attach

the winch to anchors, change direction of pull, and

for safe winching.

Gloves: It is extremely important to wear

protective gloves while operating the

winch or handling the winch rope. Avoid

loose fitting clothes or anything that

could become entangled in the rope and other

moving parts.

Snatch/Block Pulley: Used properly, the

multi-purpose snatch block allows you to

(1) increase the winch's pulling power;

and (2) change your pulling direction

without damaging the winch rope. Proper use of

the snatch block is covered in “Before You Pull.”

Clevis/D-Shackles: The D-Shackle is a

safe means of connecting the looped

ends of cables, straps and snatch blocks.

The shackle's pin is threaded to allow

easy removal.

Tree Trunk Protector: Typically made of

tough, high-quality nylon, it provides the

operator an attachment point for the

winch rope to a wide variety of anchor

points and objects, as well as protects living trees.

Abrasion Sleeve: The abrasion sleeve is provided

with the synthetic rope and must be used with the

synthetic rope at all times to protect the rope from

potential abrasion wear. The sleeve has a loose fit so

it can easily be positioned along the synthetic rope

to protect from rough surfaces and sharp corners.

O

PERATING

Y

OUR

W

INCH

CAUTION!

If not installed, the hook strap must be placed

on the hook.

WARNING!

Failure to observe any of these warnings

regarding proper winch usage may result in

severe injury.



Always use supplied hook strap to hold the

hook when spooling wire rope in or out.



Never use as a hoist.



Never use to move persons.



Never exceed winch or synthetic rope rated

capacity.



Always wear heavy leather gloves when

handling the synthetic rope.



Never touch synthetic rope or hook while in

tension or under load.



Never engage or disengage clutch if winch is

under load, synthetic rope is in tension, or

rope drum is moving.

4