2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup Owner Manual Diesel - Page 293

STARTING AND OPERATING 293 If you must back down a hill, back straight down using REVERSE gear. Never back down in NEUTRAL, or diagonally across the hill. When driving over sand, mud, and other soft terrain, shift to low gear and drive steadily. Apply the accelerator slowly to avoid spinning the wheels. DO NOT REDUCE the tire pressures for this type of driving. NOTE: After off-road usage, particularly in sand or mud, inspect the underside of the vehicle for accumulated dirt at the propeller shaft, axles, U-joints, brake rotors and calipers. Use a hose to clean off any accumulation of dirt or mud. Check the exhaust system and all exposed components for any sign of damage. If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted material. Impacted foreign material can cause a wheel imbalance. Removing the foreign material from the wheels will correct the situation. TRACTION When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a wedge of water to build up between the tire and road surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precautions should be observed: 1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are slushy. 2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles. 5