2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup Owner Manual - Page 310

308 STARTING AND OPERATING 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. WINCH USAGE - IF EQUIPPED (POWER WAGON ONLY) Things To Know Before Using Your Winch 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 wire rope into 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 Wire Rope The winch rope must be properly tensioned before use. Follow the instructions below to tension the rope: 1. Un-spool the wire rope leaving five wraps of rope on the winch drum.