climate control Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Manual

Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow these safety tips:
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed. If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed and the climate
control BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT
use the recirculation mode.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 83

Power Lumbar — If Equipped
The lumbar controls are located on the outboard side of
the seat cushion. The lumbar support can be increased by
pressing the front of the switch and decreased by press-
ing the back of the switch.
Heated Seats — If Equipped
Both front seats and rear passenger seats can be equipped
with heaters. The switches for the front seats are located
in the instrument panel under the climate controls. The
switches for the rear passenger seats are located on the
back of the center console.
After turning the ignition ON, you can choose from High,
Low, or Off heat settings. Amber indicator lights in each
switch indicate the level of heat in use. Two indicator
lights will illuminate for High, one for Low, and none for
Off.Press the switch once to select High-
level heating. Press the switch a sec-
ond time to select Low-level heating.
Press the switch a third time to shut
the heating elements Off.
Lumbar Control Switch
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Ventilated Seats — If Equipped
Located in the seat cushion and seatback are small fans
that draw the air from around the occupant and exhaust
it underneath the seat and into the passenger compart-
ment. The fans draw this air across the surface of the seat
using air ducts and fine perforations in the covering to
help keep the driver cooler in higher ambient tempera-
tures.
The ventilated seat switches are located in the switch
bank in the center stack of the instrument panel, just
below the climate controls. The fans operate at two
speeds, High and Low.Press the switch once to choose High,
press it a second time to choose Low.
Pressing the switch a third time will
turn the ventilated seat Off. When
High speed is selected both lights on the switch will be illuminated. When Low speed is
selected one light will be illuminated.
NOTE:
•The engine must be running for the ventilated seats to
operate.
•The drivers ventilated seat can be programmed to
come on during a remote start. Refer to “Remote
Starting System — If Equipped” in Section 2 for
further information.
40-20-40 Front Bench Seat — If Equipped
The seat is divided into three segments. The outboard
seat portions are each 40% of the total width of the seat.
The back of the center portion (20%) easily folds down to
provide an armrest/center storage compartment (if
equipped).
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
HEATING STEERING WHEEL — IF EQUIPPED
The steering wheel contains a heating element that helps
warm your hands in cold weather. The heated steering
wheel has only one temperature setting. Once the heated
steering wheel has been turned on it will operate for
approximately 58 to 70 minutes before automatically
shutting off. The heated steering wheel can shut off early
or may not turn on when the steering wheel is already
warm.The heated steering wheel switch is located on the switch
bank below the climate controls.
Press the switch to turn on the heated
steering wheel. The light on the switch
will illuminate to indicate the steering
wheel heater is on. Pressing the switch
a second time will turn off the heated
steering wheel and light indicator.
NOTE:
•The engine must be running for the heated steering
wheel to operate.
•The heated steering wheel can be programmed to
come on during a remote start. Refer to “Remote
Starting System — If Equipped” in Section 4 for
further information.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157

REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster button is located on the
climate control panel. Press this button to turn on
the rear window defroster and the heated outside mirrors
(if equipped). An indicator in the button will illuminate when the rear window defroster is on. The rear window
defroster automatically turns off after approximately
10 minutes. For an additional five minutes of operation,
press the button a second time.
NOTE:
To prevent excessive battery drain, use the rear
window defroster only when the engine is operating.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
•Use care when washing the inside of the rear
window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on
the interior surface of the window. Use a soft cloth
and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Labels can be peeled off
after soaking with warm water.
(Continued)Grocery Bag Hooks
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 199

▫Selecting uconnect studios (Satellite)
Mode ............................. 286
▫ Satellite Antenna ..................... 286
▫ Reception Quality .................... 287
▫ Operating Instructions - uconnect studios
(Satellite) Mode ..................... 287
▫ Operating Instructions - uconnect phone
(If Equipped) ....................... 289
 Video Entertainment System (VES)™ —
If Equipped .......................... 290
 Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped .......................... 291
▫ Radio Operation ..................... 291
▫ CD Player ......................... 292 
CD/DVD Maintenance ................. 292
 Radio Operation And Cellular Phones ....... 293
 Climate Controls ...................... 293
▫ Manual Heating And Air Conditioning
System ............................ 293
▫ Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) —
If Equipped ........................ 297
▫ Summer Operation ................... 302
▫ Winter Operation .................... 302
▫ Vacation/Storage .................... 303
▫ Window Fogging And Frosting .......... 303
▫ Outside Air Intake ................... 303
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 304
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 221

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 — Headlight Switch7 — 115v Power Inverter Outlet13 — Transfer Case Position Switch
2 — Instrument Cluster 8 — Power Outlet14 — Ignition Switch
3 — Radio 9 — Lower Switch Bank15 — Hood Release
4 — Upper Switch Bank 10 — Cup Holders16 — Parking Brake Release
5 — Upper Glove Compartment 11 — Climate Controls
6 — Lower Glove Compartment 12 — Power Outlet/Cigar Lighter
222 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the operation of a cellular
phone in your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy perfor-
mance from your radio. This condition may be lessened
or eliminated by relocating the cellular phone antenna.
This condition is not harmful to the radio. If your radio
performance does not satisfactorily “clear” by the repo-
sitioning of the antenna, it is recommended that the radio
volume be turned down or off during cellular phone
operation.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
The Climate Control System allows you to regulate the
temperature, amount, and direction of air circulating
throughout the vehicle. The controls are located on the
instrument panel below the radio.
Manual Heating and Air Conditioning System
The controls for the manual heating and air conditioning
system in this vehicle consist of a series of outer rotarydials and inner push knobs. These comfort controls can
be set to obtain desired interior conditions.
1 – Front Blower
4 – DEFROST Mode
2 – Temperature Control 5 – Air Conditioning (A/C)
3 – MODE Control 6 – RECIRCULATION Control
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 293

Front Blower Control
There are four blower speeds. Use this
control to regulate the amount of air
forced through the system in any
mode you select. The blower speed
increases as you move the control
clockwise from the OFF position.
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Remote Start, the
climate controls will not function during Remote Start
operation if the blower control is left in the OFF position.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. Rotating the knob coun-
terclockwise, from top center into the
blue area of the scale, indicates cooler temperatures. Rotating the knob clockwise, into the red
area, indicates warmer temperatures.
NOTE:
If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser (located in front of the radiator), for an accumu-
lation of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce airflow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
Mode Control (Air Direction)
Mode control allows you to choose
from several patterns of air distribu-
tion. You can select either a primary
mode, as identified by the symbols, or
a blend of two of these modes. The
closer the control is to a particular
mode, the more air distribution you
receive from that mode.
294 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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•1–800–387–1143 (Canada)
Or
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 519