instrument panel RAM CHASSIS CAB 2011 Owners Manual
Page 2 of 472
TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTION PAGE
1
INTRODUCTION
............................................................32
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
..............................93
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
............................. 774
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
.................................. 1735
STARTING AND OPERATING
................................................2596
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
............................................. 3557
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
..............................................3758
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
.................................................4259
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
........................................ 44310
INDEX
...................................................................453 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 7 of 472
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This Owner’s Manual contains WARNINGS against op-
erating procedures that could result in an accident or
bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONS against proce-
dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire manual, you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VAN CONVERSIONS/CAMPERS
The Manufacturer’s Warranty does not apply to body
modifications or special equipment installed by van
conversion/camper manufacturers/body builders. Refer
to the Warranty information book, Section 2.1.C. Such
equipment includes video monitors, VCRs, heaters,
stoves, refrigerators, etc. For warranty coverage and
service on these items, contact the applicable manufac-
turer. Operating instructions for the special equipment in-
stalled by the conversion/camper manufacturer should
also be supplied with your vehicle. If these instructions
are missing, please contact your authorized dealer for
assistance in obtaining replacement documents from the
applicable manufacturer.
For information on the Body Builders Guide refer to:
www.dodgebodybuilder.com. This website contains di-
mensional and technical specifications for your vehicle. It
is intended for Second Stage Manufacturer’s technical
support. For service issues, contact your authorized
dealer.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is found on the
left front corner of the instrument panel, visible through
the windshield. This number also appears on the Auto-
mobile Information Disclosure Label affixed to a window
on your vehicle, the vehicle registration and title.6 INTRODUCTION
Page 19 of 472
General Information
The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules Part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM — IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm monitors the vehicle doors
and ignition for unauthorized operation. When the Ve-
hicle Security Alarm is activated, interior switches for
door locks are disabled. The system provides both au-
dible and visible signals, for the first three minutes the
horn will sound and the headlights, park lamps and/or
turn signals will flash and Vehicle Security Light will
flash repeatedly. For an additional 15 minutes only, the
headlights, park lamps and/or turn signals and Vehicle Security Light will flash. The engine will run only if a
valid Sentry Key is used to start the vehicle. Use of the
Sentry Key will disable the alarm.
Rearming of the System
The Vehicle Security Alarm will rearm itself after the 15
additional minutes of headlights and Vehicle Security
Light flashing, if the system has not been disabled. If the
condition which initiated the alarm is still present, the
system will ignore that condition and monitor the re-
maining doors and ignition.
To Arm the System
The Vehicle Security Alarm will set when you use the
power door locks, or use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter to lock the doors. After all the doors are
locked and closed, the Vehicle Security Light in the
instrument panel cluster will flash rapidly for about
16 seconds to indicate that the alarm is being set. After
the alarm is set, the Vehicle Security Light will flash at a
slower rate to indicate that the system is armed.18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 22 of 472
Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All Doors First
This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver’s door or all doors on the first press of the
UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
• For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Customer-Program-
mable Features (System Setup)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Press and hold the LOCK button on a programmed
RKE transmitter for at least four seconds, but no longer
than ten seconds. Then, press and hold the UNLOCK
button while still holding the LOCK button. 2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press-
ing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the RKE transmitter
with the ignition switch in the OFF position and the key
removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE: Pressing the LOCK button on the RKE transmit-
ter while you are inside the vehicle will activate the
Vehicle Security Alarm System. Opening a door with the
Vehicle Security Alarm System activated will cause the
alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button to deactivate
the Vehicle Security Alarm System.
2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21
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Flash Lamps with Remote Key Lock
This feature will cause the turn signal lights to flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the RKE transmit-
ter. This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change
the current setting, proceed as follows:
• For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Customer-Program-
mable Features (System Setup)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed
RKE transmitter for at least four seconds, but no longer
than ten seconds. Then, press and hold the LOCK button
while still holding the UNLOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time. 3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press-
ing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the RKE transmitter
with the ignition switch in the OFF position and the key
removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE: Pressing the LOCK button on the RKE transmit-
ter while you are in the vehicle will activate the Vehicle
Security Alarm System. Opening a door with the Vehicle
Security Alarm System activated will cause the alarm to
sound. Press the UNLOCK button to deactivate the
Vehicle Security Alarm System.
To Lock the Doors
Press and release the LOCK button on the RKE transmit-
ter to lock all doors. The turn signal lights will flash and
the horn will chirp to acknowledge the signal.22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 24 of 472
Sound Horn with Remote Key Lock
This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the RKE transmitter. This feature can be
turned on or turned off. To change the current setting,
proceed as follows:
• For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/Customer-Program-
mable Features (System Setup)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Press the LOCK button on a programmed RKE trans-
mitter for at least four seconds, but no longer than ten
seconds. Then, press the PANIC button while still hold-
ing the LOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time. 3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle by press-
ing the LOCK button on the RKE transmitter with the
ignition switch in the OFF position and the key removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE: Pressing the LOCK button on the RKE transmit-
ter while you are in the vehicle will activate the Vehicle
Security Alarm System. Opening a door with the Vehicle
Security Alarm System activated will cause the alarm to
sound. Press the UNLOCK button to deactivate the
Vehicle Security Alarm System.
Remote Open Window Feature — If Equipped
This feature allows you to remotely lower both front door
windows at the same time. To use this feature, press and
release the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter and
then immediately press and hold the UNLOCK button
until the windows lower to the level desired or until they
lower completely. 2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
Page 51 of 472
mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the
airbag covers.
NOTE: These airbags are certified to the new Federal
regulations for Advanced Airbags. The Advanced Front Airbags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the airbag to have different rates of
inflation based on the severity and type of collision.
This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front
passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust the
inflation rate of the Advanced Front Airbags based upon
seat position.
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is fastened. The
seat belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the
Advanced Front Airbags.
NOTE:
• Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim;
but they will open during airbag deployment.
• After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer immediately.Advanced Front Airbag and Knee Bolster Locations1 — Driver and Passenger Advanced
Front Airbags (if equipped) 2 — Knee Boltser50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 52 of 472
Airbag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following airbag
system components:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Airbag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolster
• Driver Advanced Front Airbag
• Passenger Advanced Front Airbag
• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch,
and Seat Track Position Sensors Advanced Front Airbag Features
The Advanced Front Airbag system has multistage driver
and front passenger (if equipped) airbags. This system
provides output appropriate to the severity and type of
collision as determined by the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC).
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires airbag deployment. The timing of
the second stage determines whether the output force is
low, medium, or high. If a low output is sufficient to meet
the need, the remaining gas in the inflator is expended.
WARNING!• No objects should be placed over or near the airbag
on the instrument panel, because any such objects
could cause harm if the vehicle is in a collision
severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.
(Continued)2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
Page 54 of 472
ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow
children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under
their arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old (not in a rear facing child
seat) must ride in the front passenger seat, move the seat
as far back as possible and use the proper child restraint.
(Refer to “Child Restraints”)
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
All occupants should always wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.
The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the Advanced Front
Airbags room to inflate. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be modified
to accommodate a disabled person, contact the Customer
Center. Phone numbers are provided under If You Need
Assistance .
WARNING!• Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during Advanced Front Airbag deployment
could cause serious injury, including death. Air-
bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably
extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or
instrument panel. 2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
Page 56 of 472
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the airbags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
Also, the ORC turns on the Airbag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for approxi-
mately four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the Airbag Warning Light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the Airbag Warning Light, either momentarily
or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Airbag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the airbag system. The diagnostics
also record the nature of the malfunction. WARNING!Ignoring the Airbag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
airbag system immediately.
Driver and Passenger Airbag Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Airbag Inflator Units are
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel (if equipped). When the
ORC detects a collision requiring the Advanced Front
Airbags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the Advanced Front
Airbags. Different airbag inflation rates are possible,
based on the collision type and severity. The steering
wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of the 2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55