maintenance DODGE RAM 1500 GAS 2007 3.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE.............................115
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................221
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................297
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................419
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................445
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................517
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................541
10INDEX....................................................................549
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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner’s manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds
up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality, energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with the anticipated cli-
matic conditions under which vehicle operation will
occur. The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
discussed in Section 7 under Maintenance Procedures,
Engine Oil.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and is not an indication of difficulty.
112 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Recalibrating The Compass..............184
▫Outside Temperature...................186

Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........186
▫Programming HomeLink................188
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 190
▫Using HomeLink.....................191
▫Erasing HomeLink Buttons..............192
▫Reprogramming a Single HomeLink Button . . . 192
▫Security............................192

Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............193
▫Open Sunroof - Express Mode............194
▫Comfort Stop........................194
▫Closing Sunroof - Express...............194▫Pinch Protect Feature...................194
▫Pinch Protect Override.................195
▫Venting Sunroof - Express...............195
▫Sunshade Operation...................195
▫Wind Buffeting.......................195
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................196
▫Sunroof Fully Closed...................196

Electrical Power Outlets..................196

Cigar Lighter And Ash Receiver............198

Cupholders...........................199
▫Front Instrument Panel Cupholders
(40–20–40 Seats) — Automatic Transmission . . 199
▫Front Instrument Panel Cupholders
(Bucket Seats) — Automatic Transmission....201
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Sunroof Fully Closed
Press the switch forward and release to ensure that the
sunroof is fully closed.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
The auxiliary electrical outlet can provide power for in
cab accessories designed for use with the standard “cigar
lighter” plug. The outlet is located in the instrument
panel below and to the right of the Climate Control
Panel. A cap is attached to the outlet base indicating
“Power Outlet” 12V-20A.There is an additional Power Outlet inside the center
console of vehicles equipped with 40/20/40, or Bucket
front seats. There is also a Power Outlet located on the
rear of the center console for Quad Cab or Mega Cab
vehicles (only) equipped with bucket seats.
The outlet(s) has/have a fused direct feed from the
battery so it/they receive power whether the ignition is
ON or OFF.
196 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫Satellite Antenna......................279
▫Reception Quality.....................279

Remote Sound System Controls — If Equipped . . 280
▫Radio Operation......................280
▫Tape Player.........................281
▫CD Player..........................281

Cassette Tape And Player Maintenance.......281

Compact Disc Maintenance................282

Radio Operation And Cellular Phones........283
Climate Controls.......................283
▫Heater Only — If Equipped..............284
▫Air Conditioning And Heating —
If Equipped.........................286
▫Air Conditioning With Dual Zone Temperature
Control — If Equipped.................289
▫Operating Tips.......................293
▫Operating Tips Chart...................296
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Tape Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
selection on the cassette. Pressing the bottom of the
switch once will go to the beginning of the current
selection or to the beginning of the previous selection if it
is within the first 5 seconds of the current selection.
If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second selection, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch has no
function in this mode.
CD Player
Pressing the top of the switch once will go to the next
track on the CD. Pressing the bottom of the switch once
will go to the beginning of the current track or to the
beginning of the previous track if it is within one second
after the current track begins to play.If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch has no
function in this mode.
CASSETTE TAPE AND PLAYER MAINTENANCE
To keep the cassette tapes and player in good condition,
take the following precautions:
1. Do not use cassette tapes longer than C-90; otherwise,
sound quality and tape durability will be greatly dimin-
ished.
2. Keep the cassette tape in its case to protect from
slackness and dust when it is not in use.
3. Keep the cassette tape away from direct sunlight, heat
and magnetic fields such as the radio speakers.
4. Before inserting a tape, make sure that the label is
adhering flatly to the cassette.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 281
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5. A loose tape should be corrected before use. To rewind
a loose tape, insert the eraser end of a pencil into the tape
drive gear and twist the pencil in the required directions.
Maintain your cassette tape player. The head and capstan
shaft in the cassette player can pick up dirt or tape
deposits each time a cassette is played. The result of
deposits on the capstan shaft may cause the tape to wrap
around and become lodged in the tape transport. The
other adverse condition is low or “muddy” sound from
one or both channels, as if the treble tone control were
turned all the way down. To prevent this, you should
periodically clean the head with a commercially available
WET cleaning cassette.
As preventive maintenance, clean the head about every
30 hours of use. If you wait until the head becomes very
dirty (noticeably poor sound), it may not be possible to
remove all deposits with a simple WET cleaning cassette.COMPACT DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep the compact discs in good condition, take the
following precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper or tape to the disc; avoid scratch-
ing the disc.
4. Do not use solvents such as benzene, thinner, cleaners,
or antistatic sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
282 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Tire Rotation Recommendations............377
▫Dual Rear Wheels.....................379

Fuel Requirements......................380
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................381
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............381
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................381
▫Materials Added To Fuel................382
▫Fuel System Cautions..................382
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............383

Adding Fuel..........................384
▫Adding Fuel (Gas Engines)..............384

Flexible Fuel— (Fleet Vehicles Only).........386
▫E-85 General Information................386▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................386
▫Fuel Requirements....................387
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......387
▫Starting............................388
▫Cruising Range.......................388
▫Replacement Parts.....................388
▫Maintenance.........................388

Vehicle Loading........................389
▫Certification Label.....................389

Trailer Towing.........................392
▫Common Towing Definitions.............392
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............396
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........397
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............397
▫Towing Requirements..................398
▫Towing Tips.........................402
▫Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped......404

Snowplow............................406
▫Dodge Ram 1500 Models................406
▫Before Plowing.......................407
▫Snowplow Model Prep Package Availability . . 407▫Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached...........................408
▫Methods For Removing Snow............409
▫Operating Tips.......................409
▫General Maintenance...................409

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 410
▫Recreational Towing – 2 Wheel Drive Models . 410
▫Recreational Towing – 4 Wheel Drive Models . 410

Equipment Identification Plate.............418
STARTING AND OPERATING 301
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