manual transmission DODGE RAM 1500 GAS 2007 3.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

A Word About Your Keys..................12
▫Ignition Key Removal...................12
▫Locking Doors With The Key..............14

Steering Wheel Lock — If Equipped..........15
▫If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel..............................15
▫To Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........15
▫Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System..............................15
Sentry Key — If Equipped.................15
▫Replacement Keys......................16
▫Customer Key Programming..............17
▫General Information....................18

Security Alarm System — If Equipped.........18
▫Rearming Of The System.................18
▫To Set The Alarm......................18
▫To Disarm The System...................19

Illuminated Entry System — If Equipped.......19
2

Manual Transmission—If Equipped
When the steering wheel is in the LOCK position, the
steering and ignition systems are locked to provide
antitheft protection for your vehicle. It may be difficult to
turn the key from the LOCK position when starting your
vehicle. Move the steering wheel left and right while
turning the key until it turns easily. To remove the key,
depress and hold the release button located between the
ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the igni-
tion key to LOCK and remove the key.
Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See Section 7 of this manual for door lock
lubrication.
Ignition Switch Positions
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

STEERING WHEEL LOCK — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock. This lock prevents steering the vehicle with-
out the ignition key. If the steering wheel is moved no
more than 1/2 turn in either direction and the key is not
in the ignition switch, the steering wheel will lock.
If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel:
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock:
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, move the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right todisengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ON positions, and the
brake pedal is depressed.
SENTRY KEY — IF EQUIPPED
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2

▫Front Instrument Panel Cupholders —
Manual Transmission..................201
▫Rear Cupholder — Quad Cab —
If Equipped.........................202
▫Rear Cupholder — Mega Cab............202

Storage..............................203
▫Center Storage Compartment (40–20–40 Seat) —
If Equipped.........................203
▫Center Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats)—
If Equipped.........................204
▫Storage And Seats (Quad Cab Models)......206
▫Storage And Seats (Mega Cab Models)......207
▫Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers
(Mega Cab Models)....................208
Rear Window Features...................209
▫Electric Rear Window Defroster And
Heated Side View Mirrors — If Equipped....209
▫Power Sliding Rear Window—If Equipped . . . 209
▫Sliding Rear Window—If Equipped........210

Fold Flat Load Floor — If Equipped.........210

Pickup Box...........................213

Slide-In Campers.......................215
▫Camper Applications...................215

Easy-Off Tailgate.......................215

Safety Tips...........................217
▫Transporting Passengers................217
▫Lock Your Vehicle.....................217
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
3

To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000
feet (610 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below the
SET speed. If the vehicle speed drops below (refer to the
table below for the speed for your specific engine), the
speed control will automatically disengage. If this hap-
pens, you can push down on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with a 5–speed-manual transmission
should be operated in 4th gear or lower under the above
conditions.Vehicles equipped with a Automatic transmission may
exhibit several downshifts under the above conditions.
To reduce the frequency of the downshifts and to im-
prove vehicle performance, it is advisable to use either
TOW HAUL or O/D OFF modes which can be selected
by pressing the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button located
at the end of the gear shifter.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CUPHOLDERS
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (40–20–40
Seats) — Automatic Transmission
Your new Ram truck is equipped with two adjustable
cupholders. The cupholder is opened by pulling on the
cup holder door handle, on the front surface. Each
opening in the cupholder is adjustable and will hold cups
and mugs of various sizes.
Ash Tray Manual Transmission
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 199
3

Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (Bucket
Seats) — Automatic Transmission
If your new Ram truck is equipped with bucket seats
there are three cup holders located on the front of the
center console.
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders — Manual
Transmission
Cup Holders Bucket Seat
Cup Holders Manual Transmission
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 201
3

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures – Gas Engines...........302
▫Manual Transmission..................302
▫Automatic Transmission................302
▫Normal Starting......................303
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................303
▫After Starting........................305

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........306

Automatic Transmission..................306
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive.....307
Manual Transmission....................312
▫Manual Transmission — 6 Speed (G56)......313
▫Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........314
▫Manual Transmission — 6-Speed (G238).....314
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............315
▫Downshifting – All Manual Transmissions....315

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 316
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................317
5

STARTING PROCEDURES – GAS ENGINES
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch is fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

Torque Converter Clutch
A feature, designed to improve fuel economy, has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to second
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button, when the
transmission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that
the transmission is able to shift into and out of overdrive.NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
312 STARTING AND OPERATING