DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2009 4.G Owners Manual

Center Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats) – If
EquippedPush the upper button on the front of the armrest to raise
the upper cover. Inside is a power outlet (if equipped), a
cutout for a cellular phone charger cord, removable coin
holder (if equipped), and a divider to configure the
storage area into separate compartments. Lift the lower
handle on the front of the armrest, and raise the armrest
for access to the lower storage bin. On Quad Cab
models the rear of the floor console offers a power outlet.
Center Storage Compartment
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 169
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WARNING!
•
This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the
armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.
•
In an accident, the latch may open if the total
weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs
(4.5 kg). These items could be thrown about en-
dangering occupants of the vehicle. Items stored
should not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
CAUTION!
•
Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
•
Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
•
After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.
170 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Storage and Seats (Quad CabModels)Located in the center of the front 40–20–40 seat cushion
there is a storage compartment.
Regular Cab models also have storage behind the seat.
The Quad Cab models provide additional storage under
the rear seat. Lift the seat to access the storage compart-
ment.
Quad Cab Storage
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 171
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Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers — If EquippedRetainer hooks which will hold plastic grocery bag
handles are built into the back panel of the cab, behind
the rear seat.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster and Heated Outside
Mirrors — If Equipped
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.
Grocery Bag Hooks
172 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
•
Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abra-
sive window cleaners on the interior surface of the
window.
•
Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.
Power Sliding Rear Window — If EquippedThe power sliding rear window switch is located on the
instrument panel below the climate controls. Press the
right side of the switch to open the glass and the left side
of the switch to close the glass.
Power Sliding Rear Window Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 173
3

Sliding Rear Window — If EquippedA locking device in the center of the window helps to
prevent entry from the rear of the vehicle. Squeeze the
lock to release the window.FOLD FLAT LOAD FLOOR — IF EQUIPPEDQuad Cabmodels with a 60/40 rear seat may be
equipped with a folding load floor.
WARNING!
Do not operate the vehicle with loose items stored on
the load floor. While driving or in an accident you
may experience abrupt stopping, rapid acceleration,
or sharp turns. Loose objects stored on the load floor
may move around with force and strike occupants,
resulting in serious or fatal injury. Unfolding the Load Floor
1. Lift the 60/40 seat cushion(s) to the upward position.
Unfolding The Load Floor
174 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

2. Grasp the knob on the load floor and lift the knob until
the load floor unfolds into position.
3. Reverse the procedure to store the load floor.Positioning the Load Floor for Storage Access Under
the Seat
1. Lift the 60/40 seat cushion(s) to the upward position.
2. Unsnap the securing snap located at either side of the
load floor.
3. Lift the load floor up to access storage under the load
floor.
WARNING!
Do not drive with the load floor in the up position.
When stopping fast or in an accident, the load floor
could move to the down position causing serious
injury.
Load Floor In Open Position
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 175
3

4. Reverse the procedure to put the load floor back in the
secured down position before you operate the vehicle.
PICKUP BOXThe pickup box has many features designed for utility
and convenience.
Load Floor Securing Straps
Pick Up Box Features
1 — Upper Load Floor Indents
2 — Bulk Head Dividers
3 — Cleats
176 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If you are installing a toolbox to the front of the
pickup box, you must use Mopar toolbox brackets
available from your authorized dealer.
You can carry wide building materials (sheets of ply-
wood, etc.) by building a raised load floor. Place lumber
across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the
floor.
WARNING!
•
The pickup box is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit
in seats and use seat belts.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•
Care should always be exercised when operating a
vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds
may need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough
roads may cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo
that may result in vehicle damage. If wide build-
ing materials are to be frequently carried, the
installation of a support is recommended. This
will restrain the cargo and transfer the load to the
pickup box floor.
•
If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of
material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup-
ports must be installed to transfer the weight of
the load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage
may result. The use of proper supports will permit
loading up to the rated payload.
•
Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an
accident causing serious or fatal injury.UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 177
3

There are stampings in the sheet metal on the inner side
bulkheads of the box in front of and behind both wheel
housings. Place wooden boards across the box from side
to side to create separate load compartments in the
pickup box.
There are four tie-down cleats bolted to the lower sides of
the pickup box that can sustain loads up to 1000 lbs
(450 kg) total.SLIDE-IN CAMPERS
Camper ApplicationsCertain truck models are not recommended for slide-in
campers. To determine if your vehicle is excluded, please
refer to the “Consumer Information Truck-Camper Load-
ing” document available from your authorized dealer.
For safety reasons, follow all instructions in this impor-
tant document.NOTE:
When a cap or pickup camper is installed on a
vehicle, an alternate Center High-Mounted Stop Light
(CHMSL) must be provided.
EASY-OFF TAILGATETailgate removal is sometimes necessary for loading and
can be easily removed by following these steps:
1. Unlatch the tailgate and open it enough so that there is
some slack in the support cables.
2. Remove the support cables by releasing the locking
tang and rotating them away from the box. Once the
cables are free, move to the right side of the tailgate.
178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE