open hood DODGE RAM 2500 GAS 2008 3.G Owners Manual

mSeats................................117
N40-20-40 Front Seat....................118
NReclining Seats
(1500 Regular And Quad CabtModels).....119
NReclining Seats
(2500/3500/Mega Cab Models)...........120
NAdjustable Head Restraints..............121
NManual Rotary Lumbar Support Adjustment Ð
If Equipped.........................122
NPower Seats (1500 Regular And Quad Cabt
Models) Ð If Equipped.................122
NPower Seats (2500/3500/Mega Cab Models) Ð
If Equipped.........................124
NRear Seat Features Ð Mega Cab Models.....126NHeated Seats Ð If Equipped.............131
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............133
mLights...............................134
NInterior Lights.......................135
NBattery Saver........................136
NHeadlamp Delay......................136
NHeadlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights.....136
NDaytime Running Lights
(Canada Only And Fleet Vehicles)..........137
NLights-On Reminder...................138
NFog Lights Ð If Equipped...............138
NCargo Light Ð If Equipped..............138
NMultifunction Control Lever..............139
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located below the steering wheel at
the base of the instrument panel. Once the hood isreleased you must reach into the opening beneath the
center of the grille and push up the latch to release the
safety catch before raising the hood.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the front center of
the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
Hood Release Lever
Secondary Latch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
3

NOTE:The default for the compass variance is zone 8.
To set the variance: Turn the ignition ON and set the
display to ªCompass/Temperature.º Press and hold the
RESET button approximately five seconds. The last vari-
ance zone number will be displayed. Press the STEP
button to select the new variance zone and press the
RESET button to resume normal operation.
Outside Temperature
Because the ambient temperature sensor is located un-
derhood, engine temperature can influence the displayed
temperature, therefore, temperature readings are slowly
updated when the vehicle speed is below 20 mph (30
km/h) or during stop and go driving.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER Ð IF EQUIPPED
HomeLinktreplaces up to three remote controls (hand-
held transmitters) that operate devices such as garage
door openers, motorized gates, lighting, or home security
systems. The HomeLinktunit operates off of your vehi-
cle's battery.
The HomeLinktbuttons are located in the overhead
console, and contain one, two, or three dots/lines desig-
nating the different HomeLinktchannels.
156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button until the
display resets (approximately two seconds).
Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
ªdoorº (indicates that a door(s) may be ajar), ªhoodº (if
the hood is open or ajar, on vehicles with remote start),
ªgASCAPº (which indicates that your gas cap is possibly
loose or damaged),9CHANgE OILº (indicates that the
engine oil should be change), ªLoWASHº (low washer
fluid), ªESPOFFº (indicates that ESP is turned off), and
ªnoFUSEº (indicates that the IOD fuse is removed from
the Integrated Power Module), will display in the odom-
eter.
NOTE:There is also an engine hour function. This
indicates the total number of hours the engine has been
running. To display the engine hours perform the follow-
ing: Place the ignition in RUN, but do not start theengine. With the odometer value displayed, hold the trip
button down for a period of six seconds. The odometer
will change to trip value first, then it will display the
engine hour value. The engine hours will be displayed
for a period of 30 seconds until the ignition is turned OFF
or the engine is started.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªCHANgE OILº message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
200 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Circulation
The cab is designed with features to promote outside air
circulation. There are grilles in the cab back panel. These
are air exhausters that provide the means for regular
exchange of cab air.
Side window demisters direct airflow specifically to the
window glass to help prevent interior fogging of the
glass. They are located in the extreme outside upper
edges of the instrument panel. The demisters also pro-
vide extra air ducts for circulation. They are in operation
whenever the Floor, Mix or Defrost modes are in use.
NOTE:When you turn off the engine you may hear a
hissing sound from under the hood for a short period of
time. This is a normal condition that occurs if the air
conditioning system has been on. It is not an indication of
a problem with the air conditioning system.
Operating Tips
Fast Cooldown
For a fast cooldown, turn the blower fan rotary knob to
the extreme right position, turn the mode control to the
panel fresh position, press the snowflake button to turn
on the air conditioning, and drive with the windows
open for the first few minutes. Once the hot air has been
expelled, close the windows and press the recirculation
pushbutton, on dual-zone control, or switch the mode
from panel/fresh to panel/recirculate on single-zone
control. When a comfortable condition has been reached,
choose a mode position and adjust the temperature
control slide and blower speed as necessary to maintain
comfort. For high humidity conditions it may be neces-
sary to remain in the Recirculation mode to maintain
comfort.
268 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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, refer
to Exhaust Gas in the Safety Tips section of this
manual.
Exhaust System Rubber Isolator and Loop-Type
Hanger Ð If Equipped
Inspect surfaces whenever the vehicle is hoisted for
rubber to metal separation or deep cracks. SLIGHT
CRACKING DUE TO WEATHERING DOES NOT AD-
VERSELY AFFECT PERFORMANCE. If, however, exces-
sively deep localized cracks are present, or any part of the
exhaust system abnormally contacts the underbody hard-
ware, the isolator and/or hanger should be replaced.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, don't open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radiator
is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 465
7

LIGHT BULBS Ð Exterior Bulb No.
Tail & Stop............................3057
Cab Clearance Lights...................... 168
Dual Rear Wheel Sidemarker Light............ 168
Dual Rear Wheel Tailgate ID Lights (3)......... 168
BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlight (Halogen)/Front Park and Turn Lights
CAUTION!
This is a halogen bulb. Avoid touching the glass with
your fingers. Reduced bulb life will result.1. Open the hood
2. Remove the two bolts from the front of the headlight
housing.
Front Headlight Housing Bolts
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 495
7

Heated Seats........................... 131
Heater............................... 261
Heater, Engine Block..................... 282
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 140
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 389
Hoisting.............................. 434
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 156
Hood Release.......................... 133
Hoses................................ 470
Hub Caps............................. 429
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 15
Infant Restraint........................62,63
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 357Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 86
Instrument Cluster....................194,196
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 193
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 488
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 489
Interior Appearance Care.................. 487
Interior Lights.......................... 135
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 141
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 417
Jack Operation.......................422,423
Jacking Instructions...................... 422
Jump Starting.......................... 434
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 21
INDEX 539
10

Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) . . 156
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 353
Trip Computer.......................... 149
Trip Odometer.......................199,207
Turn Signals...................139,196,495,499
UConnectt(Hands-Free Phone).............. 91
Underhood Fuses........................ 489
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 528
Universal Transmitter..................... 156
Variance, Compass....................... 155
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............ 7
Vehicle Loading......................344,381
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 7
Vehicle Storage......................... 493
Video Entertainment SystemŸ
(Rear Seat Video System).................. 251
Voltmeter............................. 196Warning Lights
(Instrument Cluster Description)............. 196
Warnings and Cautions..................... 6
Warranty Information..................... 526
Washers, Windshield..................142,463
Washing Vehicle......................... 484
Water
Driving Through...................... 315
Wheel Alignment and Balance............... 356
Wheel and Wheel Trim.................... 486
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care................ 486
Wheel Cover........................... 429
Wheel Mounting........................ 423
Wheel Nut Torque....................428,432
Wind Buffeting.......................34,166
Window Fogging........................ 269
Windows.............................. 32
Power............................... 32
Rear Sliding.......................... 183
INDEX 549
10