DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON 2008 3.G Owners Manual

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 lock out
overdrive by pressing the ªTOW/HAULº 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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
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OVERHEAD CONSOLE Ð IF EQUIPPED
The two optional overhead consoles may consist of the
following features:
²Courtesy/Reading Lights
²Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC)
Ð If Equipped
²Universal Garage Door Opener Ð If Equipped
Courtesy/Reading Lights
In the middle of the console are two courtesy/reading
lights.
Both lights illuminate as courtesy lights when a door is
opened, when the dimmer control is rotated to the
courtesy light position (fully upward position), or when
the UNLOCK button is pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry transmitter, if so equipped. These lights are also
operated individually as reading lights by pressing the
recessed area of the corresponding lens.
NOTE:The courtesy/reading lights will remain on until
the switch is pressed a second time, so be sure they have
been turned off before leaving the vehicle. If the interior
lights are left on after the vehicle is turned off, they will
extinguish after 15 minutes.
Overhead Console Features
142 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

OVERHEAD CONSOLE WITH
COMPASS/TEMPERATURE MINI-TRIP COMPUTER
Ð IF EQUIPPED
This optional overhead console consists of the following:
²Courtesy Lights
²Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC)This overhead console allows you to choose between a
compass/temperature display and one of four trip con-
ditions being monitored.
US/M Button
Use this button to change the display from U.S. to metric
measurement units.
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RESET Button
Use this button to reset the following displays:
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Trip Odometer (ODO)
Elapsed time (ET)
Global Reset
If the RESET button is pressed twice within 2 seconds
while in any of the 3 resettable displays (AVG ECO,
ODO, ET), the Global Reset will reset all 3 displays.
Step Button
Use this button to choose or cycle through the four trip
conditions.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
Average fuel economy is a running average of the
amount of fuel used and the distance the vehicle has
traveled.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will momen-
tarily blank. Then, the history will be erased, and the
AVERAGING WILL CONTINUE FROM WHERE IT
WAS BEFORE THE RESET. The reset value is based on a
minimal amount of fuel used and the distance traveled
from the previous drive cycle. The displaymay take
several milesfor this value to change dependent upon
driving habits.
Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. This is not resettable
NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
When the DTE value is less than 30 miles estimated
driving distance, the DTE display will change to an
alternating test display of ªLOº and ªFUELº. This dis-
play will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel.
Adding a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will
turn off the ªLO FUELº text and a new DTE value will be
displayed, based on the current values in the DTE
calculation and the current fuel tank level.
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NOTE:It is possible for DTE to display ªLO FUELº
before the low fuel warning light turns on in the instru-
ment cluster. This could occur because low fuel warning
is set to a specified fuel tank volume and DTE is an
estimated distance calculation based on fuel economy
and remaining fuel tank volume.
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
²34 gallons - short box models
²35 gallons - long box models
Trip Odometer (ODO)
NOTE:The maximum value is approximately 6000
miles. Then the trip odometer must be reset in order to
update the trip odometer miles.
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Resetting of this screen will cause the trip odometer
to change to Zero.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset. Resetting the Elapsed Time will cause
the display to change to Zero.
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

C/T Button
Use this button to select a readout of the outside tem-
perature and one of eight compass headings that indicate
the direction in which the vehicle is facing.
WARNING!
Even if the display still reads a few degrees above
32ÉF ( 0ÉC), the road surface may be icy, particularly
in woods or on bridges. Drive carefully under such
conditions to prevent an accident and possible per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the CAL
symbol will be displayed.
After completing up to three 360É turns, with the vehicle
traveling less than 5 mph (8 km/h), in an area free from
large metal or metallic objects, the CAL symbol will turn
off and the compass will function normally.
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Manual Compass Calibration
NOTE:To ensure proper compass calibration, make
sure the compass variance is properly set before manu-
ally calibrating the compass.
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL symbol does
not appear, you must manually put the compass into the
ªCalibrationº mode.
Recalibrating The Compass
Turn on the ignition and set the display to ªCompass/
Temperature.º Press and hold the RESET button to
change the display between VAR (compass variance) and
CAL (compass calibration) modes. When the CAL sym-
bol is displayed complete one 360É turn in an area free
from large metal objects or power lines. The CAL symbol
will turn off and the compass will function normally.Compass Varianceis the difference between magnetic
north and geographic north. In some areas of the country,
the difference between magnetic and geographic north is
great enough to cause the compass to give false readings.
If this occurs, the compass variance must be set according
to the Compass Variance Map.
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
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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.
NOTE:HomeLinktis disabled when the Vehicle Theft
Alarm is active.
HomeLink Buttons
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE