TPMS DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL 2009 4.G Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
RAM TRUCK1 — Headlight Switch 6 — Passenger Airbag11 — TPMS “Light Load” Reset Switch* 16 — Transfer Case Control Switch*
2 — Air Outlets 7 — Glove Compartment 12 — Power Sliding Back Glass Switch* 17 — Parking Brake Release Lever
3 — Instrument Cluster 8 — Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch* 13 — Cupholders 18 — Adjustable Pedal Control Switch*
4 — Climate Controls 9 — Power Outlet 14 — ESP Off Switch** If Equipped
5 — Radio 10 — Heated Seat Switch 15 — Cigar Lighter184 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

POWER WAGON1 — Headlight Switch6 — Passenger Airbag* 11 — Cup Holders
2 — Air Outlets 7 — Glove Compartment 12 — Cigar Lighter
3 — Instrument Cluster 8 — Power Outlet 13 — Electronic Axle Locker and Disconnecting
Sway Bar Switch
4 — Climate Controls 9 — Heated Seat Switch 14 — Parking Brake Release Lever
5 — Radio 10 — TPMS “Light Load” Reset Switch* 15 — Adjustable Pedal Control Switch*
* If Equipped UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185
4

vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
26. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light/
Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Light — If
Equipped If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, apply as little throttle as possible. While
driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions, and
do not switch off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP),
or Traction Control System (TCS).
27. Transmission Temperature Indicator (Automatic
Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
28. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 199
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▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 356
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 357
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 357
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 358
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 359
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 359
 Supplemental Tire Pressure Information —
If Equipped .......................... 360
 Tire Chains .......................... 361
 Snow Tires .......................... 363
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 363
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .................... 365
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped .......................... 366 ▫
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Tire
Light Load Inflation Switch Description –
If Equipped ........................ 369
▫
Tire Pressure Monitor System Components
. . 372
▫ General Information .................. 374
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 375
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 375
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 376
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 376
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 377
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 377
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 378
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 379
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) — IF
EQUIPPEDThe Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) will warn
the driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle
recommended cold tire inflation placard pressure. The
placard pressure is defined on the Tire and Loading
Information label. The Tire and Loading Information
label is located on the drivers side B-pillar. Vehicles
equipped to be operated in either the “max load inflation
pressure” condition described on the Tire and Loading
Information label or the alternative “light load inflation
pressure” condition described on the Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information label, may also be equipped with a
“Tire Light Load Inflation” switch to choose the appro-
priate TPMS low pressure warning threshold levels
based upon the vehicle load condition. The Supplemental
Tire Pressure Information label is located on the rear face
of the driver door. Operation of the “Tire Light Load
Inflation” switch is described later in this manual section.The tire pressure will vary with temperature by approxi-
mately 1 psi (6.9 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C). This means
that when the outside temperature decreases, the tire
pressure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set
based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as
the tire pressure after a vehicle has not been driven for
more than three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km)
after a three-hour period. For information on how to
properly inflate the vehicle’s tires, refer to ”Tire Pressure”
under “Tires – General Information” in this section. The
tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle is driven -
this is normal and there should be no adjustment for this
increased pressure.
The TPM System will warn the driver of a low tire
pressure if the tire pressure falls below the low pressure
warning threshold for any reason, including low tem-
perature effects, or natural pressure loss through the tire.366 STARTING AND OPERATING

The TPM System will continue to warn the driver of low
tire pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not
turn off until the tire pressure is at or above recom-
mended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire pressure
warning has been illuminated, the tire pressure must be
increased to the recommended cold placard pressure in
order for the TPMS warning light to be turned off. The
system will automatically update and the TPMS warning
light will extinguish once the updated tire pressures have
been received. The vehicle may need to be driven for up
to 20 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this
information.As an example, assume your vehicle has a recommended
cold tire inflation placard pressure (parked for more than
3 hours) of 35 psi (241 kPa). If the ambient temperature is
68°F (20°C) and the measured tire pressure is 30 psi
(207 kPa), a temperature drop to 20°F (-7°C) will decrease
the tire pressure to approximately 26 psi (179 kPa). This
tire pressure is sufficiently low enough to turn ON the
“Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light.” Driving the
vehicle may cause the tire pressure to rise to approxi-
mately 30 psi (207 kPa), but the “Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing Telltale Light” will still be ON. In this situation, the
“Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” will turn OFF
only after the tires have been inflated to the vehicle’s
recommended cold tire placard pressure value.
STARTING AND OPERATING 367
5

CAUTION!
•
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have
been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement
equipment that is not of the same size, type, and/or
style. After-market wheels can cause sensor dam-
age. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants or balance
beads if your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as
damage to the sensors may result.
•
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure
always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will
prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve
stem, which could damage the Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Sensor.NOTE:
•
The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, nor to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition.
•
The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
•
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
•
The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the “Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light.”
•
Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure,
and the TPM system will monitor the actual tire
pressure in the tire.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Tire Light
Load Inflation Switch Description – If Equipped
WARNING!
Never operate your vehicle with the TPMS and tire
pressures set to the Light Load Inflation Pressure
settings if carrying more than two occupants (150 lbs
[68 kg] each) plus 200 pounds (91 kg) of cargo. The
vehicle “Light Load Definition” is found in the
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information Label which
is located on the rear face of the driver door. Failure
to do so may cause you to lose control resulting in an
accident, causing serious or fatal injury.The TPMS tire light load inflation switch will allow the
driver to switch between the max load inflation pressure
(cold) low pressure warning threshold and the light load
inflation pressure (cold) low pressure warning threshold
depending on the vehicle’s load condition. The Tire and
Loading Information label defines the recommended frontand rear cold tire inflation pressures for the vehicle when
operating in the Max Load condition. A Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information label is also available defining Light
Load tire inflation pressures when operating in the Light
Load condition. When the tire light load inflation switch
LED is ON, the TPMS is using the light load inflation
pressure (cold) low inflation warning thresholds.
Tire Light Load Inflation Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 369
5

Tire Pressure Information label. The Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information label is located on the rear face of
the driver door. Use an accurate tire gauge to check the
tire pressures when lowering all four tire pressures. After
all four tire pressures have been lowered to the Light
Load inflation pressures, press the tire light load inflation
switch. If the tire light load inflation switch’s amber
colored LED turns ON, the TPMS is using the light load
inflation pressure (cold) low pressure warning thresh-
olds.
If the tire light load inflation switch amber colored LED
flashes on and off for 10 seconds, after all four tire
pressures have been lowered to the Light Load inflation
pressures, the pressure in any one of the four tires may
not be at the light load inflation pressure (cold) values as
indicated for the Light Load condition as defined on the
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information label located onthe rear face of the driver door. Using an accurate tire
pressure gauge, re-check the tire pressures for the light
load inflation pressure (cold) value.
WARNING!
It is the driver ’s responsibility to change to the max
load inflation pressure (cold) low pressure warning
threshold condition when not driving in the light
load condition as defined as two occupants (150 lbs
[68 kg] each) plus 200 pounds (91 kg) of cargo. The
vehicle “Light Load Definition” is found in the
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information label lo-
cated on the rear face of the driver door. Failure to do
so may cause you to lose control resulting in an
accident, causing serious or fatal injury.
To switch back to the max load inflation pressure (cold)
low pressure warning threshold, press the tire light load
inflation switch. It is not necessary to first fill the tires to
STARTING AND OPERATING 371
5