light DODGE RAM 3500 GAS 2008 3.G Owners Manual

3500 Dual Rear Wheel Models Only
The brake system power assist is provided by a hydro-
boost unit which shares fluid with the power steering
system. You may experience some clicking or hissing
noises from the hydro-boost system during hard braking
conditions.
NOTE:Under cold temperatures, pedal effort will be
higher than normal until the power steering fluid reaches
operating temperature.
Brake Noise
During normal operation of the brake system certain
noises may be present from time to time. Occasional
9groan9or9squeal9noises may occur during normal
operation of the brake system which may not be indica-
tive of a problem. These noises may be heard at any time
the brakes are applied but may be more noticeable during
the first few brake applications in the morning. Moisture,
hot or cold temperature, dust, and or other debris mayalso contribute to the noise condition. Repeated or con-
tinuous noises during braking may be an indication that
the brake linings are worn and in need of replacement.
Rear Wheel Anti-Lock (RWAL) Brake System Ð If
Equipped
The Rear-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System provides in-
creased vehicle stability and brake performance under
most braking conditions. The system automatically con-
trols the operation of the rear brakes to prevent rear
wheel lockup.
The system remains operational in the four-wheel drive
mode. The level of performance is reduced when the
front brakes are locked up. This may cause the rear
brakes to lock up through the drivetrain, which may
reduce the effectiveness of the Anti-Lock Brake System.
During severe braking conditions, particularly with
changing road surfaces, such as ice to concrete, a slight
drop or minor pulsation may be felt in the brake pedal.
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WARNING!
Both Rear-Wheel and Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
Systems contain sophisticated electronic equipment.
It may be susceptible to interference caused by
improperly installed or high output radio transmit-
ting equipment. This interference can cause possible
loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation of
such equipment should be performed by qualified
professionals.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System Ð If
Equipped
This Four-Wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) is de-
signed to aid the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system operateswith a separate computer to modulate hydraulic pressure
to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on
slippery surfaces.
The system's pump motor runs during an ABS stop to
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation. This is
normal.
The ABS conducts a low-speed selftest at about 10 mph
(16 km/h). If you have your foot lightly on the brake
while this test is occurring, you may feel slight pedal
movement. The movement can be more apparent on ice
and snow. This is normal.
The ABS pump motor runs during the self-test at 10 mph
(16 km/h) and during an ABS stop. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation. This is
normal.
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When you are in a severe braking condition involving
use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop as
the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This is the result of
the system reverting to the base brake system and is
normal.
Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal, and indicate that the
system is functioning.
ABS Warning Light
The ABS includes an amber warning light. When the light
is illuminated, the ABS is not functioning. The system
reverts to standard, non-anti-lock brakes.
WARNING!
Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish their
effectiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping
makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly
on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or
stop.
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HSA (Hill Start Assist)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver in
launching a vehicle on an incline. HSA will maintain the
level of brake pressure the driver inputs for a short
duration once the driver takes his foot off of the brake
pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle during this
short duration, the system will release brake pressure
and the vehicle will roll down the incline. The system will
release brake pressure in proportion to the amount of
throttle applied.
During operation, Hill Start Assist will activate the brake
control system and a clicking noise will occur. If your foot
is on the brake pedal during operation you may feel a
slight pedal movement. The clicking and pedal move-
ment is normal and both will stop when HSA becomes
inactive.WARNING!
If the clutch pedal (manual vehicles only) remains
depressed during the application of the throttle, the
HSA will disengage allowing the vehicle to roll
down the incline. This could cause a collision with
another vehicle or object. To avoid this, do not apply
throttle while depressing the clutch pedal until you
are ready to release the clutch. Always remember the
driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
²Vehicle must be stopped
²Vehicle must be on a 7% or greater incline
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²Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
7%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer
where the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur, which could cause a collision with an-
other vehicle or object. Always remember the driver
is responsible for braking the vehicle.
The system will only work if the intended direction of the
vehicle and vehicle gear match. For example, if the
intended direction is forward up a hill and the vehicle is
in drive (automatic equipped vehicle), and the activation
criteria are met, HSA will activate.
HSA on Automatic Vehicles
The system will work in REVERSE and all forward gears
on vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission.
The system will not activate if the vehicle is placed in
neutral.
HSA on Manual Vehicles
The system will work in REVERSE, forward gears, and
NEUTRAL on manual transmission equipped vehicles.
The system does not recognize NEUTRAL on manual
vehicles, thus it will hold the vehicle on an incline for a
short period while in NEUTRAL, regardless of clutch
position. To prevent this, do not attempt to roll down a
hill simply by putting the transmission in NEUTRAL and
letting gravity act on the vehicle, as the HSA will prevent
the vehicle from rolling. Instead, use the appropriate gear
for moving in the desired direction.
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Towing and Hauling with HSA (Vehicles Equipped
with Automatic Transmissions Only)
The HSA system does not know if your vehicle is loaded
or towing a trailer, unless the TOW/HAUL button,
located on the transmission gear shift lever, is selected.
When activated, the TOW/HAUL light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster. For more information on TOW/
HAUL mode, refer to ªWhen To USE TOW/HAUL and
O/D OFF Modesº under9Automatic Transmissionº in
Section 5. In order to accommodate the extra weight
entailed under towing and hauling conditions and to
increase driver comfort while launching on a hill, the
system recognizes when the TOW/HAUL button is acti-
vated and compensates by releasing brake pressure at a
slower rate while throttle is applied in order to prevent
the vehicle from rolling down the hill.
WARNING!
If you use a trailer brake controller with your trailer,
your trailer brakes may be activated and deactivated
with the brake switch. If so, when the brake pedal is
released, there may not be enough brake pressure to
hold the vehicle and trailer on a hill and this could
cause a collision with another vehicle or object be-
hind you. In order to avoid rolling down the incline
while resuming acceleration, manually activate the
trailer brake or apply more vehicle brake pressure
prior to releasing the brake pedal. Always remember
the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
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WARNING!
HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the vehicle on
a hill without putting the transmission in PARK or
using the parking brake, it will roll down the incline
and could cause a collision with another vehicle or
object. Always remember to use the parking brake
while parking on a hill, and that the driver is
responsible for braking the vehicle.
HSA Off
If you wish to turn off the HSA system, follow this
procedure:
1. Start with the engine off and vehicle in PARK (auto-
matic transmission) or NEUTRAL with clutch out
(manual transmission) with wheels straight. Apply park-
ing brake on manual transmission vehicle.2. Start the engine.
3. With the engine running, the brake applied, and the
clutch out, rotate the steering wheel 180É counterclock-
wise from center.
4. Press ESP button four times within twenty seconds.
The ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº should appear and dis-
appear four times.
5. Rotate the steering wheel 360É clockwise (180É clock-
wise from center).
6. Cycle ignition switch OFF then ON.
7. If the sequence was completed properly, the ªESP/
TCS Indicator Lightº will blink several times to confirm
HSA is off.
Steps 1-7 must be completed within 90 seconds to turn off
HSA. Repeat steps 1-7 to re-enable HSA functionality.
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ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
The ESP system enhances directional control and stability
of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP
corrects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist
in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº also
flashes when TCS is active. If the ªESP/TCS Indicator
Lightº begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
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ESP Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
9ESP OFFº switch. When in9Partial Off9mode, the TCS
portion of ESP, except for the ªlimited slipº feature
described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the
9ESP/TCS Indicator Light9will be illuminated. All other
stability features of ESP function normally. This mode is
intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand,
or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESP
would normally allow is required to gain traction. To
turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the9ESP OFFº
switch. This will restore the normal ªESP Onº mode of
operation.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle's traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the ªPartial Offº
mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the ªPartial Offº mode isovercome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the ªESP Control Switchº. This may be done while the
vehicle is in motion.
WARNING!
In the Partial Off mode, the engine torque reduction
and stability features are desensitized. Therefore, the
enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable.
All 4WD vehicles in Auto and 4HI Modes can also
choose the following ESP operating mode. This is
the only ESP operating mode in 4LO:
Full Off
This mode is intended for off-road use when ESP stability
features could inhibit vehicle maneuverability due to trail
conditions. This mode is entered by depressing and
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holding the ªESP Control Switchº for five seconds when
the vehicle is stopped and the engine is running. After
five seconds, the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº will illumi-
nate and the ªESP Offº message will appear in the
odometer. Press and release the trip odometer button
located on the instrument cluster to clear this message.
NOTE:The ªESP OFFº message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the gear selector is
placed into the PARK position from any other position,
and then moved out of the PARK position. This will
occur even if the message was previously cleared.
In this mode, ESP and TCS, except for the ªLimited Slipº
feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until
the vehicle reaches a speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). At 40
mph (64 km/h) the system returns to ªPartial Offº mode,
described above. When the vehicle speed drops below 35
mph (56 km/h) the ESP system shuts off. ESP is off at low
vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with off-roaddriving but ESP function returns to provide the stability
feature at speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h). The ªESP/
TCS Indicator Lightº will always be illuminated when
ESP is off. To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress the
ªESP Control Switchº. This will restore the normal ªESP
On' mode of operation.
ªESP Offº is the only operating mode for ESP in 4LO.
Whenever the vehicle is started in 4LO or the transfer
case (if equipped) is shifted from 4HI or Neutral, to 4LO,
the ESP system will be in this mode.
WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle sta-
bility offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emergency
evasive maneuver, the ESP system will not engage to
assist in maintaining stability. ªESP Offº mode is
intended for off-highway or off-road use, only.
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