engine DODGE RAM 3500 GAS 2008 3.G User Guide
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chime will sound if the key is in the ignition switch and
a door is open, as a reminder to remove the key.
Automatic Door Locks ± If Equipped
If this feature is enabled, your door locks will lock
automatically when the vehicle's speed exceeds 15 mph
(24 km/h).
Automatic Door Lock Programming
This feature is enabled when your vehicle is shipped
from the assembly plant and can be disabled by using the
following procedure:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt. (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chiming that may confuse you during this
programming procedure.)3. Place the key into the ignition.
4. Within 15 seconds cycle the key from the LOCK
position to the ON/RUN position a minimum of four
times, ending in the LOCK position.(Do not start the
engine.)
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver's door LOCK
switch in the LOCK direction.
6. A single chime will be heard to indicate the feature has
been disabled.
7. To reactivate this feature, repeat the above steps.
8. If a chime is not heard, program mode was canceled
before the feature could be disabled. If necessary, repeat
the above procedure.
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Auto Unlock On Exit Ð If Equipped
This feature unlocks all of the doors of the vehicle when
any door is opened. This will occur only after the vehicle
has been shifted into the PARK position after the vehicle
has been driven (shifted out of PARK and all doors
closed).
Auto Unlock On Exit Programming Ð If Equipped
Customer programming sequence to enable or disable
the Auto Unlock feature:
1. Enter your vehicle and close all doors.
2. Fasten your seat belt. (Fastening the seat belt will
cancel any chimes that may be confusing during this
programming procedure.)
3. Insert the key into the ignition.4. Within 15 seconds, cycle the key from the LOCK
position to the ON/RUN position a minimum of four
times, ending in the LOCK position.(Do not start the
engine).
5. Within 30 seconds, press the driver's door LOCK
switch in the UNLOCK direction.
6. A single chime will sound to indicate the feature has
been changed.
7. Repeat the above steps to alternate the availability of
this feature.
8. If a chime is not heard, the program mode was
canceled before the feature could be changed. If neces-
sary, repeat the above procedure.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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²The light remains on or flickers after the six to eight-
second interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
NOTE:If the speedometer, tachometer or any engine-
related gauges are not working, the airbag control mod-
ule may also be disabled. The airbags may not be ready
to inflate for your protection. Promptly check fuse block
for blown fuses. Refer to the label located on the inside of
the fuse block cover for the proper airbag fuses. See your
authorized dealer if the fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see the following list) in an event data recorder prior
to the moment of airbag deployment and up to a quarter-
second of high-speed deceleration data during and/orafter airbag deployment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if
an airbag deploys and are otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not
be recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).
In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by DaimlerChrysler Corporation and others to learn
more about the possible causes of crashes and associated
injuries in order to assess and improve vehicle perfor-
mance. In addition to crash investigations initiated by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, such investigations may
be requested by customers, insurance carriers, govern-
ment officials, and professional crash researchers, such as
those associated with universities, and with hospital and
insurance organizations.
In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
DaimlerChrysler Corporation (regardless of initiative),
the company or its designated representative will first
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²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) status (if
equipped)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.Children 12 years and younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap can
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
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²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up
to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality, energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with the anticipated cli-
matic conditions under which vehicle operation will
occur. The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
discussed in Section 7 under Maintenance Procedures,
Engine Oil.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
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A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This is a nor-
mal part of the break-in and is not an indication of
difficulty.
CAUTION!
²During the first 500 mi (805 km) your new vehicle
is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so may
damage your axles, driveline and vehicle.
²Limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h) during the
first 500 mi (805 km) of towing.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
This vehicle is designed to carry passengers in the cab
only. For safety reasons, NEVER TRANSPORT PASSEN-
GERS IN THE CARGO AREA.
WARNING!
²It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seri-
ously injured or killed.
²Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
²Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
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Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, a potentially
toxic gas that, by itself, is colorless and odorless. To
avoid inhaling these gases, the following precautions
should be observed:
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for more than a short period, adjust
your climate control system to force outside air into
the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed and the
controls in any position except OFF or MAX A/C.
²The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Be aware of changes in the sound of the exhaust system,
exhaust fumes detected inside the vehicle, or damage to
the underside or rear of the vehicle. Have a competent
authorized mechanic inspect the complete exhaust sys-
tem and adjacent body areas for broken, damaged,
deteriorated or mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose
connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep into the
passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust
system each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or
oil change. Replace or adjust as required.
78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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Things You Should Know About Your UConnectT
System
UConnecttTutorial
To hear a brief tutorial of the system features, press the
PHONE button and say ªUConnecttTutorial.º
Voice Training
For users experiencing difficulty with the system recog-
nizing their voice commands or numbers, the UConnectt
system Voice Training feature may be used. To enter this
training mode, follow one of the two following proce-
dures:
From outside the UConnecttmode (e.g., from radio
mode):
²Press and hold the ªVoice Recognitionº button for five
seconds until the session begins, or,
²Press the ªVoice Recognitionº button and say the
9Setup, Voice Training9command.Repeat the words and phrases when prompted by the
UConnecttsystem. For best results, the Voice Training
session should be completed when the vehicle is parked
with the engine running, all windows closed, and the
blower fan switched OFF.
This procedure may be repeated with a new user. The
system will adapt to the last trained voice only.
To restore the Voice Recognition system to factory default
settings, enter the Voice Training session via the above
procedure and follow the prompts.
Voice Recognition (VR)
²
For best performance, adjust the rearview mirror to
provide at least1¤2in (1 cm) gap between the overhead
console (if equipped) and the mirror.
²Always wait for the beep before speaking.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 109
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Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlight lenses
that are lighter and less susceptible to stone breakage
than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other abrasive materials to clean the lenses.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only and Fleet
Vehicles)
The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started and the transmission is in any gear
except PARK. This provides a constant9Lights ON9
condition until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights
illuminate at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the
parking brake is applied, the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) will turn OFF. Also, if a turn signal is activated, the
DRL lamp on the same side of the vehicle will turn off for
the duration of the turn signal activation. Once the turn
signal is no longer active, the DRL lamp will illuminate.
Light Switch Rotation
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
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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