automatic transmission DODGE RAM 3500 GAS 2008 3.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys..................12
NIgnition Key Removal...................12
NLocking Doors With The Key..............14
mSentry Keyt...........................15
NReplacement Keys......................16
NCustomer Key Programming..............17
NGeneral Information....................18
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped..........18NIf You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel..............................18
NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........18
NAutomatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System..............................19
mSecurity Alarm System Ð If Equipped.........19
NRearming Of The System.................19
NTo Set The Alarm......................19
NTo Disarm The System...................20
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A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The authorized dealer that sold you your vehicle has the
key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers
can be used to order duplicate keys from your authorized
dealer. Ask your authorized dealer for these numbers
and keep them in a safe place.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, and remove the key.
Ignition Key
Ignition Switch Positions
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ON positions, and the
brake pedal is depressed.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition for
unauthorized operation. When the alarm is activated, the
system provides both audible and visible signals. For the
first three minutes the horn will sound and the headlights
and security telltale will flash repeatedly. For an addi-
tional 15 minutes only, the headlights and security telltale
will flash. The engine will run only if a valid Sentry Keyt
is used to start the vehicle. Use of the Sentry Keytwill
disable the alarm.
Rearming of the System:
The Security Alarm System will rearm itself after the 15
additional minutes of headlights and security telltale
flashing, if the system has not been disabled. If the
condition which initiated the alarm is still present, the
system will ignore that condition and monitor the re-
maining doors and ignition.
To Set the Alarm
The alarm will set when you use the power door locks, or
use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter to
LOCK the doors. After all the doors are locked and
closed, the SECURITY light in the instrument cluster will
flash rapidly to signal that the system is arming. The
SECURITY light in the instrument panel cluster will flash
rapidly for about 16 seconds to indicate that the alarm is
being set. After the alarm is set, the SECURITY light will
flash at a slower rate to indicate that the system is armed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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mCupholders...........................169
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders
(40±20±40 Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission . . 169
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders (Bucket Seats)
Ð Automatic Transmission..............171
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders Ð
Manual Transmission..................171
NRear Cupholder (Quad Cabt)Ð
If Equipped.........................172
NRear Cupholder (Mega Cabt).............172
mStorage..............................173
NCenter Storage Compartment (40±20±40 Seat) ±
If Equipped.........................173
NCenter Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats) ±
If Equipped.........................174NStorage And Seats (Quad CabtModels).....176
NStorage And Seats (Mega Cab Models)......177
NPlastic Grocery Bag Retainers
(Mega Cab Models)....................178
mFold Flat Load Floor Ð If Equipped.........179
mRear Window Features...................182
NElectric Rear Window Defroster And Heated
Sideview Mirrors Ð If Equipped..........182
NPower Sliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped . . 182
NSliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped.......183
mPickup Box...........................183
mSlide-In Campers.......................185
NCamper Applications...................185
mEasy-Off Tailgate.......................185
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85
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Tapping the RESUME ACCEL button once will result in a
speed increase of 1 mph (2 km/h). Each time the button
is tapped, speed increases so that tapping the button
three times will increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h).
Tapping the SET DECEL button once will result in a 1
mph (2 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is
tapped, speed decreases. For example, tapping the button
three times will decrease the speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h)
To decrease speed while speed control is ON, push down
and hold SET DECEL. Release the lever when the desired
speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
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 ft
(610 m), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded (especially
when towing) the vehicle may slow below the SET speed.If the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph (40 km/h), 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 use either
TOW HAUL or O/D OFF modes, which can be selected
by pressing the TOW HAUL O/D OFF button located at
the end of the gear shift lever.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
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CIGAR LIGHTER AND ASH RECEIVER
The removable ash receiver is located in the instrument
panel cupholder tray.
The cigar lighter is located on the instrument panel,
above and to the left of the ash receiver.
As a child safety precaution, the lighter only operates
with the ignition switch ON. It heats when pushed in and
pops out automatically when ready for use.To preserve
the heating element, do not hold the lighter in the
heating position.
Ash Receiver Automatic Transmission
168 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CUPHOLDERS
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (40±20±40
Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission
Your new vehicle is equipped with two adjustable cup-
holders. The cupholder is opened by pulling on the cup
holder door handle located on the front surface. Each
opening in the cupholder is adjustable and will hold cups
and mugs of various sizes.
To secure the cup, place the cup to be held into one of the
cup wells and then push the cupholder arm toward the
cup until it is held stable.
Ash Tray Manual Transmission
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 169
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Cupholder Door HandleCupholders Automatic Transmission
170 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (Bucket
Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission
If your new vehicle is equipped with bucket seats there
are three cupholders located on the front of the center
console.
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders Ð Manual
Transmission
Cupholders Bucket Seat
Cupholders Manual Transmission
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 171
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CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running as you would not be able to react to the
temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
NOTE:Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1000 rpm at elevated coolant temperatures to improve
engine cooling.
NOTE:If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the ªCheck Gaugesº indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
14. Security Light
This light will flash rapidly for approximately 15 seconds
when the Vehicle Security Alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower speed continuously after the alarm is set.
The Security light will also come on for about three
seconds when the ignition is first turned on.15. Transmission Range Indicator (Automatic
Transmissions Only)
When the gear selector lever is moved, this indicator
shows the automatic transmission gear range selected.
16. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed
during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the Trip Odometer button.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 199
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