fuel DODGE RAM 3500 GAS 2008 3.G Owners Manual

Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected, the cause should be located and corrected.
80 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

mWindshield Wipers And Washers............141
NWindshield Wipers....................141
NWindshield Washers...................142
mTilt Steering Column....................143
mDriver Adjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped......144
NAdjustment.........................144
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......145
NTo Activate..........................146
NTo Set At A Desired Speed...............146
NTo Deactivate........................146
NTo Resume Speed.....................146
NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............146
NTo Accelerate For Passing...............147mOverhead Console Ð If Equipped...........148
NCourtesy/Reading Lights................149
mOverhead Console With Compass/Temperature
Mini-Trip Computer Ð If Equipped..........149
NUS/M Button........................150
NReset Button.........................150
NGlobal Reset.........................151
NStep Button.........................151
NAverage Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........151
NDistance To Empty (DTE)...............152
NTrip Odometer (ODO)..................153
NElapsed Time (ET).....................153
NC/T Button.........................153
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83
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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.
RESET Button
Use this button to reset the following displays:
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Trip Odometer (ODO)
Elapsed time (ET)
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Global Reset
If the RESET button is pressed twice within two seconds
while in any of the three resettable displays (AVG ECO,
ODO, ET), the Global Reset will reset all three displays.
Step Button
Use this button to choose or cycle through the four trip
conditions.
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 miles/kilometersfor this value to change depen-
dent upon driving habits.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 151
3

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 mi (48 km/h)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will change
to an alternating test display of ªLOº and ªFUELº. This
display 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.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:
²26 gal (98 L) - 1500 short box models
²34 gal (128 L) - 1500 Quad Cabt(if equipped)/2500/
3500/Power Wagon short box models
²35 gal (132 L) - 1500/2500/3500//Power Wagon long
box models
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Check Gauges ± Premium Cluster Only
This light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine
Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature
gauges indicate a reading either too high or too low.
Examine the gauges carefully, and follow the instructions
contained below for each indicated problem.
NOTE:When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gauge, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
Temperature gauges may not show accurate readings.
When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch
to ON to obtain accurate readings.
2. Voltmeter
When the engine is running, the gauge indicates
the electrical system voltage. The pointer should
stay within the normal range if the battery is charged. Ifthe pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical sys-
tem should be serviced.
NOTE:If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the ªCheck Gaugesº indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound. The ªCheck Gaugesº
indicator may also illuminate prior to the voltage gauge
moving out of normal range. In either case, see you local
authorized Dealer for system service.
3. Turn Signal Indicators
Lights in instrument cluster flash when outside turn
signals are operating.
4. Tachometer
The Tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
19. Brake System Warning Light
This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the
parking brake has not been released. This light will
illuminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when
braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if
the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will
flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on.If the light remains on when the parking brake is
released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until
the cause is corrected.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary
and continued operation of the vehicle in this condition is
dangerous.
Acceleration which causes the rear wheels to slip for a
period of time may result in the red brake light illumi-
nating and a brake switch code being set on ABS
equipped vehicles. Depressing the brake pedal should
extinguish the red brake light.
20. ABS Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual. This
light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for five seconds. If the ABS
light remains on or comes on during driving, it indicates
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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 forapproximately 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 replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 205
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27. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(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.
29. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.30. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to 1/16 tank, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with an overhead
console module (CMTC), it is possible for DTE to display
ªLO FUELº before the low fuel warning light turns on in
the instrument cluster. This could occur because the low
fuel warning is set to a specified fuel tank volume and
DTE is an estimated distance calculation based on vehicle
fuel economy and remaining fuel tank volume.
Vehicle fuel tank volumes are as follows:
²26 gal (98 L) - 1500 short box models
²34 gal (128 L) - 1500/2500/3500 short box models
²35 gal (132 L) - 1500/2500/3500 long box models
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
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Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the air conditioning compressor is on. This is a
normal occurrence as the compressor will cycle on and
off to maintain comfort and increase fuel economy.
The mode control (at the right of the
control panel) can be set in any of the
following positions:
NOTE:To improve your selection choices, the system
allows you to operate at intermediate positions between
the major modes. These intermediate positions are iden-
tified by the small dots.Recirculation Modes (Panel or Bi-Level)
Select the recirculation modes when
the outside air contains smoke, odors,
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is
desired. This feature allows for recir-
culation of interior air only. Air flows
through the panel only, or through
both the panel and floor vents depend-
ing on the selected mode (panel vs bi-level).
NOTE:Selecting a Recirculation Mode does not neces-
sarily consume more fuel than normal A/C mode.
Panel
Outside air flows through the outlets located in the
instrument panel.
Bi-Level
Outside air flows through the outlets located in the
instrument panel and at the floor.
262 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL