heater DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Owners Manual

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This Owner’s Manual containsWARNINGSagainst op-
erating procedures that could result in an accident or
bodily injury. It also contains CAUTIONSagainst proce-
dures that could result in damage to your vehicle. If you
do not read this entire manual, you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VAN CONVERSIONS/CAMPERS
The Manufacturer’s Warranty does not apply to body
modifications or special equipment installed by van
conversion/camper manufacturers/body builders. Refer
to the Warranty information book, Section 2.1.C. Such
equipment includes video monitors, VCRs, heaters,
stoves, refrigerators, etc. For warranty coverage and
service on these items, contact the applicable manufac-
turer. Operating instructions for the special equipment in-
stalled by the conversion/camper manufacturer should
also be supplied with your vehicle. If these instructions
are missing, please contact your authorized dealer for
assistance in obtaining replacement documents from the
applicable manufacturer.
For information on the Body Builders Guide refer to:
www.dodgebodybuilder.com. This website contains di-
mensional and technical specifications for your vehicle. It
is intended for Second Stage Manufacturer’s technical
support. For service issues, contact your authorized
dealer.
6 INTRODUCTION

•The 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
mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adja-
cent 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.Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Heater Defroster Ducts
Inspect the heater defroster ducts for proper operation.
Check for proper airflow through all defroster ducts. If
there is any question regarding the operation of your
heater defroster ducts, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.) or if the front airbags have deployed. If there is any
question regarding seat belt or retractor condition, re-
place the seat belt.
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Change the seat angle by using the two toggle switches,
tilting it up or down.
Heated Seats — If Equipped
The heated seat switches are located in the instrument
panel under the climate controls.Press the switch once for High heat. Press the switch a
second time for Low heat. Pressing the switch a third
time will turn the heated seats Off.
The heaters will operate for approximately 30 minutes
and automatically change to the next lower level, or Off.
When High is selected both indicators will illuminate, if
Tilt Adjustment
Heated Seat Switches
120 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Low is selected just the lower light will illuminate.
Flashing indicator lights on the switch indicate that the
heated seat system needs servicing. See your authorized
dealer.
WARNING!
•Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, ex-
haustion or other physical condition must exercise
care when using the seat heater. It may cause burns
even at low temperatures, especially if used for
long periods of time.
•Do not place anything on the seat that insulates
against heat, such as a blanket or cushion. This
may cause the seat heater to overheat.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located below the steering
wheel at the base of the instrument panel.
Hood Release Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
3

Video Entertainment System™ (Sales Code
XRV) — If Equipped .................... 201
 Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped .......................... 201
▫ Radio Operation ..................... 202
▫ Tape Player ........................ 202
▫ CD Player ......................... 202
 CD/DVD Maintenance ................. 203
 Radio Operation And Cellular Phones ....... 203
Climate Controls ...................... 204
▫ Heater Only — If Equipped ............. 204
▫ Air Conditioning And Heating —
If Equipped ........................ 207
▫ Air Conditioning With Dual Zone
Temperature Control — If Equipped ....... 210
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 214
▫ Operating Tips Chart ................. 216
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 159
4

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Check GaugesThis 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. If the 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 “Check Gauges” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
•The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at vari-
ous engine temperatures. This cycling operation is
caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold
heater system. The number of cycles and the length of
the cycling operation is controlled by the engine
control module. Post-heat operation can run for sev-
eral minutes, and then the electrical system and volt-
meter needle will stabilize.
3. Turn Signal Indicators Lights in instrument cluster flash when outside turn
signals are operating.
162 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CLIMATE CONTROLS
The controls for the heating and ventilation system in this
vehicle consist of a series of rotary knobs. These comfort
controls can be set to obtain desired interior conditions.
Heater Only — If Equipped
The mode control (at the right of the
control panel) can be set in any of the
following positions:
Climate Control Location
Manual Heating Controls
204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 221
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 221
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 221
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 222
▫ After Starting ....................... 223
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 223
 Automatic Transmission ................. 224
▫ Automatic Transmission With Overdrive .... 224
Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If Equipped . . 230
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ............... 230
▫ Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 233
▫ Transfer Case Reminder Light ........... 234
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
Operating Information/Precautions (5
Position Switch) — If Equipped .......... 234
▫ Shifting Procedure — Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case ....................... 239
5

WARNING! (Continued)
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in Section 6.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled and will de-
crease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver’s side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
5

Your vehicle is equipped with two 12-Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper
cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place the transmission in
PARK. Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads.
Observe charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries.
If the indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either
battery, replace that battery.CAUTION!
Use the Jump-Start Procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in the
center. Do not attempt jump-starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If the charge indicator (if equipped) has a
green dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
1. Attach one jumper cable to the positive terminal of
booster battery and the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the discharged battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 327
6