warning DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB 2008 3.G Service Manual

WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
Windshield Washers
To use the washer, push in on the washer knob on the end
of the multifunction control lever and hold while spray is
desired. If the washer knob is depressed while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several seconds
after the washer knob is released. It will then resume the
intermittent interval previously selected. If the washer
knob is pushed, for a period greater than 1 second, while
in the OFF position, the wiper will wipe approximately
three wipes, after the wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
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TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, pull rearward on the lever below the
turn signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the lever forward to lock the column firmly
in place.WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
Tilt Steering Control Lever
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button to the ON position. An indi-
cator light in the instrument cluster illuminates when the
system is on.
To Set At A Desired Speed
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
and release the SET button. Release the accelerator and
the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, normal braking, clutch
pressure while slowing the vehicle, or pressing the CAN-
CEL button will deactivate speed control without erasing
the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button to the OFF
position or turning off the ignition erases the memory.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control ON when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system to
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the sys-
tem OFF when you aren't using it.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME button. Resume can be used at any speed above
30 mph (50 km/h).
To Vary The Speed Setting
When the speed control is on, speed can be increased by
pressing and holding the ACCEL button. When the
button is released, a new set speed will be established.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
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Tapping the ACCEL button once will result ina2mph
(3km/h) speed increase. Each time the button is tapped,
speed increases so that tapping the button three times
will increase speed by 6 mph (10 km/h), etc.
Tapping the DECEL button once will result in a 1 mph (2
km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is tapped,
speed will decrease. For example, tapping the button 3
times will decrease the speed by 3 mph (5 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while the speed control is on, press
and hold the DECEL button. Release the button 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 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below theSET speed. If the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56
km/h), the speed control will automatically disengage. If
this happens, you can push down on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with a 6±speed manual transmission
should be operated in 4th or 5th gear under the above
conditions.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can't maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don't use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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:
²52 gallons - Standard rear tank
²22 gallons - Optional Midship Tank
Trip Odometer (ODO)
NOTE:The maximum value is approximately 6000
miles. Then the trip odometer must be reset in order to
update the trip odometer miles.
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Resetting of this screen will cause the trip odometer
to change to Zero.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset. Resetting the Elapsed Time will cause
the display to change to Zero.
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

C/T Button
Use this button to select a readout of the outside tem-
perature and one of eight compass headings that indicate
the direction in which the vehicle is facing.
WARNING!
Even if the display still reads a few degrees above
32ÉF ( 0ÉC), the road surface may be icy, particularly
in woods or on bridges. Drive carefully under such
conditions to prevent an accident and possible per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the CAL
symbol will be displayed.
After completing up to three 360É turns, with the vehicle
traveling less than 5 mph (8 km/h), in an area free from
large metal or metallic objects, the CAL symbol will turn
off and the compass will function normally.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 139
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the reset. (Example: If your Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) displays 18 AVG. MPG and the
RESET button is pressed, the previous averaging his-
tory will be erased and the display will return to the 18
AVG. MPG, not to 0 AVG. MPG). The display may take
several miles for the value to change dependent upon
driving habits.
²MI TO EMPTY (Distance To Empty) ± Shows the
estimated distance that can be traveled with the fuel
remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of fuel economy,
according to the current fuel tank level. MI TO EMPTY
cannot be reset through the RESET button.
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.
²When the DTE value is less than 30 miles (48 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display willchange to a text display of9LOW FUEL.9This display
will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding
a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off
the9LOW FUEL9text and a new DTE value will
display.
System Status (EVIC Displays)
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages:
²TURN SIGNALS ON (with a continuous warning
chime)
²PERSONAL SETTINGS NOT AVAILABLE ± Vehicle
Not in Park
²LEFT/RIGHT FRONT DOOR AJAR (one or more,
with a single chime if speed is above 1 mph)
²LEFT/RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR (one or more, with
a single chime if speed is above 1 mph)
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STORAGE
Center Storage Compartment (40±20±40 Seat) Ð
If Equipped
The center portion of the seat folds down to provide an
armrest with unique storage compartments under the lid.
Push the button on the front of the armrest to raise the
cover. Inside there is a power outlet (if equipped),removable coin holder (if equipped), and two dividers to
configure the storage area into compartments. For ex-
ample, compartments can be configured to hold a lap-top
computer, a cellular telephone, CD's and miscellaneous
items. The top of the cover provides a generous firm
surface to serve as a desktop for your ªmobile office.º
WARNING!
²This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the
armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.
²In an accident, the latch may open if the total
weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs (4.5
kg). These items could be thrown about endanger-
ing occupants of the vehicle. Items stored should
not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
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storage area into separate compartments. Lift the lower
handle on the front of the armrest, and raise the armrest
for access to the lower storage bin. On Quad Cab models
the rear of the floor console offers a power outlet, and a
tip out bin.
WARNING!
²This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the
armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.
²In an accident, the latch may open if the total
weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs (4.5
kg). These items could be thrown about endanger-
ing occupants of the vehicle. Items stored should
not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
CAUTION!
²Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle's battery, even when not in
use (i.e. cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle's battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e. coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle's battery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 159
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FOLD FLAT LOAD FLOOR Ð IF EQUIPPED
Quad Cab models with a 60/40 rear seat, may be
equipped with a folding load floor.WARNING!
Do not operate the vehicle with loose items stored on
the load floor. While driving or in an accident you
may experience, abrupt stopping, rapid acceleration,
or sharp turns. Loose objects stored on the load floor
may move around with force and strike occupants,
resulting in serious or fatal injury.
Quad Cab Rear 60/40 Seat
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163
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