Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Manual

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
Instrument Panel Features ............... 222
 Switch Bank Button Description ........... 223
▫ Upper Switch Bank ................... 223
▫ Lower Switch Bank ................... 224
 Instrument Cluster — Base ............... 225
 Instrument Cluster — Premium ........... 226
 Instrument Cluster Description ............ 227
 Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped .......................... 244 ▫
EVIC Displays ...................... 246
▫ Distance To Empty (DTE) .............. 250
▫ Average Fuel Economy / Fuel Saver Mode —
If Equipped ........................ 251
▫ Trip Functions ...................... 252
▫ System (Customer Information Features) .... 253
▫ Compass Display .................... 253
▫ Customer-Programmable Features (Setup) . . . 255
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Electronic Digital Clock ................. 261
▫ Clock Setting Procedure ............... 261
 Sales Code (RER/REN) — AM/FM/CD/DVD
Radio – If Equipped .................... 261
▫ Operating Instructions — Voice Recognition
System (VR) — If Equipped ............. 262
▫ Operating Instructions — uconnect phone
— If Equipped ...................... 262
▫ Clock Setting Procedure ............... 262
 Sales Code RES — AM/FM Stereo Radio With
CD Player (MP3 AUX Jack)............... 264
▫ Operating Instructions — Radio Mode ..... 264
▫ Operation Instructions — CD Mode For CD
And MP3 Audio Play ................. 267
▫ Notes On Playing MP3 Files ............ 270▫
Operation Instructions - Auxiliary Mode .... 272
 Sales Code RES/RSC — AM/FM Stereo Radio
With CD Player (MP3 AUX Jack) And Sirius
Radio ............................... 273
▫ Operating Instructions — Radio Mode ..... 273
▫ Operation Instructions — CD Mode For CD
And MP3 Audio Play ................. 278
▫ Notes On Playing MP3 Files ............ 281
▫ List Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play) ...... 283
▫ Info Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play) ...... 284
 uconnect studios (Satellite Radio) — If
Equipped (REN/RER/RES Radios Only) ...... 285
▫ System Activation .................... 285
▫ Electronic Serial Number/Sirius
Identification Number (ESN/SID) ......... 285
220 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Selecting uconnect studios (Satellite)
Mode ............................. 286
▫ Satellite Antenna ..................... 286
▫ Reception Quality .................... 287
▫ Operating Instructions - uconnect studios
(Satellite) Mode ..................... 287
▫ Operating Instructions - uconnect phone
(If Equipped) ....................... 289
 Video Entertainment System (VES)™ —
If Equipped .......................... 290
 Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped .......................... 291
▫ Radio Operation ..................... 291
▫ CD Player ......................... 292 
CD/DVD Maintenance ................. 292
 Radio Operation And Cellular Phones ....... 293
 Climate Controls ...................... 293
▫ Manual Heating And Air Conditioning
System ............................ 293
▫ Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) —
If Equipped ........................ 297
▫ Summer Operation ................... 302
▫ Winter Operation .................... 302
▫ Vacation/Storage .................... 303
▫ Window Fogging And Frosting .......... 303
▫ Outside Air Intake ................... 303
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 304
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 221

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 — Headlight Switch7 — 115v Power Inverter Outlet13 — Transfer Case Position Switch
2 — Instrument Cluster 8 — Power Outlet14 — Ignition Switch
3 — Radio 9 — Lower Switch Bank15 — Hood Release
4 — Upper Switch Bank 10 — Cup Holders16 — Parking Brake Release
5 — Upper Glove Compartment 11 — Climate Controls
6 — Lower Glove Compartment 12 — Power Outlet/Cigar Lighter
222 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

SWITCH BANK BUTTON DESCRIPTION
Upper Switch Bank
The upper switch bank is located on the center of the
instrument panel.1. TOW/HAUL
Refer to Section 5 for more information.
2. ESP OFF — IF EQUIPPED
Refer to Section 5 for more information.
3. HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
Refer to Section 6 for more information.
4. 115V POWER INVERTER
Refer to Section 3 for more information.
5. REAR PARK ASSIST
Refer to Section 3 for more information.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 223

Lower Switch Bank
The lower switch bank is located on the center of the
instrument panel.1. HEATED SEATS
Refer to Section 3 for more information.
2. VENTILATED SEATS
Refer to Section 3 for more information.
3. HEATED STEERING WHEEL
Refer to Section 3 for more information.
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER — BASE
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 225

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER — PREMIUM
226 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Tachometer
The Tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
CAUTION!
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
pointer at high RPM for extended periods. Engine
damage may occur.
2. Turn Signal Indicators The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
NOTE:
•A continuous chime will sound if the vehicle is driven
more than 1 mile (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
•Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if either
indicator remains on and does not flash, or flashes at a
rapid rate.
3. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
4. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 227

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H” pull over
and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back into
the normal range. If the pointer remains on the “H” and
you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine off imme-
diately, and call an authorized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant. You
may want to call an authorized dealership for service if
your vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap para-
graph.
5. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour (mph/km/h).
6. 4 LOWThis light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the four-wheel drive LOW mode. The front and
rear driveshafts are mechanically locked to-
gether forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Low range provides a greater
gear reduction ratio to provide increased torque at the
wheels.
For more information on four-wheel drive operation and
proper use, refer to “Four-Wheel Drive Operation — If
Equipped” in section 5 of this manual.
228 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL