steering Ram 2500 (Diesel) 2007 User Guide

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located below the steering wheel at
the base of the instrument panel. Once the hood isreleased you must reach into the opening beneath the
center of the grille and push up the latch to release the
safety catch before raising the hood.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the front center of
the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
Hood Release Lever
Secondary Latch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127
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Multifunction Control Lever
The multifunction control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
Turn Signals
Move the lever up or down to signal a right-hand or
left-hand turn.
The arrow on either side of the instrument cluster flashes
to indicate the direction of the turn, and proper operation
of the front and rear turn signal lights. If a defective bulb
or wiring circuit is detected for the turn signal system, the
arrow indicators will flash at a faster rate. If an indicator
fails to light when the lever is moved, it would suggest
that the switch or indicator lamp is defective.
You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down.
Turn Signal Auto-Mode
Tap the multi-function control lever once and the turn
signal (left or right) will flash 3 times, and automatically
turn off.
Turn Signal Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
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Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to
turn on until the lever is released.
High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction control lever fully toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from HIGH or
LOW beam.
High Beam / Low Beam
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
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DRIVER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS — IF EQUIPPED
The power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals allow
the driver to establish a comfortable position relative to
the steering wheel and pedals.
Adjustment
1. Position the driver seat so that you are at least 10
inches (254 mm) away from the airbag located in the
center of the steering wheel.
2. Fasten and adjust the seatbelts.
3. Move the adjustable pedal switch, located to the left of
the steering column near the parking brake release, in the
direction you desire to move the pedals.
4. The pedalscannotbe adjusted when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse) or when the Speed Control is SET.
Adjustable Pedals Switch
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not place any article under the adjustable pedals
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become lim-
ited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in the
adjustable pedal’s path.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tion at speeds greater than 35 mph (56 km/h). The
controls are mounted on the steering wheel.
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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 139
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Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6 disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
208 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Reception Quality
Satellite reception may be interrupted due to one of the
following reasons.
•The vehicle is parked in an underground parking
structure or under a physical obstacle.
•Dense tree coverage may interrupt reception.
•Driving under wide bridges or along tall buildings can
cause intermittent reception.
•Placing objects over or too close to the antenna can
cause signal blockage.
REMOTE SOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS — IF
EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the rear
surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to
access the switches.The right hand control is a rocker type switch with a
button in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will
increase the volume and pressing the bottom of the
switch will decrease the volume. The center button of the
right hand control will allow you to change the mode.
Remote Sound System Controls
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 253
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Transmission Shifting....................291
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
(68RFE) — If Equipped.................291
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
(48RE) — If Equipped..................297

Manual Transmission....................303
▫Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........304
▫Downshifting........................305

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 306
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................306
▫Shifting Procedure - Manually Shifted
Transfer Case........................308
▫Transfer Case Reminder Light............309▫Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions–If Equipped.......310
▫Shifting Procedure - Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................314

Limited-Slip Differential — If Equipped.......317

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............318

Driving Off-Road.......................319

Parking Brake.........................320

Brake System..........................321
▫Brake Noise.........................322
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System........322

Power Steering........................324

Tire Safety Information...................325
▫Tire Markings........................325
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (68RFE)
— If Equipped
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, or Park, or when shifting out
of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in P. Make
sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
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