ignition RAM CHASSIS CAB 2009 Owner's Guide

NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control system has been
designed to shut down if multiple speed control switch
buttons (i.e., SET and CANCEL) are operated simulta-
neously, in order to ensure proper operation. The system
can be reactivated by pushing the Electronic Speed
Control switch ON/OFF button and reestablishing the
desired vehicle SET speed.
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 the Electronic Speed Control
without erasing the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF but-
ton to the OFF position or turning off the ignition erases
the memory.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic 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 system off when you are not using it.
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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.
C/T Button
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Compass Varianceis the difference between magnetic
North and geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic
North is great enough to cause the compass to give false
readings. If this occurs, the compass variance must be set
according to the Compass Variance Map. NOTE:
The default for the compass variance is Zone 8.
To set the variance: Turn the ignition ON and set the
display to “Compass/Temperature.” Press and hold the
RESET button approximately five seconds. The last vari-
ance zone number will be displayed. Press the STEP
button to select the new variance zone and press the
RESET button to resume normal operation.
Outside Temperature
Because the ambient temperature sensor is located un-
derhood, engine temperature can influence the displayed
temperature. Therefore, temperature readings are slowly
updated when the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h) or during stop-and-go driving.
Compass Variance Map
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3

ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
The auxiliary electrical outlet can provide power for
in-cab accessories designed for use with the standard
“cigar lighter” plug. The outlet is located in the instru-
ment panel below and to the right of the climate control
panel. A cap is attached to the outlet base indicating
“Power Outlet” 12-Volt/20 A.
There is an additional power outlet inside the center
console of vehicles equipped with 40-20-40, or bucket
front seats. There is also a power outlet located on the
rear of the center console (if equipped with bucket seats).
The outlet(s) has/have a fused direct feed from the
battery so it/they receive power whether the ignition is
ON or OFF.
All accessories connected to this/these outlet(s) should
be removed or turned off when the vehicle is not in use
to protect the battery against discharge.NOTE:
If desired, all of the power outlets can be
converted by your authorized dealer to provide power
with the ignition switch in the ON position only.
WARNING!
To avoid serious injury or death:
•Do not use a three-prong adapter.
•Do not insert any objects into the receptacles.
•Do not touch with wet hands.
•Close the lid when not in use and while driving
the vehicle.
•If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an
electric shock and failure.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•Many 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.
•Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will discharge the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
•After 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.
CIGAR LIGHTER AND ASH RECEIVER
The removable ash receiver is located in the instrument
panel cupholder tray.
The cigar lighter is located on the instrument panel,
above and to the left of the ash receiver.
As a child safety precaution, the lighter only operates
with the ignition switch ON. It heats when pushed in and
pops out automatically when ready for use.To preserve
the heating element, do not hold the lighter in the
heating position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
3

Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers
Retainer hooks which will hold plastic grocery bag
handles are built into the back panel of the cab, behind
the rear seat.REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster and Heated Sideview
Mirrors — If Equipped
The electric rear window defroster and heated
sideview mirrors are activated by pressing the
heated grid button, located on the climate control panel,
with the ignition ON. Turning OFF the ignition will
deactivate the electric rear window defroster and heated
sideview mirrors feature. These features also turn off
after activation, when 15 minutes have elapsed. For an
additional 10 minutes of operation, push the button a
second time.
Grocery Bag Hooks
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
3

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

4. 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.
5. Airbag Warning Light The indicator lights and remains lit for six to
eight seconds when the ignition is first turned
on. If the light stays on, flickers or comes on
while driving, have the airbag system checked
by an authorized dealer.
6. High Beam Indicator This indicator shows that headlights are on high
beam. 7. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb
check or when driving, if the driver seat belt remains
unbuckled, the Seat Belt Warning Light will flash or
remain on continuously. Refer to \6Enhanced Driver Seat
Belt Reminder System (BeltAlert\3)\6 under “Occupant
Restraints” in section 2.
8. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 163
4

15. Shift Lever Indicator (Automatic Transmission
Only)
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
shift lever selection.
NOTE:You must apply the brake before shifting from
PARK.
16. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed
during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the Trip Odometer button. To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button until the
display resets (approximately two seconds).
Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
“door” (indicates that a door(s) may be ajar), “hood” (if
the hood is open or ajar, on vehicles with remote start),
“gASCAP” (indicates that your gas cap is possibly loose
or damaged), “Low Tire” (indicates low tire pressure),
\6CHANgE OIL” (indicates that the engine oil should be
changed), “LoWASH” (low washer fluid), and “noFUSE”
(indicates that the IOD fuse is removed from the Inte-
grated Power Module), will display in the odometer.
NOTE:
There is also an engine hour function. This
indicates the total number of hours the engine has been
running. To display the engine hours perform the follow-
ing: Place the ignition in RUN, but do not start the
engine. With the odometer value displayed, hold the trip
166 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

button down for a period of six seconds. The odometer
will change to trip value first, then it will display the
engine hour value. The engine hours will be displayed
for a period of 30 seconds until the ignition is turned off
or the engine is started.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Change Oil” message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate
dependent upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip Odometer button on the instrumentcluster. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance) refer to the fol-
lowing procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. (Do not
start the engine.)
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.
17. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
4