2004 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS instrument panel

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................71
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................137
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................199
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................293
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................319
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................383
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................403
10INDEX....................................................................413
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VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is found on a
stamped plate located on the left front corner of the
instrument panel pad, visible from outside of the vehicle
through the windshield. This number also appears on the
Automobile Information Disclosure Label affixed to a
window on your vehicle. Save this label for a convenient
record of your vehicle identification number and optional
equipment.
NOTE:It is illegal to remove the VIN plate.
6 INTRODUCTION

IGNITION AND STEERING LOCK
Manual Transmissions
When the steering wheel is in the LOCK position, the
steering and ignition systems are locked to provide
antitheft protection for your vehicle. It may be difficult to
turn the key from the LOCK position when starting your
vehicle. Move the steering wheel left and right while
turning the key until it turns easily. To remove the key,
depress and hold the release button located between the
ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the igni-
tion key to LOCK and remove the key.
Manual Transmissions
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition for
unauthorized operation. When the alarm is activated, the
system provides both audible and visual signals. For the
first 3 minutes the horn will sound and the headlights
and security telltale will flash repeatedly. For an addi-
tional 15 minutes only the headlights and security telltale
will flash. The engine will run only if a valid Sentry Key
is used to start the vehicle. Use of the Sentry Key will
disable the alarm.
Rearming of the System:
The security system will rearm itself after the 15 addi-
tional minutes of headlights and security telltale flashing,
if the system has not been disabled. If the condition
which initiated the alarm is still present, the system will
ignore that condition and monitor the remaining doors
and ignition.
To Set the Alarm:
The alarm will set when you use the power door locks,
turn the key in the driver's door lock cylinder, or use the
Keyless Entry transmitter to lock the doors. After all the
doors are locked and closed the SECURITY light in the
instrument cluster will flash rapidly to signal that the
system is arming. The security light in the instrument
panel cluster will flash rapidly for about 16 seconds to
indicate that the alarm is being set. After the alarm is set,
the security light will flash at a slower rate to indicate
that the system is armed.
NOTE:If the SECURITY light stays on continuously
during vehicle operation, have the system checked by
your dealer.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29
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WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use the
seat belt extender when the lap belt is not long
enough when it is worn low and snug, and in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the extender when not needed.
Driver And Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)ÐAirbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.These airbags are certified to the new Federal regulations
that allow less forceful deployments.
This vehicle may also be equipped with window bags to
protect the driver and passengers in the first and second
row sitting next to a window. If the vehicle is equipped
with window bags, they are located above the side
windows. Their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers or
attempt to manually open them. You may damage the
airbags and you could be injured because the airbags are
not there to protect you. These protective covers for the
airbag cushions are designed to open only when the
airbags are inflating.
²Do not mount any aftermarket equipment such as trailer
brake controllers, snowplow controllers, auxiliary light
switches, radios, etc. on or behind the knee bolster. Knee
bolsters are designed to work with the air bag and seat belt
to protect you. Mounting any additional equipment on or
behind the knee bolster can cause injury during a crash.
²If your vehicle is equipped with window bags, do not
stack luggage or other cargo up high enough to block the
location of the window bag. The area where the window
bag is located should remain free from any obstructions.
²If your vehicle is equipped with window bags, do not
have any accessory items installed which will alter the
roof, including adding a sunroof to your vehicle. Do not
add roof racks that require permanent attachments (bolts
or screws) for installation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill
into the roof of the vehicle for any reason.
Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with the seatbelts, front airbags work with the instrument
panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection for
the driver and front passenger. Window bags also work
with seat belts to improve occupant protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is so equipped,
the window bag on the crash side of the vehicle is
triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. In certain
types of collisions, both the front and side airbags may be
triggered. But even in collisions where the airbags work,
you need the seat belts to keep you in the right position
for the airbags to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can follow to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
²Children 12 years and under should ride buckled up in
a rear seat, if available.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²Infants in rear facing child restraints mustNEVER
ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front
airbagunless the airbag is turned off(Standard Cab
Vehicles Only). An airbag deployment can cause se-
vere injury or death to infants in that position. See the
Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch section.
²If your vehicle does not have a rear seat, see the
Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch section.
²Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see section on Child Restraints)
should be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or
belt-positioning booster seats. Older children who do
not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster
seats should ride properly buckled up in the rear seat.
Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind
them or under their arm.
²All occupants should use their seat belts properly.
²The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbag room to inflate.
WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has window airbags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or
window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module
²AIRBAG Readiness Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Crash Sensor
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Passenger Side Frontal Airbag ON/OFF Switch (Stan-
dard Cab Vehicles Only)The Window Airbag System, on vehicles equipped,
consists of the following:
²AIRBAG Readiness Light (shared with the front airbag
system)
²Window Bags Above the Side Windows.
²Airbag Control Module (shared with the front airbag
system)
²Side impact sensors
²Interconnecting Wiring
How The Airbag System Works
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The airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate.
²The airbag control module will not detect roll over, or
rear collisions.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE