2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL window

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
2

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
²
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

irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags can't protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Window Airbags Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)ÐIf Equipped
The window airbag control module determines if a side
collision is severe enough to require the side airbags to
inflate. The window airbag control module will not
detect roll over, front or rear collisions.
The airbag control module monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition
switch is in the9START9or9RUN9positions. These
include all of the items listed above. The airbag control
module also turns on the AIRBAG light in the instrument
panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition is first turned
on as a diagnostic or system check, then turns the light
off. If it detects a malfunction in any part of the system,
it turns on the light either momentarily or continuously.
The side (window) impact SRS Airbags are designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the airbag
control module detects a collision requiring the window
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

bags to inflate, it signals the inflators on the crash side of
the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the window bag. The inflating window bag
pushes the side pillar molding out of the way and covers
the window. The airbag inflates in about 30 milliseconds
(about one-quarter of the time it takes to blink your eyes)
with enough force to injure you if you are not belted and
seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the window bag inflates. This especially applies to
children. The window bag is only about 3
1¤2inches (8.9
cm) thick when it is inflated.
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 10 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Maintaining Your Airbag Systems
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolster.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mMirrors...............................75
NInside Mirror.........................75
NAutomatic Dimming MirrorÐ If Equipped....76
NOutside Mirrors.......................76
NExterior Mirrors Folding Feature...........77
NElectronic Power Mirrors Ð If Equipped......77
NElectric Rear Window Defroster And Heated
Sideview Mirrors Ð If Equipped...........78
NTrailer Towing Mirrors Ð If Equipped.......79mHands±Free Communication (UConnectŸ) Ð If
Equipped.............................79
NOperation............................81
NPhone Call Features....................85
NAdvanced Phone Connectivity.............87
NUConnectŸ System Features..............89
mSeats.................................91
N40-20-40 Front Seat.....................92
NReclining Seats........................93
3

MIRRORS
Inside Mirror
The mirror should be adjusted to center on the view
through the rear window.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
3

The controls for the power mirrors are located on the
driver's door trim panel.
Set the top switch to the left or right for the left or right
mirror, and set it to the center off position to preventaccidentally moving a mirror when you are finished
adjusting the mirror. To adjust a mirror, select left or right
with the top switch, and press one of the four arrows for
the direction you want the mirror to move.
Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors Ð If Equipped
The Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
side view 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 side view mirrors feature. These features also
turn off after activation, when 15 minutes have elapsed.
To reactivate, simply press the button again.
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

mRemote Sound System Controls Ð If Equipped . . 181
NRadio Operation......................182
NTape Player.........................182
NCD Player..........................182
mCassette Tape And Player Maintenance.......183
mCompact Disc Maintenance................184
mRadio Operation And Cellular Phones........184
mClimate Controls.......................185NHeater Only Ð Fleet Vehicles.............185
NAir ConditioningÐIf Equipped...........187
NElectric Rear Window Defroster And Heated
Sideview Mirrors Ð If Equipped..........191
NAir Conditioning With Dual Zone Temperature
Control Ð If Equipped.................191
NOperating Tips.......................196
NOperating Tips Chart...................198
140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL