2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL light

Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
²Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
NEW ENGINE BREAK-IN
Your Cummins 24 Valve Turbo Diesel engine does not
require a normal break-in period due to its construction.
Normal operation is allowed, provided the following
recommendations are followed:
NOTE:Light duty operation such as light trailer towing
or no load operation, will extend the time before the
engine is at full efficiency. Reduced fuel economy and
power may be seen at this time.
²Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
²Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged
periods.
²Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent
engine lugging.
²Observe vehicle oil pressure and temperature indica-
tors.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2

Lock Your Vehicle
Always remove the keys from the ignition and lock all
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended, even in your
own driveway or garage. Try to park your vehicle in a
well-lighted area and never invite theft by leaving ar-
ticles of value exposed.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, a poten-
tially toxic gas that by itself is colorless and odorless.
To avoid inhaling these gases, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for more than a short period, adjust
your climate control system to force outside air into
the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed and the
controls in any position except OFF or MAX A/C.
²The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Be aware of changes in the sound of the exhaust system;
exhaust fumes detected inside the vehicle; or damage to
the underside or rear of the vehicle. Have a competent
mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adja-
cent body areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated or
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose connections
could permit exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger
compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system
each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace or adjust as required.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
2

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing, etc.)
or if the front airbags have deployed. If there is any question
regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer. If there is a problem with the airbag light the
seatbelt light will flash.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn signal
and high beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected the cause should be located and corrected.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NAdjustable Head Restraints...............93
NManual Rotary Lumbar Support
Adjustment Ð If Equipped...............94
NPower Seats Ð If Equipped...............95
NHeated Seats Ð If Equipped..............96
mTo Open And Close The Hood..............97
mLights................................99
NInterior Lights........................99
NBattery Saver........................100
NHeadlamp Delay Ð If Equipped..........101
NHeadlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights.....101
NDaytime Running Lights (Canada And Fleet
Vehicles Only).......................102
NLights-On Reminder...................102NFog Lights Ð If Equipped...............102
NCargo Light.........................103
mMultifunction Control Lever...............103
NTurn Signals.........................103
NPassing Light........................104
NHigh Beam / Low Beam Select Switch......104
NWindshield Wipers....................105
NWindshield Washers...................106
mTilt Steering Column....................107
mDriver Adjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped......108
NAdjustment.........................108
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......109
NTo Activate..........................109
72 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NTo Set At A Desired Speed...............110
NTo Deactivate........................110
NTo Resume Speed.....................110
NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............111
NTo Accelerate For Passing...............111
mOverhead ConsoleÐ If Equipped...........112
NCourtesy/Reading Lights................113
mOverhead Console With Compass/Temperature
Mini-Trip Computer Ð If Equipped..........113
NUS/M Button........................114
NReset Button.........................114
NGlobal Reset.........................115
NStep Button.........................115NAverage Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........115
NDistance To Empty (DTE)...............115
NTrip Odometer (ODO)..................116
NElapsed Time (ET).....................116
NC/T Button.........................117
NAutomatic Compass Calibration...........117
NManual Compass Calibration.............118
NTo Put Into a Calibration Mode...........118
NOutside Temperature...................119
mGarage Door Opener Ð If Equipped.........120
NProgramming Homelink................121
NCanadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 123
NUsing Homelink......................124
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 73
3

NErasing Homelink Buttons...............124
NReprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 125
NSecurity............................125
mElectrical Power Outlets..................126
mCigar Lighter And Ash Receiver............127
mCupholders...........................128
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders Ð
Automatic Transmission Only............128
NRear Cupholder Ð Quad Cab Ð If
Equipped...........................128mStorage..............................129
NCenter Storage Compartment Ð If Equipped . . 129
NStorage And Seats Ð If Equipped..........130
mFold Flat Load Floor Ð If Equipped.........130
NFold Flat Load Floor Ð If Equipped........130
mPickup Box...........................133
mSlide-In Campers.......................135
NCamper Applications...................135
mEasy-Off Tailgate.......................135
74 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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

Automatic Dimming MirrorÐ If Equipped
This mirror automatically adjusts for annoying headlight
glare from vehicles behind you. You can turn the feature
on or off by pressing the button at the base of the mirror.
A light in the button will indicate when the dimming
feature is activated.CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the mirror during cleaning,
never spray any cleaning solution directly onto the
mirror. Apply the solution onto a clean cloth and
wipe the mirror clean.
Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirror(s)
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE