2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL Child

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

CIGAR LIGHTER AND ASH RECEIVER
The ash receiver is opened and closed bypushingon the
front surface of the receiver and then allowing the
receiver to open.
The cigar lighter is located 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 127
3

WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
NORMAL OPERATION
Observe the following when the engine is operating.
²All message center lights are off.
²Check Engine Lamp is off.
²Engine Oil Pressure is above 10 psi (69 kPa) at idle.
²Low Oil Pressure light is off.
²Voltmeter Operation:
²The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation if
certain engine temperatures are below 66ÉF (19ÉC).
This cycling operation is caused by the post-heatcycle of the intake manifold heater system. The
number of cycles and the length of the cycling
operation is controlled by the engine control mod-
ule, this time will not exceed 150 seconds. The
needle should then stabilize at the approximate
operation point.
²The cycling action will cause temporary dimming of
the headlamps, interior lamps, and also a noticeable
reduction in blower motor speed.
Cold Weather Precautions
Operation in ambient temperature below 32ÉF (0ÉC) may
require special considerations. The following charts sug-
gest these options:
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
5

WARNING!
²Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also be certain to leave an automatic
transmission in Park, a manual transmission in
Reverse or first gear. Failure to do so may allow
the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector
lever. Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before
driving, failure to do so can lead to brake problems
due to excessive heating of the rear brakes.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
The parking brake should always be applied whenever
the driver is not in the vehicle.
BRAKE SYSTEM
If power assist is lost for any reason (for example,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, you will experience a
substantial increase in braking effort to stop the vehicle.
If either the front or rear hydraulic systems lose normal
capability, the remaining system will still function with
some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be
evident by increased pedal travel during application,
greater pedal force required to slow or stop, and activa-
tion of the BRAKE warning lamp and the ABS lamp (if
equipped) during brake use.
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
5

CAUTION!
Mixing of coolants other than specified (HOAT),
may result in engine damage that may not be cov-
ered under the new vehicle warranty, and decreased
corrosion protection. If a non-HOAT coolant is intro-
duced into the cooling system in an emergency, it
should be replaced with the specified coolant as
soon as possible.
Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base anti-
freeze products. Do not use additional rust inhibi-
tors or antirust products, as they may not be compat-
ible with the radiator coolant and may plug the
radiator.
This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propylene
Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Disposal Of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. Do not store ethylene glycol-based engine
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. Prevent ingestion by animals and
children. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Pressure Cap
The coolant pressure cap must be fully tightened to
prevent loss of coolant and to insure that coolant will
return to the radiator from the coolant reserve tank.
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 340
B-Pillar Location........................ 247
Brake Fluid............................ 381
Brake System........................239,348
Anti-Lock........................... 240
Disc Brakes.......................... 348
Fluid Check.......................... 348
Hoses.............................. 350
Master Cylinder....................... 348
Parking............................. 238
Warning Light........................ 147
Bulb Replacement....................... 367
Bulbs, Light............................ 367
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 375
Calibration, Compass..................... 117
Camper............................... 135
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 379
Capacities, Fluid........................ 379Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 339
Car Washes............................ 362
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............69,136
Cargo Light............................ 103
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 183
Cassette Tape Player................152,154,158
CD Changer......................156,167,172
CD Player..................164,168,171,175,177
Cellular Phone.......................... 79
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 373
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 129
Certification Label....................... 269
Charge Air Cooler....................... 347
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 244
Check Engine Light...................... 143
Child Restraint........................55,56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............59,63
INDEX 413
10

Child Seat............................56,62
Cigar Lighter........................... 127
Climate Control......................... 185
Clock................................ 151
Clutch Linkage Maintenance................ 350
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 184
Compact Disc Player..................158,164
Compact Spare Tire...................... 255
Compass.............................. 117
Compass Calibration..................... 117
Compass Variance....................... 118
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 113
Console, Overhead....................... 112
Contract, Service........................ 404
Cooling System......................... 343
Coolant Capacity...................... 379
Coolant Level......................... 344
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 346
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 344Inspection........................... 343
Radiator Cap......................343,346
Selection of Coolant..................345,380
Temperature Gauge..................... 146
Cruise Control.......................... 109
Cup Holder............................ 128
Customer Assistance..................... 402
Daytime Running Lights................... 102
Dealer Service.......................... 322
Defroster, Rear Window..............78,191,195
Defroster, Windshield..................186,189
Delay Wipers........................... 105
Differential, Limited-Slip.................. 237
Dipsticks.............................. 325
Power Steering........................ 339
Disc Brakes............................ 348
Disposal.............................. 331
Engine Oil........................... 331
414 INDEX

Jack Location........................... 298
Jack Operation.......................... 300
Jump Starting.......................... 310
Key, Replacement........................ 12
Key, Sentry............................. 11
Key-In Reminder......................... 11
Keyless Entry System...................... 22
Keys................................ 11,16
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 103
Lap Belts.............................. 42
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 34
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 59
Lights...............................70,99
Airbag............................55,144
Anti-Lock Warning..................146,242
Battery Saver......................... 100
Brake Warning........................ 147Bulb Replacement...................... 367
Cap Top Clearance..................... 375
Center Mounted Stop................... 373
Check Engine......................... 143
Courtesy/Reading..................... 113
Cruise.............................. 147
Daytime Running...................... 102
Dual Wheel Assembly Rear............... 376
Fog .............................102,378
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 230
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 296
Headlights........................... 101
High Beam........................104,144
High Beam Indicator.................... 144
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 104
Instrument Cluster..................... 143
Intensity Control....................... 100
Interior...........................99,113
Lights On Reminder.................... 102
418 INDEX