2005 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL transmission

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

A Word About Your Keys..................11
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................11
▫Sentry Key — If Equipped................11

Ignition And Steering Lock.................14
▫Manual Transmissions...................14
▫Automatic Transmissions.................15

Door Key.............................16

Door Locks............................16
▫Manual Locks.........................16
▫Power Door Locks — If Equipped..........17▫Child Protection Door Lock...............21

Remote Keyless Entry — If Equipped.........22
▫To Unlock The Doors...................23
▫To Lock The Doors.....................24
▫Using The Panic Alarm..................25
▫Programming Additional Transmitters........26
▫General Information....................27
▫Transmitter Battery Service...............28

Security Alarm System — If Equipped.........29
▫Rearming Of The System.................29
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IGNITION AND STEERING LOCK
Insert the key fully, and then turn the switch to one of the
five illustrated positions. The key can be inserted or
withdrawn only in the LOCK position.
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

Automatic Transmissions
In the LOCK position, the steering and ignition systems
are locked to provide antitheft protection for your ve-
hicle. 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. The key can be inserted or withdrawn only in the
LOCK position. Push in on the key in the ignition lock
cylinder to rotate to the LOCK position.
NOTE:The steering wheel will the lock when the key is
removed, and the steering wheel is turned around 115
degrees from center clockwise and around 65 degrees
counterclockwise.
NOTE:On vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission, the key cannot be turned to LOCK until the
selector is in the PARK position. Do not attempt to pull
the shift lever out of PARK after the key is in the LOCK
position.
Automatic Transmissions
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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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.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check 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.
•Warm up the engine before placing it under load.
•Do not operate the engine at idle for prolonged
periods.
•Use the appropriate transmission gear to prevent
engine lugging.
•Observe vehicle oil pressure and temperature indica-
tors.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........134
▫Programming Homelink................136
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 138
▫Using Homelink......................139
▫Erasing Homelink Buttons...............139
▫Reprogramming a Single Homelink Button . . . 140
▫Security............................140

Power Sunroof — If Equipped.............140
▫Opening Sunroof - Express..............141
▫Closing Sunroof - Express...............141
▫Pinch Protect Feature...................141
▫Pinch Protect Override.................142
▫Venting Sunroof - Express...............142▫Sunshade Operation...................142
▫Wind Buffeting.......................142
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................143
▫Ignition Off Operation..................143
▫Sunroof Fully Closed...................143

Electrical Power Outlets..................143

Cigar Lighter And Ash Receiver............144

Cupholders...........................145
▫Front Instrument Panel Cupholders —
Automatic Transmission Only............145
▫Rear Cupholder — Quad Cab — If Equipped . 146

Storage..............................147
▫Center Storage Compartment — If Equipped . . 147
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To decrease speed while the speed control is on, press
and hold the DECEL button. Release the button when the
desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000
ft. (610 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below the
SET speed. If the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph (56
km/h), the speed control will automatically disengage. If
this happens, you can push down on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with a 6–speed manual transmission
should be operated in 4th or 5th gear under the above
conditions.Vehicles equipped with a 4–speed automatic transmis-
sion may exhibit several 4-3 downshifts under the above
conditions. To reduce the frequency of the downshifts
and to improve vehicle performance, it is advisable to
lock out overdrive by pressing the O/D OFF button
located at the end of the gear shifter.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
126 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

If the indicator light blinksrapidly for two seconds and
then turns to a constant light, continue withProgram-
mingsteps 6-8to complete the programming of a rolling
code equipped device (most commonly a garage door
opener).
6. At the garage door opener receiver (motor-head unit)
in the garage, locate thelearnorsmartbutton. This
can usually be found where the hanging antenna wire is
attached to the motor-head unit.
7. Firmly press and release thelearnorsmartbutton.
(The name and color of the button may vary by manu-
facturer.)
NOTE:There are 30 seconds in which to initiate step
eight.
8. Return to the vehicle and firmlypress, hold for two
seconds and releasethe programmed HomeLink button.
Repeat thepress/hold/releasesequence a second time,and, depending on the brand of the garage door opener
(or other rolling code equipped device), repeat this
sequence a third time to complete the programming.
HomeLink should now activate your rolling code
equipped device.
NOTE:To program the remaining two HomeLink but-
tons, begin withProgrammingstep two. Do not repeat
step one. For questions or comments, please contact
HomeLink atwww.homelink.com or 1-800-355-3515.
Canadian Programming/Gate Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter sig-
nals totime-out(or quit) after several seconds of
transmission which may not be long enough for
HomeLink to pick up the signal during programming.
Similar to this Canadian law, some U.S. gate operators are
designed totime-outin the same manner.
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CUPHOLDERS
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders — Automatic
Transmission Only
Your new Ram truck is equipped with dual-opening
adjustable cupholders. The cupholder is opened and
closed by pushing on the front surface. Each opening in
the cupholder is adjustable and will hold cups and mugs
of various sizes.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
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