2006 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL odometer

▫Adjustment.........................129

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped......130
▫To Activate..........................130
▫To Set At A Desired Speed...............131
▫To Deactivate........................131
▫To Resume Speed.....................131
▫To Vary The Speed Setting...............132
▫To Accelerate For Passing...............132

Overhead Console— If Equipped...........133
▫Courtesy/Reading Lights................134

Overhead Console With Compass/Temperature
Mini-Trip Computer — If Equipped..........134
▫US/M Button........................135▫Reset Button.........................135
▫Global Reset.........................136
▫Step Button.........................136
▫Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........136
▫Distance To Empty (DTE)...............136
▫Trip Odometer (ODO)..................137
▫Elapsed Time (ET).....................137
▫C/T Button.........................138
▫Automatic Compass Calibration...........138
▫Manual Compass Calibration.............139
▫Recalibrating The Compass..............139
▫Outside Temperature...................140
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 75
3

open and the interior lights are on, rotating the dimmer
control all the way down to the OFF detent will cause all
the interior lights to go out. This is also known as the
Partymode because it allows the doors to stay open for
extended periods of time without discharging the vehi-
cle’s battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer control up (brighter) or
down (dimmer). When the headlights are ON you can
supplement the brightness of the odometer, trip odom-
eter, radio and overhead console by rotating the control
up until you hear a click. This feature is termed the
“Parade” mode and is useful when headlights are re-
quired during the day.
Club Cab/Quad Cab models may have an optional
switched dome lamp that may be operated by pressing
the lens.Battery Saver
To protect the life of your vehicle’s battery, Load Shed-
ding is provided for both the interior and exterior lights.
If the ignition is off and any door is left ajar for 10
minutes or the dimmer control is rotated upwards for 10
minutes, the interior lights will automatically turn off.
If the headlamps remain on while the ignition is cycled
off, the exterior lights will automatically turn off after 8
minutes. If the headlamps are turned on and left on for 8
minutes while the ignition is off, the exterior lights will
automatically turn off.
NOTE:Battery Saver mode is cancelled if the ignition is
ON.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
3

This overhead console allows you to choose between a
compass/temperature display and one of four trip con-
ditions being monitored.
US/M Button
Use this button to change the display from U.S. to metric
measurement units.
RESET Button
Use this button to reset the following displays:
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Trip Odometer (ODO)
Elapsed time (ET)
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3

NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
When the DTE value is less than 30 miles estimated
driving distance, the DTE display will change to an
alternating test display of “LO” and “FUEL”. This dis-
play will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel.
Adding a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will
turn off the “LO FUEL” text and a new DTE value will be
displayed, based on the current values in the DTE
calculation and the current fuel tank level.
NOTE:It is possible for DTE to display “LO FUEL”
before the low fuel warning light turns on in the instru-
ment cluster. This could occur because low fuel warning
is set to a specified fuel tank volume and DTE is an
estimated distance calculation based on fuel economy
and remaining fuel tank volume.Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
•26 gallons - 1500 short box models
•34 gallons - 1500 Quad Cab (if equipped)/2500/3500
short box models
•35 gallons - 1500/2500/3500 long box models
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Resetting of this screen will cause the trip odometer
to change to Zero.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset. Resetting the Elapsed Time will cause
the display to change to Zero.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
3

CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running as you would not be able to react to
the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
NOTE:Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1000 rpm at elevated coolant temperatures to improve
engine cooling.
NOTE:If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the “Check Gages” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
14. Security Light
The light will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower rate after the alarm is set. The security
light will also come on for about two seconds when the
ignition is first turned ON.15. Transmission Range Indicator (Automatic
Transmissions Only)
When the gear selector lever is moved, this indicator
shows the automatic transmission gear range selected.
16. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
If the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
toggle between the odometer and the trip odometer,
press the Odometer/Trip Odometer Button. To reset the
Trip Odometer, press and hold the button while in trip
mode, until the Trip Odometer resets.
180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:There is also an engine hour function. This
indicates the total number of hours the engine has been
running. To display the engine hours perform the follow-
ing: Place the ignition in RUN, but do not start the
engine. With the odometer value displayed, hold the trip
button down for a period of 6 seconds. The odometer will
change to trip value first, then it will display the engine
hour value. The engine hours will be displayed for a
period of 30 seconds until the ignition is turned off or the
engine is started.
17. Check Gages Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
which monitors the emissions and engine control
system. If the vehicle is ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is firstturned on and remain on, as a bulb check, until the
engine is started. If the vehicle is not ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for 5
seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If the
bulb does not come on during starting, have the condi-
tion investigated promptly.
If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
4

25. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
26. Wait To Start Indicator
The Wait To Start Indicator will illuminate when
the ignition key is first turned to the ON position.
Wait until the Wait To Start Indicator turns OFF then start
the vehicle.27. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
28. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
29. Low Fuel Warning Light
Glows when the pointer is between “E” and 1/8
indication mark (approximately 15% of tank vol-
ume) on the fuel gauge. When the fuel gauge
pointer is on “E” (equivalent to Distance To Empty [DTE]
= 0 on the overhead console if so equipped) there is
reserve fuel capacity, which corresponds to approxi-
mately 8% of tank volume. This reserve capacity was put
in place to prevent the likelihood of customers running
184 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of unap-
proved tires and wheels may change suspension dimen-
sions and performance characteristics, resulting in changes
to steering, handling, and braking of your vehicle. This can
cause unpredictable handling and stress to steering and
suspension components. You could lose control and have
an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Use only
the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity, other
than what was originally equipped on your vehicle. Using
a tire with a smaller load index could result in tire over-
loading and failure. You could lose control and have an
accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having adequate
speed capability can result in sudden tire failure and loss of
vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
Alignment And Balance
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
•Fast tire wear.
•Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear.
•Vehicle pull to right or left.
Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right.
Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.
308 STARTING AND OPERATING