2007 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS manual transmission

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

A Word About Your Keys..................12
▫Ignition Key Removal...................12
▫Locking Doors With The Key..............14

Steering Wheel Lock — If Equipped..........15
▫If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel..............................15
▫To Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........15
▫Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System..............................15
Sentry Key — If Equipped.................15
▫Replacement Keys......................16
▫Customer Key Programming..............17
▫General Information....................18

Security Alarm System — If Equipped.........18
▫Rearming Of The System.................18
▫To Set The Alarm......................18
▫To Disarm The System...................19

Illuminated Entry System — If Equipped.......19
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Manual Transmission—If Equipped
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.
Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See Section 7 of this manual for door lock
lubrication.
Ignition Switch Positions
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

STEERING WHEEL LOCK — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passive steering
wheel lock. This lock prevents steering the vehicle with-
out the ignition key. If the steering wheel is moved no
more than 1/2 turn in either direction and the key is not
in the ignition switch, the steering wheel will lock.
If You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel:
With the engine running, turn the steering wheel upside
down, turn off the engine and remove the key. Turn the
steering wheel slightly in either direction until the lock
engages.
To Release The Steering Wheel Lock:
Insert the key in the ignition switch and start the engine.
If the key is difficult to turn, move the wheel slightly to
the right or left to disengage the lock.
NOTE:If you turned the wheel to the right to engage
the lock, you must turn the wheel slightly to the right todisengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ON positions, and the
brake pedal is depressed.
SENTRY KEY — IF EQUIPPED
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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▫Front Instrument Panel Cupholders —
Manual Transmission..................201
▫Rear Cupholder — Quad Cab —
If Equipped.........................202
▫Rear Cupholder — Mega Cab............202

Storage..............................203
▫Center Storage Compartment (40–20–40 Seat) —
If Equipped.........................203
▫Center Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats)—
If Equipped.........................204
▫Storage And Seats (Quad Cab Models)......206
▫Storage And Seats (Mega Cab Models)......207
▫Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers
(Mega Cab Models)....................208
Rear Window Features...................209
▫Electric Rear Window Defroster And
Heated Side View Mirrors — If Equipped....209
▫Power Sliding Rear Window—If Equipped . . . 209
▫Sliding Rear Window—If Equipped........210

Fold Flat Load Floor — If Equipped.........210

Pickup Box...........................213

Slide-In Campers.......................215
▫Camper Applications...................215

Easy-Off Tailgate.......................215

Safety Tips...........................217
▫Transporting Passengers................217
▫Lock Your Vehicle.....................217
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
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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
feet (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 (refer to the
table below for the speed for your specific engine), the
speed control will automatically disengage. If this hap-
pens, you can push down on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with a 5–speed-manual transmission
should be operated in 4th gear or lower under the above
conditions.Vehicles equipped with a Automatic transmission may
exhibit several downshifts under the above conditions.
To reduce the frequency of the downshifts and to im-
prove vehicle performance, it is advisable to use either
TOW HAUL or O/D OFF modes which can be selected
by pressing the “TOW HAUL 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.
178 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CUPHOLDERS
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (40–20–40
Seats) — Automatic Transmission
Your new Ram truck is equipped with two adjustable
cupholders. The cupholder is opened by pulling on the
cup holder door handle, on the front surface. Each
opening in the cupholder is adjustable and will hold cups
and mugs of various sizes.
Ash Tray Manual Transmission
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 199
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Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (Bucket
Seats) — Automatic Transmission
If your new Ram truck is equipped with bucket seats
there are three cup holders located on the front of the
center console.
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders — Manual
Transmission
Cup Holders Bucket Seat
Cup Holders Manual Transmission
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 201
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures – Gas Engines...........302
▫Manual Transmission..................302
▫Automatic Transmission................302
▫Normal Starting......................303
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................303
▫After Starting........................305

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........306

Automatic Transmission..................306
▫Automatic Transmission With Overdrive.....307
Manual Transmission....................312
▫Manual Transmission — 6 Speed (G56)......313
▫Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........314
▫Manual Transmission — 6-Speed (G238).....314
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............315
▫Downshifting – All Manual Transmissions....315

Four-Wheel- Drive Operation — If Equipped . . . 316
▫Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................317
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