Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
WARNING!In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap can
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child’s
size. Infants and Small Children
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Use the restraint that is
correct for your child:
• Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and convertible child seats. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt.
• The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). Convertible child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!• Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
• A rearward facing child restraint should only be
used in a rear seat, or in the front seat if the
passenger’s front airbag is Off. If the airbag is left
On, a rearward facing child restraint in the front
seat may be struck by a deploying passenger
airbag (if equipped) which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your child
restraint:
• Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it before you buy it.
• The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
• Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
• The passenger seat belts are equipped with Automatic
Locking Retractors (ALR), which are designed to keep
the lap portion tight around the child restraint so that
it is not necessary to use a locking clip.62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CAUTION!• During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your axles, driveline and vehicle.
• Limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h) during the
first 500 miles (805 km) of towing.
6.7L Diesel Engine
Your Cummins 24 Valve Turbo Diesel engine does not
require a break-in period due to its construction. Normal
operation is allowed, provided the following recommen-
dations 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 and may effect the performance
of the vehicle aftertreatment (exhaust) system. 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.
• Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
• Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
Because of the construction of the Cummins Diesel
engine, engine run-in is enhanced by loaded operating
conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve final
finish and fit during the first 6,000 miles (10 000 km). THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
2
Global Reset
If the RESET button is pressed twice within 2 seconds
while in any of the 3 resettable displays (AVG ECO,
ODO, ET), the Global Reset will reset all 3 displays.
Step Button
Use this button to choose or cycle through the four trip
conditions. Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
Average fuel economy is a running average of the
amount of fuel used and the distance the vehicle has
traveled.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will momen-
tarily blank. Then, the display will show the same value
as before the rest. The reset value is based on a minimal
amount of fuel used and the distance traveled from the
previous drive cycle. The display may take several miles
for this value to change dependent upon driving habits.
Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. This is not resettable136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
• AVG. MPG – Shows the average fuel economy since
the last reset. When the fuel economy is reset, the
display will show dashes for two seconds. Then the
history information will be erased, and the averaging
will continue from the last fuel average reading before
the reset. (Example: If your Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) displays 18 AVG. MPG and the
RESET button is pressed, the previous averaging his-
tory will be erased and the display will return to the 18
AVG. MPG, not to 0 AVG. MPG). The display may take
several miles for the value to change dependent upon
driving habits.
• MI TO EMPTY (Distance To Empty) – Shows the
estimated distance that can be traveled with the fuel
remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of fuel economy,
according to the current fuel tank level. Distance MI
TO EMPTY cannot be reset through the RESET button. 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 (48 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will
change to a text display of LOW FUEL. This display
will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding
a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off
the LOW FUEL text and a new DTE value will
display.
System Status (EVIC Displays)
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages:
• TURN SIGNALS ON (with a continuous warning
chime)
• RKE BATTERY LOW (with a single chime) UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3
removable coin holder (if equipped), and two dividers to
configure the storage area into compartments. For ex-
ample, compartments can be configured to hold a lap-top
computer, a cellular telephone, CD’s and miscellaneous
items. The top of the cover provides a generous firm
surface to serve as a desktop for your “mobile office.”
WARNING!• This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the
armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.
• In an accident, the latch may open if the total
weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs
(4.5 kg). These items could be thrown about
endangering occupants of the vehicle. Items
stored should not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg). CAUTION!• Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e. cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
• Accessories that draw higher power (i.e. coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
• After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Center Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats)— If
Equipped
Push the upper button on the front of the armrest to raise
the upper cover. Inside is a power outlet (if equipped), a
cut out for a cell phone charger cord, removable coin
holder (if equipped), and a divider to configure the storage area into separate compartments. Lift the lower
handle on the front of the armrest, and raise the armrest
for access to the lower storage bin. On Quad Cab models
the rear of the floor console offers a power outlet, and a
tip out bin.
WARNING!• This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the
armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.
• In an accident, the latch may open if the total
weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs
(4.5 kg). These items could be thrown about
endangering occupants of the vehicle. Items
stored should not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).Center Storage Compartment UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
3
Snow Tires ...........................324
Tire Rotation Recommendations ............325
▫ Dual Rear Wheels .....................326
Engine Runaway .......................327
Fuel Requirements ......................327
▫ Fuel Requirements (Gas Engines) ..........327
▫ Fuel Requirements (6.7L Diesel Engines) .....331
Adding Fuel ..........................333
▫ Adding Fuel (Gas Engines) ..............333
▫ Adding Fuel (Diesel Engines) .............335
Vehicle Loading ........................338
▫ Certification Label .....................338
TrailerTowing .........................341 ▫ Common Towing Definitions .............341
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............345
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................346
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............346
▫ Towing Requirements ..................347
▫ TowingTips .........................352
▫ Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped ......354
Snowplow ............................355
▫ Before Plowing .......................356
▫ Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 357
▫ Over The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached ...........................358
▫ Methods For Removing Snow ............358246 STARTING AND OPERATING