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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Mopar parts, and is interested in
your satisfaction. WARNING!Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
A MESSAGE FROM DAIMLERCHRYSLER
CORPORATION – DIESEL ENGINES ONLY
DaimlerChrysler Corporation and Cummins welcome
you as a new Dodge Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel-
powered truck owner.
Almost 100% of the heavy duty trucks in the United
States are diesel powered because of the fuel economy,4 INTRODUCTION
Page 73 of 532

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
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Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking. Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected the cause should be located and corrected. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
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▫ To Set At A Desired Speed ...............132
▫ To Deactivate ........................132
▫ To Resume Speed .....................133
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ...............133
▫ To Accelerate For Passing ...............133
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 ...................141
Overhead Console With Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) — Diesel Only .....141
▫ Dome/Reading Lights ..................141
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped ...........................142
▫ Compass/Temperature Button ............147
Electrical Power Outlets ..................149UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
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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
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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
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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:
• 52 gallons - Standard rear tank
• 22 gallons - Optional Midship Tank
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
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• 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
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