2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL engine

To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other abrasive materials to clean the lenses.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only and Fleet
Vehicles)
The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started and the transmission is in any gear
except PARK. This provides a constant9Lights ON9
condition until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights
illuminate at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the
parking brake is applied, the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) will turn OFF. Also, if a turn signal is activated, the
DRL lamp on the same side of the vehicle will turn off for
the duration of the turn signal activation. Once the turn
signal is no longer active, the DRL lamp will illuminate.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights, parking lights, or cargo lights are left on
after the ignition is turned OFF, a chime will sound when
the driver's door is opened.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The fog lights are turned ON by placing the
headlight rotary control in the parking light or
headlight position and pushing in the headlight
rotary control. The fog lights will operate only when the
parking lights are on or when the vehicle headlights are
on low beam. An indicator light located in the instrument
cluster will illuminate when the fog lights are on. The fog
lights will turn off when the switch is pushed a second
time, when the headlight switch is rotated to the OFF
position, or the high beam is selected.
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding
a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off
the9LOW FUEL9text 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:
²TURN SIGNALS ON (with a continuous warning
chime)
²PERSONAL SETTINGS NOT AVAILABLE ± Vehicle
Not in Park or Vehicle in Motion (manual transmis-
sions only)
²LEFT/RIGHT FRONT DOOR AJAR (one or more,
with a single chime if speed is above 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
²LEFT/RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR (one or more, with
a single chime if speed is above 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
²DOOR(S) AJAR (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
²LOW WASHER FLUID (with a single chime)
²OIL CHANGE REQUIRED (with a single chime)
²CATALYST FULL SEE OWNER MANUAL
²CATALYST STAT lllllll 90%
²CATALYST FULL SERVICE REQUIRED
²SERVICE AIR FILTER
²PERFORM SERVICE
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED Ð If Equipped
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªOil Change Requiredº message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
3

indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate, dependent
upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Menu button. To reset the oil change indicator
system (after performing the scheduled maintenance) use
the following procedure.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position(Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.PERFORM SERVICE
Your vehicle will require emissions maintenance at a set
interval. To help remind you when this maintenance is
due, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
will display ªPerform Serviceº. When the ªPerform Ser-
viceº message is displayed on the EVIC it is necessary to
have the emissions maintenance performed. Emissions
maintenance includes replacing the Closed Crankcase
Ventilation (CCV) filter element, cleaning of the EGR
Cooler, and cleaning of the EGR Valve. The procedure for
clearing and resetting the9Perform Service9indicator
message is located in the appropriate Service Informa-
tion.
Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
Personal Settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the transmission is in PARK. If the trans-
mission is not in PARK, the EVIC will display NOT
AVAILABLE and VEHICLE NOT IN PARK.
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If this feature is enabled, the headlamps will be
on during the engine pre-heat and cold crank; therefore,
it is recommended that the feature be disabled when
overnight ambient temperature is at or below 20ÉF (-7ÉC)
to prevent excessive drain on batteries during cold crank-
ing.
²ªUNIT IN > US/METRICº ± The EVIC and odometer
display can be changed between English and Metric
units of measure. To make your selection, press and
release the RESET button until ªUSº or ªMETRICº
appears.
²ªCOMPASS VARIANCE > 8º ± Press the RESET
button to change the compass variance setting. For
additional information, refer to ªCompass Varianceº
in this section.
²ªCOMPASS CALIBRATE > YESº ± Press the RESET
button to calibrate the compass. For additional infor-
mation, refer to ªCompass Calibrateº in this section.
Compass/Temperature Button
Pressing the Compass/Temperature button
will return the display to the normal compass/
temperature display.
NOTE:Temperature accuracy can be affected from heat
soak. For best accuracy, the vehicle should be driven at a
speed greater than 25 mph (40 km/h) for several min-
utes.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates the
need to set the compass manually. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the EVIC will
display ªCALº until the compass is calibrated. You may
also calibrate the compass by completing one or more
360É turns (in an area free from large metal or metallic
objects) until the ªCALº message displayed in the EVIC
turns off. The compass will now function normally.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

There is an additional power outlet inside the center
console of vehicles equipped with 40-20-40, or Bucket
front seats. There is also a power outlet located on the
rear of the center console for Quad Cabtor Mega Cabt
vehicles (only) equipped with bucket seats.
The outlet(s) has/have a fused direct feed from the
battery so it/they receive power whether the ignition is
ON or OFF.
All accessories connected to this/these outlet(s) should
be removed or turned OFF when the vehicle is not in use
to protect the battery against discharge.
NOTE:If desired, all of the power outlets can be
converted by your authorized dealer to provide power
with the ignition switch in the ON position only.CAUTION!
Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
²Many 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.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will discharge the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
²After 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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 161
3

CAUTION!
²Many 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.
²Accessories 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.
²After 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.
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
cutout for a cell phone charger cord, removable coin
holder (if equipped), and a divider to configure the
Center Storage Compartment
168 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 Cabtand
Mega Cabtmodels the rear of the floor console offers a
power outlet, a tip out bin and a rear air duct (Mega Cabt
Only).
WARNING!
²This 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.
²In 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 endanger-
ing occupants of the vehicle. Items stored should
not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
CAUTION!
²Many 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.
²Accessories 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.
²After 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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 169
3

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
mInstruments And Controls.................187
mInstrument Cluster......................188
NInstrument Cluster ± 6.7L Diesel Engine.....188
mInstrument Cluster Description.............189
mElectronic Digital Clock..................200
NClock Setting Procedure.................200
mRadio General Information................200
NRadio Broadcast Signals.................200
NTwo Types Of Signals..................201NElectrical Disturbances..................201
NAM Reception.......................201
NFM Reception........................201
mSales Code REF Ð AM/FM/CD (Single Disc)
Radio With Optional Satellite Radio And Hands
Free Phone Capability...................202
NOperating Instructions - Radio Mode.......202
NOperating Instructions - CD Mode.........206
NOperating Instructions - Auxiliary Mode.....2084