2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL instrument cluster

NOTE:After off-road usage, particularly in sand or
mud, inspect the underside of the vehicle for accumu-
lated dirt at the propeller shaft, axles, U-joints, brake
rotors and calipers.
Use a hose to clean off any accumulation of dirt or mud.
Check the exhaust system and all exposed components
for any sign of damage.
If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud,
slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for im-
pacted material. Impacted foreign material can cause a
wheel imbalance. Removing the foreign material from
the wheels will correct the situation.PARKING BRAKE
The foot-operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle.
NOTE:The instrument cluster red brake warning light
will come on and flash to indicate that the parking brake
is applied. You must be sure that the parking brake is
fully applied before leaving the vehicle.
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

This Anti-lock Brake System is designed to aid the driver
in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking
conditions. The system operates with a separate com-
puter to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel
lockup and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
The system's pump motor runs during an ABS stop to
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation. This is
normal.
When you are in a severe braking condition involving
use of the Anti-lock Brake System, you will experience
some pedal drop as the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
This is the result of the system reverting to the base brake
system and is normal.
Engagement of the Anti-lock Brake System may be
accompanied by a pulsing sensation in the brake pedal.
You may also hear a clicking noise. These occurrences are
normal, and indicate that the system is functioning.ABS Warning Light
The Anti-lock Brake System includes an amber warning
light, located in the instrument cluster. When the light is
illuminated, the Anti-lock Brake System is not function-
ing. The system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes.
WARNING!
Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish their
effectiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping
makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly
on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or
stop.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
It is the driver 's responsibility to change to the max
load inflation pressure (cold) low pressure warning
threshold condition when not driving in the light
load condition as defined as two occupants ( 150 lbs
each) plus 200 pounds of cargo. The vehicle ªLight
Load Definitionº is found in the Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information label located on the rear face of
the driver door. Failure to do so may cause you to lose
control resulting in an accident, causing serious or
fatal injury.
To switch back to the max load inflation pressure (cold)
low pressure warning threshold, press the ªLight Loadº
reset switch. It is not necessary to first fill the tires to the
max load inflation pressure (cold) values to switch the
TPMS system to the max load inflation pressure (cold)low pressure warning threshold. If after pressing the
ªLight Loadº reset switch and tire pressures are below
the max load inflation pressure (cold) low pressure
warning thresholds, the TPMS low pressure warning
telltale lamp located in the Instrument Cluster will turn
ON and a chime will sound. The tire pressures are now
required to be inflated to the max load inflation pressure
(cold) values described on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label. The Tire and Loading Information label is
located on the drivers side B-pillar. If the ªLight Loadº
reset switch LED turns OFF the TPMS has been reset and
the TPMS is using the max load inflation pressure (cold)
low pressure warning thresholds.
Tire Pressure Monitor System Components
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to the Receiver Module.
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:It is particularly important, for you to check the
tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and to maintain
the proper pressure.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) consists of
the following components:
²Receiver Module
²4 Wheel Sensors
²2 Trigger Modules (mounted in the front wheel-wells)
²ªLight Loadº Reset Switch (located in the instrument
panel)
²Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will
illuminate in the instrument cluster, and an au-
dible chime will be activated when one or more of
the four active road tire pressures are low. Should this
occur, you should stop as soon as possible, check the
inflation pressure of each tire on your vehicle and inflate
each tire to the vehicle's recommended cold placard
pressure value. The system will automatically update
and the Tire Pressure Monitoring Lamp will extinguish
once the updated tire pressures have been received. The
vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes above
15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this information.
Check TPMS Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Warning Light
located in the Instrument Cluster will flash on and off for
75 seconds and will remain on solid when a system fault
is detected. The system fault will also sound a chime. If
STARTING AND OPERATING 345
5

Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MopartTotal Clean. Care should be taken to avoid
soaking your leather upholstery with any liquid. Please
do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, deter-
gents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean your leather
upholstery. Application of a leather conditioner is not
required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MopartGlass Cleaner or any commercial
household-type glass cleaner. Never use an abrasive type
cleaner. Use caution when cleaning the inside rear win-
dow equipped with electric defrosters or the right rear
quarter window equipped with the radio antenna. Do
not use scrapers or other sharp instruments which may
scratch the elements. When cleaning the rearview mirror,
spray cleaner on the towel or rag that you are using. Do
not spray cleaner directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
458 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are storing your vehicle for more than 21 days, we
recommend that you take the following steps to mini-
mize the drain on your vehicle's battery:
²Disconnect the Ignition-Off Draw fuse (IOD) fuse
located in the Integrated Power Module, located in the
engine compartment. The IOD cavity includes a
snap-in retainer that allows the fuse to be discon-
nected, without removing it from the fuse block.
²The electronic shift transfer case should be placed in
the 4HI mode and kept in this position to minimize the
battery drain.
²As an alternative to the above steps you may discon-
nect the negative cables from both batteries.
²Any time you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutesin the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
NOTE:When reinstalling the IOD fuse push firmly until
fully seated; the gauges in the instrument cluster will do
a full sweep when the ignition key is cycled to RUN. This
is a normal condition.
NOTE:When the vehicle is shipped from the factory,
the IOD fuse is in the up, or extracted position. If the
radio, interior lamps, keyless entry, or other features do
not work with the key OFF, check the position of the fuse
(or check to see if the fuse is blown) to ensure that it is
fully seated. When the IOD fuse is extracted, the instru-
ment cluster in the odometer window will display9NO
FUSE.º
464 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 15
Infant Restraint........................61,62
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 333
Information Center...................... 143
Information Center, Vehicle................. 143
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 84
Instrument Cluster....................188,189
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 187
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 458
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 459
Interior Appearance Care.................. 457
Interior Lights.......................... 129
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 136
Intervention Regeneration Strategy........... 425
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 385
Jack Operation.......................... 387Jump Starting.......................... 397
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 21
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 48
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 133
Lap Belts.............................. 45
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 36
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren).............................. 65
Life of Tires............................ 330
Lights..............................78,129
Airbag............................58,190
Anti-Lock Warning..................195,314
Brake Warning........................ 194
INDEX 513
10

Bulb Replacement...................465,466
Cap Top Clearance..................... 474
Cargo .............................. 133
Center Mounted Stop................... 473
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator)........ 194
Cruise.............................. 199
Daytime Running...................... 132
Dome.............................. 142
Dual Wheel Assembly Rear............... 476
Fog ..........................132,193,469
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 298
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 384
Headlights........................... 131
High Beam........................134,190
High Beam Indicator.................... 190
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 134
Illuminated Entry....................... 20
Instrument Cluster..................... 189
Intensity Control....................... 130Interior............................. 129
Lights On Reminder.................... 132
Passing............................. 134
Reading............................. 142
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 190
Service...........................465,466
Side Marker.......................... 478
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........... 196
Transfer Case......................... 298
Transmission Warning................... 198
Turn Signal..................133,190,466,470
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 189
Limited-Slip Differential................306,446
Loading Vehicle......................... 352
Tires ............................... 320
Locks................................. 26
Child Protection........................ 30
Door................................ 26
Keys................................ 12
514 INDEX