2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL battery

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
With Portable Starting Unit
There are many types of these units available. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions for necessary precautions
and operation.
CAUTION!
It is very important that the starting unit operating
voltage does not exceed 12-Volts DC or damage to
battery, starter motor, alternator, or electrical system
may occur.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE
(automatic transmissions) or between 1st and REVERSE
(manual transmissions), while applying slight pressure to
the accelerator.
400 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Don't allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin or clothing. Don't lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water.
²Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Don't use a
booster battery or any other booster source with an
output greater than 12 volts. Don't allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
²Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
CAUTION!
²It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked (+)
positive and (-) negative and identified on the
battery case.
²If a fast charger is used while the battery is in
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to battery. Do not
use a fast charger to provide starting voltage.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 429
7

Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0ÉF (-18ÉC). For the same de-
crease in temperature, the engine requires twice as much
power to crank at the same RPM. The use of 120 VAC
powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized Mopartdealer.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
WARNING!
²Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
²The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
430 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car to
wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
Dry with a soft tissue.
FUSES (INTEGRATED POWER MODULE)
An integrated power module is located in the engine
compartment near the battery. This center contains car-
tridge fuses and mini fuses. A description of each fuse
and component may be stamped on the inside cover,
otherwise the cavity number of each fuse is stamped on
the inside cover that corresponds to the following chart.
Integrated Power Module Location
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 459
7

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
12 30 Amp
PinkElectric Brake
13 25 Amp
NaturalPower-Battery
RWAL/ABS Module
Feed
14 15 Amp
BluePark Lights Left
15 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Park Lights
16 15 Amp
BluePark Lights Right
17 Ð Ð
18 40 Amp
GreenABS Pump
19 30 Amp
PinkTrailer Tow Battery
FeedCavity Cartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
20 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraints
Controller (ORC) 2
21 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraints/
Pass Disable Switch
22 2 Amp
GrayIGN Switch Feed
23 10 Amp
RedHVAC
24 20 Amp
BlueAISIN Relay Feed
(Diesel Only)
25 10 Amp
RedPower Mirror/T-Case
Brake
26 20 Amp
YellowBrake Switch/Center
High Mount Stop
Light (CHMSL)/
Aftermarket CHMSL
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 461
7

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

Shifting............................. 285
Special Additives...................... 450
Autostick............................. 192
Axle Fluid..........................446,482
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)............... 446
Ball Joints............................. 431
Battery............................... 428
Blanket..........................277,430
Emergency Starting..................... 397
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 25
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 130
Bearings.............................. 450
Belts, Drive............................ 418
Belts, Seat.............................. 36
Body Builders Guide....................... 7
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 433
B-Pillar Location........................ 320
Brake Fluid............................ 482Brake System........................312,443
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 313
Disc Brakes.......................... 443
Fluid Check.......................... 444
Hoses.............................. 445
Master Cylinder....................... 444
Parking............................. 310
Warning Light........................ 194
Bulb Replacement....................... 466
Bulbs, Light............................ 465
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 474
Calibration, Compass..................... 150
Camper............................... 179
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 479
Capacities, Fluid........................ 479
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine).......................... 415
Power Steering........................ 431
INDEX 507
10

Trailer Towing Guide..................... 361
Trailer Weight.......................... 361
Transaxle
Automatic............................ 12
Manual.............................. 14
Transfer Case
Electronically Shifted.................... 299
Fluid............................... 482
Transmission
Automatic........................285,447
Fluid............................... 482
Maintenance.......................... 447
Manual........................269,291,447
Shifting............................. 285
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................. 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) . . 151
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 330Trip Odometer.......................192,199
Turn Signals...................133,190,466,470
UConnectŸ (Hands-Free Phone).............. 89
Underhood Fuses........................ 459
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 503
Universal Transmitter..................... 151
Variance, Compass....................... 150
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............ 8
Vehicle Information Center................. 143
Vehicle Loading......................321,352
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 8
Vehicle Storage......................... 464
Video Entertainment System (Rear Seat Video
System)............................... 241
Viscosity, Engine Oil...................... 415
Voltmeter...........................189,275
522 INDEX