2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL Owners Manual

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire's manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear 1-1/2 times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the actualconditions of their use, however, and may depart signifi-
cantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 503
9

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
504 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

INDEX
10

Adding Fuel........................... 349
Adjustable Pedals....................... 138
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner
Filter).............................419,452
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 430
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............430,431
Air Conditioning System................252,430
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 255
Air Filter.............................. 419
Air Pressure, Tires....................325,333
Airbag............................35,48,55
Airbag Light.......................58,77,190
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 55
Alarm, Panic............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm).................19,192
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Alignment and Balance................... 332
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 245Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)..............438,439
Capacities........................... 479
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............195,314
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 19
Anti-Theft System.....................19,192
Appearance Care........................ 455
Ashtray............................... 162
Assistance Towing....................... 102
Auto Unlock, Doors...................... 146
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 85
Automatic Door Locks.................... 146
Automatic Transaxle...................... 12
Interlock System........................ 19
Automatic Transmission................... 447
Adding Fluid......................448,449
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 450
Fluid Level Check...................... 448
Fluid Type........................447,482
Shift Indicator........................ 192
506 INDEX

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

Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 439
Car Washes............................ 455
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............76,181
Cargo Light............................ 133
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 247
Catalyst Full Message..................... 425
CD (Compact Disc) Player............202,210,224
Cellular Phone.......................... 89
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 473
Center Lap Belts......................... 45
Center Seat Storage Compartment.........167,168
Certification Label....................... 352
Charge Air Cooler....................... 442
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 317
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 194
Child Restraint........................61,62
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............65,69
Child Seat............................62,68Cigar Lighter........................... 162
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 457
Climate Control......................... 249
Clock.....................200,204,212,225,239
Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) Filter...... 426
Clutch Linkage Maintenance................ 445
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 248
Compact Spare Tire...................... 328
Compass Calibration..................... 150
Compass Variance....................... 150
Console, Overhead....................... 142
Contract, Service........................ 499
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 439
Cooling System......................... 436
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 439
Coolant Capacity...................... 479
Coolant Level...................436,437,440
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 440
508 INDEX

Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 437
Inspection........................... 440
Points to Remember.................... 441
Pressure Cap......................... 439
Radiator Cap......................... 439
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........438,480
Temperature Gauge..................... 191
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 139
Cup Holder............................ 163
Customer Assistance..................... 497
Data Recorder, Event...................... 59
Daytime Running Lights................... 132
Dealer Service.......................... 410
Defroster, Rear Window.................87,173
Defroster, Windshield................77,251,253
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 136
Diesel Exhaust Brake..................... 283
Diesel Fuel............................ 348Diesel Fuel Requirements.................. 348
Differential, Limited-Slip.................. 306
Dipsticks.............................. 413
Power Steering........................ 431
Disc Brakes............................ 443
Disposal.............................. 418
Engine Oil........................... 418
Used Coolant (Antifreeze)................ 440
Door Locks............................. 26
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 146
Door Opener, Garage..................... 151
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......... 422
Drive Belts............................ 418
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water.............................. 307
Dual Rear Wheels.....................337,394
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 241
INDEX 509
10

Electric Rear Window Defrost.............87,173
Electrical Power Outlets................... 160
Electronic Range Select (ERS)............... 289
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 139
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 143
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case........... 299
Emergency Brake........................ 310
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 400
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 384
Jacking............................. 387
Jump Starting......................... 397
Tow Hooks.......................... 401
Towing............................. 402
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 484
Engine............................... 408
Air Cleaner.......................... 419
Block Heater.......................268,276
Break-In Recommendations................ 74Compartment......................... 408
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 480
Cooling............................. 436
Data Plate........................... 410
Identification......................... 408
Idling.............................. 278
Jump Starting......................... 397
Oil ..............................413,480
Oil Filler Cap......................... 415
Oil Synthetic.......................277,415
Runaway............................ 347
Temperature Gauge..................... 191
Event Data Recorder...................... 59
Exhaust Brake.......................... 283
Exhaust Gas Caution................76,181,435
Exhaust System....................76,435,452
Exterior Lighting........................ 131
Fabric Care............................ 457
510 INDEX