2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL cruise control

²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seat Belt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) status (if
equipped)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2

Follow engine starting procedure for proper engine start-
ing and operating. Wait until the Wait To Start indicator
turns OFF, then start the vehicle.
NOTE:The Wait To Start Indicator may not illuminate if
the engine coolant temperature is warm enough.
27. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
28. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
29. Low Fuel Warning Light
Glows when the pointer is between ªEº and 1/8
indication mark (approximately 15% of tank vol-
ume) on the fuel gauge. When the fuel gauge
pointer is on ªEº (equivalent to Distance To Empty[DTE]=0ontheoverhead console, if so equipped) there
is reserve fuel capacity, which corresponds to approxi-
mately 8% of tank volume. This reserve capacity was put
in place to prevent the likelihood of customers running
out of fuel when operating at maximum load conditions
in areas where there aren't many fuel stations.
Fuel tank volumes are as follows:
²34 gal (128 L) - 2500/3500 short box models
²35 gal (132 L) - 2500/3500 long box models
30. CRUISE Light
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 199
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delayed. Shifts into 5th and 6th gear are still allowed
under steady cruise conditions. Closed throttle down-
shifts (for improved engine braking) may occur during
steady braking maneuvers. Pressing the switch a second
time restores normal operation. Normal operation is
always the default at engine start-up.
The TOW HAUL light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster to indicate when the switch has been activated. If
the TOW HAUL modes are desired, the button must be
pressed each time the engine is started.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Auto±6 Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
allows you to move the switch down (-) or up (+) when
the shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the
selection of the desired top gear. For example, if the
driver shifts the transmission into 3rd gear, the transmis-
sion will never shift above 3rd gear, but can shift down to
2nd or 1st gear, when needed.Switching from ERS to D-Mode can be done at any
vehicle speed. To switch from ªDriveº mode to ªERSº
mode, press the switch down (-) once. The current gear
will be maintained as the top gear. To disable ERS, simply
press and hold the switch up (+) until ªDº is displayed in
the instrument cluster odometer.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12 3456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
5

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

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

Reclining............................ 117
Reclining Rear........................ 121
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm).............19,192
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)..........438,480
Sentry Key (Immobilizer)................... 15
Sentry Key Programming................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement................... 16
Service Assistance....................... 497
Service Contract......................... 499
Service Information...................... 410
Service Manuals........................ 501
Setting the Clock.............200,204,212,225,239
Settings, Personal........................ 146
Shifting............................... 285
Automatic Transmission................. 285
Manual Transmission................... 291
Transfer Case......................... 297
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N).......................376,378Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N).......................377,380
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage.............. 43
Shoulder Belts........................... 36
Signals, Turn........................... 133
Sliding Rear Window
Power............................34,173
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 307
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 333
Snow Plow............................ 371
Snow Tires............................ 335
Soot Filter............................. 425
Spare Tire............................. 328
Speed Control (Cruise Control).............. 139
Speedometer........................... 190
Starting............................... 268
Automatic Transmission................. 268
Engine Block Heater.................268,276
Manual Transmission................... 269
INDEX 519
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