2008 DODGE RAM 2500 GAS maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................81
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 189
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 273
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................415
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 441
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 513
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................521
10INDEX....................................................................531
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INTRODUCTION
This Owner's Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet
and various customer-oriented documents. You are
urged to read these publications carefully. Following the
instructions and recommendations in this manual will
help assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Mopartparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed Index at the back of this Owner's Manual
contains a complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner's Manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up
to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality, energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with the anticipated cli-
matic conditions under which vehicle operation will
occur. The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
discussed in Section 7 under Maintenance Procedures,
Engine Oil.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NAutomatic Compass Calibration...........154
NManual Compass Calibration.............154
NRecalibrating The Compass..............154
NOutside Temperature...................156
mGarage Door Opener Ð If Equipped.........156
NProgramming HomeLinkt...............158
NGate Operator/Canadian Programming.....161
NUsing HomeLinkt.....................162
NReprogramming A Single HomeLinktButton . 162
NSecurity............................162
NTroubleshooting Tips...................162
NGeneral Information...................163mPower Sunroof Ð If Equipped.............163
NOpen Sunroof - Express Mode............164
NClosing Sunroof - Express...............164
NPinch Protect Feature...................165
NPinch Protect Override.................165
NVenting Sunroof - Express...............165
NSunshade Operation...................165
NWind Buffeting.......................166
NSunroof Maintenance...................166
NSunroof Fully Closed...................166
mElectrical Power Outlets..................166
mCigar Lighter And Ash Receiver............168
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Sunroof Fully Closed
Press the switch forward and release to ensure that the
sunroof is fully closed.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
The auxiliary electrical outlet can provide power for
in-cab accessories designed for use with the standard
ªcigar lighterº plug. The outlet is located in the instru-
ment panel below and to the right of the Climate Control
Panel. A cap is attached to the outlet base indicating
ªPower Outletº 12 Volt -20A.
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.
166 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NSatellite Antenna......................254
NReception Quality.....................255
mRemote Sound System Controls Ð If Equipped . . 255
NRadio Operation......................256
NTape Player.........................256
NCD Player..........................256
mCassette Tape And Player Maintenance.......257
mCompact Disc Maintenance................258
mRadio Operation And Cellular Phones........258mClimate Controls.......................259
NHeater Only Ð If Equipped..............259
NAir Conditioning And Heating Ð
If Equipped.........................261
NAir Conditioning With Dual Zone Temperature
Control Ð If Equipped.................264
NOperating Tips.......................268
NOperating Tips Chart...................271
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

release the Trip Odometer button on the instrument
cluster. To reset the oil change indicator system (after
performing the scheduled maintenance) refer to the fol-
lowing 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.
17. Front Fog Light Indicator Ð If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.18. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
which monitors the emissions and engine control
system. If the vehicle is ready for emissions
testing, the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on, as a bulb check, until the
engine is started. If the vehicle is not ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for 5
seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If the
bulb does not come on during starting, have the condi-
tion investigated promptly.
If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 201
4

can lead to tire failure. Under inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash forapproximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 205
4