2008 DODGE RAM 2500 GAS transmission

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mA Word About Your Keys..................12
NIgnition Key Removal...................12
NLocking Doors With The Key..............14
mSentry Keyt...........................15
NReplacement Keys......................16
NCustomer Key Programming..............17
NGeneral Information....................18
mSteering Wheel Lock Ð If Equipped..........18NIf You Wish To Manually Lock The Steering
Wheel..............................18
NTo Release The Steering Wheel Lock.........18
NAutomatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System..............................19
mSecurity Alarm System Ð If Equipped.........19
NRearming Of The System.................19
NTo Set The Alarm......................19
NTo Disarm The System...................20
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A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The authorized dealer that sold you your vehicle has the
key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers
can be used to order duplicate keys from your authorized
dealer. Ask your authorized dealer for these numbers
and keep them in a safe place.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position, and remove the key.
Ignition Key
Ignition Switch Positions
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Manual TransmissionÐIf Equipped
When the steering wheel is in the LOCK position, the
steering and ignition systems are locked to provide
anti-theft protection for your vehicle. It may be difficult
to turn the key from the LOCK position when starting
your vehicle. Move the steering wheel left and right
while turning the key until it turns easily. To remove the
key, depress and hold the release button located between
the ignition switch and the instrument panel. Turn the
ignition key to LOCK and remove the key.
Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward. To unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See Section 7 of this manual for door lock
lubrication.
Ignition Key Release Button
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

disengage it. If you turned the wheel to the left to engage
the lock, turn the wheel slightly to the left to disengage it.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ON positions, and the
brake pedal is depressed.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition for
unauthorized operation. When the alarm is activated, the
system provides both audible and visible signals. For the
first three minutes the horn will sound and the headlights
and security telltale will flash repeatedly. For an addi-
tional 15 minutes only, the headlights and security telltale
will flash. The engine will run only if a valid Sentry Keyt
is used to start the vehicle. Use of the Sentry Keytwill
disable the alarm.
Rearming of the System:
The Security Alarm System will rearm itself after the 15
additional minutes of headlights and security telltale
flashing, if the system has not been disabled. If the
condition which initiated the alarm is still present, the
system will ignore that condition and monitor the re-
maining doors and ignition.
To Set the Alarm
The alarm will set when you use the power door locks, or
use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Transmitter to
LOCK the doors. After all the doors are locked and
closed, the SECURITY light in the instrument cluster will
flash rapidly to signal that the system is arming. The
SECURITY light in the instrument panel cluster will flash
rapidly for about 16 seconds to indicate that the alarm is
being set. After the alarm is set, the SECURITY light will
flash at a slower rate to indicate that the system is armed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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NOTE:The vehicle must be equipped with an auto-
matic transmission to be equipped with Remote Start.
How To Use Remote Start
All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will remote start:
²Shift lever in PARK
²Doors closed
²Hood closed
²HAZARD switch off
²BRAKE switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed)
²Ignition key removed from ignition switch
²Battery at an acceptable charge level, and
²RKE PANIC button not pressed.
To Enter Remote Start Mode
Press and release the REMOTE START button
on the RKE transmitter twice, within five sec-
onds. The parking lights will flash and the horn
will chirp twice (if programmed). Then, the
engine will start and the vehicle will remain in the
Remote Start mode for a 15-minute cycle.
NOTE:
²The park lamps will turn on and remain on during
Remote Start mode.
²For security, power window and power sunroof op-
eration (if equipped) are disabled when the vehicle is
in the Remote Start mode.
²The engine can be started two consecutive times (two
15-minute cycles) with the RKE transmitter. However,
the ignition switch must be cycled to the ON position
before you can repeat the start sequence for a third
cycle.
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap can
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

mCupholders...........................169
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders
(40±20±40 Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission . . 169
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders (Bucket Seats)
Ð Automatic Transmission..............171
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders Ð
Manual Transmission..................171
NRear Cupholder (Quad Cabt)Ð
If Equipped.........................172
NRear Cupholder (Mega Cabt).............172
mStorage..............................173
NCenter Storage Compartment (40±20±40 Seat) ±
If Equipped.........................173
NCenter Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats) ±
If Equipped.........................174NStorage And Seats (Quad CabtModels).....176
NStorage And Seats (Mega Cab Models)......177
NPlastic Grocery Bag Retainers
(Mega Cab Models)....................178
mFold Flat Load Floor Ð If Equipped.........179
mRear Window Features...................182
NElectric Rear Window Defroster And Heated
Sideview Mirrors Ð If Equipped..........182
NPower Sliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped . . 182
NSliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped.......183
mPickup Box...........................183
mSlide-In Campers.......................185
NCamper Applications...................185
mEasy-Off Tailgate.......................185
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85
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Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlight lenses
that are lighter and less susceptible to stone breakage
than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other abrasive materials to clean the lenses.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only and Fleet
Vehicles)
The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started and the transmission is in any gear
except PARK. This provides a constant9Lights ON9
condition until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights
illuminate at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the
parking brake is applied, the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) will turn OFF. Also, if a turn signal is activated, the
DRL lamp on the same side of the vehicle will turn off for
the duration of the turn signal activation. Once the turn
signal is no longer active, the DRL lamp will illuminate.
Light Switch Rotation
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
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