2008 DODGE RAM 3500 CHASSIS CAB seats

NOTE:For children riding in the front seat of a Stan-
dard Cab model refer to the ªPassenger Airbag On/Off
Switchº (If Equipped) located in this section.
Standard Cab Passenger Seat
Quad Cab Rear Outboard Seats
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Child Restraint Tether Anchor
Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for con-
nection to tether anchors have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for their older products.
Regular Cab models of Ram Pickups have two tether
anchorages, one each behind the front center and right
seats. Quad Cab and Mega Cab models have three
anchorages, one behind each of the rear seats.WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
seat failure and injury to the child. In a collision, the
seat could come loose and allow the child to crash
into the inside of the vehicle or other passengers, or
even be thrown from the vehicle. Use only the anchor
positions directly behind the child seat to secure a
child restraint top tether strap. Follow the instruc-
tions below. See your dealer for help if necessary.
Tether Anchorage Points at the Right and Center
Front Seat (Regular Cab - All Seats)
1.Place the child restraint on the seat and adjust the tether
strap so that it will reach over the seat back under the head
restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the seat.
2. Lift the cover (if so equipped), and attach the hook to
the square opening in the sheet metal.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2

3. Install the child restraint and remove the slack in the
tether strap according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Multiple Child Restraint Installation Sequence -
(Quad Cab Rear Seats)
1.Obtain tether straps by raising the head restraints and
reaching between the rear glass and rear seat. The tetherstrap may be retained with an elastic band. Accessibility to
the tether strap is greatly improved by raising the seat
cushion to the ªupº position. Remove the elastic before use.
2. Place a child restraint on each outboard rear seat and
adjust the tether strap so that it will reach under the head
restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the seat and
then to the anchor directly behind the center rear seat.
3. Pass each tether strap hook under the head restraint
and through the loop of webbing behind the child seat.
4. Route each tether strap to the anchor behind the center
seat, and attach the hooks to the metal ring.
5. Place a child restraint on the center rear seat and
adjust the tether strap so that it will reach under the head
restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the seat and
to the anchor directly behind the right seat.
6. Install each child restraint and remove the slack in the
tether strap according to the child restraint manufactur-
er's instructions.
Regular Cab Tether Strap Mounting
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
²Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
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.
NEW ENGINE BREAK-IN
5.7L Gas Engine
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 miles (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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
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²Check the coolant and oil levels frequently.
²Vary throttle position at highway speeds when carry-
ing or towing significant weight.
Because of the construction of the Cummins Diesel
engine, engine run-in is enhanced by loaded operating
conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve final
finish and fit during the first 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
CAUTION!
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your axles, drivetrain and vehicle.
²Limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h) during the
first 500 miles (805 km) of towing.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
This vehicle is designed to carry passengers in the cab
only. For safety reasons, NEVER TRANSPORT PASSEN-
GERS IN THE CARGO AREA.
WARNING!
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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mSeats................................114
N40-20-40 Front Seat....................114
NReclining Seats.......................115
NAdjustable Head Restraints..............116
NManual Rotary Lumbar Support Adjustment Ð
If Equipped.........................117
NPower Seats Ð If Equipped..............117
NHeated Seats Ð If Equipped.............119
mTo Open And Close The Hood.............120
mLights...............................122
NInterior Lights.......................122
NBattery Saver........................123
NHeadlamp Delay......................124
NHeadlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights.....124NDaytime Running Lights
(Canada Only And Fleet Vehicles)..........125
NLights-On Reminder...................125
NFog Lights Ð If Equipped...............125
NMultifunction Control Lever..............126
mWindshield Wipers And Washers............128
NWindshield Wipers....................128
NWindshield Washers...................129
mTilt Steering Column....................130
mDriver Adjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped......131
NAdjustment.........................131
mElectronic Speed Control Ð If Equipped......132
NTo Activate..........................133
NTo Set At A Desired Speed...............133
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

mCupholders...........................154
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders (40±20±40
Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission..........154
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders
(Bucket Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission....155
NFront Instrument Panel Cupholders Ð Manual
Transmission........................156
NRear Cupholder (Quad Cab) Ð If Equipped . . 156
mStorage..............................157
NCenter Storage Compartment (40±20±40 Seat) Ð
If Equipped.........................157NCenter Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats) Ð
If Equipped.........................158
NStorage And Seats (Quad Cab Models)......160
NPlastic Grocery Bag Retainers.............161
mRear Window Features...................161
NElectric Rear Window Defroster And Heated
Side View Mirrors Ð If Equipped..........161
NPower Sliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped . . 162
NSliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped.......162
mFold Flat Load Floor Ð If Equipped.........163
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

SEATS
The seating options available in this truck are the result of
extensive customer research and evaluations.
Seats are also a primary part of the Occupant Restraint
(protection) System of the vehicle. They need to be used
properly for safe operation of the vehicle.
WARNING!
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
40-20-40 Front Seat
As the name implies, the seat is divided into 3 segments.
The outboard seat portions are each 40% of the total
width of the seat. The back of the center portion (20%)
easily folds down to provide an armrest/center storage
compartment (if equipped).
Manual Seat Adjuster
114 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE