2008 DODGE RAM 3500 CHASSIS CAB ignition

Heated Seats Ð If Equipped
The heated seat switches are located in the instrument
panel under the climate controls.Each heated seat switch has two settings (HI and LOW).
Press the switch once to obtain High heat level, then
press the switch again to obtain Low heat level. Pressing
the switch a third time will turn the heated seats OFF. If
you do not purposefully turn the switch OFF, the seat
heating level will automatically change to the next lower
level, or OFF. The High heat level operates for 30 minutes
(approximate), the Low heat level operates for 30 min-
utes (approximate). The seat heat will also turn OFF
when the ignition is turned OFF. Both of the indicators
ON identifies High heat level. The lower indicator On
only, identifies Low heat level. Flashing indicator lights
on the switch indicate that the Heated Seat System needs
servicing.
Heated Seat Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
3

open and the interior lights are on, rotating the dimmer
control all the way down to the OFF detent will cause all
the interior lights to go out. This is also known as the
9Party9mode because it allows the doors to stay open for
extended periods of time without discharging the vehi-
cle's battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer control up (brighter) or
down (dimmer). When the headlights are ON you can
supplement the brightness of the odometer, trip odom-
eter, radio and overhead console by rotating the control
up until you hear a click. This feature is termed the
ªParadeº mode and is useful when headlights are re-
quired during the day.
Club Cab/Quad Cab models may have an optional
switched dome lamp that may be operated by pressing
the lens.Battery Saver
To protect the life of your vehicle's battery, Load Shed-
ding is provided for both the interior and exterior lights.
If the ignition is off and any door is left ajar for 10
minutes or the dimmer control is rotated upwards for 10
minutes, the interior lights will automatically turn off.
If the headlamps remain on while the ignition is cycled
off, the exterior lights will automatically turn off after 8
minutes. If the headlamps are turned on and left on for 8
minutes while the ignition is off, the exterior lights will
automatically turn off.
NOTE:Battery Saver mode is cancelled if the ignition is
ON.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
3

Headlamp Delay
To aid in your exit, your vehicle is equipped with a
headlamp delay that will leave the headlamps on for 90
seconds. This delay is initiated when the ignition is
turned OFF while the headlamp switch is on, and then
the headlamp switch is cycled off. Headlamp delay can
be cancelled by either turning the headlamp switch ON
then OFF or by turning the ignition ON.
The Headlight delay time is programmable on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). For details, refer to ªHeadlamp Off Delayº,
under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable Fea-
tures),º under ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)º in Section 3 of this manual.
Headlights, Parking Lights, Panel Lights
When the headlight switch is rotated to the first
position, the parking lights, taillights, side marker
lights, license plate light and instrument panel
lights are all turned on. The headlights will turn ON
when the switch is rotated to the second position.
Light Switch Rotation
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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 gearexcept park. This provides a constant9Lights ON9con-
dition until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights illumi-
nate at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the parking
brake is applied the Daytime Running Lights 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
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights, parking lights, or cargo lights are left
on, after the ignition is turned off, a chime will sound
when the driver's door is opened.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The foglights are turned ON by placing the head-
light rotary control in the parking light or head-
light position and pushing in the headlight rotary
control. The fog lights will operate only when the parking
lights are ON or when the vehicle headlights are ON low
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125
3

To Activate
Push the ON/OFF button to the ON position. An indi-
cator light in the instrument cluster illuminates when the
system is on.
To Set At A Desired Speed
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
and release the SET button. Release the accelerator and
the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, normal braking, clutch
pressure while slowing the vehicle, or pressing the CAN-
CEL button will deactivate speed control without erasing
the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button to the OFF
position or turning off the ignition erases the memory.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control ON when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system to
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the sys-
tem OFF when you aren't using it.
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME button. Resume can be used at any speed above
30 mph (50 km/h).
To Vary The Speed Setting
When the speed control is on, speed can be increased by
pressing and holding the ACCEL button. When the
button is released, a new set speed will be established.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
3

NOTE:It is possible for DTE to display ªLO FUELº
before the low fuel warning light turns on in the instru-
ment cluster. This could occur because low fuel warning
is set to a specified fuel tank volume and DTE is an
estimated distance calculation based on fuel economy
and remaining fuel tank volume.
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
²52 gallons - Standard rear tank
²22 gallons - Optional Midship Tank
Trip Odometer (ODO)
NOTE:The maximum value is approximately 6000
miles. Then the trip odometer must be reset in order to
update the trip odometer miles.
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Resetting of this screen will cause the trip odometer
to change to Zero.
Elapsed Time (ET)
This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset. Resetting the Elapsed Time will cause
the display to change to Zero.
138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Manual Compass Calibration
NOTE:To ensure proper compass calibration, make
sure the compass variance is properly set before manu-
ally calibrating the compass.
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL symbol does
not appear, you must manually put the compass into the
ªCalibrationº mode.
Recalibrating The Compass
Turn on the ignition and set the display to ªCompass/
Temperature.º Press and hold the RESET button to
change the display between VAR (compass variance) and
CAL (compass calibration) modes. When the CAL sym-
bol is displayed slowly drive the vehicle 5 mph in a
complete 360É circle in an area free from large metal
objects or power lines. The CAL symbol will turn off and
the compass will function normally.Compass Varianceis the difference between magnetic
north and geographic north. In some areas of the country,
the difference between magnetic and geographic north is
great enough to cause the compass to give false readings.
If this occurs, the compass variance must be set according
to the Compass Variance Map.
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The default for the compass variance is zone 8.
To set the variance: Turn the ignition ON and set the
display to ªCompass/Temperature.º Press and hold the
RESET button approximately five seconds. The last vari-
ance zone number will be displayed. Press the STEP
button to select the new variance zone and press the
RESET button to resume normal operation.
Outside Temperature
Because the ambient temperature sensor is located un-
derhood, engine temperature can influence the displayed
temperature, therefore, temperature readings are slowly
updated when the vehicle speed is below 20 mph (30
km/h) or during stop and go driving.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3