2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS battery

Interior Lights
Courtesy and dome lights are turned on when the front
doors are opened, when the dimmer control (rotating
wheel on the right side of the switch) is rotated to the
upward detent position, or if equipped, when the UN-
LOCK button is pressed on the key fob. When a door isopen 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.
Mega Cabt/Quad Cabtmodels may have an optional
switched dome lamp that may be operated by pressing
the lens.
Dimmer Control
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3

Battery Saver
To protect the life of your vehicle's battery, load shedding
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
eight minutes. If the headlamps are turned on and left on
for eight minutes while the ignition is OFF, the exterior
lights will automatically turn off.
NOTE:Battery saver mode is cancelled if the ignition is
ON.
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.
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.
136 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.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER Ð IF EQUIPPED
HomeLinktreplaces up to three remote controls (hand-
held transmitters) that operate devices such as garage
door openers, motorized gates, lighting, or home security
systems. The HomeLinktunit operates off of your vehi-
cle's battery.
The HomeLinktbuttons are located in the overhead
console, and contain one, two, or three dots/lines desig-
nating the different HomeLinktchannels.
156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Vehicle exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a danger-
ous gas. Do not run your vehicle in the garage while
training the transceiver. Exhaust gas can cause seri-
ous injury or death.
Programming HomeLinkT
Before You Begin
The Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC) illuminates
the HomeLinktsymbol (a house with an arrow inside it)
along with 1, 2 or 3 indicators under it, when a
HomeLinktbutton is pressed.
Pay attention to the indicator(s), as they will flash at
different rates, or remain solid during training.If you have not trained any of the HomeLinktbuttons,
erase all channels before you begin training.
To do this, press and hold the two outside buttons for 20
seconds. Release the buttons when the indicators start to
flash.
It is recommended that anew batterybe placed in the
hand-held transmitter of the device being programmed
to HomeLinkt, for more efficient training and accurate
transmission of the radio-frequency signal.
Your vehicle should be parked outside of the garage
while training.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
2. Place the hand-held transmitter 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8
cm) from the HomeLinktbuttons, while keeping the
HomeLinktdisplay in view.
158 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

For optimal training, point the battery end of the hand-
held transmitter away from the HomeLinkt.
3. Simultaneously, press and hold both the chosen
HomeLinktbutton and the hand-held transmitter button
until the indicator(s) change from a slow to a rapid flash
rate.
Then release both the HomeLinktand hand-held trans-
mitter buttons.
It may take up to 30 seconds, or longer in rare cases. The
garage door may open & close while you train.
If the signal is too weak to train, replace the battery in the
original hand-held transmitter.NOTE:Some gate operators and garage door openers
may require you to replace Step #3 with procedures
noted in the ªGate Operator/Canadian Programmingº
section.
4. Press and hold the just-trained HomeLinktbutton. If
the indicator(s) blink rapidly for two seconds and then
remains constant, continue with the next section: Pro-
gramming A Rolling Code System.
NOTE:After training a HomeLinktchannel, if the
garage door does not operate with HomeLinktand the
garage door opener was manufactured after 1995, the
garage door opener may have rolling code. If so, proceed
to the heading, ªProgramming A Rolling Code System.º
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 159
3

Then proceed with Step 4 under, ªProgramming
HomeLinkt,º earlier in this section.
Using HomeLinkT
To operate, simply press and release the programmed
HomeLinktbutton. Activation will now occur for the
trained device (i.e., garage door opener, gate operator,
security system, entry door lock, home/office lighting,
etc.) The hand-held transmitter of the device may also be
used at any time.
Reprogramming A Single HomeLinkTButton
To reprogram a channel that has been previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position.
2. Press and hold the desired HomeLinktbutton, for 20
seconds, until the indicator(s) starts to flash.Do not
release the button.3.Without releasing the button,proceed with PRO-
GRAMMING HOMELINKt, Step #2, and follow all
remaining steps.
Security
It is advised to erase all channels before you sell or turn
in your vehicle.
To do this, press and hold the two outside buttons, for 20
seconds, until the indicators begin to flash. Note that all
channels will be erased. Individual channels cannot be
erased.
The HomeLinktUniversal Transceiver is disabled when
the Vehicle Theft Alarm is active.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are having trouble programming HomeLinkt, here
are some of the most common solutions:
²Replace the battery in the original transmitter.
162 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The outlet(s) has/have a fused direct feed from the
battery so it/they receive power whether the ignition is
ON or OFF.
All accessories connected to this/these outlet(s) should
be removed or turned OFF when the vehicle is not in use
to protect the battery against discharge.
NOTE:If desired, all of the power outlets can be
converted by your authorized dealer to provide power
with the ignition switch in the ON position only.CAUTION!
Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
²Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle's battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle's battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will discharge the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle's battery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 167
3

CAUTION!
²Many accessories that can be plugged in draw
power from the vehicle's battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle's battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or
long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle's battery.
Center Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats) ± If
Equipped
Push the upper button on the front of the armrest to raise
the upper cover. Inside is a power outlet (if equipped), a
cutout for a cell phone charger cord, removable coin
holder (if equipped), and a divider to configure the
Center Storage Compartment
174 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE