2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS instrument cluster

Base Cluster ± If Equipped
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Check Gauges ± Premium Cluster Only
This light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine
Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature
gauges indicate a reading either too high or too low.
Examine the gauges carefully, and follow the instructions
contained below for each indicated problem.
NOTE:When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gauge, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
Temperature gauges may not show accurate readings.
When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch
to ON to obtain accurate readings.
2. Voltmeter
When the engine is running, the gauge indicates
the electrical system voltage. The pointer should
stay within the normal range if the battery is charged. Ifthe pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical sys-
tem should be serviced.
NOTE:If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the ªCheck Gaugesº indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound. The ªCheck Gaugesº
indicator may also illuminate prior to the voltage gauge
moving out of normal range. In either case, see you local
authorized Dealer for system service.
3. Turn Signal Indicators
Lights in instrument cluster flash when outside turn
signals are operating.
4. Tachometer
The Tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per
minute.
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CAUTION!
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
pointer at high rpm for extended periods. Engine
damage may occur.
5. Airbag Indicator Light
The indicator lights and remains lit for six to eight
seconds when the ignition is first turned ON. If the light
stays on, flickers or comes on while driving, have the
airbag system checked by an authorized dealer.
6. High Beam Indicator
This indicator shows that headlights are on high
beam.
7. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulbcheck. During the bulb check, if the driver's seat belt is
unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb check or
when driving, if the driver's seat belt remains unbuckled,
the Seat Belt Warning Light will flash or remain on
continuously. Refer to9Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Re-
minder System (BeltAlertt)9in the Occupant Restraints
section for more information.(See page 46 for more
information.)
8. Speedometer
The Speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour (mph/kph).
9. Oil Pressure Gauge Ð Premium Cluster Only
The pointer should always indicate some oil pres-
sure when the engine is running. A continuous
high or low reading, under normal driving conditions,
may indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immedi-
ate service should be obtained from an authorized dealer.
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To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button until the
display resets (approximately two seconds).
Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
ªdoorº (indicates that a door(s) may be ajar), ªhoodº (if
the hood is open or ajar, on vehicles with remote start),
ªgASCAPº (which indicates that your gas cap is possibly
loose or damaged),9CHANgE OILº (indicates that the
engine oil should be change), ªLoWASHº (low washer
fluid), ªESPOFFº (indicates that ESP is turned off), and
ªnoFUSEº (indicates that the IOD fuse is removed from
the Integrated Power Module), will display in the odom-
eter.
NOTE:There is also an engine hour function. This
indicates the total number of hours the engine has been
running. To display the engine hours perform the follow-
ing: Place the ignition in RUN, but do not start theengine. With the odometer value displayed, hold the trip
button down for a period of six seconds. The odometer
will change to trip value first, then it will display the
engine hour value. The engine hours will be displayed
for a period of 30 seconds until the ignition is turned OFF
or the engine is started.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªCHANgE OILº message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
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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.
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24. ESP/BAS Warning Lamp ± If Equipped
The lamp indicates a problem with one or more
of the functions of ESP. The yellow ªESP/BAS
Warning Lampº in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position as a bulb check. It should go out with the
engine running. If the ªESP/BAS Warning Lampº comes
on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in the ESP system. If this light remains
on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several miles/kilometers at speeds greater than 30
mph (48 km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
NOTE:9The9ESP/BAS Warning Lamp9come on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is actively operating.25. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
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27. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g., snow plowing, off- road operation). If this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
28. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
29. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.30. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to 1/16 tank, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with an overhead
console module (CMTC), it is possible for DTE to display
ªLO FUELº before the low fuel warning light turns on in
the instrument cluster. This could occur because the low
fuel warning is set to a specified fuel tank volume and
DTE is an estimated distance calculation based on vehicle
fuel economy and remaining fuel tank volume.
Vehicle fuel tank volumes are as follows:
²26 gal (98 L) - 1500 short box models
²34 gal (128 L) - 1500/2500/3500 short box models
²35 gal (132 L) - 1500/2500/3500 long box models
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31. CRUISE Light
This indicator lights when the electronic speed control
system is turned on.
32. Coolant Temperature Light ± Base Cluster Only
This light indicates engine coolant temperature is
to high. If the light comes on, stop the vehicle, shift
into NEUTRAL, and increase the engine idle
speed for two to three minutes. If the light does not turn
off, shut your engine OFF and allow it to cool. See an
authorized dealer for service immediately. Refer to
ªCooling Systemº under ªMaintaining Your Vehicleº in
section 7.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running as you would not be able to react to the
temperature indicator if the engine overheats.NOTE:Engine idle speed will automatically increase to
1000 rpm at elevated coolant temperatures to improve
engine cooling.
33. Battery Voltage Indicator Light ± Base Cluster
Only
When the engine is running, this light indicates
the electrical system voltage is out of normal
range. This indicator may also illuminate prior to the
voltage gauge moving out of normal range. In either case,
see you local authorized dealer for system service.
34. Oil Pressure Indicator light ± Base Cluster Only
This light indicates continuous high or low oil
pressure, and under normal driving conditions,
may indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immedi-
ate service should be obtained.
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