2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS instrument panel

the START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, and knee bolsters. If the key is in the OFF
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition,
the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
²Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warn-
ing light in the instrument panel for six to
eight seconds for a self-check when the
ignition is first turned on. After the self-
check, the AIRBAG warning light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the AIRBAG warning light either momen-
tarily or continuously. A single chime will sound if the
light comes on again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG warning light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won't have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked right
away.
²ThePassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
(if equipped)(an amber light located in the center of
the instrument panel), tells the driver and front pas-
senger when the front passenger airbag is turned off.
The PAD indicator light illuminates the words9PASS
AIR BAG OFF9to show that the passenger airbag will
not inflate during a collision requiring airbags. The
PAD light will illuminate when the passenger frontal
airbag has been turned off by using the manual
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

ON/OFF switch (2500/3500 Regular Cab Vehicles
Only). See Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch ± (2500/
3500 Regular Cab Vehicles Only) in this section for
additional information.²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on collision severity and occu-
pant size. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper right side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size.
The bags fully inflate in about 50 - 70 milliseconds.
This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes.
The bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger. The driver's front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. The passenger's front airbag gas is vented
through vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this
way the airbags do not interfere with your control of
the vehicle.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch ± (2500/3500
Regular Cab Vehicles Only)
The passenger front airbag is to be turned off only if the
passenger:
²is an infant (less than one-year old) who must ride in
the front seat because there is no rear seat, because the
rear seat is too small for a rear-facing infant restraint orbecause the infant has a medical condition which
makes it necessary for the driver to be able to see the
infant;
²is a child, age 1 to 12 who must ride in the front seat
because there is no rear seat, because there is no rear
seat position available, or because the child has a
medical condition which makes it necessary for the
driver to be able to see the child;
²has a medical condition which makes passenger airbag
inflation (deployment) a greater risk for the passenger
than the risk of hitting the dashboard (instrument
panel) or windshield in a crash.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Whenever an airbag is turned off, even a lap/
shoulder belted passenger may hit their head, neck,
or chest on the dashboard (instrument panel) or
windshield in a crash. This may result in serious
injury or death.
To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag (2500/3500 Regular
Cab Vehicles Only)
Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF
Switch, push the key in and turn clockwise, and remove
the key from the switch. This will shut off the passenger
side airbag. The OFF light near the switch will illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.To Turn On the Passenger Airbag (2500/3500 Regular
Cab Vehicles Only)
Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF
Switch, push the key in and turn counterclockwise, and
remove the key from the switch. This will turn ON the
passenger airbag. The OFF light near the switch will be
off when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy the airbags
when the impact sensors detect a moderate-to-severe
frontal collision, to help restrain the driver and front
passenger, and then immediately deflate.
NOTE:A frontal collision that is not severe enough to
need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.NOTE:
Perchlorate Material ± special handling may ap-
ply, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately five seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
²The airbag light does not come on or flickers during
the six to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned ON.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
2

Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected, the cause should be located and corrected.
80 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
3

Turning Confirmation Prompts On/Off
Turning confirmation prompts off will stop the system
from confirming your choices (e.g., the UConnecttsys-
tem will not repeat a phone number before you dial it).
²Press the PHONE button to begin.
²After the9Ready9prompt and the following beep, say
9Setup Confirmations.9The UConnecttsystem will
play the current confirmation prompt status and you
will be given the choice to change it.
Phone and Network Status Indicators
If available on the radio and/or on a premium display
such as the instrument panel cluster, and supported by
your cell phone, the UConnecttsystem will provide
notification to inform you of your phone and network
status when you are attempting to make a phone call
using UConnectt. The status is given for roaming, net-
work signal strength, phone battery strength, etc.
Dialing Using the Cellular Phone Keypad
You can dial a phone number with your cellular phone
keypad and still use the UConnecttsystem (while dial-
ing via the cell phone keypad, the user must exercise
caution and take precautionary safety measures). By
dialing a number with your paired Bluetoothtcellular
phone, the audio will be played through your vehicle's
audio system. The UConnecttsystem will work the same
as if you dial the number using voice recognition.
NOTE:Certain brands of mobile phones do not send the
dial ring to the UConnecttsystem to play it on the
vehicle audio system, so you will not hear it. Under this
situation, after successfully dialing a number the user
may feel that the call did not go through even though the
call is in progress. Once your call is answered, you will
hear the audio.
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE