2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS wheel

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

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

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Heater Defroster Ducts
Inspect the heater defroster ducts for proper operation.
Check for proper airflow through all defroster ducts. If
there are any questions regarding the operation of your
heater defroster ducts, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.) or if the front airbags have deployed. If there is any
question regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the
belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer. If there is a problem with the airbag light,
the seat belt light will flash.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79
2

The UConnecttsystem is fully integrated with the vehi-
cle's audio system. The volume of the UConnecttsystem
can be adjusted either from the radio volume control
knob or from the steering wheel radio control (right
switch), if so equipped.
The radio display will be used for visual prompts from
the UConnecttsystem such as9CELL9or caller ID on
certain radios.
Operation
Voice commands can be used to operate the UConnectt
system and to navigate through the UConnecttmenu
structure. Voice commands are required after most
UConnecttsystem prompts. You will be prompted for a
specific command and then guided through the available
options.
²Prior to giving a voice command, one must wait for
the beep, which follows the9Ready9prompt or another
prompt.
²For certain operations, compound commands can be
used. For example, instead of saying9Setup9and then
9Phone Pairing,9the following compound command
can be said:9Setup Phone Pairing.9
²For each feature explanation in this section, only the
combined form of the voice command is given. You
can also break the commands into parts and say each
part of the command when you are asked for it. For
example, you can use the combined form voice com-
mand9Phonebook New Entry,9or you can break the
combined form command into two voice commands:
9Phonebook9and9New Entry.9Please remember, the
UConnecttsystem works best when you talk in a
normal conversational tone, as if speaking to someone
sitting a few feet/meters away from you.
Voice Command Tree
Refer to ªVoice Treeº in this section.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 93
3

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located below the steering wheel at
the base of the instrument panel. Once the hood isreleased you must reach into the opening beneath the
center of the grille and push up the latch to release the
safety catch before raising the hood.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the front center of
the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
Hood Release Lever
Secondary Latch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
3

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

Turn Signal Auto Mode
Tap the multifunction control lever once and the turn
signal (left or right) will flash three times, and automati-
cally turn off.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to
turn on until the lever is released.
High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction control lever fully toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from HIGH or
LOW beam.
High Beam / Low Beam
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, pull rearward on the lever below the
turn signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the lever forward to lock the column firmly
in place.WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
Tilt Steering Control Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3