2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS instrument panel

WARNING!
Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback in not securely locked into
position the seat will not provide the proper stability
for child seats and/or passengers. An improperly
latched seat could cause serious injury.
Heated Seats Ð If Equipped
The heated seat switches are located in the instrument
panel under the climate controls.
Heated Seat Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 131
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

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

CIGAR LIGHTER AND ASH RECEIVER
The removable ash receiver is located in the instrument
panel cupholder tray.
The cigar lighter is located on the instrument panel,
above and to the left of the ash receiver.
As a child safety precaution, the lighter only operates
with the ignition switch ON. It heats when pushed in and
pops out automatically when ready for use.To preserve
the heating element, do not hold the lighter in the
heating position.
Ash Receiver Automatic Transmission
168 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CUPHOLDERS
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (40±20±40
Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission
Your new vehicle is equipped with two adjustable cup-
holders. The cupholder is opened by pulling on the cup
holder door handle located on the front surface. Each
opening in the cupholder is adjustable and will hold cups
and mugs of various sizes.
To secure the cup, place the cup to be held into one of the
cup wells and then push the cupholder arm toward the
cup until it is held stable.
Ash Tray Manual Transmission
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 169
3

Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (Bucket
Seats) Ð Automatic Transmission
If your new vehicle is equipped with bucket seats there
are three cupholders located on the front of the center
console.
Front Instrument Panel Cupholders Ð Manual
Transmission
Cupholders Bucket Seat
Cupholders Manual Transmission
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3

REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors Ð If Equipped
The Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors are activated by pressing the
heated grid button, located on the Climate Control panel,
with the ignition ON. Turning OFF the ignition will
deactivate the Electric Rear Window Defroster and
Heated Sideview Mirrors feature. These features also
turn off after activation, when 15 minutes have elapsed.
For ten more minutes of operation, push the button
again.
Power Sliding Rear Window Ð If Equipped
The power sliding rear window switch is located on the
instrument panel below the climate controls. Press the
right side of the switch to open the glass and the left side
of the switch to close the glass.
Power Sliding Rear Window Switch
182 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE