2008 DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB engine

Air Conditioning and Heating Ð If EquippedAir Conditioning Operation
To turn on the Air Conditioning, set the fan
control at any speed and press the snowflake
button located at the right of the control panel.
Conditioned air will be directed through the
outlets selected by the mode control. A light in the
snowflake button shows that the air conditioning is on.
Press the button a second time to turn the air condition-
ing off.
Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the air conditioning compressor is on. This is a
normal occurrence as the compressor will cycle on and
off to maintain comfort and increase fuel economy.
Air Conditioning And Heating
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 237
4

edges of the instrument panel. The demisters also pro-
vide extra air ducts for circulation. They are in operation
whenever the Floor, Mix or Defrost modes are in use. To
remove frost from the side windows, it is best to use the
full defrost mode.
NOTE:When you turn off the engine you may hear a
hissing sound from under the hood for a short period of
time. This is a normal condition that occurs if the air
conditioning system has been on. It is not an indication of
a problem with the air conditioning system.Air Conditioning with Dual Zone Temperature
Control Ð If Equipped
With the Dual Zone Temperature Control System, each
front seat occupant can independently control the tem-
perature of air coming from the outlets on their side of
the vehicle.
Dual Zone Control Head
240 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Dual Zone Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the temperature of the air
inside the passenger compartment. This is accomplished
by having separate temperature control slides for both
the driver and front passenger. The blue area of the scale
indicates cooler temperatures while the red area indicates
warmer temperatures.
Circulation
The cab is designed with features to promote outside air
circulation. There are grilles in the cab back panel. These
are air exhausters that provide the means for regular
exchange of cab air.
Side window demisters direct air flow specifically to the
window glass to help prevent interior fogging of the
glass. They are located in the extreme outside upper
edges of the instrument panel. The demisters also pro-
vide extra air ducts for circulation. They are in operation
whenever the Floor, Mix or Defrost modes are in use.
NOTE:When you turn off the engine you may hear a
hissing sound from under the hood for a short period of
time. This is a normal condition that occurs if the air
conditioning system has been on. It is not an indication of
a problem with the air conditioning system.
Dual Zone Temperature Control
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 243
4

Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into
NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.NOTE:On models equipped with Diesel engines, the
idle speed will automatically increase to 1000 rpm at
elevated coolant temperatures to improve engine cooling.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 245
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures ± Gas Engines...........252
NManual Transmission ± If Equipped........252
NAutomatic Transmission ± If Equipped......252
NNormal Starting......................253
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................253
NAfter Starting........................255
mStarting Procedures ± Diesel Engines.........255
NManual Transmission ± If Equipped........256
NAutomatic Transmission ± If Equipped......256NNormal Starting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold
Air Temperature Above 66ÉF (19ÉC)........257
NStarting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66ÉF (19ÉC)...........258
NStarting Fluids.......................261
mNormal Operation ± Diesel Engine..........262
NCold Weather Precautions...............263
NEngine Idling Ð In Cold Weather..........266
NStopping The Engine...................267
NEngine Speed Control..................268
5

NOperating Precautions..................268
NCooling System Tips Ð Automatic
Transmission........................268
mEngine Block Heater (Gas Engines)Ð
If Equipped...........................270
mDiesel Exhaust Brake (Engine Braking) ±
If Equipped...........................270
mAutomatic Transmission..................273
NAutomatic Transmission With Overdrive
(5 Speed 545RFE) Ð If Equipped..........273
NAutomatic Transmission (6 Speed AS68RC) Ð
If Equipped.........................279
mManual Transmission....................285
NManual Transmission Ð 6 Speed (G56)......286
NRecommended Vehicle Shift Speeds........287NDownshifting ± Gas Engine..............288
NDownshifting ± Diesel Engine............288
mFour-Wheel-Drive Operation Ð If Equipped....289
NManually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................289
NShifting Procedure Ð Manually Shifted
Transfer Case........................292
NTransfer Case Reminder Light............293
NElectronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch) Ð
If Equipped.........................294
NShifting Procedure Ð Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................298
mLimited-Slip Differential Ð If Equipped.......301
mPower Take Off Operation ± If Equipped......302
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

NAlignment And Balance.................332
mSupplemental Tire Pressure Information Ð If
Equipped............................333
mTire Chains...........................333
mSnow Tires...........................334
mTire Rotation Recommendations............335
NDual Rear Wheels.....................336
mEngine Runaway.......................337
mFuel Requirements......................337
NFuel Requirements (5.7L Gas Engines).......337
NFuel Requirements (6.7L Diesel Engines).....341
mAdding Fuel..........................343
NAdding Fuel (Gas Engines)..............343NAdding Fuel (Diesel Engines).............345
mVehicle Loading........................347
NCertification Label.....................347
mTrailer Towing.........................351
NCommon Towing Definitions.............351
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............355
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................356
NTrailer And Tongue Weight..............356
NTowing Requirements..................357
NTowing Tips.........................362
NTrailer Towing Mirrors Ð If Equipped......364
mSnowplow............................365
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES ± GAS ENGINES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission ± If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in NEUTRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with
a clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch is fully depressed.
Automatic Transmission ± If Equipped
Start the engine with the selector lever in NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
252 STARTING AND OPERATING