2009 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL sensor

Airbag System ComponentsThe airbag system consists of the following:•
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•
Side Remote Acceleration Sensors (if equipped)
•
Airbag Warning Light
•
Driver Airbag
•
Passenger Airbag
•
Window Bags above Side Windows (if equipped)
•
Steering Wheel and Column
•
Instrument Panel
•
Interconnecting Wiring
•
Knee Impact Bolsters
•
Front Acceleration Sensors (1500 Vehicles Only)
•
Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners (if
equipped)
•
Driver Seat Track Position Sensor (if equipped)
•
Passenger Side Frontal Airbag ON/OFF Switch (2500/
3500 Regular Cab Vehicles Only)
•
Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
(2500/3500 Regular Cab Vehicles Only)
How the Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from information provided by the ORC. The ORC will
not detect rollover or rear collisions.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is inTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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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 OccursThe 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. If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
•
The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium
floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately. As the airbags deflate you may see some
smoke-like particles. The particles are a normal by-
product of the process that generates the non-toxic gas
used for airbag inflation. These airborne particles may
irritate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin
or eye irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For
nose or throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

ment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.
NOTE:
1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag
sensor detects severe vehicle deceleration usually indica-
tive of a crash, but not severe enough to warrant airbag
deployment.
2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).
In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by Chrysler LLC and others to learn more about the
possible causes of crashes and associated injuries in order
to assess and improve vehicle performance. In addition
to crash investigations initiated by Chrysler LLC, such
investigations may be requested by customers, insurance
carriers, government officials, and professional crash
researchers, such as those associated with universities,
and with hospital and insurance organizations.In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
Chrysler LLC (regardless of initiative), the company or its
designated representative will first obtain permission of
the appropriate custodial entity for the vehicle (usually
the vehicle owner or lessee) before accessing the elec-
tronic data stored, unless ordered to download data by a
court with legal jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a warrant).
A copy of the data will be provided to the custodial entity
upon request. General data that does not identify par-
ticular vehicles or crashes may be released for incorpo-
ration in aggregate crash databases, such as those main-
tained by the US government and various states. Data of
a potentially sensitive nature, such as would identify a
particular driver, vehicle, or crash, will be treated confi-
dentially. Confidential data will not be disclosed by
Chrysler LLC to any third party except when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
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NOTE:Magnetic materials should be kept away from
the overhead console. This is where the compass sensor is
located.
Compass Variance is the difference between magnetic
North and geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic North is great enough to cause the compass to give false
readings. If this occurs, the compass variance must be set
according to the Compass Variance Map.
NOTE:
The default for the compass variance is Zone 8.
To set the variance: Turn the ignition ON and set the
display to “Compass/Temperature.” Press and hold the
RESET Button
Compass Variance Map
152 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

RESET button approximately five seconds. The last vari-
ance zone number will be displayed. Press the STEP
button to select the new variance zone and press the
RESET button to resume normal operation.Outside TemperatureBecause the ambient temperature sensor is located under
the hood, engine temperature can influence the displayed
temperature, therefore, temperature readings are slowly
updated when the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h) or during stop and go driving.GARAGE DOOR OPENER — IF EQUIPPEDHomeLinkreplaces up to three remote controls (hand-
held transmitters) that operate devices such as garage
door openers, motorized gates, lighting, or home security
systems. The HomeLink unit operates off of your vehi-
cle’s battery. The HomeLink
buttons are located in the overhead
console, and contain one, two, or three dots/lines desig-
nating the different HomeLink channels.
NOTE: HomeLink is disabled when the Vehicle Theft
Alarm is active.
HomeLink Buttons
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
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CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
26. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light/
Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Light — If
Equipped If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, apply as little throttle as possible. While
driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions, and
do not switch off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP),
or Traction Control System (TCS).
27. Transmission Temperature Indicator (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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 199
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WARNING! (Continued)
•
ERM cannot prevent all wheel lift or rollovers,
especially those that involve leaving the roadway
or striking objects or other vehicles. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
•
The capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)The ESP system enhances directional control and stability
of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP
corrects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist
in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•
Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•
Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESP/TCS Indicator
Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
340 STARTING AND OPERATING

•
Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•
The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal. The sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
TSC (Trailer Sway Control)The TSC system uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize
an excessively swaying trailer and will take the appro-
priate actions to attempt to stop the sway. The system
may reduce engine power and apply the brake of the
appropriate wheel(s) to counteract the sway of the trailer.
TSC will become active automatically once an excessively
swaying trailer is recognized. No driver action is re-
quired. Note that TSC cannot stop all trailers from
swaying. Always use caution when towing a trailer and
follow the trailer tongue weight recommendations. Refer
to “Trailer Towing” in Section 5 of this manual for moreinformation on towing a trailer with your vehicle. When
TSC is functioning, the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will
flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may
feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to
attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESP system is in the Partial Off or Full Off
modes.
TSC is only active in the default “ESP On” mode. TSC can
be disabled by pressing the ESP OFF switch and entering
“ESP Partial Off” mode. It is not active in the “ESP Partial
Off” or “ESP Off” modes. Please refer to the ESP portion
of this section for an explanation of the different ESP
operating modes.
WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
STARTING AND OPERATING 345
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