2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL Owners Manual

simultaneously. If this occurs, the Electronic Speed Con-
trol System can be reactivated by pushing the Electronic
Speed Control ON/OFF button and resetting the desired
vehicle set speed.To ActivatePush the ON/OFF button to the ON position. In the
instrument cluster, the word “CRUISE” illuminates when
the system is on.To Set a Desired SpeedWhen the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
and release the SET button. Release the accelerator and
the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.To DeactivateA soft tap on the brake pedal, normal braking, clutch
pressure while slowing the vehicle, or pressing the CAN-
CEL button will deactivate speed control without erasing
the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button to the OFF
position or turning off the ignition erases the memory.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control on when not in
use is dangerous. You could accidentally set the
system to cause it to go faster than you want. You
could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system off when you are not using it.To Resume SpeedTo resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME button. Resume can be used at any speed above
20 mph (32 km/h).To Vary the Speed SettingWhen the speed control is on, speed can be increased by
pressing and holding the ACCEL button. When the
button is released, a new set speed will be established.
Tapping the RESUME ACCEL button once will result in a
speed increase of 1 mph (2 km/h). Each time the buttonUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 143
3

is tapped, speed increases so that tapping the button
three times will increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h).
Tapping the SET DECEL button once will result in a
1 mph (2 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is
tapped, speed decreases. For example, tapping the button
three times will decrease the speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h)
To decrease speed while speed control is ON, push down
and hold SET DECEL. Release the lever when the desired
speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.To Accelerate for PassingDepress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000 ft
(610 m), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded (especially
when towing) the vehicle may slow below the SET speed.
If the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph (40 km/h), the
speed control will automatically disengage. If this hap- pens, you can push down on the accelerator pedal to
maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles may exhibit several downshifts under the above
conditions. To reduce the frequency of the downshifts
and to improve vehicle performance, it is advisable to use
either TOW HAUL or O/D OFF modes, which can be
selected by pressing the TOW HAUL O/D OFF button
located at the end of the shift lever.
WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your ve-
hicle could go too fast for the conditions, and you
could lose control. An accident could be the result.
Do not use Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic
or on roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered or
slippery.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

OVERHEAD CONSOLE — IF EQUIPPEDThe two optional overhead consoles may consist of the
following features:•
Courtesy/Reading Lights
•
Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer
(CMTC) — If Equipped
•
Universal Garage Door Opener — If Equipped
Courtesy/Reading LightsIn the middle of the console are two courtesy/reading
lights.
Both lights illuminate as courtesy lights when a door is
opened, when the dimmer control is rotated to the
courtesy light position (fully-upward position), or when
the UNLOCK button is pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter, if equipped. These lights are also
operated individually as reading lights by pressing the
recessed area of the corresponding lens.
NOTE:The courtesy/reading lights will remain on until
the switch is pressed a second time, so be sure they have
been turned off before leaving the vehicle. If the interior
lights are left on after the vehicle is turned off, they will
extinguish after 15 minutes.
Overhead Console Features
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 145
3

OVERHEAD CONSOLE WITH COMPASS/
TEMPERATURE MINI-TRIP COMPUTER — IF
EQUIPPEDThis optional overhead console consists of the following:•
Courtesy Lights
•
Compass/Temperature Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC)This overhead console allows you to choose between a
compass/temperature display and one of four trip con-
ditions being monitored.
Courtesy Lights
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

US/M ButtonUse this button to change the display from U.S. to
METRIC measurement units.
Reset ButtonUse this button to reset the following displays:•
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)
•
Trip Odometer (ODO)
•
Elapsed time (ET)
US/M Button
RESET Button
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 147
3

Global ResetIf the RESET button is pressed twice within two seconds
while in any of the four displays (AVG, ECO, ODO, ET),
the Global Reset will reset all four displays.Step ButtonUse this button to choose or cycle through the four trip
conditions.
Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
Average fuel economy is a running average of the
amount of fuel used and the distance the vehicle has
traveled.
STEP Button
148 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

When the fuel economy is reset, the display will momen-
tarily blank. Then, the history will be erased, and the
AVERAGING WILL CONTINUE FROM WHERE IT
WAS BEFORE THE RESET. The reset value is based on
a minimal amount of fuel used and the distance traveled
from the previous drive cycle. The displaymay take
several miles/kilometers for this value to change depen-
dent upon driving habits.Distance To Empty (DTE)The distance to empty (DTE) shows the estimated dis-
tance that can be traveled with the fuel remaining in the
tank. This estimated distance is determined by weighted
average of the instantaneous and average fuel economy,
according to the current fuel tank level.
NOTE:•
The DTE cannotbe reset.
•
Significant changes in driving style or vehicle loading
will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of the
vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value. When the DTE value is less than 30 miles (48 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will change
to an alternating test display of “LO” and “FUEL”. This
display will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel.
Adding a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will
turn off the “LO FUEL” text and a new DTE value will be
displayed, based on the current values in the DTE
calculation and the current fuel tank level.
NOTE:
It is possible for DTE to display “LO FUEL”
before the low fuel warning light turns on in the instru-
ment cluster. This could occur because low fuel warning
is set to a specified fuel tank volume and DTE is an
estimated distance calculation based on fuel economy
and remaining fuel tank volume.
Ram fuel tank volumes are as follows:
•
34 gal (128 L) - 2500/3500/Power Wagon short box
models
•
35 gal (132 L) - 2500/3500//Power Wagon long box
modelsUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149
3

Trip Odometer (ODO)NOTE:The maximum value is approximately
6000 miles (9956 km). Then the trip odometer must be
reset in order to update the trip odometer miles/
kilometers.
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Resetting of this screen will cause the trip odometer
to change to zero.Elapsed Time (ET)This display shows the accumulated ignition ON time
since the last reset. Resetting the Elapsed Time will cause
the display to change to zero.
C/T ButtonUse this button to select a readout of the outside tem-
perature and one of eight compass headings that indicate
the direction in which the vehicle is facing.
C/T Button
150 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE