2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL instrument panel

Only). See Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch – (2500/
3500 Regular Cab Vehicles Only) in this section for
additional information.
•
TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Units are
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 non-toxic 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.
•
The
Side Impact SRS Window Bags are designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the ORC
(with side impact option) detects a collision requiring
Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

The passenger front airbag is to be turned off only if the
passenger:•
is an infant (less than one year old) who must ride in
the front seat because there is no rear seat, because the
rear seat is too small for a rear-facing infant restraint or
because the infant has a medical condition which
makes it necessary for the driver to be able to see the
infant;
•
is a child, age 1 to 12 who must ride in the front seat
because there is no rear seat, because there is no rear
seat position available, or because the child has a
medical condition which makes it necessary for the
driver to be able to see the child;
•
has a medical condition which makes passenger airbag
inflation (deployment) a greater risk for the passenger
than the risk of hitting the dashboard (instrument
panel) or windshield in a crash.
WARNING!
Whenever an airbag is turned off, even a lap/
shoulder belted passenger may hit their head, neck,
or chest on the dashboard (instrument panel) or
windshield in a crash. This may result in serious
injury or death.
To Shut Off 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 clockwise, and remove
the key from the switch. This will shut off the passenger
side airbag. The OFF light near the switch will illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2

irritation continues, see your doctor. If these particles
settle on your clothing, follow the garment manufac-
turer’s instructions for cleaning.
•
It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners (if
equipped) cannot protect you in another collision.
Have the airbags, seat belt pretensioners, and the
front passenger seat belt retractor assembly, replaced
by an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•
Modifications 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.
•
You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
•
It 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.THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

DefrosterCheck operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
TiresExamine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
LightsHave someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.Door LatchesCheck for positive closing, latching, and locking.Fluid LeaksCheck area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Front Instrument Panel Cupholders
(40–20–40 Seats) — Automatic
Transmission ....................... 165
▫ Front Instrument Panel Cupholders
(Bucket Seats) ....................... 166
▫ Rear Cupholder (Quad Cab)—
If Equipped ........................ 167
 Storage ............................. 167
▫Center Storage Compartment (40–20–40 Seat) –
If Equipped
........................ 167
▫ Center Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats) –
If Equipped ........................ 169
▫ Storage And Seats (Quad Cab Models).... 171
▫ Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers —
If Equipped ........................ 172 
Rear Window Features .................. 172
▫ Rear Window Defroster And Heated Outside
Mirrors — If Equipped ................ 172
▫ Power Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped ........................ 173
▫ Sliding Rear Window — If Equipped ...... 174
 Fold Flat Load Floor — If Equipped ........ 174
 Pickup Box .......................... 176
 Slide-In Campers ...................... 178
▫ Camper Applications .................. 178
 Easy-Off Tailgate ...................... 178
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
3

Turning Confirmation Prompts ON/OFFTurning confirmation prompts off will stop the system
from confirming your choices (e.g., the uconnectphone
will not repeat a phone number before you dial it).•
Press the PHONE button to begin.
•
After the Readyprompt and the following beep, say
Setup Confirmations. The uconnectphone will play
the current confirmation prompt status and you will
be given the choice to change it.
Phone and Network Status IndicatorsIf available on the radio and/or on a premium display
such as the instrument panel cluster, and supported by
your cellular phone, the uconnect phone will provide
notification to inform you of your phone and network
status when you are attempting to make a phone call
using uconnect phone. The status is given for roaming,
network signal strength, phone battery strength, etc.
Dialing Using the Cellular Phone KeypadYou can dial a phone number with your cellular phone
keypad and still use the uconnect phone (while dialing
via the cellular phone keypad, the user must exercise
caution and take precautionary safety measures). By
dialing a number with your paired Bluetooth cellular
phone, the audio will be played through your vehicle’s
audio system. The uconnect phone will work the same
as if you dial the number using voice recognition.
NOTE: Certain brands of cellular phones do not send
the dial ring to the uconnect phone to play it on the
vehicle audio system, so you will not hear it. Under this
situation, after successfully dialing a number the user
may feel that the call did not go through even though the
call is in progress. Once your call is answered, you will
hear the audio.UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103
3

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 — If EquippedThis feature heats the front driver and passenger seats.
The controls for front heated seats are located in the
instrument panel under the climate controls.After turning the ignition ON, you can choose from High,
Low, or Off heat settings. Amber indicator lights in each
switch indicate the level of heat in use. Two indicator
lights will illuminate for High, one for Low, and none for
Off.
Heated Seat Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
3

Press the switch once to select High-level heat-
ing. Press the switch a second time to select
Low-level heating. Press the switch a third time
to shut the heating elements Off.
WARNING!
•
Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, ex-
haustion or other physical condition must exercise
care when using the seat heater. It may cause burns
even at low temperatures, especially if used for
long periods of time.
•
Do not place anything on the seat that insulates
against heat, such as a blanket or cushion. This
may cause the seat heater to overheat.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOODTo open the hood, two latches must be released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located below the steering
wheel at the base of the instrument panel.
Hood Release Lever
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE