2009 DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL fuel

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

Windshield Wipers And Washers ......... 138
▫ Intermittent Wiper System ............. 138
▫ Windshield Washers ................. 139
 Tilt Steering Column .................. 140
 Driver Adjustable Pedals — If Equipped .... 141
▫ Adjustment ....................... 141
 Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped .... 142
▫ To Activate ....................... 143
▫ To Set a Desired Speed ............... 143
▫ To Deactivate ...................... 143
▫ To Resume Speed ................... 143
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ............. 143
▫ To Accelerate For Passing ............. 144
Overhead Console — If Equipped ......... 145
▫ Courtesy/Reading Lights ............. 145
 Overhead Console With Compass/Temperature
Mini-Trip Computer — If Equipped ......... 146
▫ US/M Button ...................... 147
▫ Reset Button ...................... 147
▫ Global Reset ...................... 148
▫ Step Button ....................... 148
▫ Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO) ...... 148
▫ Distance To Empty (DTE) ............. 149
▫ Trip Odometer (ODO) ................ 150
▫ Elapsed Time (ET) .................. 150
▫ C/T Button ....................... 150
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 79
3

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

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION1. Check Gauges – Premium Cluster OnlyThis light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine
Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature
gauges indicate a reading either too high or too low.
Examine the gauges carefully, and follow the instructions
contained below for each indicated problem.
NOTE: When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gauge, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
Temperature gauges may not show accurate readings.
When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch
to ON to obtain accurate readings.
2. Voltmeter When the engine is running, the gauge indicates
the electrical system voltage. The pointer should
stay within the normal range if the battery is charged. If
the pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical sys-
tem should be serviced. NOTE:
•
If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of the
gauge, the “Check Gauges” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
•
The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at vari-
ous engine temperatures. This cycling operation is
caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold
heater system. The number of cycles and the length of
the cycling operation is controlled by the engine
control module. Post-heat operation can run for sev-
eral minutes, and then the electrical system and volt-
meter needle will stabilize.
3. Turn Signal Indicators The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about 1 mile (1.6 km) with the turn signals on, a
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

18. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBD II, that
monitors engine and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in
the ON position, before engine start. If the bulb does not
come on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious
conditions may exist that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. 19. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Program (ESP) sys-
tem. In this case, the light will remain on until the
condition has been corrected. If the problem is related to
the brake booster, the ABS pump will run when applying
the brake and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during
each stop.194 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.198 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL