2009 DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB seats

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
seat failure and injury to the child. In a collision, the
seat could come loose and allow the child to crash
into the inside of the vehicle or other passengers, or
even be thrown from the vehicle. Use only the anchor
positions directly behind the child seat to secure a
child restraint top tether strap. Follow the instruc-
tions below. See your authorized dealer for help if
necessary.
Tether Anchorage Points at the Right and Center
Front Seat (Regular Cab - All Seats)
1. Place the child restraint on the seat and adjust the
tether strap so that it will reach over the seat back under
the head restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the
seat.
2. Lift the cover (if so equipped), and attach the hook to
the square opening in the sheet metal.
3. Install the child restraint and remove the slack in the
tether strap according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Multiple Child Restraint Installation Sequence
(Quad Cab- Rear Seats)
1. Obtain tether straps by raising the head restraints and
reaching between the rear glass and rear seat. The tether
strap may be retained with an elastic band. Accessibility
to the tether strap is greatly improved by raising the seat
cushion to the “up” position. Remove the elastic before
use.
2. Place a child restraint on each outboard rear seat and
adjust the tether strap so that it will reach under the head
restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the seat and
then to the anchor directly behind the center rear seat.
3. Pass each tether strap hook under the head restraint
and through the loop of webbing behind the child seat.
4. Route each tether strap to the anchor behind the center
seat, and attach the hooks to the metal ring.
Regular Cab with Any Bench Seat
1 — Tether Strap Hook
2 — Tether Anchor
3 — Tether Strap to Child Restraint THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
2

Children Too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
NEW ENGINE BREAK-IN
5.7L Gas Engine – 3500 Models Only
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
mi (500 km). After the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to
50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits
of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality, energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with the anticipated cli-
matic conditions under which vehicle operation will
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seats .............................. 114
▫ 40-20-40 Front Seat ................... 115
▫ Reclining Seats ...................... 116
▫ Adjustable Head Restraints ............. 117
▫ Manual Rotary Lumbar Support
Adjustment — If Equipped ............. 118
▫ Power Seats — If Equipped ............. 118
▫ Heated Seats — If Equipped ............ 120
 To Open And Close The Hood ............ 121
 Lights ............................. 123
▫ Interior Lights ...................... 123
▫ Battery Saver ....................... 124
▫ Headlight Delay ..................... 124 ▫
Headlights, Parking Lights And
Panel Lights ........................ 125
▫ Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped .... 126
▫ Lights-On Reminder .................. 126
▫ Fog Lights — If Equipped .............. 126
▫ Multifunction Lever .................. 126
 Windshield Wipers And Washers .......... 129
▫ Intermittent Wiper System .............. 129
▫ Windshield Washers .................. 130
 Tilt Steering Column ................... 130
 Driver Adjustable Pedals — If Equipped ..... 131
▫ Adjustment ........................ 132
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Cupholders .......................... 146
▫ Front Instrument Panel Cupholders
(40–20–40 Seats) ..................... 146
▫ Front Instrument Panel Cupholders
(Bucket Seats) ....................... 147
▫ Rear Cupholder (Quad Cab)—
If Equipped ........................ 147
 Storage ............................. 148
▫ Center Storage Compartment
(40–20–40 Seat) — If Equipped ........... 148
▫ Center Storage Compartment
(Bucket Seats) — If Equipped ............ 150▫
Storage And Seats (Quad Cab Models).... 152
▫ Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers ............ 153
 Rear Window Features .................. 153
▫ Rear Window Defroster And Heated
Sideview Mirrors — If Equipped ......... 153
▫ Power Sliding Rear Window —
If Equipped ........................ 154
▫ Sliding Rear Window — If Equipped ...... 154
 Fold Flat Load Floor — If Equipped ........ 154
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

General Information
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules and
RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
•Changes or modifications not expressly approved by
the party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
SEATS
Seats are also a primary part of the Occupant Restraint
System of the vehicle. They need to be used properly for
safe operation of the vehicle.
WARNING!
•It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seri-
ously injured or killed.
•Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
•Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
114 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
properly adjusted and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Reclining Seats
The recliner handle is on the outside of the seat cushion.
Pull up on the handle, as shown, to release the seatback
and adjust for comfort.
Seat Recliner Handle
116 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Manual Rotary Lumbar Support Adjustment — If
Equipped
Rotating the lumbar control knob on the left side of the
driver’s seatback and on the right side of the passenger’s
seatback increases or decreases the lumbar (lower back)
support.
Power Seats — If Equipped
The power seat controls are on the outboard side of the
front seat cushions. Three switches control the seat move-
ment.
Manual Lumbar Adjustment
Power Seat Switch
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE