2009 Ram 1500 airbag

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 conditions must exer-
cise care when using the steering wheel heater. It
may cause burns even at low temperatures, espe-
cially if used for long periods.
•Do not place anything on the steering wheel that
insulates against heat, such as a blanket or cush-
ion. This may cause the steering wheel heater to
overheat.
DRIVER ADJUSTABLE PEDALS — IF EQUIPPED
The power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals allow
the driver to establish a comfortable position relative to
the steering wheel and pedals.
Adjustment
1. Position the driver’s seat so that you are at least 10 in
(25.4 cm) away from the airbag, located in the center of
the steering wheel.
2. Fasten and adjust the seatbelts.
3. Move the adjustable pedal switch, located to the left
side of the steering column, in the direction you desire
the pedals to move.
158 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability. If the MIL is
flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and
power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants or wood or cardboard, etc. This could
result in death or serious injury to the driver, occu-
pants or others.
27. Airbag Warning Light This light turns on and remains on for six to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
240 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped

Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put the trans-
mission in NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
SNOWPLOW
NOTE: Do not use this model vehicle for snowplow
applications.
WARNING!
Snowplows and other aftermarket equipment should
not be added to the front end of your vehicle. The
airbag crash sensors may be affected by the change in
the front end structure. The airbags could deploy
unexpectedly or could fail to deploy during a colli-
sion resulting in serious injury or death.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 411

CAUTION!
Using this vehicle for snowplow applications can
cause damage to the vehicle.
WARNING!
Attaching a snowplow to this vehicle could adversely
affect performance of the airbag system in an acci-
dent. Do not expect that the airbag will perform as
described earlier in this manual
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will occur
if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.
Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
Recreational towing of two-wheel drive models is not
allowed.Towing with the rear wheels on the ground can
result in severe transmission damage.
412 STARTING AND OPERATING

Adding Fuel........................... 394
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 158
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 450
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 452
Air Conditioning ........................ 293
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 293
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 304
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............452,453
Air Conditioning System .............293,297,452
Air Pressure, Tires .................... 372,377
Airbag .............................. 53,63
Airbag Deployment ....................... 64
Airbag Light ................... 54,61,66,84,240
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 65
Airbag, Side ...................... 56,60,62,63
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........56,60,63
Alarm Light ........................... 230
Alarm, Panic ............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 18 Alarm System (Security Alarm)
............... 18
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 286
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........459,460,488
Disposal ............................ 462
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 350
Anti-Lock Warning Light ...............241,349
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Anti-Theft System ........................ 18
Appearance Care ........................ 469
Ashtray ............................... 187
Assistance Towing ....................... 114
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 35
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 94
Automatic Headlights .................... 147
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 297
Automatic Transmission ................... 315
Adding Fluid ......................... 468
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 469
522 INDEX

Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster ............................ 54
Lane Change and Turn Signals .............. 152
Lap Belts .............................. 49
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 41
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren) ...................... 72
Latches ................................ 85
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 85
Life of Tires ............................ 376
Light Bulbs ............................. 85
Lights .............................. 85,146
Airbag ...................... 54,61,66,84,240
Alarm .............................. 230
Anti-Lock ........................... 241
Anti-Lock Warning ..................... 349
Automatic Headlights ................... 147
Brake Warning ........................ 235 Bulb Replacement
...................... 481
Cargo .............................. 150
Center Mounted Stop ................... 485
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) ........ 239
Courtesy/Reading ..................... 172
Daytime Running ...................... 151
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 357
Exterior .............................. 85
Fog .......................... 148,241,483
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 420
Headlights ........................... 147
High Beam ........................ 153,234
High Beam Indicator .................... 234
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 153
Illuminated Entry ....................... 19
Instrument Cluster .................. 223,227
Interior .......................... 149,172
Lights On Reminder .................... 151
Low Fuel ............................ 234
530 INDEX

Seat Belt Reminder....................... 51
Seat Belts .......................... 39,41,84
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage ........ 49
And Pregnant Women ................... 52
Child Restraint ....................... 69,81
Extender ............................. 52
Front Seat ............................ 41
Inspection ............................ 84
Reminder ............................ 242
Seats .............................. 132,140
Adjustment .......................... 132
Child ............................... 81
Folding Floor ......................... 201
Heated ............................. 138
Memory ............................ 141
Power .............................. 136
Reclining ............................ 134
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ................ 18
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........459,489Sentry Key (Immobilizer)
................... 15
Sentry Key Programming ................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 16
Service Assistance ....................... 513
Service Contract ......................... 515
Service Manuals ........................ 517
Setting the Clock ................ 261,262,265,274
Settings, Personal ........................ 255
Shifting ............................... 312
Automatic Transmission ..............315,320
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) .......................... 413
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer
Case Neutral (N) ...................... 415
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 49
Shoulder Belts ........................... 41
Side Airbag ............................. 62
Signals, Turn ...................... 85,152,227
10
INDEX 535