Dodge 3500 Diesel (2008 year). Manual

To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.

Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other abrasive materials to clean the lenses.

Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only and Fleet
Vehicles)

The headlights on your vehicle will illuminate when the
engine is started and the transmission is in any gear
except PARK. This provides a constant

9Lights ON9

condition until the ignition is turned OFF. The lights
illuminate at less than 50% of normal intensity. If the
parking brake is applied, the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) will turn OFF. Also, if a turn signal is activated, the
DRL lamp on the same side of the vehicle will turn off for
the duration of the turn signal activation. Once the turn
signal is no longer active, the DRL lamp will illuminate.

Lights-on Reminder

If the headlights, parking lights, or cargo lights are left on
after the ignition is turned OFF, a chime will sound when
the driver’s door is opened.

Fog Lights — If Equipped

The fog lights are turned ON by placing the
headlight rotary control in the parking light or
headlight position and pushing in the headlight

rotary control. The fog lights will operate only when the
parking lights are on or when the vehicle headlights are
on low beam. An indicator light located in the instrument
cluster will illuminate when the fog lights are on. The fog
lights will turn off when the switch is pushed a second
time, when the headlight switch is rotated to the OFF
position, or the high beam is selected.

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Cargo Light — If Equipped

The cargo lights are turned ON by pressing on the
CARGO button. The interior lights will also turn on
when the cargo lights are on. The cargo lights will also
turn ON for 30 seconds when a key fob UNLOCK is
pressed, as part of the illuminated entry feature.

Multifunction Control Lever

The multifunction control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.

Turn Signals
Move the lever up or down to signal a right-hand or
left-hand turn.

The arrow on either side of the instrument cluster flashes
to indicate the direction of the turn, and proper operation
of the front and rear turn signal lights. If a defective bulb
or wiring circuit is detected for the turn signal system, the
arrow indicators will flash at a faster rate. If an indicator
fails to light when the lever is moved, it would suggest
that the switch or indicator lamp is defective.

Cargo Light Switch

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

133

You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down.

Turn Signal Auto Mode
Tap the multifunction control lever once and the turn
signal (left or right) will flash three times, and automati-
cally turn off.

Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
partially pulling the multifunction lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the high beam headlights to
turn on until the lever is released.

High Beam / Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction control lever fully toward the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from HIGH or
LOW beam.

Turn Signal Lever

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The wipers and washers are operated by a switch in the
multifunction control lever. Turn the end of the handle to
select the desired wiper speed.

Intermittent Wiper System
The intermittent feature of this system was designed for
use when weather conditions make a single wiping cycle,
with a variable pause between cycles, desirable. For
maximum delay between cycles, rotate the control knob
into the upper end of the delay range.

The delay interval decreases as you rotate the knob until
it enters the LOW continual speed position. The delay
can be regulated from a maximum of about 15 seconds
between cycles, to a cycle every two seconds. The delay
intervals will double in duration when the vehicle speed
is 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

WARNING!

Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with the defroster before and during
windshield washer use.

Windshield Washers

To use the washer, push in on the washer knob on the end
of the multifunction control lever and hold while spray is
desired. If the washer knob is depressed while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several seconds
after the washer knob is released. It will then resume the
intermittent interval previously selected. If the washer
knob is pushed for a period greater than one second

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

while in the OFF position, the wiper will wipe approxi-
mately three wipes after the wash knob is released.

To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.

TILT STEERING COLUMN

To tilt the column, pull rearward on the lever below the
turn signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the lever forward to lock the column firmly
in place.

Tilt Steering Control Lever

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

137

WARNING!

Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.

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.

Adjustable Pedals Switch

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Adjustment

1. Position the driver seat so that you are at least 10 in
(254 mm) 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 of
the steering column near the parking brake release, in the
direction you desire to move the pedals.

4. The pedals cannot be adjusted when the vehicle is in
REVERSE or when the Electronic Speed Control is SET.

CAUTION!

Do not place any article under the adjustable pedals
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become lim-
ited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in the
adjustable pedal’s path.

ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED

When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tion at speeds greater than 35 mph (56 km/h). The
controls are mounted on the steering wheel.

Electronic Speed Control Buttons

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

139

NOTE:

The Electronic Speed Control System has been

designed to shut down if multiple speed control switch
buttons (i.e., SET and CANCEL) are operated simulta-
neously, in order to ensure proper operation. The system
can be reactivated by pushing the speed control switch
ON/OFF button and re-establishing the desired vehicle
SET speed.

To Activate

Push the ON/OFF button to the ON position. An indi-
cator light in the instrument cluster illuminates when the
system is on.

To Set At A Desired Speed

When 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 Deactivate

A 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 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 sys-
tem OFF when you aren’t using it.

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Resume Speed

To resume a previously set speed, push and release the
RESUME button. Resume can be used at any speed above
30 mph (50 km/h).

To Vary The Speed Setting

When the speed control is on, speed can be increased by
pressing and holding the RESUME/ACCEL button.
When the button is released, a new set speed will be
established.

Tapping the RESUME/ACCEL button once will result in
a 2 mph (3 km/h) speed increase. Each time the button is
tapped, speed increases so that tapping the button three
times will increase speed by 6 mph (10 km/h), etc.

Tapping the DECEL button once will result in a 1 mph (2
km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is tapped,
speed will decrease. For example, tapping the button
three times will decrease the speed by 3 mph (5 km/h),
etc.

To decrease speed while the speed control is on, press
and hold the DECEL button. Release the button when the
desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.

To Accelerate For Passing

Depress 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 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing), the vehicle may slow below
the SET speed. If the vehicle speed drops below 35 mph
(56 km/h), the speed control will automatically disen-
gage. If this happens, you can push down on the accel-
erator pedal to maintain the desired speed.

Vehicles equipped with a 6–speed manual transmission
should be operated in 4th or 5th gear under the above
conditions.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

141

Vehicles equipped with a 4–speed automatic transmis-
sion may exhibit several 4-3 downshifts under the above
conditions. To reduce the frequency of the downshifts
and to improve vehicle performance, it is advisable to
lock out overdrive by pressing the O/D OFF button
located at the end of the gear shifter.

WARNING!

Speed control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.

OVERHEAD CONSOLE WITH ELECTRONIC
VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER (EVIC) —
DIESEL ONLY

The overhead console contains dome/reading lights, and
an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).

Dome/Reading Lights

Located in the overhead console are two dome/reading
lights.

The dome/reading lights illuminate when a door is
opened or when the interior lights are turned on by
rotating the dimmer control located on the headlight
switch.

The reading lights are activated by pressing on the
recessed area of the corresponding lens.

NOTE:

The dome/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.

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped

Pressing the menu button will change the
display to one of the following features:

Dome/Reading Lights

Overhead Console with EVIC

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

143

Trip Functions
Pressing the STEP button allows you to scroll through
one of the following Trip Function features:

• TRIP – Shows the total distance traveled since the last

reset. To reset the TRIP function, press and hold the
RESET button.

• ELAPSED TIME – Shows the total elapsed time of

travel since the last reset. Elapsed time will increment
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN or START
positions.

• UNIT IN US/METRIC – Press the RESET button to

toggle between US and METRIC.

• AVG. MPG – Shows the average fuel economy since

the last reset. When the fuel economy is reset, the
display will show dashes for two seconds. Then the
history information will be erased, and the averaging
will continue from the last fuel average reading before

the reset. (Example: If your EVIC displays 18 AVG.
MPG and the RESET button is pressed, the previous
averaging history will be erased and the display will
return to the 18 AVG. MPG, not to 0 AVG. MPG.) The
display may take several miles/kilometers for the
value to change, dependent upon driving habits.

• MI TO EMPTY (Distance to Empty) – Shows the

estimated distance that can be traveled with the fuel
remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of fuel economy,
according to the current fuel tank level. MI TO EMPTY
cannot be reset through the RESET button.

NOTE:

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 mi (48 km)

estimated driving distance, the DTE display will
change to a text display of

9LOW FUEL.9 This display

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding
a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off
the

9LOW FUEL9 text and a new DTE value will

display.

System Status (EVIC Displays)
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages:

• TURN SIGNALS ON (with a continuous warning

chime)

• PERSONAL SETTINGS NOT AVAILABLE – Vehicle

Not in Park or Vehicle in Motion (manual transmis-
sions only)

• LEFT/RIGHT FRONT DOOR AJAR (one or more,

with a single chime if speed is above 1 mph (1.6 km/h)

• LEFT/RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR (one or more, with

a single chime if speed is above 1 mph (1.6 km/h)

• DOOR(S) AJAR (with a single chime if vehicle is in

motion)

• LOW WASHER FLUID (with a single chime)
• OIL CHANGE REQUIRED (with a single chime)
• CATALYST FULL SEE OWNER MANUAL
• CATALYST STAT lllllll 90%
• CATALYST FULL SERVICE REQUIRED
• SERVICE AIR FILTER
• PERFORM SERVICE

OIL CHANGE REQUIRED — If Equipped
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Required” message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

145

indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate, dependent
upon your personal driving style.

Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Menu button. To reset the oil change indicator
system (after performing the scheduled maintenance) use
the following procedure.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).

2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.

3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.

NOTE:

If the indicator message illuminates when you

start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.

PERFORM SERVICE
Your vehicle will require emissions maintenance at a set
interval. To help remind you when this maintenance is
due, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
will display “Perform Service”. When the “Perform Ser-
vice” message is displayed on the EVIC it is necessary to
have the emissions maintenance performed. Emissions
maintenance includes replacing the Closed Crankcase
Ventilation (CCV) filter element, cleaning of the EGR
Cooler, and cleaning of the EGR Valve. The procedure for
clearing and resetting the

9Perform Service9 indicator

message is located in the appropriate Service Informa-
tion.

Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
Personal Settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the transmission is in PARK. If the trans-
mission is not in PARK, the EVIC will display NOT
AVAILABLE and VEHICLE NOT IN PARK.

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Press and release the Menu button until the
Personal Settings displays on the EVIC.

Use the STEP button to display one of the following:

• “LANGUAGE” – When in this display you may select

one of three languages for all display nomenclature,
including the trip functions. Press the RESET button
while in this display to select English, Espanol, or
Francais. Then, as you continue, the information will
display in the selected language.

• “AUTO DOOR LOCKS > ON” – When ON is selected,

all doors will lock automatically when the vehicle
reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h). To make your
selection, press and release the RESET button until
“ON” or “OFF” appears.

• “AUTO UNLOCK ON EXIT > ON” – When ON is

selected, all doors will unlock when the vehicle is

stopped and the transmission is in the PARK or
NEUTRAL position and the driver’s door is opened.
To make your selection, press and release the RESET
button until “ON” or “OFF” appears.

• “RKE UNLOCK DRV DR 1st” – When DRV DR 1st is

selected, only the driver’s door will unlock on the first
press of the remote keyless entry UNLOCK button.
When Driver Door 1st Press is selected, you must
press the remote keyless entry UNLOCK button twice
to unlock the passenger’s doors. To make your selec-
tion, press and release the RESET button until “DRV
DR 1st ” appears.

• “RKE UNLOCK ALL DR 1ST” – When ALL DR 1ST is

selected, all of the doors will unlock on the first press
of the remote keyless entry unlock button. To make
your selection, press and release the RESET button
until “All DR 1st” appears.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

147

Dodge 3500 Diesel (2008 year). Manual - part 9