Dodge 3500 Diesel (2008 year). Manual - part 11

Cupholder Door Handle

Cupholders Automatic Transmission

164

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Front Instrument Panel Cupholders (Bucket
Seats) — Automatic Transmission

If your new vehicle is equipped with bucket seats there
are three cupholders located on the front of the center
console.

Front Instrument Panel Cupholders — Manual
Transmission

Cupholders Bucket Seat

Cupholders Manual Transmission

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

165

Rear Cupholder (Quad Cab

) — If Equipped

Quad Cab

t vehicles may be equipped with a rear cup-

holder that consists of two cup wells for rear passenger
convenience.

Rear Cupholder (Mega Cab

)

Mega Cab

t vehicles are equipped with rear cupholders

located in the center armrest.

Mega Cab

t Rear Armrest Cupholder

166

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STORAGE

Center Storage Compartment (40–20–40 Seat) – If
Equipped

The center portion of the seat folds down to provide an
armrest with unique storage compartments under the lid.
Push the button on the front of the armrest to raise the

cover. Inside there is a power outlet (if equipped),
removable coin holder (if equipped), and two dividers to
configure the storage area into compartments. For ex-
ample, compartments can be configured to hold a lap-top
computer, a cellular telephone, CDs and miscellaneous
items. The top of the cover provides a generous firm
surface to serve as a desktop for your “mobile office.”

WARNING!

• This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the

armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.

• In an accident, the latch may open if the total

weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs (4.5
kg). These items could be thrown about endanger-
ing occupants of the vehicle. Items stored should
not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).

Center Storage Compartment

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

167

CAUTION!

• Many accessories that can be plugged in draw

power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not in
use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s battery will
discharge sufficiently to degrade battery life
and/or prevent engine starting.

• Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,

vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.

• After the use of high power draw accessories, or

long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.

Center Storage Compartment (Bucket Seats) – If
Equipped

Push the upper button on the front of the armrest to raise
the upper cover. Inside is a power outlet (if equipped), a
cutout for a cell phone charger cord, removable coin
holder (if equipped), and a divider to configure the

Center Storage Compartment

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

storage area into separate compartments. Lift the lower
handle on the front of the armrest, and raise the armrest
for access to the lower storage bin. On Quad Cab

t and

Mega Cab

t models the rear of the floor console offers a

power outlet, a tip out bin and a rear air duct (Mega Cab

Only).

WARNING!

• This armrest is not a seat. Anyone seated on the

armrest could be seriously injured during vehicle
operation, or an accident. Only use the center
seating position when the armrest is fully upright.

• In an accident, the latch may open if the total

weight of the items stored exceeds about 10 lbs (4.5
kg). These items could be thrown about endanger-
ing occupants of the vehicle. Items stored should
not exceed a total of 10 lbs (4.5 kg).

CAUTION!

• Many accessories that can be plugged in draw

• Accessories that draw higher power (i.e., coolers,

vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the
battery even more quickly. Only use these inter-
mittently and with greater caution.

• After the use of high power draw accessories, or

long periods of the vehicle not being started (with
accessories still plugged in), the vehicle must be
driven a sufficient length of time to allow the
generator to recharge the vehicle’s battery.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

169

Storage and Seats (Quad Cab

Models)

Located in the center of the front 40–20–40 seat cushion
there is a storage compartment.

Regular Cab models also have storage behind the seat.

The Quad Cab

t models provide additional storage under

the rear seat. Lift the seat to access the storage compart-
ment.

Quad Cab

t Storage

170

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Storage and Seats (Mega Cab Models)

The Mega Cab models provide additional storage behind
the rear seat.

To gain access to the Mega Cab rear storage, fold the rear
seats to the “kneel position”. (See page 123 for more
information.)

Push down on the front of the storage compartment
handle and lift the storage compartment cover.

Mega Cab Rear Storage Compartment Handle

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

171

The rear storage compartment can be divided into three
separate compartments by using the divider doors inside
the storage compartment.

Plastic Grocery Bag Retainers (Mega Cab
Models)

Retainer hooks which will hold plastic grocery bag
handles are built into the back panel of the cab, behind
the rear seat.

Mega Cab Rear Storage Dividers

Grocery Bag Hooks

172

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

REAR WINDOW FEATURES

Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors — If Equipped

The Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors are activated by pressing the

heated grid button, located on the Climate Control panel,
with the ignition ON. Turning OFF the ignition will
deactivate the Electric Rear Window Defroster and
Heated Sideview Mirrors feature. These features also
turn off after activation, when 15 minutes have elapsed.
For ten more minutes of operation, push the button
again.

Power Sliding Rear Window — If Equipped

The power sliding rear window switch is located on the
instrument panel below the climate controls. Press the
right side of the switch to open the glass and the left side
of the switch to close the glass.

Power Sliding Rear Window Switch

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

173

Sliding Rear Window — If Equipped

A locking device in the center of the window helps to
prevent entry from the rear of the vehicle. Squeeze the
lock to release the window.

FOLD FLAT LOAD FLOOR — IF EQUIPPED

Quad Cab

t models with a 60/40 rear seat may be

equipped with a folding load floor.

Quad Cab

t Rear 60/40 Seat

174

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

Do not operate the vehicle with loose items stored on
the load floor. While driving or in an accident you
may experience abrupt stopping, rapid acceleration,
or sharp turns. Loose objects stored on the load floor
may move around with force and strike occupants,
resulting in serious or fatal injury.

Unfolding the Load Floor

1. Lift the 60/40 seat cushion(s) to the upward position.

Unfolding The Load Floor

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

175

2. Grasp the knob on the load floor and lift the knob until
the load floor unfolds into position.

3. Reverse the procedure to store the load floor.

Positioning the Load Floor for Storage Access Under
the Seat

1. Lift the 60/40 seat cushion(s) to the upward position.

2. Unsnap the securing snap located at either side of the
load floor.

3. Lift the load floor up to access storage under the load
floor.

WARNING!

Do not drive with the load floor in the up position.
When stopping fast or in an accident, the load floor
could move to the down position causing serious
injury.

Load Floor In Open Position

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

4. Reverse the procedure to put the load floor back in the
secured down position before you operate the vehicle.

PICKUP BOX

The pickup box on your new vehicle has many features
designed for utility and convenience.

Load Floor Securing Straps

Pickup Box Features

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

177

NOTE:

If you are installing a toolbox to the front of the

pickup box, you must use Mopar

t toolbox brackets

available from your authorized dealer.

You can carry wide building materials (sheets of ply-
wood, etc.) by building a raised load floor. Place lumber
across the box in the indentations provided above the
wheel housings and in the bulkhead dividers to form the
floor.

WARNING!

The pickup box is intended for load carrying pur-
poses only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.

WARNING!

• Care should always be exercised when operating a

vehicle with unrestrained cargo. Vehicle speeds
may need to be reduced. Severe turns or rough
roads may cause shifting or bouncing of the cargo
that may result in vehicle damage. If wide build-
ing materials are to be frequently carried, the
installation of a support is recommended. This
will restrain the cargo and transfer the load to the
pickup box floor.

• If you wish to carry more than 600 lbs (272 kg) of

material suspended above the wheelhouse, sup-
ports must be installed to transfer the weight of
the load to the pickup box floor or vehicle damage
may result. The use of proper supports will permit
loading up to the rated payload.

• Unrestrained cargo may be thrown forward in an

accident causing serious or fatal injury.

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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

There are stampings in the sheet metal on the inner side
bulkheads of the box in front of and behind both wheel
housings. Place wooden boards across the box from side
to side to create separate load compartments in the
pickup box.

There are four tie-down cleats bolted to the lower sides of
the pickup box that can sustain loads up to 1000 lbs (450
kg) total.

SLIDE-IN CAMPERS

Camper Applications

Certain truck models are not recommended for slide-in
campers. To determine if your vehicle is excluded, please
refer to the “Consumer Information Truck-Camper Load-
ing” document available from your dealer. For safety
reasons, follow all instructions in this important docu-
ment.

NOTE:

When a cap or pickup camper is installed on a

vehicle, an alternate CHMSL (Center High Mounted Stop
Light) must be provided.

EASY-OFF TAILGATE

To simplify mounting of a camper unit with an overhang,
the tailgate can be removed quickly. If the truck is a 3500
dual rear wheel model, unplug the tailgate wire harness
from under the rear of the truck and pull the harness out
of the cargo box access hole. Unlatch the tailgate and
remove the support cables by releasing the lock tang
from the pivot, then rotate and pull away from the box.
Once the cables are free, move to the right side of the
tailgate hinge bracket.

Raise the right side of the tailgate until the right side
pivot clears the hanger bracket. Slide the entire tailgate to
the right to free the left side pivot. Remove the tailgate
from the vehicle, entirely. Do not carry the tailgate loose
in the truck pickup box.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

179

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