Dodge 3500 Diesel (2008 year). Manual

NOTE:

Dual rear wheel pickup models require properly

spaced rear clearance lights. If such a vehicle is operated
without a tailgate, suitable lights must be installed.

Tailgate Open

Tailgate Support Strap Attachment

180

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CONTENTS

m Instruments And Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
m Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

▫ Instrument Cluster – 6.7L Diesel Engine . . . . . 188

m Instrument Cluster Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
m Electronic Digital Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

▫ Clock Setting Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

m Radio General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

▫ Radio Broadcast Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
▫ Two Types Of Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

▫ Electrical Disturbances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
▫ AM Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
▫ FM Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

m Sales Code REF — AM/FM/CD (Single Disc)

Radio With Optional Satellite Radio And Hands
Free Phone Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

▫ Operating Instructions - Radio Mode . . . . . . . 202
▫ Operating Instructions - CD Mode . . . . . . . . . 206
▫ Operating Instructions - Auxiliary Mode . . . . . 208

▫ Operating Instructions - Hands-Free Phone — If

Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

▫ Operating Instructions - Satellite Radio — If

Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

m Sales Code RAQ – AM/FM/CD (6-Disc) Radio

With Optional Satellite Radio, Hands-Free Phone,
And Video Entertainment Systems (VES™)
Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

▫ Operating Instructions - Radio Mode . . . . . . . 210
▫ Operating Instructions - (CD Mode For CD

Audio Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

▫ Load/Eject Button (CD Mode For CD Audio

Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

▫ Notes On Playing MP3 Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
▫ Operating Instructions - (CD Mode For MP3

Audio Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

▫ Load/Eject Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play) . . 221

m Sales Code RAK – AM/FM/Cassette/CD (6-Disc)

Radio With Optional Satellite Radio, Hands Free
Phone, Video, MP3, And WMA Capabilities . . . . 224

▫ Operating Instructions - Radio Mode . . . . . . . 224
▫ Operating Instructions — Tape Player . . . . . . . 228
▫ Seek Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
▫ Fast Forward (FF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
▫ Rewind (RW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
▫ Tape Eject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
▫ Scan Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
▫ Changing Tape Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
▫ Metal Tape Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
▫ Pinch Roller Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

184

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫ Noise Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
▫ Operating Instructions - (CD Mode For CD

Audio Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

▫ Load/Eject Button (CD Mode For CD Audio

Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

▫ Notes On Playing MP3 Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
▫ Operating Instructions - (CD Mode For MP3

And WMA Audio Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

▫ Load/Eject Button (CD Mode For MP3 And

WMA Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

m Sales Code REC — AM/FM/CD (6–Disc) Radio

With Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

▫ Operating Instructions — Satellite Radio — If

Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

▫ REC Setting The Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

m Video Entertainment System (Sales Code XRV) —

If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

m Satellite Radio — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

▫ System Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
▫ Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification

Number (ESN/SID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

▫ Selecting Satellite Mode In REF, RAQ, And

RAK Radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

▫ Selecting A Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
▫ Storing And Selecting Preset Channels . . . . . . 244
▫ Using The PTY (Program Type) Button — If

Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244

▫ PTY Button Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
▫ PTY Button Seek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

185

▫ Satellite Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
▫ Reception Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245

m Remote Sound System Controls — If Equipped . . 246

▫ Radio Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
▫ Tape Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
▫ CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

m Cassette Tape And Player Maintenance . . . . . . . 247
m Compact Disc Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
m Radio Operation And Cellular Phones . . . . . . . . 249

m Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

▫ Heater Only — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
▫ Air Conditioning And Heating —

If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252

▫ Air Conditioning With Dual Zone Temperature

Control — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

▫ Operating Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
▫ Operating Tips Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262

186

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

1 — Headlight Switch

6 — Passenger Airbag*

11 — TPMS “Light Load” Reset Switch* 16 — Transfer Case Control Switch*

2 — Air Outlets

7 — Glove Box

12 — Power Sliding Back Glass Switch*

17 — Parking Brake Release Lever

3 — Instrument Cluster

8 — Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch*

13 — Cupholders

18 — Adjustable Pedal Control Switch*

4 — Climate Controls

9 — Power Outlet

14 — Exhaust Brake Switch*

* If Equipped

5 — Radio

10 — Heated Seat Switch

15 — Cigar Lighter

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

187

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION

1. Check Gauges

This 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.

NOTE:

• 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.

• The cycling action will cause temporary dimming of

the headlights, interior lights, and also a noticeable
reduction in blower motor speed.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

189

3. Turn Signal Indicators
Lights in instrument cluster flash when outside turn
signals are operating.

4. Tachometer
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revolutions per
minute.

CAUTION!

Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
pointer at high rpm for extended periods. Engine
damage may occur.

5. Airbag Indicator Light
The indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8 seconds
when the ignition is first turned on. If the light stays on,
flickers or comes on while driving, have the airbag
system checked by an authorized dealer.

6. High Beam Indicator

This indicator shows that headlights are on high
beam.

7. Seat Belt Reminder Light

When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for five to eight seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s seat

belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound. After the bulb
check or when driving, if the driver seat belt remains
unbuckled, the Seat Belt Warning Light will flash or
remain on continuously. Refer to

9Enhanced Driver Seat

Belt Reminder System (BeltAlert

t)9 under “Occupant

Restraints” in section 2.

8. Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed in miles per
hour and/or kilometers per hour.

190

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

9. Oil Pressure Gauge

The pointer should always indicate some oil pres-
sure when the engine is running. A continuous

high or low reading, under normal driving conditions,
may indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immedi-
ate service should be obtained.

NOTE:

If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of

the gauge, the “Check Gauges” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.

10. Transfer Case Position
This display indicator shows the transfer case position
selection.

For additional information refer to “Four-Wheel Drive
Operation” in Section 5 of this manual.

11. TOW HAUL
The TOW HAUL button is located at the end of the gear
shift lever. This light will illuminate when the TOW
HAUL button is pushed once.

12. Temperature Gauge

The temperature gauge indicates engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the normal
range indicates that the cooling system is operat-

ing satisfactorily. The gauge needle will likely indicate a
higher temperature when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, in heavy traffic, or when towing a
trailer. If the needle rises to the “245°F” (118°C) mark,
stop the vehicle, shift into NEUTRAL, and increase the
engine idle speed for two to three minutes. If the tem-
perature reading does not return to normal, shut your
engine OFF and allow it to cool. Seek authorized service
immediately. Refer to “Cooling System” under “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” in Section 7.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

191

CAUTION!

Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running as you would not be able to react to the
temperature indicator if the engine overheats.

NOTE:

Engine idle speed will automatically increase to

1000 rpm at elevated coolant temperatures to improve
engine cooling.

NOTE:

If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of

the gauge, the “Check Gauges” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.

13. Security Light
The light will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds
when the Vehicle Theft Alarm is arming. The light will

flash at a slower rate after the alarm is set. The Security
Light will also come on for about two seconds when the
ignition is first turned ON.

14. Transmission Range Indicator (Automatic
Transmissions Only)
When the gear selector lever is moved on vehicles with
the 68RFE transmission, this indicator shows the auto-
matic transmission gear range selected (P R N D). Ve-
hicles equipped with Auto-6/Electronic Range Select
(ERS) will display the selection of the desired top gear, in
the position next to the D (Drive).

15. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed

192

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.

The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the Trip Odometer button.

To reset a trip odometer, display the desired trip odom-
eter to be reset then push and hold the button until the
display resets (approximately two seconds).

Vehicle Warning Messages

When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
“door” (indicates that a door(s) may be ajar), “gASCAP”
(which indicates that your gas cap is possibly loose or
damaged), and “noFUSE” (indicates that the IOD fuse is
removed from the Integrated Power Module), will dis-
play in the odometer.

NOTE:

Most warnings will display in the EVIC (Elec-

tronic Vehicle Information Center).

NOTE:

There is also an engine hour function. This

indicates the total number of hours the engine has been
running. To display the engine hours perform the follow-
ing: Place the ignition in RUN, but do not start the
engine. With the odometer value displayed, hold the trip
button down for a period of 6 seconds. The odometer will
change to trip value first, then it will display the engine
hour value. The engine hours will be displayed for a
period of 30 seconds until the ignition is turned off or the
engine is started.

16. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped

This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

193

17. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
which monitors the emissions and engine control
system. If the vehicle is ready for emissions

testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on, as a bulb check, until the
engine is started. If the vehicle is not ready for emissions
testing the light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds, then blink for
five seconds, and remain on until the vehicle is started. If
the bulb does not come on during starting, have the
condition investigated promptly.

If this light comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.

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.

18. Brake System Warning Light
This light illuminates when the ignition key is turned to
the ON position and remains on for a few seconds. If the
light stays on longer, it may be an indication that the
parking brake has not been released. This light will
illuminate if the brake fluid is low, especially when
braking or accelerating hard. This light will illuminate if
the ABS indicator light has a malfunction. This light will
flash if the engine is running and the parking brake is on.

194

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the light remains on when the parking brake is
released, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic system
malfunction. In this case, the light will remain on until
the cause is corrected.

If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is necessary
and continued operation of the vehicle in this condition is
dangerous.

Acceleration which causes the rear wheels to slip for a
period of time may result in the red brake light illumi-
nating and a brake switch code being set on ABS
equipped vehicles. Depressing the brake pedal should
extinguish the red brake light.

19. ABS Warning Light

This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
which is described elsewhere in this manual. This

light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for five seconds. If the ABS
light remains on or comes on during driving, it indicates

that the anti-lock portion of the brake system is not
functioning and that service is required. See your autho-
rized dealer immediately. The ABS light could also
illuminate during loss of traction and remain illuminated
until the brake pedal is pressed.

20. Cargo Light

The Cargo Light will illuminate when the
Cargo Light is activated by pressing the Cargo
Light Button on the headlight switch.

21. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)

This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control system. If a prob-
lem is detected, the light will come on while the
engine is running. If the light remains lit with

the engine running your vehicle will usually be drivable,
however, see your authorized dealer for service as soon
as possible. If the light is flashing when the engine is
running, immediate service is required and you may

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

195

Dodge 3500 Diesel (2008 year). Manual - part 12