2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL manual transmission

mManual Transmission....................291
NShifting............................291
NDownshifting........................293
NReverse Shifting......................294
mFour±Wheel Drive Operation Ð If Equipped . . . 294
NManually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions................294
NShifting Procedure - Manually Shifted Transfer
Case..............................297
NTransfer Case Reminder Light............298
NElectronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch) Ð
If Equipped.........................299
NShifting Procedure Ð Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case........................303mLimited-Slip Differential Ð If Equipped.......306
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............307
mDriving Through Water..................307
NFlowing/Rising Water..................307
NShallow Standing Water.................308
mDriving Off-Road.......................309
mParking Brake.........................310
mBrake System..........................312
NBrake Noise.........................312
NFour-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System........313
mPower Steering........................315
mTire Safety Information...................316
NTire Markings........................316
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The engine block heater cord is a factory in-
stalled option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater
cords are available from your authorized Mopartdealer.
²A 12±volt heater built into the fuel filter housing aids
in preventing fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in
thermostat.
²A heated intake air system both improves engine
starting and reduces the amount of white smoke
generated by a warming engine.
Manual Transmission ± If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and depress the clutch pedal to the floor before
starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a
clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless
the clutch is fully depressed.
Normal Starting Procedure ± Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Above 66ÉF (19ÉC)
Observe the instrument panel cluster lights when starting
the engine.
1. Always apply the parking brake.
2. Shift into PARK for an automatic transmission. For
vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, fully de-
press and hold the clutch pedal and shift into NEUTRAL.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and watch the
instrument panel cluster lights.
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5

Stopping The Engine
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown.
After full load operation, idle the engine 3 to 5 minutes
before shutting it down. This idle period will allow the
lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat away from
the combustion chamber, bearings, internal components,
and turbocharger. This is especially important for turbo-
charged, charge air cooled engines.
NOTE:During engine shutdown on vehicles equipped
with manual transmissions, it is normal for the diesel
engine to resonate heavily for a moment during engine
shut off. When the engine is connected to a manual
transmission, this resonance causes loud gear rattle from
the transmission. This is commonly referred to as ªshut
down rattleº. The manufacturer recommends performing
engine shut down with the clutch pedal pushed to the
floor (clutch disengaged). When engine shut down is
performed in this manner the rattle is reduced (not
eliminated).Driving
ConditionLoadTurbo-
charger
TemperatureIdle Time
(min.) Be-
fore Engine
Shutdown
Stop and
GoEmpty Cool Less than
One
Stop and
GoMedium One
Highway
SpeedsMedium Warm Two
City Traffic Maximum
GCWRThree
Highway
SpeedsMaximum
GCWRFour
Uphill
GradeMaximum
GCWRHot Five
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will cause
abnormal wear on the clutch.NOTE:During cold weather, you may experience in-
creased effort in shifting until the transmission fluid
warms up. This is normal.
Shifting
Shift Pattern
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5

Truck models with manual transmission are equipped
with a clutch interlocking ignition system. The clutch
pedal must be fully depressed to start the vehicle.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.
This transmission has a ªcreeperº 1st gear (L=low) which
should be used to start from a standing position when
carrying a payload or towing a trailer. Damage to the
clutch can result from starting in 2nd or 3rd gear with a
loaded vehicle. An unloaded vehicle may be launched in
2nd gear. Use each gear in numerical order ± do not skip
a gear.
You should use 1st gear when starting from a standing
position if under heavy load or when pulling a trailer.Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds
To utilize your manual transmission efficiently for both
fuel economy and performance, it should be upshifted as
listed in recommended shift speed chart. Shift at the
vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. When heavily
loaded or pulling a trailer these recommended up-shift
speeds may not apply.
Maximum Recommended Up-shift Speeds
Gear
Selec-
tionLto2 2to3 3to4 4to5 5to6
Maxi-
mum
Speed7 mph
(11
km/h)15 mph
(24
km/h)25 mph
(40
km/h)40 mph
(64
km/h)45 mph
(72
km/h)
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

Maximum Recommended Downshifting Speeds
Gear
Selec-
tion6to5 5to4 4to3 3to2 2toL
Maxi-
mum
Speed68 mph
(109
km/h)50 mph
(80
km/h)32 mph
(51
km/h)19 mph
(31
km/h)10 mph
(16
km/h)
Reverse Shifting
To shift into REVERSE (R), bring the vehicle to a com-
plete stop. Depress the clutch and pause briefly to allow
the gear train to stop rotating. Beginning from the
NEUTRAL (N) position, move the shift lever in one quick
smooth motion straight across and into the REVERSE (R)
area (the driver will feel a firm ªclickº as the shifter
passes the ªknock-overº). Complete the shift by pulling
the shift lever into REVERSE (R).
The ªknock-overº prevents the driver from accidentally
entering the REVERSE (R) shift area and warns the driverthat they are about to shift the transmission into RE-
VERSE (R). Due to this feature, a slow shift to REVERSE
(R) can be perceived as a high shift effort.
To shift out of reverse bring the vehicle to a complete stop
and depress the clutch. Shifting out of reverse prior to a
complete stop may cause high shift effort.
FOUR±WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION Ð IF
EQUIPPED
Four-Wheel Drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. See the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located within this section.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The transfer case provides 4 mode positions-2(rear)-
wheel drive high range, 4-wheel drive high range, neu-
tral, and 4-wheel drive low range.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera-
tor pedal after completing the shift. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever.
2H or 4H,4L
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift
an automatic transmission to NEUTRAL or depress the
clutch on a manual transmission. While the vehicle is
coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer
case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in
transfer case NEUTRAL.
NOTE:Pausing in transfer case NEUTRAL in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission may require
shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while
completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift automatic
transmission to NEUTRAL, hold foot on brake, and turn
engine OFF. Make shift to the desired mode.NOTE:Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the
vehicle completely stopped, however difficulty may oc-
cur due to the mating clutch teeth not being properly
aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch
teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The pre-
ferred method is with the vehicle rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5
km/h).
NOTE:Do not attempt to shift to or from 4L while the
transmission is in gear or clutch is engaged.
Transfer Case Reminder Light
The four-wheel drive operating light (4WD), located in
the instrument cluster, is used to alert the driver that the
front axle is fully engaged and all four wheels are
driving.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

Preferred Procedure
1. With engine running, slow vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress clutch
on manual transmissions).
3. While still rolling, rotate the transfer case control
switch to the desired position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).
Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the key ON and the engine either OFF or
running, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL (depress
clutch on manual transmissions).3. Rotate the transfer case control switch to the desired
position.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not
flashing), shift transmission back into gear (release clutch
on manual transmissions).
NOTE:If steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate
Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift
then the desired position indicator light will flash con-
tinuously while the original position indicator light is
ON, until all requirements have been met.
NOTE:The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take
place and for the position indicator lights to be operable.
If the key is not ON then the shift will not take place and
no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:If your are leaving your vehicle stored for longer
than 21 days, refer to ªVehicle Storageº in section 7.
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