2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL manual transmission

7. After shift is completed and the NEUTRAL light
comes on, release the NEUTRAL button.
8. Start engine.
9. Shift automatic transmission into REVERSE.
10. Release brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that
there is no vehicle movement.
11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 with the transmission in
DRIVE.
12. Shut engine OFF and place ignition key in the
unlocked OFF position.
13. Shift automatic transmission into PARK or 1st gear
on manual transmissions.
14. Apply parking brake.
15. Attach vehicle to tow vehicle with tow bar.
16. Release parking brake.NOTE:Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be
met prior to depressing the NEUTRAL selection button,
and must continue to be met until the four seconds
elapses and the shift has been completed. If any of these
requirements (with the exception of 3 - Key ON) are not
met prior to depressing the NEUTRAL button or are no
longer met during the four second timer, then the NEU-
TRAL indicator light will flash continuously until all
requirements are met or until the NEUTRAL button is
released.
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 in not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
NOTE:Flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light
indicates that shift requirements have not been met.
STARTING AND OPERATING 379
5

CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in
NEUTRAL and the engine running. With the transfer
case in NEUTRAL ensure, that the engine is OFF
prior to shifting the transmission into PARK.
Returning to Normal Operation Ð Electronic Shift
Transfer Case
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage:
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position, but do not
start the engine.4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Shift automatic transmission to NEUTRAL or depress
clutch on manual transmission.
6. Using the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object,
depress the recessed transfer case Neutral (N) button for
one second.
7. After the Neutral indicator light turns off, release the
Neutral (N) button.
8. After the Neutral (N) button has been released, the
transfer case will shift to the position identified by the
selector switch.
9. Shift automatic transmission into PARK.
NOTE:The transfer case cannot be shifted into NEU-
TRAL from the 4AUTO (if equipped) position.
380 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the jack extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
Tire Changing Procedure
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.Do not raise this vehicle using a bumper jack. The jack is
designed as a tool for changing tires on this vehicle only.
It is not recommended that the jack be used for service
purposes or to lift more than one wheel at a time.
Preparations
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or
slippery areas. Set the parking brake and place the gear
selector in PARK (automatic transmission) or REVERSE
(manual transmission). On four-wheel drive vehicles,
shift the transfer case to the ª4Lº position.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 387
6

JUMP-STARTING
WARNING!
To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing, do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or fabrics.
Do not lean over a battery when connecting jumper
cables or allow cable clamps to touch each other.
Keep open flames or sparks away from battery vent
holes. Always wear eye protection when working
with batteries.
Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12-volt system, i.e., do
not use a 24-volt power source.NOTE:Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicle's charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12±volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper
cables to start a vehicle's engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If indica-
tor (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 397
6

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
With Portable Starting Unit
There are many types of these units available. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions for necessary precautions
and operation.
CAUTION!
It is very important that the starting unit operating
voltage does not exceed 12-Volts DC or damage to
battery, starter motor, alternator, or electrical system
may occur.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gear
selector rhythmically between DRIVE and REVERSE
(automatic transmissions) or between 1st and REVERSE
(manual transmissions), while applying slight pressure to
the accelerator.
400 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off-road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer's instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
the main structural members of the vehicleÐnot to
bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws
applying to vehicles under tow must be observed.
4-Wheel Drive Vehicles
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the transfer case while towing,
always use one of the following methods.
NOTE:The transfer case must be in the neutral position,
and the transmission must be in PARK (automatic trans-
mission), or in gear (manual transmission) to tow a 4WD
vehicle with one end of the vehicle raised.
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and
the opposite end on a towing dolly.
402 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............431
NSteering Linkage Ð Inspection............432
NFront Prop Shaft Lubrication.............432
NFront Axle Universal Drive Joints And Ball
Joints..............................432
NBody Lubrication.....................433
NWindshield Wiper Blades................433
NWindshield Washers...................434
NExhaust System......................435
NCooling System.......................436
NFan ...............................442
NCharge Air Cooler (Inter-Cooler)..........442
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......443NBrake System........................443
NClutch Linkage.......................445
NClutch Hydraulic System................445
NRear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level..............................446
NTransfer Case Ð If Equipped.............446
NManual Transmission Ð If Equipped.......447
NAutomatic Transmission................447
NFront Wheel Bearings..................450
NNoise Control System Required Maintenance
& Warranty.........................451
NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................455
mFuses (Integrated Power Module)...........459
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Drain And Refill
Follow the Maintenance Schedule for recommended
transfer case fluid change intervals.
Lubricant Selection
Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for the
correct lubricant type.
Manual Transmission Ð If Equipped
Fluid Level Check
This fluid level can be checked by removing the filler
plug. If the level of the lubricant is more than 1/4º below
the bottom of the filler hole while the vehicle is on level
ground, enough lubricant should be added to bring the
level to the bottom of the filler hole.
Lubricant Selection for 6-Speed Manual
Transmission Ð If Equipped
If it becomes necessary to add fluid or change the fluid,
be sure to use the same lubricant or equivalent. Refer to
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for the correct
lubricant type.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturer 's recommended transmis-
sion fluid; refer to ªAutomatic Transmissionº under
ªFluids, Lubricants and Genuine Partsº in this section
Refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
fluid type. It is important that the transmission fluid be
maintained at the prescribed level using the recom-
mended fluid.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447
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