2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL transmission

TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive
(68RFE) Ð If Equipped
The gear selector lever display located in the instrument
panel cluster indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal to pull the selector
lever out of PARK position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from PARK or NEUTRAL
to the desired DRIVE position. Pull the selector lever
toward you when shifting into REVERSE, SECOND,
FIRST or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.PARK
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range. Always apply parking brake first,
then place the selector in PARK position. On 4-wheel
drive vehicles be sure that the transfer case is in a drive
position!
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
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WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in PARK.
Make sure it is in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.REVERSE
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Shift to NEUTRAL when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
Drive range provides underdrive 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears,
direct 4th gear and overdrive 5th and 6th gears. The shift
into overdrive 5th and 6th gear occurs only after the
transmission has completed the shift into 4th gear. No
other movement of the shift mechanism is required to
complete the 4±5 or 5±6 gear shifts.
The 4th and 5th gear upshifts occurs automatically unless
the Tow/Haul mode is enabled.
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Upshifts into both overdrive gears, 5th and 6th, will be
delayed when the transmission fluid temperature is
below 40É F (4.5É C) or above 240É F (115.5É C).
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in 2nd or 1st gear in high ambients as torque
converter slip can impose significant additional heat load
on the cooling system.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled 5th and 6th (Overdrive). The trans-
mission will automatically shift from Drive to Overdrive
if the following conditions are present:
²the transmission selector is in DRIVE;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
²the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº switch has not been
activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
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5

NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).When To Use TOW HAUL
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW HAUL button once to select TOW
HAUL. In TOW HAUL mode, 4th to 5th gear upshifts are
1 Ð Tow/Haul Switch
2 Ð AUTO-6 (ERS) Switch 288 STARTING AND OPERATING

delayed. Shifts into 5th and 6th gear are still allowed
under steady cruise conditions. Closed throttle down-
shifts (for improved engine braking) may occur during
steady braking maneuvers. Pressing the switch a second
time restores normal operation. Normal operation is
always the default at engine start-up.
The TOW HAUL light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster to indicate when the switch has been activated. If
the TOW HAUL modes are desired, the button must be
pressed each time the engine is started.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Auto±6 Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
allows you to move the switch down (-) or up (+) when
the shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the
selection of the desired top gear. For example, if the
driver shifts the transmission into 3rd gear, the transmis-
sion will never shift above 3rd gear, but can shift down to
2nd or 1st gear, when needed.Switching from ERS to D-Mode can be done at any
vehicle speed. To switch from ªDriveº mode to ªERSº
mode, press the switch down (-) once. The current gear
will be maintained as the top gear. To disable ERS, simply
press and hold the switch up (+) until ªDº is displayed in
the instrument cluster odometer.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12 3456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
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NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
switch down (-). The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to second
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the TOW HAUL O/D OFF button, when the
transmission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that
the transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to
the fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from PARK into
any other gear position.
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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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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)
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