2008 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL engine

²Up Steep Hills Ð
select a lower transmission gear, but try and keep the
torque converter clutch engaged.
²Air Conditioning Ð
turn it off temporarily.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Low Oil
Pressure
When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the
minimum oil pressures required are:
Idle 700 to 800 RPM............... 10psi(69kPa)
Full speed and load.............. 30psi(207 kPa)
CAUTION!
If oil pressure falls to less than normal readings, shut
the engine off immediately. Failure to do so could
result in immediate and severe engine damage.
Do Not Operate The Engine With Failed Parts
Practically all failures give some warning before the parts
fail. Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds,
and visual evidence that the engine requires service.
Some important clues are:
²engine misfiring or vibrating severely
²sudden loss of power
²unusual engine noises
²fuel, oil or coolant leaks
²sudden change, outside the normal operating range, in
the engine operating temperature
²excessive smoke
²oil pressure drop
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DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE (ENGINE BRAKING) ±
IF EQUIPPED
The exhaust brake feature will only function when the
driver turns the exhaust brake switch to the ON position.
Once the switch is in the ON position and the vehicle is
moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h); the exhaust brake
will automatically operate when the driver removes
pressure from the accelerator pedal. Exhaust braking is
most effective when the engine RPM is higher. The
automatic transmission has been programmed to down-
shift more aggressively when the exhaust brake is en-
abled to increase brake performance.
Exhaust Brake Switch
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5

WARNING!
Do not use the Exhaust Brake feature when driving
in icy or slippery conditions as the increased engine
braking can cause the rear wheels to slide and the
vehicle to swing around with the possible loss of
vehicle control, which may cause an accident possi-
bly resulting in personal injury or death.
NOTE:For optimum braking power it is recommended
to use the Exhaust Brake while in Tow/Haul Mode.
The purpose of the exhaust brake (engine braking) fea-
ture is to supply negative (braking) torque to the engine.
Typically, the engine braking is used for, but not limited
to, vehicle towing applications where vehicle braking can
be achieved by the internal engine power, thereby spar-
ing the mechanical brakes of the vehicle.Benefits of the exhaust brake are:²vehicle driving control
²reduced brake fade
²longer brake life
²faster cab warm-up.
The exhaust brake feature can also be used to reduce the
engine warm up time. To use the exhaust brake as a
warm-up device, the vehicle must be moving less than 5
mph (8 km/h), the exhaust brake switch must be in the
ON position, and the coolant temperature must below
180ÉF (82ÉC) and ambient temperature below 60ÉF (16ÉC).
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

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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5

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.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

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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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.
290 STARTING AND OPERATING