2008 DODGE RAM 2500 GAS Light load

Shifting Ð 1500 Vehicles
1500 models are equipped with a G238 manual transmis-
sion. This transmission has 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.
You should always use 1st gear when starting from a
standing position.
Recommended 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.
Shift Pattern (1500 Models)
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

The 4-wheel drive light (4WD), located in the instrument
cluster, alerts the driver that the vehicle is in 4-wheel
drive and that the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. This light illuminates when the transfer case is
shifted to either the 4H or 4L positions. There is no light
for the 2H or NEUTRAL positions.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
at a given road speed. Take care not to overspeed the
engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference will adversely affect shifting and can
cause damage to the transfer case.NOTE:Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. The transfer case is not
equipped with a synchronizer and therefore the front and
rear driveshaft speeds must be equal for the shift to take
place. Shifting while only the front or rear wheels are
spinning can cause damage to the transfer case.
Because 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
NOTE:Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low or uneven tire
pressures, excessive vehicle loading, or cold tempera-
tures.
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

PARKING BRAKE
The foot-operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle.
NOTE:The instrument cluster red brake warning light
will come on and flash to indicate that the parking brake
is applied. You must be sure that the parking brake is
fully applied before leaving the vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
the shift lever is in the PARK position. When parking on
a hill you should apply the parking brake before placing
the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK.
Parking Brake Release
318 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than
7%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer
where the system will not activate and slight rolling
may occur, which could cause a collision with an-
other vehicle or object. Always remember the driver
is responsible for braking the vehicle.
The system will only work if the intended direction of the
vehicle and vehicle gear match. For example, if the
intended direction is forward up a hill and the vehicle is
in drive (automatic equipped vehicle), and the activation
criteria are met, HSA will activate.
HSA on Automatic Vehicles
The system will work in REVERSE and all forward gears
on vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission.
The system will not activate if the vehicle is placed in
neutral.
HSA on Manual Vehicles
The system will work in REVERSE, forward gears, and
NEUTRAL on manual transmission equipped vehicles.
The system does not recognize NEUTRAL on manual
vehicles, thus it will hold the vehicle on an incline for a
short period while in NEUTRAL, regardless of clutch
position. To prevent this, do not attempt to roll down a
hill simply by putting the transmission in NEUTRAL and
letting gravity act on the vehicle, as the HSA will prevent
the vehicle from rolling. Instead, use the appropriate gear
for moving in the desired direction.
STARTING AND OPERATING 329
5

Towing and Hauling with HSA (Vehicles Equipped
with Automatic Transmissions Only)
The HSA system does not know if your vehicle is loaded
or towing a trailer, unless the TOW/HAUL button,
located on the transmission gear shift lever, is selected.
When activated, the TOW/HAUL light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster. For more information on TOW/
HAUL mode, refer to ªWhen To USE TOW/HAUL and
O/D OFF Modesº under9Automatic Transmissionº in
Section 5. In order to accommodate the extra weight
entailed under towing and hauling conditions and to
increase driver comfort while launching on a hill, the
system recognizes when the TOW/HAUL button is acti-
vated and compensates by releasing brake pressure at a
slower rate while throttle is applied in order to prevent
the vehicle from rolling down the hill.
WARNING!
If you use a trailer brake controller with your trailer,
your trailer brakes may be activated and deactivated
with the brake switch. If so, when the brake pedal is
released, there may not be enough brake pressure to
hold the vehicle and trailer on a hill and this could
cause a collision with another vehicle or object be-
hind you. In order to avoid rolling down the incline
while resuming acceleration, manually activate the
trailer brake or apply more vehicle brake pressure
prior to releasing the brake pedal. Always remember
the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle.
330 STARTING AND OPERATING

information on towing a trailer with your vehicle. When
TSC is functioning, the ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº will
flash, the engine power may be reduced and you may
feel the brakes being applied to individual wheels to
attempt to stop the trailer from swaying. TSC is disabled
when the ESP system is in the Partial Off or Full Off
modes.
TSC is only active in the default ªESP Onº mode. TSC can
be disabled by pressing the ESP Off button and entering
ªESP Partial Offº mode. It is not active in the ªESP Partial
Offº or ªESP Offº modes. Please refer to the ESP portion
of this section for an explanation of the different ESP
operating modes.WARNING!
If TSC activates while driving, slow the vehicle
down, stop at the nearest safe location, and adjust the
trailer load to eliminate trailer sway.
MULTI-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM (MDS) Ð 5.7L
ENGINE ONLY
This feature offers improved fuel economy by shutting
off four of the engine's eight cylinders during light load
and cruise conditions. The system is automatic with no
driver inputs or additional driving skills required.
NOTE:The MDS system may take some time to return
to full functionality after a battery disconnect.
338 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SIZING TERMS
Service Description:
95= Load Index
Ð A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry
H= Speed Symbol
Ð A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to
its load index under certain operating conditions
Ð The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under
specified operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and
posted speed limits)
Load Identification:
(....blank....(= Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
Extra Load (XL)= Extra load (or reinforced) tire
Light Load= Light load tire
C, D, E= Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum LoadÐ Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry
Maximum PressureÐ Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this
tire
STARTING AND OPERATING 341
5

SUPPLEMENTAL TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION
Ð IF EQUIPPED
A light load vehicle condition is defined as two passen-
gers [150 lbs (68 kg) each] plus 200 lbs (91 kg) of cargo.
Cold tire inflation pressures for a lightly loaded vehicle
will be found on the face of the driver's door.
TIRE CHAINS
Use ªClass Sº chains on 1500 model Trucks, or other
traction aids that meet SAE Type ªSº specifications.
Use ªClass Uº chains on 2500/3500 model Trucks, or
other traction aids that meet SAE Type ªUº specifica-
tions.
NOTE:Chains must be the proper size for the vehicle,
as recommended by the chain manufacturer.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle, tires or chains, observe the
following precautions:
²Because of limited chain clearance between tires and other
suspension components, it is important that only chains in
good condition are used. Broken chains can cause serious
vehicle damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs
that could suggest chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts
of the chain before further use.
²Install chains as tightly as possible and then retighten after
driving about 0.5 mile (0.8 km).
²Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h).
²Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps,
especially with a loaded vehicle.
²Do not install tire chains on front wheels of 4x2 vehicles.
²Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry pavement.
²Observe the tire chain manufacturer's instructions on method
of installation, operating speed, and conditions for usage.
Always use the lower suggested operating speed of the chain
manufacturer if different than the speed recommended by the
manufacturer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 357
5