2008 DODGE RAM 3500 GAS tow

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.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive
The gear shift lever display located in the instrument
panel cluster indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The shift lever is
mounted on the right side of the steering column. You
must depress the brake pedal to pull the shift lever out of
PARK position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, movethe shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the desired
DRIVE position. Pull the shift 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!
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5

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.
WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the gearshift 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.
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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.
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).
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When To Use ªTOW HAULº and ªO/D OFFº
Modes
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº button once to
select TOW HAUL. This will improve performance andreduce the potential for transmission overheating or
failure due to excessive shifting. When operating in
ªTOW HAULº mode, 5th gear (if equipped) is disabled
and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are modified. Shifts into
Overdrive (4th gear) are allowed during steady cruise
(for improved fuel economy) and automatic closed-
throttle downshifts to 3rd gear are performed (for im-
proved braking) when driving conditions warrant. Press-
ing the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº button a second time to
select O/D OFF will disable 4th and 5th gear completely,
which should eliminate any excessive transmission shift-
ing.
The ªTOW HAULº or ªO/D OFFº light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has
been activated. Pressing the switch a third time restores
normal operation. If the ªTOW HAULº or ªO/D OFFº
modes are desired, the button must be pressed each time
the engine is started.
Tow Haul O/D Off Switch
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5

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 ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº 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.
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.
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Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.
2500 and 3500 models are equipped with the G56 manual
transmission. This transmission has a ªcreeperº 1st gear
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.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
En-
gineModel L to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
5.7L2500/
350015
mph
(24
km/h)25
mph
(40
km/h)40
mph
(64
km/h)45
mph
(72
km/h)50
mph
(81
km/h)
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WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2H
Rear Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4H
4-Wheel Drive High Range - Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
N
NEUTRAL - Disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing
behind another vehicle. See Recreational Towing for
more information.
4L
4-Wheel Drive Low Range - Low speed 4-wheel drive.
Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces the
front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.
Additional traction and maximum pulling power for
loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
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NOTE:The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected
by depressing the recessed button located on the lower left
hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The transfer case
NEUTRAL position is to be used for recreational towing
only. See the Recreational Towing section for specific
procedures on shifting into and out of NEUTRAL.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights Ð
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster and indicate the current and desired
transfer case selection. When you select a different trans-
fer case position, the indicator lights will do the follow-
ing:
If All Shift Conditions are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
NEUTRAL Button
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