2011 Ram 3500 automatic transmission

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 in TOW/
HAUL mode only to downshift more aggressively when
the exhaust brake is enabled to increase brake perfor-
mance.
CAUTION!
Use of aftermarket exhaust brakes is not recom-
mended and could lead to engine damage
Exhaust Brake Switch
58 STARTING AND OPERATING

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always shift the transmission into PARK, remove
the key fob from the ignition, and apply the
parking brake. Once the key fob is removed from
the ignition, the shift lever is locked in the PARK
position, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement. Furthermore, you should never leave
unattended children inside a vehicle.(Continued)
60 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Using the screwdriver, press and hold the override tab
through the access port (ringed circle) on the bottom of
the steering column.
6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.Six-Speed Automatic Transmission with
Overdrive (68RFE) – If Equipped (Ram Truck
Only)
The 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 press the brake pedal to pull the shift lever out of
PARK position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, move
the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the desired
DRIVE position. Pull the shift lever toward you when
shifting into REVERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of
PARK.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The 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 shiftsInterlock Manual Override
62 STARTING AND OPERATING

NEUTRAL
Use this range 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
This range provides underdrive first, second and third
gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and sixth
gears. The shift into overdrive fifth and sixth gear occurs
only after the transmission has completed the shift into
fourth gear. No other movement of the shift mechanism
is required to complete the 4–5 or 5–6 gear shifts.
Upshifts into both overdrive gears, fifth and sixth, will be
delayed when the transmission fluid temperature is
below 40°F (4.5°C) or above 240°F (115.5°C).NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in second or first gear in high ambient tempera-
tures as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fifth and sixth (Overdrive). The
transmission will automatically shift from DRIVE to
Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated;
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STARTING AND OPERATING 65

•transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
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 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 “Transmission
Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive until the
transmission cools down. After cool down, the transmis-
sion will resume normal operation. The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully pressed 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” switch once to select
“TOW/HAUL.” In “TOW/HAUL” mode, fourth to fifth
gear upshifts are delayed. Shifts into fifth and sixth gear
are still allowed under steady cruise conditions. Closed
throttle downshifts (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.
66 STARTING AND OPERATING

The “TOW/HAUL Indicator 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.
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, and the
transmission will not shift to sixth gear, until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
sixth gear is disabled, and engine speed is higher
when the torque converter clutch is not engaged, it
may seem as if the transmission is not shifting prop-
erly when cold. This is normal. Using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) feature, when the transmission is
TOW/HAUL Switch
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STARTING AND OPERATING 67

sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the transmis-
sion is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven in several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission 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 con-
verter will refill within five seconds of shifting from
PARK into any other gear position.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (AS68RC)
– If Equipped (Chassis Cab Only)
The 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 press 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 or PARK.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The 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 third gear, the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but can shift down into
second or first gear, when needed.
68 STARTING AND OPERATING

REVERSE
This range should be used only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range 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
This range provides all forward gears, including fourth
gear direct, fifth and sixth. Use this range for most city
and highway driving. Upshifts into both overdrive gears,
fifth and sixth, will be delayed when the transmission
fluid temperature is between -4°F (-20°C) and 41°F (5°C).
During very cold conditions when the transmission fluid
is below -4°F (-20°C), the transmission will be limited to
third gear. Normal operation will return after the trans-
mission fluid warms up.NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in second or first gear selections in high ambients
as torque converter slip can impose significant additional
heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The Overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fifth and sixth gear. The transmis-
sion will automatically shift from DRIVE to fifth or sixth
gear if the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 38 mph
(61 km/h) for fifth gear and 50 mph (80 km/h) for
sixth gear;
•the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated
(sixth gear is inhibited in “TOW/HAUL” mode);
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