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AIR SUSPENSION (IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system automatically adjusts to different loads to
maintain a constant frame height, allows for ease of vehicle loading and
provides improved vehicle ride and increased driver comfort.
Note:The vehicle must not be operated without air in the suspension
springs. Operating the vehicle without air in the air suspension springs
damages the suspension, degrades ride performance and may cause
property damage.
Air suspension dump switch (if equipped)
The system is controlled by a switch
located in the overhead switch pack
which operates only when the
ignition is in the accessory or on
positions and the air tanks have
sufficient pressure to fill the air
springs. When the ignition is turned
off, the suspension remains in
whatever state it was last set.
Pressing the upper portion of the switch exhausts air from the air
springs, lowering the frame for loading. Pressing the lower portion of the
switch fills the air springs so the vehicle remains at normal ride height.
The air suspension warning lamp
illuminates when the switch has
been activated to release air
pressure in the rear air shocks.
Never drive the vehicle when the warning lamp is illuminated and there
is no (or low) air pressure in the shocks.
Note:The suspension dumps air when the ignition is in the accessory or
on position, but only fills when the ignition is in the on position.
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Tractor-trailer connections
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, use extreme
caution when making brake and light connections. Inclement
weather and accumulated road contamination deposits on handhold
and stepping surfaces require extra care to avoid slip and falls. Provide
adequate lighting of working areas.
WARNING:Do not climb on the back of the tractor unless it
has been provided with a deck plate and handholds. Use a
three-point stance when climbing up and down from a deck plate. Do
not jump from the vehicle. Whenever possible, make all connections
while standing on the ground.
Connecting and disconnecting a trailer with air suspension and air
suspension dump switch (if equipped)
When connecting to a trailer:
•Press the lower portion of the dump switch to exhaust air from the air
suspension system.
•After making the connection to the trailer, press the upper portion of
the dump switch, then raise the landing gear.
When disconnecting the trailer:
•
Lower the landing gear, then press the lower portion of the dump switch.
•Disconnect the brake hoses, trailer-side and rear light connectors,
then pull the release lever on the fifth-wheel.
The upper portion of the dump switch must be pressed before operating
with a trailer or operating in the bobtail mode.
Suspension conversions
It is not recommended, or approved, that suspension conversions be
performed. However, it is understood that, on occasion, aftermarket add-on
suspensions are installed by others on the truck chassis which allow
operator control for weight transfer from other axles (i.e., air lift axles).
WARNING:When operating a loaded vehicle, the driver must
keep all adjustable axles on the ground at all times, supporting
their share of the vehicle’s load. Failure to do so can overload other
axles, tires, wheels, springs, steering components, brakes and frames,
resulting in early component failure, loss of vehicle control, possible
property damage and personal injury.
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BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
Vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine have a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park)
when the ignition is in the on position and the brake pedal is not pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with the ignition
in the on position and the brake pedal pressed, it is possible that a fuse
has blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer
toFuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, the
following procedure will allow you to move the gearshift lever from P (Park):
1. Apply the parking brake, and turn
the engine off.
2. Remove the lower finish panel
below the steering column
3. Turn the key to on (position 4),
but do not start engine.
4. Pull back on the solenoid, and at
the same time, shift the
transmission into N (Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle.
See your authorized dealer as
soon as possible if this
procedure is used.
WARNING:Do not drive
your vehicle until you verify
that the brake lamps are working.
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WARNING:When doing this procedure, you will be taking the
vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking brake
prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Main transmission, auxiliary transmission, transfer case and power take-off
(PTO) control shift patterns can be found on a placard or decal on the
driver’s sun visor, on the instrument panel or on the shift control itself.
The main transmission control is used to select the various gear ratios or
speeds of the transmission. Selecting D (Direct Drive), does not change
the transmission gear ratio, but is used where the gear ratios in the main
transmission are adequate to handle the vehicle operation.
If the transmission fails to shift properly, check the inline 10A fuse
located in the battery cables above the battery.
WARNING:Hold the brake pedal down while you move the
gearshift lever between positions. If you don’t hold the brake
pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly and cause property
damage, personal injury or death.
6–speed TorqShifttransmission
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive transmission shift strategy.
Adaptive transmission shift strategy offers the optimal transmission
operation and shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected for any type of service or repair, the transmission will need
to relearn the normal shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset
your radio stations when your vehicle battery has been disconnected.
The adaptive transmission shift strategy allows the transmission to
relearn these operating parameters. This learning process could take
PRND 4 2 1
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several transmission upshifts and downshifts; during this learning
process, slightly firmer shifts may occur. After this learning process,
normal shift feel and shift scheduling will resume.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
1. Start the engine
2. Press the brake pedal
3. Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
1. Come to a complete stop
2. Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Drive)
This is the normal driving position for the best fuel economy. This
position allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through gears one
through six.
4 (Fourth)
This position allows automatic upshifts and downshifts in gears one
through four.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slippery roads or to provide additional
engine braking on downgrades.
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1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•The transmission will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; it
will downshift to a lower gear and then shift into 1 (First) when the
vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in 4 (Fourth).
•Press the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Allison 2200 with parking pawl feature
Note:For Allison automatic transmission-equipped vehicles, also refer to
the separateAllison Transmission Operator’s Manual.
A parking pawl effectively grounds the transmission’s output shaft
preventing rotation of the driveline. If the vehicle is stationary, selecting
the P (Park) position places the transmission in neutral and engages the
parking pawl. Always use the parking brake when parking the vehicle.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully. Do not use the
gearshift in place of the parking brake.
Note:If the P (Park) position is selected when the vehicle is in motion,
the parking pawl mechanism ratchets andDOES NOThold the truck.
WARNING: To avoid sudden, unexpected vehicle
movement and possible personal injury or death:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift the transmission into P (Park). Slowly lift your foot from the
brake pedal to engage the transmission parking pawl mechanism.
3. Apply the parking brake and make sure it is holding properly. Do not
rely solely on the parking mechanism of the transmission.)
4. Turn the engine off when you leave the vehicle.Never leave the
vehicle unattended when the engine is running.
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Allison 2500
This transmission is available with a column-mounted gearshift lever. The
gear positions are displayed on the RNDL in the instrument cluster.
WARNING: To avoid sudden, unexpected vehicle
movement and possible personal injury or death:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift the transmission into N (Neutral).
3. Apply the parking brake and make sure it is holding properly.
4. Turn the engine off when you leave the vehicle.Never leave the
vehicle unattended when the engine is running.
Transmission fluid operating temperatures - 2200/2500 models
Allison 2200 and 2500 models:The sump/fluid reservoir temperatures
should not exceed 250°F (120°C). The converter temperature should not
exceed 300°F (144°C). he sump/fluid reservoir temperature should not
exceed 250 F (120 C).
TorqShift6-Speed models:The sump/fluid reservoir temperatures
should not exceed 250°F (120°C).
Allison 3000 series
The Allison 3000 Series offers two shift modes: Performance and
Economy. Performance Mode gives the best all-around transmission
operation; Economy Mode provides operation at lower engine RPM while
maintaining adequate performance. The transmission defaults to
Performance Mode when you start the engine. Pressing MODE on the
shifter activates Economy Mode and illuminates the Mode ON lamp.
If the engine speed is above idle when a gear is selected using the
shifter, the vehicle won’t move; the shifter must be moved to re-select a
gear after the engine speed returns to idle.
Note:For more information regarding the Allison 3000 Series, refer to
the separateAllison 3000 Series Operator’s Manual.
Torque lock
If your vehicle is parked on an incline and P (Park) is not properly
engaged (the parking brake is not applied before the transmission is
shifted into P [Park]), the weight of the vehicle may generate an
excessive amount of torque on the parking pawl, making it difficult to
shift the transmission out of P (Park). Hold the brake pedal down while
shifting out of P (Park), then release the parking brake.
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Allison 3000 series push-button shifter
To shift the transmission into R
(Reverse) or D (Drive), press the
brake pedal, press R or D on the
shifter, then release the brake pedal.
To select a lower range when in D
(Drive), press the down-arrow
button. To select a higher range
when in D (Drive), press the
up-arrow button. To place the
transmission in N (Neutral), press
N.
Allison 3000 prognostics
Allison 3000 Series transmissions are equipped with the Allison
Prognostics feature that can alert the driver to needed transmission
maintenance and transmission fluid/filter life. Refer to the separate
Allison transmission manual for complete details.
CLUTCH (IF EQUIPPED)
Do not ride or slip the clutch as this causes unnecessary heat and wear.
Maintain the specified clutch adjustment to prolong its life and regularly
inspect the clutch control linkage for tightness. Refer to theScheduled
Maintenance Guidechapter for other maintenance information. When
adjustment of the clutch is necessary, it is very important that the work
be performed properly or early clutch failure may result and a costly
clutch overhaul may become necessary. Clutch work should only be
performed by a qualified technician.
Note:Continued use of a damaged or worn clutch, prolonged clutch
slippage or downshifting at excessive speeds can result in a failure of the
engine, transmission or clutch components.
Note:To avoid premature clutch wear and failure, do not drive with
your foot resting on the clutch pedal or use it to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on an upgrade as when waiting for a traffic light.
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