2012 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab engine

To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the ERS (+)
switch until “D” is once again displayed in the shift lever
position indicator in the instrument cluster.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing an accident
or personal injury.
Screen Display12 3456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
ERS (-) switch down. The transmission will shift to the
range from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (fifth and sixth gears). The trans-
mission will automatically shift into the Overdrive gear if
the following conditions are present:
Column Shift Lever
72 STARTING AND OPERATING

•the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
•the transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature,
•the engine coolant has reached an adequate tempera-
ture,
•vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
•the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated.
When To Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the TOW/HAUL switch to select TOW/
HAUL mode. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission overheating or failure due
to excessive shifting.The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode
has been activated. Pressing the switch a second time
restores normal operation. If the TOW/HAUL mode is
desired, the switch must be pressed each time the engine
is started.
TOW/HAUL Switch
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 73

WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when driving
in icy or slippery conditions. 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 could cause an accident possi-
bly resulting in personal injury or death.
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
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles (1.6 to 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. Using the Electronic Range Select (ERS)
feature, when the transmission is sufficiently warm,
will demonstrate that the transmission is able to shift
into and out of Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for 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 after starting the
engine.
74 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fully press the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.
This transmission has a “creeper” first 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 second or third gear with a loaded
vehicle. An unloaded vehicle may be launched in second
gear. Use each gear in numerical order – do not skip a
gear.
NOTE:When loaded, pulling a trailer or on a grade, the
truck should always start in first gear and not skip gears.
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
Gear
Selec- tion 1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5 5to6
Maxi- mum
Speed 7 mph
(11
km/h) 15 mph
(24
km/h) 25 mph
(40
km/h) 40 mph
(64
km/h) 45 mph
(72
km/h)
Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is
recommended to preserve brakes when driving down
steep hills. In addition, downshifting at the right time
provides better acceleration when you desire to resume
speed. Downshift progressively. Do not skip gears to
avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch.
76 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the engine
which can cause valve damage, and/or clutch disc
damage even if the clutch pedal is pressed.
Maximum Recommended Downshift Speeds
CAUTION!
Failure to follow the recommended downshifting
speeds may cause the engine to overspeed and/or
damage the clutch disc even if the clutch pedal is
pressed.
Maximum Recommended Downshifting Speeds
Gear
Selec- tion 6to5 5to4 4to3 3to2 2to1
Maxi- mum
Speed 68 mph
(109
km/h) 50 mph
(80
km/h) 32 mph
(51
km/h) 19 mph
(31
km/h) 10 mph
(16
km/h)
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 77

Reverse Shifting
To shift into REVERSE (R), bring the vehicle to a com-
plete stop. Press the clutch and pause briefly to allow the
gear train to stop rotating. Beginning from the NEUTRAL
(N) position, move the shift lever in one quick smooth
motion straight across and into the REVERSE (R) area
(the driver will feel a firm “click” as the shifter passes the
“knock-over”). Complete the shift by pulling the shift
lever into REVERSE (R).
The “knock-over” prevents the driver from accidentally
entering the REVERSE (R) shift area and warns the driver
that they are about to shift the transmission into RE-
VERSE (R). Due to this feature, a slow shift to REVERSE
(R) can be perceived as a high shift effort.
To shift out of REVERSE bring the vehicle to a complete
stop and press the clutch. Shifting out of REVERSE prior
to a complete stop may cause high shift effort.
POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY)
This vehicle when equipped with either the AS68RC
automatic six-speed or G-56 manual six-speed transmis-
sions, will allow for an aftermarket upfit with a transmis-
sion driven PTO (power take off). The customer will have
the ability to operate the PTO in either a “stationary” or
“mobile” mode. The vehicles will be factory set to the
“stationary” mode. In order to select the “mobile” mode
an authorized dealership is required to modify the vehi-
cle’s settings using their proprietary authorized dealer
service tool.
AS68RC Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Only
The PTO drive gear (part of the AS68RC) operates at
torque converter turbine speed. The turbine speed will be
less than engine speed when the torque converter clutch
is not engaged and will be same as engine speed when
the torque converter clutch is engaged.
78 STARTING AND OPERATING

Stationary Mode
To operate the PTO in this mode the vehicle must meet
the following conditions:
•Be in PARK position (vehicles equipped with auto-
matic transmission)
•Upfitter provider (on/off) switch has been activated
•Parking brake applied (vehicles equipped with
manual transmission)
•Brake pedal must not be applied
•Vehicle engine must be running
•No vehicle, brake or clutch switch faults present
•PTO must be correctly installed using the vehicle
provided circuits
The customer has the choice to operate the PTO by
utilizing the cruise control switches or by utilizing a remote control (provided by the PTO supplier). To oper-
ate the feature using the cruise control switches, the
customer must first activate the upfitter-provided on/off
switch which will turn on the PTO. In order to increase or
decrease the engine idle speed, to optimize the PTO
function, the “RESUME/ACCEL” and “DECEL” cruise
switches can be used respectively. To disengage PTO
operation and return to “standard vehicle operation”
simply turn the upfitter-provided on/off switch to the
OFF position.
The torque converter lockup clutch will automatically
engage at engine speeds above 1,200 RPM (engine speed)
in PTO stationary mode. Once engaged, the lockup clutch
will remain on and not disengage until the engine speed
is below 1,000 RPM. Lockup clutch engagement is desir-
able for certain types of PTO applications (AS68RC
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Only).
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 79

To operate the PTO via a remote switch, the customer
must make sure the above conditions are met. It is vital
for proper operation that the PTO and remote have been
installed correctly, paying special attention to ensure the
vehicle provided wiring has been connected properly.
This is the responsibility of the installer of the PTO and
switches/remote system. It is the responsibility of the
PTO manufacturer to ensure that their electrical (switches
and remote) system is compatible with the vehicle’s
electrical architecture and software functionality.
NOTE:If you desire a single PTO speed, your vehicle
must be wired to use a remote PTO switch. For instruc-
tions on programming the SET speed, refer to the
LEARNING SET SPEED section of the Body Builder’s
Guide which can be found at www.ramtrucks.com.
Mobile Mode
To operate the PTO in this mode the vehicle must meet
the following conditions:
•Authorized dealer-selected “mobile” mode activated
via authorized dealer proprietary service tool
•Upfitter-provided (on/off) switch has been activated
•Vehicle must be in PARK or DRIVE position (vehicles
equipped with automatic transmission)
•Parking brake must not be applied
•Brake pedal must not be applied
•No vehicle, brake or clutch switch faults present
•Vehicle engine must be running
•PTO must be correctly installed using the vehicle
provided circuits
The customer may choose to use the PTO while the
vehicle is moving. To do so, the PTO function must be
activated prior to taking the vehicle out of PARK. This is
accomplished by activating the upfitter-provided PTO
80 STARTING AND OPERATING