2013 Ram 1500 automatic transmission

WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn
around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline
increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in
severe injury or death.
• Driving Down Hill – Before driving down a steep hill
you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe
descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too
steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there
obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty of
distance at the base of the hill to regain control if the
vehicle descends too fast? If you feel confident in your
ability to proceed then make sure you are in 4L (Low
Range) with the transmission in first gear (manually
select first gear on automatic transmissions) and pro-
ceed with caution. Allow engine braking to control the descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not
allow the tires to lock.
WARNING!
Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking.
Descending a grade too fast could cause you to lose
control and be seriously injured or killed.
• Driving Across An Incline – If at all possible avoid
driving across an incline. If it is necessary, know your
vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an incline places
more weight on the down hill wheels, which increases
the possibilities of a down hill slide or rollover. Make
sure the surface has good traction with firm and stable
soils. If possible transverse the incline at an angle
heading slightly up or down.
430 STARTING AND OPERATING

FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE ONLY
– IF EQUIPPED
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:This system may take some time to return to full
functionality after a battery disconnect.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave the
transmission in PARK.
The foot operated parking brake is located below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the
park brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To
release the parking brake, pull the parking brake release
handle. When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument
cluster will illuminate.Parking Brake Release
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 467

•Gear 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 and the activation criteria are met, HSA will
activate. The system will work in REVERSE and all forward gears,
and will not activate if the vehicle is placed in NEU-
TRAL.
Towing And Hauling With HSA
The HSA system does not know if your vehicle is loaded
or towing a trailer unless the TOW/HAUL switch, lo-
cated on the center stack, is selected. When activated, the
“TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. Refer to “Automatic Transmission” in
“Starting and Operating” for further information. 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 switch is activated and compen-
sates by releasing brake pressure at a slower rate while
throttle is applied in order to prevent the vehicle from
rolling down the hill.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 473

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The rear bumper is intended to tow trailers up to a 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) without added equipment or alterations to
the standard equipment.
Ram 1500 4x2
STSLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
3.6L V-6
8–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg)
Max Payload: 1,910 lbs (866 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg)
Max Payload: 1,890 lbs (857 kg) –
4.7L V-8
6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,700 lbs (3 492 kg)
Max Payload: 1,750 lbs (793 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,700 lbs (3 492 kg)
Max Payload: 1,720 lbs (780 kg) –
540 STARTING AND OPERATING

STSLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
5.7L HEMI®
V-8 6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,450 lbs
(4 740 kg)
Max Payload: 1,710 lbs (775 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,450 lbs
(4 740 kg)
Max Payload: 1,690 lbs (766 kg)Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,300 lbs
(4 672 kg)
Max Payload: 1,550 lbs
(703 kg)
Ram 1500 4x4
ST
SLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
3.6L V-6
8–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,300 lbs
(2 857 kg)
Max Payload: 1,930 lbs (875 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,250 lbs
(2 834 kg)
Max Payload: 1,900 lbs (861 kg) –5
STARTING AND OPERATING 541

STSLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
4.7L V-8
6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,500 lbs
(3 401 kg)
Max Payload: 1,570 lbs (712 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,450 lbs
(3 379 kg)
Max Payload: 1,530 lbs (694 kg) –
5.7L HEMI® V-8 6–Speed Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,350 lbs (4 694 kg)
Max Payload: 1,480 lbs (671 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,300 lbs (4 672 kg)
Max Payload: 1,450 lbs (657 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,050 lbs (4 558 kg)
Max Payload: 1,380 lbs (625 kg)
542 STARTING AND OPERATING

Ram 2500 And 3500
STSLT/Outdoorsman/Sport Laramie
5.7L HEMI®
V-8 6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Max Towing: 10,100 lbs
(4 581 kg)
Max Payload: 1,780 lbs (807 kg)
Max Towing: 12,300 lbs
(5 579 kg)
Max Payload: 3,120 lbs
(1 415 kg) –
NOTE: For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:
• http://www.ramtrucks.com
• http://www.ramtruck.ca (Canada)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 543

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer up in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The “DRIVE” range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include an adaptive drive strategy
to avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if
frequent shiftingdoes occur while in DRIVE, select
“TOW/HAUL” mode or select a lower gear using the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) switches.
NOTE:Using “TOW/HAUL” mode or a lower gear
range while operating the vehicle under heavy loading
conditions will improve performance and extend trans-
mission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat build
up. This action will also provide better engine braking.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 555