2013 Ram 1500 display

shift above third gear (except to prevent engine over-
speed), but will shift down into second and first gears
normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the shifter control is in the DRIVE
position, the transmission will operate automatically,
shifting between all available gears. Tapping the GEAR-
switch (on the steering wheel) will activate ERS mode,
display the current gear in the instrument cluster, and
maintain that gear as the top available gear. Once in ERS
mode, tapping the GEAR- or GEAR+ switch will change
the top available gear.To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the GEAR+
switch until “D” is once again displayed in the transmis-
sion gear position indicator in the instrument cluster.
1 — ERS (-) Switch2 — ERS (+) Switch
362 STARTING AND OPERATING

the default at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is
desired, the switch must be pressed each time the engine
is started.
Six–Speed Automatic Transmission If Equipped
— 1500 Models Only
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. The shift
lever is mounted either on the right side of the steering
column (if equipped) or on the console (if equipped). You
must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever out of
PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock Sys-
tem” in this section). To drive, move the shift lever from
PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position. Pull the shift
lever toward you when shifting into REVERSE or PARK,
or when shifting out of PARK (column shift only).
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a newvehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section). Pressing the ERS (-/+)
switches (column shift) or moving the shift lever to the
left or right (-/+) (console shift) while in the DRIVE
position will select the highest available transmission
gear, and will display that gear in the instrument cluster
as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
364 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Release the shift lever and make sure it is fully seated
in the PARK gate.
• Look at the shift lever position display and verify that
it indicates the PARK position.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Use this
range 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. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is nolonger detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation -
Six-Speed Transmission
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the shift
lever is in the DRIVE position. For example, if you shift the transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but will shift down into
second and first gears normally.
Use of ERS (or TOW/HAUL mode) also enables an
additional underdrive gear which is not normally used
during through-gear accelerations. This additional gear
can improve vehicle performance and cooling capability
when towing a trailer on certain grades. In ERS mode,
gears 1 though 3 are underdrive gears, and ERS 4 is direct
drive. ERS 5 and 6 (Overdrive gears) are the same as the
normal fourth and fifth gears.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the shift lever is in the DRIVE
position, the transmission will operate automatically,
shifting between all available gears. Tapping the ERS (-)
switch (column shift) or tapping the shift lever to the left
(-) (console shift) will activate ERS mode, display the
current gear in the instrument cluster, and maintain that
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 371

gear as the top available gear. For example, if you are in
DRIVE and are in third (direct) gear, when you tap the
shift lever/switch one time in the (-) direction, the
display will show 4 (ERS 4 is direct gear). Another tap
down (-) will shift the transmission down to ERS 3 (the
added underdrive gear). Once in ERS mode, tapping ERS
(-) or (+) will change the top available gear.
Column Shift Lever
372 STARTING AND OPERATING

To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the shift lever to
the right (+) (console shift) or press the ERS (+) switch
(column shift) 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.
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
shift lever to the left (-) (console shift) or the ERS (-)
switch down (column shift). The transmission will shift
to the range from which the vehicle can best be slowed
down.
Console Shift Lever
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 373

cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
Six–Speed Automatic Transmission (5.7L Engine)
— 2500/3500 Models Only
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. The shift
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever
out of PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Inter-
lock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting into RE-
VERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a newvehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section). Pressing the ERS (-/+)
switches (on the shift lever) while in the DRIVE position
will select the highest available transmission gear, and
will display that gear in the instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4,
3, 2, 1.
376 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Look at the shift lever position display and verify that
it indicates the PARK position.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE 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. Apply the parking brake and shift
the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
380 STARTING AND OPERATING