2013 Ram 2500 manual transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................342
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .342
▫ Automatic Transmission ................342
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................343
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .343
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C) ......................... .345
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................345
▫ After Starting ....................... .346
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......346▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .346
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP............................. .347
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .348
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Start Stop System . .350
▫ To Manually Turn On The Start Stop System . .350
▫ System Malfunction ....................351
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .351
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............352
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............354
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▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .354
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission – If
Equipped .......................... .355
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission If Equipped —
1500 Models Only .....................364
▫ Six–Speed Automatic Transmission (5.7L Engine)
— 2500/3500 Models Only ..............377
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .388
▫
Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If Equipped . . .388
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................392
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................398 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) – If Equipped ..................404
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED . .410
▫ Description ......................... .410
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................414
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................416
▫ Operation .......................... .416
 AXLE LOCKER SYSTEM (POWER WAGON
MODELS ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ...........418
 STABILIZER/SWAY BAR SYSTEM — POWER
WAGON ONLY ....................... .420
 SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING — POWER WAGON
ONLY.............................. .422
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission – If
Equipped
Your vehicle is equipped with a state of the art, fuel
efficient eight-speed transmission. The electronic shifter
control is located on the instrument panel. The transmis-
sion gear range (PRND) is displayed both above the
shifter control and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). To select a gear range, simply rotate the
shifter control. You must press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK (see Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System). You must also press the brake pedal to
shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE, when the
vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds. To shift past
multiple gear ranges at once (such as Park to Drive),
simply rotate the shifter control to the appropriate detent.
Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.
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 shifter control has only PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) switches (described later in this section). Pressing
the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the steering wheel)
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear in
the instrument cluster as 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 355

self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle 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.Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 365

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 transmission gear 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
Interlock 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 377

cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further informa-
tion.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case – If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions.
•Two-wheel drive high range (2H)
• Four-wheel drive high range (4H)
• Neutral (N) •
Four-wheel drive low range (4L)
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2H
position for normal street and highway conditions such
as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the 4H and 4L
positions can be used to lock the front and rear drive-
shafts together and force the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. This is accomplished by simply
moving the shift lever to the desired positions. The 4H
and 4L positions are intended for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4H and 4L positions on dry,
hard surfaced roads may cause increased tire wear and
damage to the driveline components.
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in the
instrument cluster will alert the driver that the vehicle is
in four-wheel drive and that the front and rear drive-
shafts are locked together. This light will illuminate when
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 431

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.
WARNING!
•If you use a trailer brake controller with your
trailer, your trailer brakes may be activated and
deactivated with the brake switch. If so, when the
brake pedal is released, there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle and trailer on a
hill and this could cause a collision with another
vehicle or object behind you. In order to avoid
rolling down the incline while resuming accelera-
tion, manually activate the trailer brake or apply
more vehicle brake pressure prior to releasing the
brake pedal. Always remember the driver is re-
sponsible for braking the vehicle.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 477