2014 Ram 3500 clutch

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 Selection 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6
Maximum
Speed7 mph
(11 km/h)15 mph
(24 km/h)25 mph
(40 km/h)40 mph
(64 km/h)45 mph
(72 km/h)
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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.
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.
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Maximum Recommended Downshifting Speeds
Gear Selection 6 to 5 5 to 4 4 to 3 3 to 2 2 to 1
Maximum
Speed68 mph
(109 km/h)50 mph
(80 km/h)32 mph
(51 km/h)19 mph
(31 km/h)10 mph )
(16 km/h
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high of a vehicle speed, these conditions may
cause the engine to overspeed if too low of a gear is
selected and the clutch pedal is released. Damage to
the clutch and the transmission can result from
skipping a gear while downshifting or downshifting
at too high of a vehicle speed even if the clutch pedal
is held pressed (i.e., not released).
Reverse Shifting
To shift into REVERSE (R), bring the vehicle to a com-
plete stop. Press the clutch and pause briefly to allow thegear 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 243

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 AS69RC auto-
matic six-speed or G-56 manual six-speed transmissions,
will allow for an aftermarket upfit with a transmission
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. To select ’mobile mode’ You will need
to enter the commercial vehicle menu on the EVIC screen
and select mobile PTO mode. Details of the PTO selection
modes and further PTO information is available at the Ram
Truck Bodybuilders web site. www.rambodybuilder.com
AS69RC Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Only
The PTO drive gear (part of the AS69RC) 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.
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.)
•PTO switch has been activated.
•Parking brake applied (vehicles equipped with
manual transmission).
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•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 Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) will
display aPTO Onmessage for five seconds if the above
conditions are met. Otherwise, the EVIC will display a
messageTo Operate PTO Shift To Parkindicating what
operator action should be taken to engage the PTO mode.
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 PTO 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 toggle the
PTO switch to the OFF position.
The torque converter clutch (TCC) will automatically
engage at engine speeds above 1,200 RPM (engine speed)
in PTO stationary mode. Once engaged, the TCC will
remain applied and will not disengage until the engine
speed falls below 1,000 RPM. TCC engagement is desir-
able for certain types of PTO applications (Automatic
Transmission Only).
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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 245

PTO manufacturer to ensure that their electrical (switches
and remote) system is compatible with the vehicle’s
electrical architecture and software functionality.
NOTE:
Single set speed can be programmed via the
PTO menu on the EVIC screen. Further details are
available at the Ram Truck Bodybuilders website.
www.rambodybuilder.comwww.ramtrucks.com.
Mobile Mode
To operate the PTO in this mode the vehicle must meet
the following conditions:
•Mobile mode is activated via the menu on the EVIC
screen.
•(ON/OFF) switch has been activated.
•Vehicles with automatic transmission must be in PARK
or DRIVE.
•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
on/off switch. At this point, the customer may place the
vehicle in a forward or reverse gear and have PTO
operation once the vehicle begins to move. To disengage
PTO operation and return to “standard vehicle opera-
tion” simply toggle the on/off switch to the OFF position.
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.7L DIESEL —
SIX-SPEED 68RFE (2500/3500 Models).......289
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.7L DIESEL —
SIX-SPEED AS69RC HD (3500/CHASSIS CAB
MODELS)............................290
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...........291
▫Engine Oil..........................292
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................296
▫Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......300
▫Engine Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement.....302
▫Underbody Mounted Fuel Filter Replacement. .304▫Priming If The Engine Has Run Out Of Fuel . .306
▫Intervention Regeneration Strategy — EVIC
Message Process Flow..................307
▫Diesel Exhaust Fluid...................308
▫Maintenance-Free Batteries..............309
▫Cooling System......................310
▫Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler.........315
▫Brake System........................316
▫Clutch Hydraulic System................317
▫Transfer Case — If Equipped.............317
6

WARNING!(Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. Keep the master
cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a accident.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in an accident.
Clutch Hydraulic System
The clutch hydraulic system is a sealed maintenance-free
system. In the event of leakage or other malfunction, the
system must be replaced.
Transfer Case — If Equipped
Drain And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
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