2014 Ram 3500 display

In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also be pressed
to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
The transmission is controlled using a rotary electronic
gear selector located on the instrument panel. The trans-
mission gear range (PRND) is displayed both above the
gear selector and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). To select a gear range, simply rotate the
gear selector. You must press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL
into DRIVE or REVERSE, when the vehicle is stopped or
moving at low speeds (refer toBrake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System in this section). To shift past multiple
gear ranges at once (such as Park to Drive), simply rotate
the gear selector 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 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 gear selector 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 1, 2, 3, etc.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 397

CAUTION!
•DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.
• Before moving the gear selector out of PARK, you
must start the engine, and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector could
result.
The following indicator should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission into PARK:
• With brake pedal released, look at the transmission
gear display and verify that it indicates PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop. NEUTRAL (N)
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
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 401

transmission is in DRIVE. For example, if you shift the
transmission into 3 (third gear), the transmission will not
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 gear selector is in DRIVE, 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 avail-
able gear.To exit ERS mode, simply press and hold the GEAR+
switch until “D” is once again displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
1 — ERS (-) Switch2 — ERS (+) Switch
404 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 — 1500
Models Only (If Equipped)
The transmission gear 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 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 REVERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK
(column shift only).
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics areself-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 1, 2, 3, etc.
406 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Release the shift lever and make sure it is fully seated
in the PARK gate.
• Look at the transmission gear 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 (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
Reverse only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
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.
410 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 not
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
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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 413

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.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
instrument cluster.
Column Shift Lever
Console Shift Lever
414 STARTING AND OPERATING

Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 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 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 downshifts
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 1, 2, 3, etc.
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.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING