2016 Ram 1500 display

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 set 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 down (-) will
shift the transmission down to ERS 3 (the added under-
drive gear). Once in ERS mode, tapping (-) or (+) will
change the top available gear.
Column Shift Lever
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 507

To exit ERS mode, simply hold the shift lever to the right
(+) (console shift) or press and hold the ERS (+) switch
(column shift) until the gear limit display disappears
from 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 a collision 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
508 STARTING AND OPERATING

the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage, and the
transmission will not shift into the top overdrive gear,
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are
warm [usually after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving].
Because top gear is disabled, and the engine speed is
higher when the torque converter clutch is not en-
gaged, it may seem as if the transmission is not shifting
properly when cold. This is normal. Using the Elec-
tronic Range Select (ERS) shift control, when the
transmission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate
that the transmission is able to shift into and out of
Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to thefluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not
cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
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 for further information).
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.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 511

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 down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section for further information). Press-
ing the ERS (-/+) switches (on the shift lever) while in the
DRIVE position will select the highest available transmis-
sion gear, and will display that gear limit in the instru-
ment cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc. Models with the DriverInformation Display (DID) will display both the selected
gear limit, and the actual current gear, while in ERS
mode.
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 (P)
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.
512 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
•Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you
must turn the ignition switch from the LOCK/OFF
position to the ON/RUN position, and also press
the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the shift
lever could result.
•DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
•When shifting into PARK, pull the shift lever toward
you and move it all the way counterclockwise until it
stops.•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 (P).
•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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 515

shifting between all available gears. Tapping the ERS (-)
switch will activate ERS mode, display the current gear in
the instrument cluster, and set that gear as the top
available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping (-) or (+) will
change the top available gear.To exit ERS mode, simply push and hold the ERS (+)
switch until the gear limit display disappears from 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 a collision or
personal injury.
NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply push and hold the
ERS (-) switch. The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
Column Shift Lever
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 519

NOTE:The vehicle will automatically enter Aero Mode
when the vehicle speed remains between 62 mph
(100 km/h) and 66 mph (106 km/h) for greater than 20
seconds or if the vehicle speed exceeds 66 mph
(106 km/h).
•Normal Ride Height (NRH)– This is the standard
position of the suspension and is meant for normal
driving.
•Off-Road 1 (OR1) (Raises the vehicle approximately
1 in [26 mm])– This position should be the primary
position for all off-road driving until Off Road 2 (OR2)
is needed. A smoother and more comfortable ride will
result. To enter OR1, push the “Up” button once from
the NRH position while the vehicle speed is below
35 mph (56 km/h). When in the OR1 position, if the
vehicle speed remains between 40 mph (64 km/h) and
50 mph (80 km/h) for greater than 20 seconds or if the
vehicle speed exceeds 50 mph (80 km/h), the vehiclewill be automatically lowered to NRH. Off-Road 1
may not be available due to vehicle payload, an
EVIC/DID message will be displayed when this oc-
curs. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further infor-
mation.
•Off-Road 2 (OR2) (Raises the vehicle approximately
2 in [51 mm])– This position is intended for off-
roading use only where maximum ground clearance is
required. To enter OR2, push the “Up” button twice
from the NRH position or once from the OR1 position
while vehicle speed is below 20 mph (32 km/h). While
in OR2, if the vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h)
the vehicle height will be automatically lowered to
OR1. Off-Road 2 may not be available due to vehicle
payload, an EVIC/DID message will be displayed
546 STARTING AND OPERATING

when this occurs. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) or Driver Information Display
(DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
•If the vehicle is in OFFROAD1 or OFFROAD2 setting,
be aware of your surroundings, you may not have the
clearance required for certain areas and vehicle dam-
age may occur.
•Aero Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately .6 in
[15 mm])– This position provides improved aerody-
namics by lowering the vehicle. The vehicle will
automatically enter Aero Mode when the vehicle
speed remains between 62 mph (100 km/h) and
66 mph (106 km/h) for greater than 20 seconds or if the
vehicle speed exceeds 66 mph (106 km/h). The vehicle
will return to NRH from Aero Mode if the vehiclespeed remains between 30 mph (48 km/h) and 35 mph
(56 km/h) for greater than 20 seconds or if the vehicle
speed falls below 30 mph (48 km/h).
NOTE:Automatic Aero Mode may be disabled through
vehicle settings in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) when
equipped with Uconnect 3.0, or your Uconnect Radio
when equipped with UConnect 5.0, 8.4A, or 8.4AN. Refer
to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or
Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Un-
derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa-
tion.
•Entry/Exit Mode (Lowers the vehicle approximately 2
in [51 mm])– This position lowers the vehicle for
easier passenger entry and exit as well as lowering the
rear of the vehicle for easier loading and unloading of
cargo. To enter Entry/Exit Mode, push the “Down”
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 547