2017 Ram 2500 Shifting into 4H

When the shift is complete, the position indicator light
for the selected position will stop flashing and remain
ON.
2WD To 4WD LOCK
Push the desired position on the 4WD control switch to
shift the transfercase. Shifts between 2WD and 4WD LOCK
can be done with the vehicle stopped or in motion. With
the vehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelerator
pedal after selecting the desired position on the control
switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition must be in the
ON position with the engine either running or off. This
shift cannot be completed if the ignition switch is in the
ACC position.
NOTE: The four-wheel drive system will not allow shifts
between 2WD/4WD LOCK if the front and/or rear wheels
are spinning (no traction). In this situation, the selected
position indicator light will flash and the original position
indicator light will remain ON. At this time, reduce speed
and stop spinning the wheels to complete the shift. 2WD Or 4WD LOCK To 4WD LOW
NOTE:
When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW some gear
noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. Use either of
the following procedures:
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine running, slow the vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. While still rolling, push the desired position on the transfer case control switch.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift the transmission back into gear.
Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the ignition switch in the ON position and the engine running, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 431

2WD Or 4WD AUTO Or 4WD LOCK To 4WD LOW
NOTE:When shifting into or out of 4WD LOW some gear
noise may be heard. This noise is normal and is not
detrimental to the vehicle or occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. Use either of
the following procedures:
Preferred Procedure
1. With the engine running, slow the vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. While still rolling, push the desired position on the transfer case control switch.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift the transmission back into gear. Alternate Procedure
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop.
2. With the ignition switch in the ON position and the
engine running, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
3. Push the desired position on the transfer case control switch.
4. After the desired position indicator light is ON (not flashing), shift the transmission back into gear.
NOTE:
• If Steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate
Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the shift
or if they no longer are being met while the shift attempt
is in process, the desired position indicator light will
flash continuously while the original position indicator
light is ON, until all requirements have been met.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON position for a
shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to
be operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON
position, then the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 437

Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is al-
lowedONLY if the rear wheels are OFFthe ground. This
may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If
using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with air suspension, ensure
the vehicle is set to Normal Ride Height.
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place automatic trans- mission in PARK, manual transmission in gear (not in
NEUTRAL).
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key fob.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
•Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•
Do not disconnect the driveshaft because fluid may
leak from the transmission, causing damage to internal
parts.
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE: Both the manual shift and electronic shift transfer
cases must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) for recreational
towing. Automatic transmissions must be shifted into
PARK for recreational towing. Manual transmissions must
be placed in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recreational
towing. Refer to the following for the proper transfer case
NEUTRAL (N) shifting procedure for your vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 573

CAUTION!
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with
only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear)
will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case
damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the
ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
• Before recreational towing, the transfer case must be
in NEUTRAL. To be certain the transfer case is fully
in NEUTRAL, perform the procedure outlined under
“Shifting Into NEUTRAL”. Internal transmission
damage will result, if the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL during towing.
• Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK,
and manual transmissions must be placed in gear
(not in Neutral) for recreational towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because fluid
will leak from the transfer case, causing damage to
internal parts.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEU-
TRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N) posi-
tion disengages both the front and rear drive shaft
from the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the automatic transmission is in PARK (or
manual transmission is in gear). The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle.
574 STARTING AND OPERATING

12. Turn the ignition to the OFF mode, then cycle theignition to the RUN mode and back to the OFF mode.
Remove the key fob from the ignition.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.
NOTE: With electronic shift transfer case:
• Steps 2 through 4 are requirements that must be met
before pushing the NEUTRAL (N) button, and must
continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If
any of these requirements are not met before pushing
the NEUTRAL (N) button or are no longer met during
the shift, the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will flash
continuously until all requirements are met or until the
NEUTRAL (N) button is released.
• The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for a shift to
take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN mode, the
shift will not take place and no position indicator lights
will be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light indi-
cates that shift requirements have not been met. •
If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, the engine
should be started and left running for a minimum of 60
seconds (with all the doors closed) at least once every 24
hours. This process allows the air suspension to adjust
the vehicle’s ride height to compensate for temperature
effects.
Shifting Out Of NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
normal usage:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it con- nected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Start the engine. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. Depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
• With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer case
lever to the desired position.
• With electronic shift transfer case with rotary selector
switch, push and hold the transfer case NEUTRAL (N)
button until the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light turns
off. After the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light turns off,
release the NEUTRAL (N) button. After the NEUTRAL
576 STARTING AND OPERATING

(N) button has been released, the transfer case will
shift to the position indicated by the selector switch.
• With electronic shift transfer case with push-button
selector switch, push and hold the switch for the
desired transfer case position, until the NEUTRAL (N)
indicator light turns off and the desired position
indicator light turns on.
NOTE: When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL (N),
turning the engine OFF is not required, but may be helpful
to avoid gear clash. With the 8-speed automatic transmis-
sion, the engine must remain running, since turning the
engine OFF will shift the transmission to PARK (and the
transmission must be in NEUTRAL for the transfer case to
shift out of NEUTRAL).
5. Turn the engine OFF. Shift automatic transmission into PARK. On 8-speed transmissions the shifter will auto-
matically select PARK when the engine is turned off.
6. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on a manual transmission).
7. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
8. Start the engine. 9. Press and hold the brake pedal.
10. Release the parking brake.
11. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal
(and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and check
that the vehicle operates normally.
NOTE: With electronic shift transfer case:
• Steps 3 and 4 are requirements that must be met before
pushing the button to shift out of NEUTRAL (N), and
must continue to be met until the shift has been com-
pleted. If any of these requirements are not met before
pushing the button or are no longer met during the shift,
the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will flash continu-
ously until all requirements are met or until the button is
released.
• The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for a shift to
take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN mode, the
shift will not take place and no position indicator lights
will be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light indi-
cates that shift requirements have not been met.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 577

ParkSense System, Rear...................156, 163
Passing Light ............................ .147
Passive Entry ..............................36
Pedals, Adjustable ......................... .152
Personalized Menu Bar ..................... .349
Personal Settings .......................... .275
Pickup Box ....................... .206, 209, 223
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ........513, 514
Power Distribution Center (Fuses) ..................680
Door Locks ..............................33
Mirrors ................................114
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .........184, 189
Seats .................................118
Sliding Rear Window ..................... .201
Steering ........................ .490, 491, 492
Sunroof .............................. .182
Windows ...............................39
Power Seats Down .................................119
Forward ............................119,120
Rearward ...........................119,120
Recline ................................119
Tilt...................................119
Up ...................................119 Power Steering Fluid
....................... .701
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts .................53
Pretensioners Seat Belts ...............................53
Programmable Electronic Features ...............275
Programming Key Fobs (Remote Keyless Entry) ......21
Radial Ply Tires ........................... .520
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .........662, 664
Radio Frequency General Information .............17, 19, 28, 31, 38
Radio Operation .......................... .328
Radio (Sound Systems) ..................... .326
Rain Sensitive Wiper System ...................149
Ramp Travel Index ........................ .458
Rear Axle (Differential) ..................... .668
Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails ..................219
Rear ParkSense System ...................156, 163
Rear Seat, Folding ...................... .126,
127
Rear Window Features ...................... .200
Rear Window, Sliding ...................... .202
Reclining Rear Seats ........................ .125
Recreational Towing ........................ .572
Shifting Into Transfer Case Neutral (N) .........574
Shifting Out Of Transfer Case Neutral (N) .......576
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INDEX 725

Reminder............................. .241
Untwisting Procedure ......................48
Seats ..........................118,119, 120, 125
Adjustment ......................118,119,120
Easy Entry ............................ .135
Folding Floor .......................... .202
Memory .............................. .132
Power ................................118
Rear Folding ....................... .126, 127
Reclining Rear .......................... .125
Security Alarm ......................... .19, 244
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............698
Sentry Key Key Programming .........................18
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ......................17
Sentry Key Replacement ......................18
Service Assistance ......................... .710
Service Contract .......................... .712
Service Manuals .......................... .714
Settings, Personal ......................... .275
Shifting ................................ .386
Automatic Transmission .............388, 395, 405
Transfer Case .......................... .416
Transfer Case, Shifting Into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ............................ .574Transfer Case, Shifting Out Of Transfer Case
Neutral (N)
............................ .576
Shift Lever Override ....................... .623
Signals, Turn ....................... .98, 146, 263
Siri ................................ .369, 370
Sliding Rear Window Power ............................... .201
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ....................528
Snow Plow .............................. .568
Snow Tires .............................. .522
Spare Tire ........................ .523, 524, 525
Spark Plugs ............................. .698
Speed Control Accel/Decel ........................... .155
Cancel ............................... .155
Resume .............................. .155
Speed

Control (Cruise Control) .................154
Stabilizer/Sway Bar System ...................455
Starting .............................. .29, 381
Automatic Transmission ....................382
Cold Weather .......................... .384
Engine Fails To Start ..................... .384
Remote ................................29
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines) ...............381
10
INDEX 727