2018 Ram 3500 manual transmission

MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 SPEED
TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake before activating the Manual Park Re-
lease. In addition, you should be seated in the driver ’s
seat with your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
activating the Manual Park Release. Activating the
Manual Park Release will allow your vehicle to roll
away if it is not secured by the parking brake, or by
proper connection to a tow vehicle. Activating the
Manual Park Release on an unsecured vehicle could
lead to serious injury or death for those in or around
the vehicle.
In order to push or tow the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead
battery), a Manual Park Release is available. Follow these steps to activate the Manual Park Release:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove the
Manual Park Release access cover, which is just above
the parking brake release handle, below and to the left
of the steering column.
3. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Using the screwdriver or similar tool, push the Manual Park Release lever locking tab (just below the middle of
the lever) to the right.
Manual Park Release Pull Strap
508 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

5. While holding the locking tab in the disengaged posi-tion, pull the tether strap to rotate the lever rearward,
until it locks in place pointing towards the driver’s seat.
Release the locking tab and verify that the Manual Park
Release lever is locked in the released position.
6. The vehicle is now out of PARK and can be towed. Release the parking brake only when the vehicle is
securely connected to a tow vehicle.
To Reset The Manual Park Release:
1. Push the locking tab to the right, to unlock the lever.
2. Rotate the Manual Park Release lever forward to its original position, until the locking tab snaps into place
to secure the lever.
3. Pull gently on the tether strap to confirm that the lever is locked in its stowed position.
4. Re-install the access cover.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or SECOND
GEAR and REVERSE (with manual transmission), while
gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of
accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the engine.
NOTE:
For trucks equipped with 8-speed automatic trans-
mission: Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can only be
achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h) or less.
Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL for more
than two seconds, you must press the brake pedal to
engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode, before
rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in
“Safety” for further information. Once the vehicle has been
freed, push the ESC Offswitch again to restore ESC On
mode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
(Continued)
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 509

Towing
Condition Wheels
OFF The Ground 2WD Models
4WD Models
Flat Tow NONE If transmission is operable:
•Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdistance
(6–speed transmission)
• 30 miles (48 km) maxdistance
(8–speed transmission) See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Automatic Transmission in PARK
• Manual Transmission in gear
(NOT NEUTRAL)
• Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift Or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment
manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-
datory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or
associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles
under tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode, not the ACC mode.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” or “Gear
Selector Override” in this section for instructions on shift-
ing the automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 511

CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear wheels on
the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL. Refer to
Manual Park Release in this section for instructions on
shifting the 8–speed transmission to NEUTRAL when
the engine is OFF.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)
for 6–speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8–speed transmission. If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
15 miles (24 km) for 6–speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8–speed transmission, tow with the rear wheels
OFF
the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised and the rear
wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a suitable
steering wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the
straight position) with the rear wheels raised and the front
wheels on the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
512 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer case
is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the forward
direction, withALLwheels on the ground), IFthe transfer
case is in NEUTRAL and the transmission is in PARK (for
automatic transmissions) or in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL,
for manual transmissions). Refer to “Recreational Towing”
in “Starting And Operating” for further information and
detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if the
remaining wheels are on the ground). Internal dam-
age to the transmission or transfer case will occur if
a front or rear wheel lift is used when 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.
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow hooks.
NOTE: For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage
to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains
may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.
Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious
injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 513

Daytime Running.........................74
Engine Temperature Warning ................191
Exterior ...............................281
Fog ............................78, 197, 455
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator .................327
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................447
Headlights ..............................73
High Beam ..............................74
High Beam/Low Beam Select .................74
Hill Descent Control Indicator ...............214
Illuminated Entry .........................83
Interior ............................. .80, 82
Low Fuel ............................. .196
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ..........192
Park ................................. .198
Passing ................................76
Seat Belt Reminder .......................189
Security Alarm ..........................191
Service ............................... .452
Side Marker ............................460
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ..........194, 216
Traction Control ........................ .212
Transfer Case .......................... .327
Turn Signal ................78, 198, 281, 454, 456
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . .191, 198 Limited-Slip Differential
..................375, 557
Loading Vehicle ............................414
Tires................................. .564
Load Shed Battery Saver Mode .......................187
Battery Saver On ........................ .187
Electrical Load Reduction ...................187
Intelligent Battery Sensor ...................187
Locks Automatic Door ..........................42
Child Protection ..........................43
Power Door .............................38
Low Tire Pressure System .....................216
Lubrication, Body ..........................541
Lug Nuts ............................... .594
Maintenance Fr

ee Battery.....................526
Maintenance Schedule .......................517
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . . .192, 201
Manual, Service ............................680
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ........................557
Lubricant Selection .......................607
Memory Feature (Memory Seat) .................44
Memory Seat ............................44, 49
12
INDEX 689

Memory............................ .44, 49
Power .................................46
Rear Folding ........................44, 55, 56
Reclining Rear ...........................46
Seatback Release ..........................44
Tilting .................................44
Vented .................................44
Ventilated ...............................44
Security Alarm ..........................35, 191
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............604
Sentry Key Key Programming .........................34
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ......................33
Sentry Key Replacement ......................34
Service Assistance ..........................676
Service Contract .......................... .678
Service Manuals .......................... .680
Settings, Personal ..........................182
Shifting .................................297
Automatic Transmission .............299, 306, 315
Transfer Case .......................... .326
Transfer Case, Shifting Into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ............................ .438
Transfer Case, Shifting Out Of Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ............................ .440Shift Lever Override
........................506
Signals, Turn ........................78, 198, 281
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ....................579
Snow Plow ...............................433
Snow Tires ...............................575
Spare Tire ............................ .575, 577
Spark Plugs ............................. .604
Speed Control Accel/Decel ............................397
Cancel ............................... .397
Resume ...............................397
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .................395
Stabilizer/Sway Bar System ...................361
Starting ............................. .288, 289
Automatic Transmission ....................288
Cold Weather .......................... .294
Engine Fails

To Start..................... .293
Starting And Operating ..................... .289
Starting Procedures ........................ .289
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines) ...............288
Steering Power ..........................392, 393, 394
Tilt Column .............................61
Wheel, Heated ...........................61
Wheel, Tilt ..............................61
12
INDEX 693