2020 Ram 1500 Gear ratio

308 STARTING AND OPERATING
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), select TOW/HAUL mode or use the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control (refer to "Elec-
tronic Range Select (ERS) Operation" in this section for
further information) to select a lower gear range. Under
these conditions, using a lower gear range will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing exces -
sive shifting and heat buildup.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or
below), transmission operation may be modified depending
on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle
speed. Normal operation will resume once the transmission
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all. Vehicle
performance may be severely degraded and the engine may
stall. In some situations, the transmission may not re-engage
if the engine is turned off and restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. A message in the
instrument cluster will inform the driver of the more serious
conditions, and indicate what actions may be necessary.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
NOTE:
In cases where the instrument cluster message indicates the
transmission may not re-engage after engine shutdown,
perform this procedure only in a desired location (prefer
-
ably, at an authorized dealer).
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine turns OFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 309
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we recommend that
you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. An authorized dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to assess the condition of your transmission.
If the transmission cannot be reset, an authorized dealer
service is required.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation — Eight-Speed
Transmission
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows the
driver to limit the highest available gear when the transmis -
sion is in DRIVE. For example, if you set the transmission
gear limit to 4 (fourth gear), the transmission will not shift
above fourth gear (except to prevent engine overspeed), but
will shift through the lower gears normally.
You can switch between DRIVE and ERS mode at any
vehicle speed. When the transmission 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 set that gear as the
top available gear. Once in ERS mode, tapping the GEAR- or
GEAR+ switch will change the top available gear. Electronic Range Select (ERS)
To exit ERS mode, simply push and hold the GEAR+ switch
until the gear limit display disappears from the instrument
cluster.
1 — GEAR + Switch
2 — GEAR – Switch
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.
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334 STARTING AND OPERATING
STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to save fuel and reduce
emissions. The system will stop the engine automatically
during a vehicle stop if the required conditions are met.
Releasing the brake pedal or shifting out of DRIVE will auto-
matically restart the engine.
Vehicles equipped with eTorque contain a heavy duty motor
generator and an additional hybrid electric battery to store
energy from vehicle deceleration for use on engine startup
after a stop as well as providing launch torque assist.
Automatic Mode
The Stop/Start feature is enabled after every normal
customer engine start. It will remain in STOP/START NOT
READY until you drive forward with a vehicle speed greater
than 2 mph (3 km/h). At that time, the system will go into
STOP/START READY and if all other conditions are met,
can go into an STOP/START AUTO STOP ACTIVE
“Autostop” mode.
To Activate The Autostop Mode, The Following Must
Occur:
1. The system must be in STOP/START READY state. A STOP/START READY message will be displayed in the instrument cluster within the Stop/Start section. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To know Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
2. The vehicle must be completely stopped.
3. The transmission Gear Selector must be in DRIVE and the brake pedal depressed.
The engine will shut down, the tachometer will move to the
zero position and the stop/start telltale will illuminate indi -
cating you are in an Autostop. While in an Autostop, the
Climate Controls system may automatically adjust airflow to
maintain cabin comfort. Customer settings will be main -
tained upon return to an engine running condition.
Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not Autostop
Prior to engine shut down, the system will check many safety
and comfort conditions to see if they are fulfilled. In
following situations, the engine will not Autostop:
• Driver’s seat belt is not buckled
• Driver’s door is not closed
• The vehicle is on a steep grade
• Cabin heating or cooling is in process and an acceptable cabin temperature has not been achieved
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STARTING AND OPERATING 337
4. If the STOP/START system is manually turned off, theengine can be started and stopped by cycling the ignition
switch or pressing the STOP/START switch again.
5. The STOP/START system will reset itself back to an ON condition every time the key is turned off and back on.
To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System
1. Push the STOP/START Off switch (located near the gearselector module).
2. The light on the switch will turn off.
System Malfunction
If there is a malfunction in the STOP/START system, the
system will not shut down the engine. A “SERVICE STOP/
START SYSTEM” message will appear in the instrument
cluster display. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further infor -
mation.
The system will need to be checked by your authorized
dealer.
SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, the Speed Control takes over accelerator
operations at speeds greater than 20 mph (32 km/h).
The Speed Control buttons are located on the right side of the
steering wheel.
Speed Control Buttons
1 — CANC/Cancel
2 — SET (+)/Accel
3 — On/Off
4 — RES/Resume
5 — SET (-)/Decel
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362 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
• The driver can override the automatic braking function bypressing the gas pedal, turning ParkSense off via Park -
Sense switch, or changing the gear while the automatic
brakes are being applied.
• Automatic brakes will not be available if ESC is not avail -
able.
• Automatic brakes will not be available if there is a faulted condition detected with the ParkSense Park Assist system
or the Braking System Module.
• The automatic braking function may only be applied if the vehicle deceleration is not enough to avoid colliding with
a detected obstacle.
• The automatic braking function will not be available if vehicle is in 4LO transfer case mode.
• The automatic braking function may not be applied fast enough for obstacles that move toward the rear of the
vehicle from the left and/or right sides.
• The automatic braking function can be enabled/disabled from the Customer Programmable Features section of the
Uconnect System. • ParkSense will retain its last known configuration state for
the automatic braking function through ignition cycles.
• Trailer hitch ball assembly may cause false braking events if left attached after towing.
The automatic braking function is intended to assist the
driver in avoiding possible collisions with detected obstacles
when backing up in REVERSE gear.
NOTE:
• The driver is always responsible for controlling the vehicle.
• The system is provided to assist the driver and not to substitute the driver.
• The driver must stay in full control of the vehicle's acceler -
ation and braking and is responsible for the vehicle's
movements.
Refer to “ParkSense System Usage Precautions” in this
section for limitations of this system and recommendations.
ParkSense will retain the last system state (enabled or
disabled) from the last ignition cycle when the ignition is
placed in the ON/RUN position.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 369
SENSORS", or the "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE
REQUIRED" message for five seconds. When the gear
selector is moved to REVERSE and the system has detected a
faulted condition, the instrument cluster display will display
a "WIPE OFF" message on the corresponding blocked system
while the vehicle is in REVERSE. The system will continue to
provide arc alerts for the side that is functioning properly.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
If "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE REAR SENSORS" or
"PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE WIPE FRONT SENSORS"
appears in the instrument cluster display make sure the
outer surface and the underside of the rear fascia/bumper
and/or front fascia/bumper is clean and clear of snow, ice,
mud, dirt or other obstruction and then cycle the ignition. If
the message continues to appear see your authorized dealer.
NOTE:
Water from a car wash or road slush in freezing weather may
also cause sensors to become blocked.
If the "PARKSENSE UNAVAILABLE SERVICE REQUIRED"
message appears in the instrument cluster display, see your
authorized dealer.Cleaning The ParkSense System
Clean the ParkSense sensors with water, car wash soap and
a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. Do not scratch
or poke the sensors. Otherwise, you could damage the
sensors.
ParkSense System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
• Ensure that the front and rear bumper are free of snow, ice,mud, dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense system oper -
ating properly.
• Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could affect the performance of ParkSense.

• When you turn Front or Rear ParkSense off, the instrument cluster display will show a vehicle graphic of the Front or
Rear ParkSense on/off state for two seconds. Furthermore,
once you turn Front or Rear ParkSense off, it remains off
until you turn it on again, even if you cycle the ignition key.

• When you move the gear selector to the REVERSE position and Front or Rear ParkSense is turned off, the instrument
cluster display will show a vehicle graphic with "OFF" in
the corresponding side. This vehicle graphic will be
displayed for as long as the vehicle is in REVERSE.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 373
The ParkSense Active Park Assist system will only operate
and search for a parking space when the following condi-
tions are present:
• The gear position is in DRIVE.
• The ignition is in the RUN position.
• The ParkSense Active Park Assist switch is activated.
• The driver’s door is closed.
• The liftgate is closed.
• Vehicle speed is less than 15 mph (25 km/h).

NOTE:
If the vehicle is driven above approximately 15 mph (25 km/h),
the instrument cluster display will instruct the driver to slow
down. If the vehicle is driven above approximately 18 mph
(30 km/h), the system will cancel. The driver must then reacti -
vate the system by pushing the ParkSense Active Park Assist
switch.

• Make sure that the outer surface and the underside of the front and rear fascias/bumpers are clean and clear of
snow, ice, mud, dirt or other obstruction.
When pushed, the LED on the ParkSense Active Park Assist
switch will blink momentarily, and then the LED will turn
off if any of the above conditions are not present.Parallel Parking Space Assistance Operation/Display
When the ParkSense Active Park Assist system is enabled the
“Active ParkSense Searching - Push OK To Switch To
Perpendicular Park” message will appear in the instrument
cluster display. You may switch to perpendicular parking if
you desire. Push the OK button on the left side steering
wheel switch to change your parking space setting.
NOTE:
• When searching for a parking space, use the turn signal indicator to select which side of the vehicle you want to
perform the parking maneuver. The ParkSense Active
Park Assist system will automatically search for a parking
space on the passenger's side of the vehicle if the turn
signal is not activated.
• The driver needs to make sure that the selected parking space for the maneuver remains free and clear of any
obstructions (e.g. pedestrians, bicycles, etc.).
• The driver is responsible to ensure that the selected parking space is suitable for the maneuver and free/clear
of anything that may be overhanging or protruding into
the parking space (e.g., ladders, tailgates, etc. from
surrounding objects/vehicles).
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STARTING AND OPERATING 429
Off-Road Driving Tips
Care should be taken when attempting to climb steep hills or
driving diagonally across a hill or slope. If natural obstacles
force you to travel diagonally up or down a hill, choose a
mild angle and keep as little side tilt as possible. Keep the
vehicle moving and make turns slowly and cautiously.
If you must back down a hill, back straight down using
REVERSE gear. Never back down in NEUTRAL or diago-
nally across the hill. When driving over sand, mud, and other soft terrain, shift to
low gear and drive steadily. Apply the accelerator slowly to
avoid spinning the wheels.
Do not reduce the tire pressures for this type of driving.
After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is always
a good idea to check for damage. That way you can get any
problems taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
• Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Check
tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and exhaust
system for damage.
• Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and suspension.
Retighten them, if required, and torque to the values spec -
ified in the Service Manual.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage to fuel
lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts.
• Driving through standing water may cause damage to
your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always inspect
your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmission, axle,
etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is milky
or foamy in appearance) after driving through standing
water. Do not continue to operate the vehicle if any
fluid appears contaminated, as this may result in
further damage. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious internal
damage to the engine. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. CAUTION!
(Continued)
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