2020 Ram 1500 engine

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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310 STARTING AND OPERATING
When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
push the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/HAUL
mode. This will improve performance and reduce the poten-
tial for transmission overheating or failure due to excessive
shifting.
TOW/HAUL Switch The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode has
been activated. Pushing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. Normal operation is always the default at
engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the switch
must be pushed each time the engine is started.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a manu-
ally shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted transfer
case. Refer to the operating instructions for your transfer
case, located in this section for further information.
WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when driving in
icy or slippery conditions. The increased engine braking
can cause the rear wheels to slide, and the vehicle to
swing around with the possible loss of vehicle control,
which may cause an accident possibly resulting in
personal injury or death.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 313
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights (4WD and
4LOW) are located in the instrument cluster and indicate the
current and desired transfer case selection. When you select
a different transfer case position, the indicator lights will do
the following:
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until thetransfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If the transfer case does not shift into the desired position,
one or more of the following events may occur:
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash.
3. If the transfer case will not shift, there will be a cluster
message stating the 4WD shift has canceled. NOTE:
Before retrying a selection, make certain that all the neces
-
sary requirements for selecting a new transfer case position
have been met. To retry the selection, push the current posi -
tion, wait five seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift
requirements, refer to the "Shifting Procedure" for your
transfer case, located in this section.
The “SVC 4WD Warning Light” monitors the electronic shift
four-wheel drive system. If this light remains on after engine
start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
four-wheel drive system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
NOTE:
Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front or rear
wheels are spinning. This could cause damage to driveline
components.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering down
the vehicle if the “SVC 4WD Warning Light” is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll which may cause personal injury or
death.
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314 STARTING AND OPERATING
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD or 4WD
HIGH positions at a given road speed. Take care not to over-
speed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the drive -
train.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds. Do
not go faster than road conditions permit.
Shifting Procedure
NOTE:
• If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case position have not been met, the transfer case will not shift.
The position indicator light for the previous position will
remain ON and the newly selected position indicator light
will continue to flash until all the requirements for the
selected position have been met.
• If all the requirements to select a new transfer case position have been met, the current position indicator light will
turn OFF, the selected position indicator light will flash until the transfer case completes the shift. When the shift is
complete, the position indicator light for the selected posi
-
tion will stop flashing and remain ON.
Five-Position Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Eight Speed Transmission Only) — If Equipped
This is an electronic shift transfer case and is operated by the
4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case Switch), which is
located on the instrument panel.
Five-Position/On-Demand Transfer Case — Eight Speed Transmission Only
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STARTING AND OPERATING 317
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights
The Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights (4WD HIGH,
4LOW, and 4WD AUTO) are located in the instrument
cluster and indicate the current and desired transfer case
selection. When you select a different transfer case position,
the indicator lights will do the following:
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until thetransfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
If the transfer case does not shift into the desired position,
one or more of the following events may occur:
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will continue to flash.
3. If the transfer case will not shift, there will be a cluster
message stating the 4WD shift has canceled. NOTE:
Before retrying a selection, make certain that all the neces
-
sary requirements for selecting a new transfer case position
have been met. To retry the selection, push the current posi -
tion, wait five seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift
requirements, refer to the "Shifting Procedure" for your
transfer case, located in this section.
The “SVC 4WD Warning Light” monitors the electronic shift
four-wheel drive system. If this light remains on after engine
start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
four-wheel drive system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
NOTE:
Do not attempt to make a shift while only the front or rear
wheels are spinning. This could cause damage to driveline
components.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering down
the vehicle if the “SVC 4WD Warning Light” is
illuminated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll which may cause personal injury or
death.
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318 STARTING AND OPERATING
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD, 4WD
AUTO or 4WD HIGH positions at a given road speed. Take
care not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
Proper operation of four-wheel drive vehicles depends on
tires of equal size, type and circumference on each wheel.
Any difference in tire size can cause damage to the drive-
train.
Because four-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds. Do
not go faster than road conditions permit. Shifting Procedure
NOTE:
• If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case
position have not been met, the transfer case will not shift.
The position indicator light for the previous position will
remain ON and the newly selected position indicator light
will continue to flash until all the requirements for the
selected position have been met.
• If all the requirements to select a new transfer case position have been met, the current position indicator light will
turn OFF, the selected position indicator light will flash
until the transfer case completes the shift. When the shift is
complete, the position indicator light for the selected posi -
tion will stop flashing and remain ON.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 321
33 mph (53 km/h). Once the vehicle speed goes below15 mph (24 km/h) the vehicle height will begin to lower. If
the vehicle speed remains between 15 mph (24 km/h) and
25 mph (40 km/h) for greater than 60 seconds, or the
vehicle speed exceeds 25 mph (40 km/h) the Entry/Exitchange will be cancelled. To return to Normal Height
Mode, push the height selector switch up once while in
Entry/Exit or drive the vehicle over 15 mph (24 km/h).
Entry/Exit mode may not be available due to vehicle
payload, an instrument cluster message will be displayed
when this occurs. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE:
Entry/Exit mode may be achieved using your key fob for
easier entry/loading. Refer to “Keys” in “Getting To Know
Your Vehicle” for further information. The system requires that the ignition be in the ON/RUN
position or the engine running for all user requested
changes. When lowering the vehicle all of the doors, must be
closed. If a door is opened at any time while the vehicle is
lowering the change will not be completed until the open
door(s) is closed.
This system uses a lifting and lowering pattern which keeps
the headlights from incorrectly shining into oncoming
traffic. When raising the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle will
move up first and then the front. When lowering the vehicle,
the front will move down first and then the rear.
After the engine is turned off, it may be noticed that the air
suspension system operates briefly, this is normal. The
system is correcting the position of the vehicle to ensure a
proper appearance.
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air suspension
system has a feature which allows the automatic leveling to
be disabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further infor
-
mation.
CAUTION!
When in ENTRY/EXIT setting, be aware of your
surroundings, you may not have the clearance required
for certain areas and vehicle damage may occur.
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322 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:
If equipped with a touch screen radio all enabling/disabling
of air suspension features must be done through the radio.
Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further
information.
Air Suspension Modes
The Air Suspension system has multiple modes to protect the
system in unique situations:
Automatic AERO Mode
To improve aerodynamics, the air suspension system has a
feature which will put the vehicle into AERO height auto-
matically. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

Automatic Aero Mode may be disabled through vehicle
settings in the instrument cluster display or through your
Uconnect Radio if equipped. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or
“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further information.

NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Tire Jack Mode
To assist with changing a tire, the air suspension system has
a feature which allows the automatic leveling to be disabled.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in “Multi
-
media” if equipped with a touch screen radio for further
information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
Transport Mode
For towing your vehicle with four wheels off the road, the air
suspension system has a feature which will put the vehicle
into Entry/Exit height and disable the automatic load
leveling system. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect
Settings” in “Multimedia” if equipped with a touch screen
radio for further information.
NOTE:
This mode is intended to be enabled with engine running.
WARNING!
The air suspension system uses a high pressure volume
of air to operate the system. To avoid personal injury or
damage to the system, see your authorized dealer for
service.
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