2020 Ram 3500 transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING249
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 indi -
cator light for the selected position will stop
flashing and remain on.
2WD To 4WD HIGH
Push the desired position on the 4WD control
switch to shift the transfer case. Shifts between
2WD and 4WD HIGH 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 turning the control
switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition
switch 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 HIGH 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 HIGH 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 occu
-
pants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle
rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely
stopped. You can 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 a 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 Alter -
nate Procedure are not satisfied prior to
attempting the shift, then the desired posi -
tion 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, the shift will
not take place and no position indicator lights
will be on or flashing.
5

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 249

250STARTING AND OPERATING
ELECTRONICALLY SHIFTED TRANSFER
C
ASE (SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION) — IF
E
QUIPPED
The electronic shift transfer case is operated by
the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case Switch),
which is located on the instrument panel.

Four-Position/On-Demand Transfer Case

This electronically shifted transfer case
provides four mode positions:
Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2WD)
Four-Wheel Drive High Range (4WD HIGH)
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4WD LOW)
Neutral (NEUTRAL) For additional information on the appropriate
use of each transfer case mode position, see
the information below:
2WD
Two-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for
normal street and highway driving on dry, hard
surfaced roads.
4WD HIGH
Four-Wheel Drive High Range — This range
maximizes torque to the front driveshaft, forcing
the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range provides additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
4WD LOW
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range
provides low speed four-wheel drive. It
maximizes torque to the front driveshaft, forcing
the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. This range provides additional traction
and maximum pulling power for loose, slippery
road surfaces only. Do not exceed 25 mph
(40 km/h).
NEUTRAL (N)
Neutral — This range disengages both the front
and rear driveshafts from the powertrain. To be
used for flat towing behind another vehicle.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this section
for further information.
This electronically shifted transfer case is
designed to be driven in the two-wheel drive
position (2WD) for normal street and highway
conditions on dry, hard surfaced roads.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the NEUTRAL position without first
fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer
case NEUTRAL position disengages both the
front and rear drive shafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 250

252STARTING AND OPERATING
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 drivetrain.
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 indi -
cator 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. To retry a shift: return the
control switch back to the original position,
make certain all shift requirements have
been met, wait five seconds and try the shift
again.
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 indi
-
cator light for the selected position will stop
flashing and remain ON.
2WD To 4WD HIGH
Push the desired position on the 4WD control
switch to shift the transfer case. Shifts between
2WD and 4WD HIGH 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 turning the control
switch. If the vehicle is stopped, the ignition
switch 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 HIGH 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 HIGH 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 occu
-
pants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle
rolling 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely
stopped. You can 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.

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 252

STARTING AND OPERATING253
Alternate Procedure

1. Bring the vehicle to a 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 Alter -
nate Procedure are not satisfied prior to
attempting the shift, then the desired posi -
tion 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, the shift will
not take place and no position indicator lights
will be on or flashing.
MANUALLY SHIFTED TRANSFER CASE —
I
F EQUIPPED
The transfer case provides four mode positions:
Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2H)
Four-Wheel Drive Lock High Range (4H)
N (Neutral)
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4L)
For additional information on the appropriate
use of each transfer case mode position, see
the information below:
2H
Two-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for
normal street and highway driving on dry, hard
surfaced roads.
4H
Four-Wheel Drive Lock High Range — This range
locks the front and rear driveshafts together
forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the
same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only. N (Neutral)
N (Neutral) — This range disengages both the
front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain.
To be used for flat towing behind another
vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further
information.
4L
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range locks
the front and rear driveshafts together forcing
the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling
power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
This transfer case is intended to be driven in the
2H position for normal street and highway
conditions such as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the 4H and
4L positions can be used to lock the front and
rear driveshafts together and force the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed.
This is accomplished by simply moving the gear
selector to the desired positions once the
appropriate speed and gear requirements are
5

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 253

254STARTING AND OPERATING
met. Refer to “Shifting Procedure – Manually
Shifted Transfer Case” in this section for further
information.
The 4H and 4L positions are intended for loose,
slippery road surfaces only. Driving in the 4H
and 4L positions on dry, hard surfaced roads
may cause increased tire wear and damage to
the driveline components.
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in
the instrument cluster will alert the driver that
the vehicle is in four-wheel drive and that the
front and rear driveshafts are locked together.
This light will illuminate when the transfer case
is shifted into either the 4H or 4L position. There
is no light for the 2H or NEUTRAL positions on
some models.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the
2H or 4H 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
will adversely affect shifting and can cause
damage to the drivetrain. NOTE:
Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning, as this can
cause damage to driveline components.
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.
NOTE:
Delayed shifts out of four-wheel drive may be
experienced due to uneven tire wear, low or
uneven tire pressures, excessive vehicle
loading, or cold temperatures.Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2H)
Two-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for
normal street and highway driving on dry hard
surfaced roads.
Four-Wheel Drive High Range (4H)
Four-Wheel Drive High Range — This range locks
the front and rear driveshafts together forcing
the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction for loose, slippery
road surfaces only.
N (Neutral)
N (Neutral) — This range disengages the front
and rear driveshafts from the powertrain. To be
used for flat towing behind another vehicle.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And
Operating” for further information.
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4L)
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range locks
the front and rear driveshafts together forcing
the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction and maximum pulling
power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer
case in the NEUTRAL position without first
fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer
case NEUTRAL position disengages both the
front and rear drive shafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 254

STARTING AND OPERATING255
Shifting Procedure — Manually Shifted
Transfer Case
2H To 4H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with
the vehicle stopped or in motion. If the vehicle
is in motion, shifts can be made up to 55 mph
(88 km/h). With the vehicle in motion, the
transfer case will engage/disengage faster if
you momentarily release the accelerator pedal
after completing the shift. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever. 2H Or 4H To 4L
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.

With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h), shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
While the vehicle is coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h), shift the transfer case lever firmly to
the desired position. Do not pause in transfer
case Neutral.
NOTE:
Pausing in transfer case NEUTRAL in vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission
may require shutting the engine off to avoid
gear clash while completing the shift. If diffi
-
culty occurs, shift the transmission into
NEUTRAL, hold your foot on the brake, and
turn the engine off. Complete the range shift
to the desired mode.

Shifting into or out of 4WD LOW is possible
with the vehicle completely stopped, however
difficulty may occur due to the mating clutch
teeth not being properly aligned. Several
attempts may be required for clutch teeth
alignment and shift completion to occur. The
preferred method is with the vehicle rolling
2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h). Avoid attempting to
engage or disengage 4WD LOW with the
vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph
(3 to 5 km/h).

Do not attempt to shift into or out of 4WD
LOW while the transmission is in gear.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Light
The “Transfer Case Position Indicator Light” in
the instrument cluster is used to alert the driver
that the front axle is fully engaged and all four
wheels are driving.
CAUTION!
Do not use 4L (Low) range when operating
the vehicle on dry pavement. Driveline
hardware damage can result.
5

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 255

262STARTING AND OPERATING
The Basics Of Off-Road Driving
You will encounter many types of terrain driving
off-road. You should be familiar with the terrain
and area before proceeding. There are many
types of surface conditions: hard packed dirt,
gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice.
Every surface has a different effect on your
vehicle's steering, handling and traction.
Controlling your vehicle is one of the keys to
successful off-road driving, so always keep a
firm grip on the steering wheel and maintain a
good driving posture. Avoid sudden
accelerations, turns or braking. In most cases
there are no road signs, posted speed limits or
signal lights. Therefore you will need to use your
own good judgment on what is safe and what
isn't. When on a trail you should always be
looking ahead for surface obstacles and
changes in terrain. The key is to plan your future
driving route while remembering what you are
currently driving over.
When To Use Low Range
When driving off-road, shift into 4WD LOW for
additional traction or to improve handling and
control on slippery or difficult terrain. Due to the
lower gearing, low range will allow the engine to
operate in a higher power range. This will allow
you to idle over obstacles and down hills, with
improved control and less effort. Also, use 4WD
LOW in rain, ice, snow, mud, and sand to get
heavy loads rolling, improve traction, or
whenever 4WD HIGH traction will not do the job.
DRIVING IN SNOW, MUD AND SAND
There is a drastic reduction in traction when
driving in snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be
less responsive to steering, acceleration and
braking inputs. Therefore you should accelerate
slowly, leave greater stopping distances and
avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to
keep a slow constant steady pace. The key is to
maintain the vehicle's momentum.
Snow – In heavy snow or for additional
control and traction at slower speeds, shift
the transmission to a low gear and shift the
transfer case to 4WD LOW if necessary. Do
not shift to a lower gear than necessary to
maintain headway. Over-revving the engine
can spin the wheels and traction will be lost.
If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your
steering wheel no more than a quarter turn
quickly back and forth, while still applying
throttle. This will allow the tires to get a fresh
"bite" and help maintain your momentum.
Mud – Deep mud creates a great deal of
suction around the tires and is very difficult to
get through. You should use 4WD LOW with a
gear low enough to maintain your momentum
without shifting. If you start to slow to a stop,
try turning your steering wheel no more than
a quarter turn quickly back and forth for addi -
tional traction. Mud holes pose an increased
threat of vehicle damage and getting stuck.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down
cargo. Unsecured cargo can become
projectiles in an off-road situation.
CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or
other combustible materials. The heat from
your vehicle exhaust system could cause a
fire.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at
high engine RPMs or vehicle speeds because
engine braking may cause skidding and loss
of control.

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 262

STARTING AND OPERATING265
case into 4WD LOW and proceed with
caution. You should use first gear and 4WD
LOW for very steep hills.
Driving Uphill – Once you have determined
your ability to proceed and have shifted into
the appropriate gear, line your vehicle up for
the straightest possible run. Accelerate with
an easy constant throttle and apply more
power as you start up the hill. Do not race
forward into a steep grade, the abrupt
change of grade could cause you to lose
control. If the front end begins to bounce,
ease off the throttle slightly to bring all four
tires back on the ground. As you approach
the crest of the hill ease off the throttle and
slowly proceed over the top. If the wheels
start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain
headway by turning the steering wheel no
more than a quarter turn quickly back and
forth. This will provide a fresh "bite" into the
surface and will usually provide enough trac -
tion to complete the climb. If you do not make
it to the top, place the vehicle in REVERSE
and back straight down the grade using
engine resistance along with the vehicle
brakes.
Driving Downhill – Before driving down a
steep hill you need to determine if it is too
steep for a safe descent. What is the surface
traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a
slow controlled descent? Are there obsta -
cles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty
of distance at the base of the hill to regain
control if the vehicle descends too fast? If
you feel confident in your ability to proceed
then make sure you are in 4WD LOW with the
transmission in FIRST gear (manually select
FIRST gear on automatic transmissions) and
proceed with caution. Allow engine braking to
control the descent and apply your brakes if
necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock.
Driving Across An Incline – If at all possible
avoid driving across an incline. If it is neces -
sary, know your vehicle's abilities. Driving
across an incline places more weight on the
downhill wheels, which increases the possi -
bilities of a downhill slide or rollover. Make
sure the surface has good traction with firm
and stable soils. If possible transverse the
incline at an angle heading slightly up or
down.
WARNING!
Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or
turn around on a steep grade. Driving across
an incline increases the risk of a roll over,
which may result in severe injury or death.
WARNING!

Do not descend a steep grade in NEUTRAL. Use
vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine
braking. Descending a grade too fast could
cause you to lose control and be seriously
injured or killed.

WARNING!
Driving across an incline increases the risk of
a rollover, which may result in severe injury.
5

20_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 265