manual transmission Ram 2500 2015 Owner's Manual

The emergency key will unlock the driver door lock on
your vehicle.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
• For personal security and safety in the event of an
collision, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as
well as when you park and leave the vehicle.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always turn the vehicle
OFF, apply the parking brake, shift the automatic
transmission into PARK or the manual transmis-
sion into REVERSE,and push ignition button to
place ignition in OFF mode.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

“Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
To program your RKE transmitters, perform the follow-
ing:
1. Cycle the vehicles ignition to the Off position.
2. Select desired memory profile (1) or (2).
NOTE: If a memory profile has not already been set, refer
to Programming The Memory Feature for instructions
on how to set a memory profile.
3. Once the profile has been recalled, push and release the SET (S) button on the memory switch, then push
and release button (1) or (2) accordingly. “Memory
Profile Set” (1 or 2) will display in the instrument
cluster on vehicles equipped with the EVIC/DID.
4. Push and release the LOCK button on the RKE trans- mitter within 10 seconds. NOTE:
Your RKE transmitters can be unlinked to your
memory settings by pushing the SET (S) button, and
within 10 seconds, followed by pushing the UNLOCK
button on the RKE transmitter.
Memory Position Recall
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission, the vehicle must be in PARK to recall memory
positions. If a recall is attempted when the vehicle is not
in PARK, a message will be displayed in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information
Display (DID).
For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the
vehicle speed must be at 0 mph (0 km/h) to recall
memory positions. If a recall is attempted with the
vehicle speed above 0 mph (0 km/h), a message will
display in the EVIC/DID.
160 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................442
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .442
▫ Automatic Transmission ................443
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................443
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .443
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C) ................445
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................445
▫ After Starting ....................... .447
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......447▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .447
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not
Autostop .......................... .448
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .449
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .450
▫ To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .451
▫ System Malfunction ....................451
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .451
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............452
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............454
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .454
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .455
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 1500 Models
Only (If Equipped) ....................464
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only ....................... .476
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .487
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case —
If Equipped ......................... .487
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) — If Equipped .......491
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) — If Equipped .......498▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) — If Equipped .......503
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .510
▫ Description ......................... .510
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................514
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID) Display
Messages .......................... .516
▫ Operation .......................... .516
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS)
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .518
▫ Description ......................... .518
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................519
436 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the transmission in PARK position.
Apply the brake before shifting into any driving range.
NOTE:
•This vehicle is equipped with a transmission shift
interlocking system. The brake pedal must be pressed
to shift out of PARK.
• If equipped with an 8 speed transmission starting the
vehicle in NEUTRAL is not possible unless the Manual
Park Release has been activated. For the Manual Park
Release operation refer to Manual Park Release in
“What To Do In Emergencies”.
Tip Start Feature
Do not press the accelerator. Cycle the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Key Fob
is in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 443

The transmission gear selector has only PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer toElectronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation in this section for further information). Press-
ing the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the steering wheel)
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear
limit in the instrument cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc. Models with
the Driver Information Display (DID) will display both
the selected gear limit, and the actual current gear, while
in ERS mode.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Electronic Transmission Gear Selector
456 STARTING AND OPERATING

Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section for further information). Press-
ing the ERS (-/+) switches (column shift) or moving the
shift lever to the left or right (-/+) (console shift) while in
the DRIVE position will select the highest available
transmission gear, and will display that gear in the
instrument cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 465

vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer to “Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Operation” in this section for further information). Press-
ing the ERS (-/+) switches (on the shift lever) while in the
DRIVE position will select the highest available transmis-
sion gear, and will display that gear in the instrument
cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 477

the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
some accelerations, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage, until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is
normal. Using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift
control, when the transmission is sufficiently warm,
will demonstrate that the transmission is able to shift
into and out of Overdrive.
• If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
fluid partially draining from the torque converter into
the transmission. This condition is normal and will not cause damage to the transmission. The torque con-
verter will refill within five seconds after starting the
engine.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF
EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a
manually shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted
transfer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further informa-
tion.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions.
•
Two-wheel drive high range (2H)
• Four-wheel drive high range (4H)
• Neutral (N)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 487

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).
CAUTION!
Do not use 4L (Low) range when operating the
vehicle on dry pavement. Driveline hardware dam-
age can result.
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 thevehicle in motion, the transfer case will engage/
disengage faster if you momentarily release the accelera-
tor pedal after completing the shift. Apply a constant
force when shifting the transfer case lever.
2H Or 4H To 4L
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 difficulty occurs, shift the
transmission into NEUTRAL, hold foot on brake, and
turn the engine OFF. Make shift to the desired mode.
490 STARTING AND OPERATING