Ram 3500 2011 Diesel Supplement

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always shift the transmission into PARK, remove
the key fob from the ignition, and apply the
parking brake. Once the key fob is removed from
the ignition, the shift lever is locked in the PARK
position, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement. Furthermore, you should never leave
unattended children inside a vehicle.(Continued)
60 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward
or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to any other
switch position (ACC, ON, or START) (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual Override
Column Shifter
There is an override for the BTSI that allows you to move
the shift lever out of the PARK position if an electrical
system malfunction occurs (i.e., dead battery).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON position
without starting the engine.
2. Tilt the steering wheel to the full up position
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 61

5. Using the screwdriver, press and hold the override tab
through the access port (ringed circle) on the bottom of
the steering column.
6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.Six-Speed Automatic Transmission with
Overdrive (68RFE) – If Equipped (Ram Truck
Only)
The shift lever display located in the instrument panel
cluster indicates the transmission gear range (the selector
is illuminated for night driving). The shift lever is
mounted on the right side of the steering column. You
must press the brake pedal to pull the shift lever out of
PARK position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, move
the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the desired
DRIVE position. Pull the shift lever toward you when
shifting into REVERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of
PARK.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows
you to move the switch down (-) or up (+) when the
shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the selection
of the desired top gear. For example, if the driver shiftsInterlock Manual Override
62 STARTING AND OPERATING

the transmission into third gear, the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but can shift down into
second or first gear, when needed.
Switching from ERS to D-Mode can be done at any
vehicle speed. To switch from “Drive” mode to “ERS”
mode, press the switch down (-) once. The current gearwill be maintained as the top gear. To disable ERS, simply
press and hold the switch up (+) until “D” is displayed in
the instrument cluster odometer.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display
12345D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
switch down (-). The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
Column Shift Lever
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 63

Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, then place the shift
lever into the PARK position. On four-wheel drive ve-
hicles be sure that the transfer case is in a drive position.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in
PARK. Make sure it is in PARK before leaving the
vehicle.
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward
or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
REVERSE
This range should be used only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
64 STARTING AND OPERATING

NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine may be
started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
This range provides underdrive first, second and third
gears, direct fourth gear and overdrive fifth and sixth
gears. The shift into overdrive fifth and sixth gear occurs
only after the transmission has completed the shift into
fourth gear. No other movement of the shift mechanism
is required to complete the 4–5 or 5–6 gear shifts.
Upshifts into both overdrive gears, fifth and sixth, will be
delayed when the transmission fluid temperature is
below 40°F (4.5°C) or above 240°F (115.5°C).NOTE:
Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in second or first gear in high ambient tempera-
tures as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fifth and sixth (Overdrive). The
transmission will automatically shift from DRIVE to
Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated;
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 65

•transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
NOTE: If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the “Transmission
Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate and the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive until the
transmission cools down. After cool down, the transmis-
sion will resume normal operation. The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to
DRIVE if the accelerator pedal is fully pressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
When To Use TOW/HAUL
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the “TOW/HAUL” switch once to select
“TOW/HAUL.” In “TOW/HAUL” mode, fourth to fifth
gear upshifts are delayed. Shifts into fifth and sixth gear
are still allowed under steady cruise conditions. Closed
throttle downshifts (for improved engine braking) may
occur during steady braking maneuvers. Pressing the
switch a second time restores normal operation. Normal
operation is always the default at engine start-up.
66 STARTING AND OPERATING

The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has been
activated. If the “TOW/HAUL” modes are desired, the
button must be pressed each time the engine is started.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
the upper gears. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to second
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage, and the
transmission will not shift to sixth gear, until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usu-
ally after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
sixth gear is disabled, and engine speed is higher
when the torque converter clutch is not engaged, it
may seem as if the transmission is not shifting prop-
erly when cold. This is normal. Using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) feature, when the transmission is
TOW/HAUL Switch
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 67

sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the transmis-
sion is able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven in 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 of shifting from
PARK into any other gear position.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (AS68RC)
– If Equipped (Chassis Cab Only)
The shift lever display located in the instrument panel
cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the selector
is illuminated for night driving). The shift lever is
mounted on the right side of the steering column. You
must press the brake pedal to pull the shift lever out of
PARK position (Brake Interlock System). To drive, movethe shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the desired
DRIVE position. Pull the shift lever toward you when
shifting into REVERSE or PARK.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control allows
you to move the switch down (-) or up (+) when the
shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the selection
of the desired top gear. For example, if the driver shifts
the transmission into third gear, the transmission will
never shift above third gear, but can shift down into
second or first gear, when needed.
68 STARTING AND OPERATING

Switching from ERS to D-Mode can be done at any
vehicle speed. To switch from “Drive” mode to “ERS”
mode, press the switch down (-) once. The current gear
will be maintained as the top gear. To disable ERS, simply
press and hold the switch up (+) until “D” is displayed in
the instrument cluster odometer.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12345D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed 1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6
NOTE: To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
switch down (-). The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL position into another gear range.
Column Shift Lever
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 69