automatic transmission Ram ProMaster 2016 Diesel Supplement

1. Speedometer•Indicates vehicle speed.
2. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) •When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) messages. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
• Odometer/Trip Odometer Display Area
U.S. Federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser
the correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. If
your odometer needs to be repaired or serviced, the
repair technician should leave the odometer reading
the same as it was before the repair or service. If s/he
cannot do so, then the odometer must be set at zero,
and a sticker must be placed in the door jamb stating
what the mileage was before the repair or service. It is a good idea for you to make a record of the odometer
reading before the repair/service, so that you can be
sure that it is properly reset, or that the door jamb
sticker is accurate if the odometer must be reset at zero.
•
Shift Lever Status (PRND)
The shift lever status “P,R,N,D,1,2,3,4,5,6” are dis-
played indicating the shift lever position. Telltales
“1,2,3,4,5,6” indicate the manual mode has been
engaged and the gear selected is displayed. Refer to
“Six-Speed Automatic Transmission” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information on ERS.
3. Tachometer •This gauge measures engine revolutions per minute
(RPM x 1000). Before the pointer reaches the red area,
ease up on the accelerator to prevent engine damage.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 15

Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine and automatic transmission control systems. The
light will illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the key from OFF to ON/RUN, have the condition checked
promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor quality fuel, etc., may illuminate
the light after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through sev-
eral typical driving styles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
When the engine is running, the MIL may flash to alert serious conditions that could lead to
immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be ser-
viced as soon as possible if this occurs.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 37

•The driver will be informed about the speed restriction
also when about 150 and 125 miles are left to empty the
DEF Tank.
• When 100 miles are left to empty, the DEF Tank, a
continuous message display with chimes will be there
on dashboard.
•
When count down is over (0 mile left), continuous
message Speed limited at refuel or next engine start is
shown on EVIC. In this case, if an engine restart or a
diesel refuel action in engine-on condition is performed,
vehicle’s speed will be limited to 5 mph and continuous
message Speed limited DEF low is shown on EVIC.
• The restriction becomes inactive as soon as the DEF
refill event is detected (minimum quantity to be added
is 1 gallon).
Transmission Messages
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Messages” under “Automated
Manual Transmission” in “Starting And Operating” for
detailed information on transmission warning messages.
• Gear unavailable
• Shift not allowed
• Manual unavailable
• Automatic unavailable
• Reduce gear changes
• Press brake and try again
• Transmission temperature high
• Press brake pedal
• Press brake pedal startup delayed
• Shift to neutral
• Tow/Haul ON
• Service transmission
50 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

6. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turnedoff.
7. Release the parking brake.
To start the engine if the transmission is faulty, the
“Delayed startup” procedure may be required.
NOTE: Not all Transmission Failures requires the “De-
layed startup” Procedure, it depends on the type of
failure.
(refer to Instrument Cluster Messages underAuto-
mated Manual Transmission in this section for further
information):
• Begin with the key in the OFF position.
• Press and hold the brake pedal. •
Turn the key to the START/AVV position and hold it
there for at least seven seconds with the brake de-
pressed. The engine will start, and the transmission
will operate in recovery mode (maximum gear permit-
ted = 3rd, automatic mode not available). If the engine
does not start, contact your authorized dealer.
Starting Fluids
The engine is equipped with a glow plug preheating
system. If the instructions in this manual are followed,
the engine should start in all conditions and no type of
starting fluid should be used.
WARNING!
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 55

and should be plugged in two hours prior to start. Its use
is required for cold starts with temperatures under -17°F
(-27°C).
In the case of LOW temperature after Starting, the
Automated Manual Transmission may not be able to
engage first gear. In this case a messageShift not
allowed appears. In this situation use the engine block
heater.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110–115 Volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
NOTE: The block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without fully applying the park-
ing brake. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
The automated manual transmission is a conventional
six-speed manual transmission with an electronically-
controlled hydraulic system that controls the clutch and
gear shifting. In forward gears, this transmission offers
two modes of operation:
• MANUAL (M) Mode — where the driver controls the
transmission shifting.
• Automatic Mode (the DRIVE [D] position)
— where
the electronic system controls the gear shifts.
62 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:If the vehicle is moving, REVERSE engagement
will only occur if the vehicle speed is less than 2 mph
(3 km/h). Otherwise, a chime will sound, a Shift not
allowed message will be displayed in the EVIC, the
transmission will shift to NEUTRAL, and the REVERSE
request must then be repeated by returning the lever to
NEUTRAL then back into REVERSE one the vehicle has
come to a complete stop.
• Release the brake pedal and gently press the accelera-
tor pedal.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. The engine can only be
started in this range. Apply the parking brake, shift the
transmission into gear, and turn the engine OFF if you
must leave the vehicle. With the engine running, you may shift to NEUTRAL (N)
at any time if the accelerator pedal is released. Attempt-
ing to shift to NEUTRAL when the accelerator pedal is
depressed will display a
Shift not allowedmessage in
the EVIC, and will activate a continuous chime until the
shift lever is returned to its previous position.
DRIVE (D) (Automatic Mode)
This range may be used for both city and highway
driving. The transmission will shift gears automatically,
based on vehicle speed, engine RPM and accelerator
pedal position. There are some instances where this mode
may be necessary (climbing slippery slopes).
NOTE: Do not press the brake and accelerator pedals at
the same time. Use only one foot to operate the brake and
accelerator.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 65

To operate in DRIVE (D) (Automatic mode):
•Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Move the shift lever to the DRIVE (D) position.
NOTE: If the vehicle is moving, DRIVE engagement will
only occur if the vehicle speed is less than 2 mph
(3 km/h). Otherwise, a chime will sound, the transmis-
sion will shift to NEUTRAL, and the DRIVE request must
then be repeated by returning the lever to NEUTRAL and
then back into DRIVE once the speed has been suffi-
ciently reduced.
• To drive, release the brake pedal and press the accel-
erator pedal.
When in DRIVE (D) the transmission will shift gears
automatically, the Automated Manual Transmission uses a geartrain and clutch similar to a other manual trans-
missions. Therefore, you should become familiar with
some of the normal operational characteristics of the
Automated Manual Transmission:
•
Engine torque will be interrupted briefly during the
transmission upshifts, making these shifts more abrupt
than with a typical automatic transmission. This is
normal.
• Although transmission shifting is performed auto-
matically, the vehicle will not creepwhen the brake
pedal is released, and may in fact roll down on an
incline. Leaving from a stop, the accelerator pedal
must be pressed to transmit driving torque to the
wheels.
• In Automatic Mode, the Automated Manual Transmis-
sion adapts the gear changing strategy evaluating the
road condition such as slopes in the road.
66 STARTING AND OPERATING

To operate in MANUAL (M) mode:
•Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Move the shift lever to the MANUAL (M) position.
The current gear will be displayed in the EVIC.
• To drive, release the brake pedal and press the accel-
erator pedal.
• Tap the shift lever towards the (+) to engage a higher
gear.
• Tap the shift lever towards the (–) position to engage a
lower gear.
• The accelerator pedal need not be released during gear
changes in MANUAL mode.
• You can shift between DRIVE (D) and MANUAL (M)
positions at any speed, without taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal. •
The system will shift down through the gears auto-
matically (to prevent engine lugging) during closed-
throttle decelerations.
• The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
• You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear.
Tap (+) (at a stop) to select second gear. Starting out in
second gear may be helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
• The system will ignore shift commands that would
cause engine lugging or overspeed. An audible beep
will sound and a Shift not allowed message will
display in the EVIC if an inappropriate gear is re-
quested.
NOTE: Avoid keeping your hand on the lever when you
are not requesting a gear shift.
68 STARTING AND OPERATING

Instrument Cluster Messages
Messages will be displayed in the instrument cluster to
alert the driver when certain unusual conditions occur.
These messages are described below.
MESSAGEDESCRIPTION
Service Transmission When the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN/MAR, the Transmis-
sion Fault Indicator light turns on and should go off after a few sec- onds.
The Transmission Fault Indicator illuminates either steady or blinking (together with this message and a buzzer) to indicate a transmission fault.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Reduce Gear Changes This message indicates that the driver is operating the transmission
incorrectly.
Incorrect use (by the driver) could automatically activate a procedure for protecting the system.
Contact you authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
72 STARTING AND OPERATING

MESSAGEDESCRIPTION
Manual Unavailable MANUAL (M) mode is not available, due to a fault or other condi-
tion. Use the DRIVE (D) position to operate the vehicle.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Automatic Unavailable Automatic (DRIVE) mode is not available due to a fault or other con-
dition. Use MANUAL (M) mode to operate the vehicle.
Contact your authorized dealer if the message continues to appear.
Transmission Temperature High This message appears, together with a buzzer, when the clutch over- heats.
In this situation, limit stop and go driving and gear shifts or if neces- sary stop the vehicle and turn the engine off to allow the clutch to cool.
If the message continues to appear, contact your Authorized Dealer. To avoid clutch malfunction, do not use the accelerator to keep the
vehicle at a standstill (for example holding on a hill); the clutch could be damaged by overheating. Use the brake pedal instead and operate the accelerator only when you are ready to drive away.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 73