automatic transmission fluid DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB 2008 3.G Owners Manual

the electric shift 4WD system. If the SERV 4WD light
stays on or comes on during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
23. Water In Fuel Indicator Ð Diesel Only
Indicates there is water detected in the fuel
filter. Refer to the Maintenance section, Drain-
ing Fuel/Water Separator Filter, for water
drain procedure.(See page 417 for more infor-
mation.)
24. Transmission Oil Temperature Warning Light
(Automatic Transmissions Only)
This light indicates that there is excessive trans-
mission fluid temperature that might occur
with severe usage such as trailer towing. It may
also occur when operating the vehicle in a high
torque converter slip condition, such as 4-wheel-drive
operation (e.g. snow plowing, off- road operation). If thislight comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
25. Wait To Start Indicator Ð Diesel Only
The Wait To Start Indicator will illuminate when
the ignition is turned to the run position and the
intake manifold temperature is below 66 degrees F.
Follow engine starting procedure for proper engine start-
ing and operating. Wait until the Wait To Start Indicator
turns OFF then start the vehicle.
NOTE:The Wait To Start Indicator may not illuminate if
the engine coolant temperature is warm enough.
26. Odometer/Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to toggle between the odometer and the
trip odometer display. Holding the button in resets the
trip odometer reading when in trip mode.
182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation is
encountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into
NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.NOTE:On models equipped with Diesel engines, the
idle speed will automatically increase to 1000 rpm at
elevated coolant temperatures to improve engine cooling.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 245
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures ± Gas Engines...........252
NManual Transmission ± If Equipped........252
NAutomatic Transmission ± If Equipped......252
NNormal Starting......................253
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................253
NAfter Starting........................255
mStarting Procedures ± Diesel Engines.........255
NManual Transmission ± If Equipped........256
NAutomatic Transmission ± If Equipped......256NNormal Starting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold
Air Temperature Above 66ÉF (19ÉC)........257
NStarting Procedure Ð Engine Manifold Air
Temperature Below 66ÉF (19ÉC)...........258
NStarting Fluids.......................261
mNormal Operation ± Diesel Engine..........262
NCold Weather Precautions...............263
NEngine Idling Ð In Cold Weather..........266
NStopping The Engine...................267
NEngine Speed Control..................268
5

ª1º First
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds 20 mph (32 km/h) or less
when going downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed,
do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in ª2º Second or ª1º First gear selections in high
ambients 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 fourth and fifth speed (Overdrive).
The transmission will automatically shift from Drive to
Overdrive if the following conditions are present:
²the transmission selector is in Drive;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
²the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº switch has not been
activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
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 also to the Note under
torque converter clutch, later in this section.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the ªTOW/HAULº button, when the transmis-
sion is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of overdrive.
NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission 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 converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.Automatic Transmission (6 Speed AS68RC) Ð If
Equipped
The gear shift selector display, located in the instrument
panel cluster, indicates the transmission gear range (the
selector is illuminated for night driving). The selector
lever is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must depress the brake pedal, to pull the selector
lever out of park (P) position (Brake Interlock System). To
drive, move the selector lever from Park or Neutral to the
desired drive position. Pull the selector lever toward you
when shifting into Reverse, Second, First or Park, or
when shifting out of Park.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from Park or
Neutral position into another gear range.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
5

ª2º Second
Use this position for driving on more severe conditions
and lower speeds than ª3º third. To prevent excessive
engine speed do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this
range.
ª1º First
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds 12 mph (19 km/h) or less
when going downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed,
do not exceed 12 mph (19 km/h) in this range.
NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in ª2º Second or ª1º First gear selections in high
ambients 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 5th and 6th (if equipped) speed(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
²the transmission selector is in Drive;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 38 mph (61
km/h) for 5th gear and 55 mph (89 km/h) for 6th gear;
²the ªTOW HAUL O/D OFFº switch has not been
activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission shift schedule initially re-
stricts transmission operation in forward gear ranges to
3rd gear until the transmission fluid temperature rises to
282 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
high gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to 1st
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm
[usually after 1-3 miles (1.6 - 4.8 km) of driving]. Because
the engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the ªTOW/HAULº button, when the transmis-
sion is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of overdrive.NOTE:If the vehicle has not been driven in several
days, the first few seconds of operation after shifting the
transmission 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 converter
will refill within five seconds of shifting from Park into
any other gear position.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
STARTING AND OPERATING 285
5

The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. See Maintenance
Schedule in section 8 of this manual for transmission
fluid change intervals.
NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips Ð Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the ªTOW HAUL OD/OFFº feature ON when
driving in hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive
position 2 on more severe grades.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
STARTING AND OPERATING 363
5

CAUTION!
²Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
²Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case and damage
the internal parts.
Recreational Towing Procedure Ð Electronic Shift
Transfer Case Ð If Equipped
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in Neutral (N) before recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shut OFF the engine.
3. Turn the ignition key to the ON position, but do not
start the engine.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Shift automatic transmission to Neutral (N) or depress
clutch on manual transmission.
372 STARTING AND OPERATING

JUMP-STARTING
WARNING!
To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing, do
not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or fabrics.
Do not lean over a battery when connecting jumper
cables or allow cable clamps to touch each other.
Keep open flames or sparks away from battery vent
holes. Always wear eye protection when working
with batteries.
Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 volt system, i.e. do
not use a 24 volt power source.NOTE:Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicles charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12±volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery, with jumper
cables, to start a vehicle's engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be followed:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If indica-
tor (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
390 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES