4WD DODGE RAM 5500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Owners Manual

engine is running, immediate service is required and you
may experience reduced performance, an elevated/
rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may require
towing. The light will come on when the ignition is first
turned on and remain on for 15 seconds as a bulb check.
If the light does not come on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
22. SERV 4WD IndicatorThe 4WD indicator will be illuminated when-
ever the 4WD mode is engaged for either the
manual or electric shift 4WD systems. The
SERV 4WD indicator monitors 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. Transmission Temperature Indicator (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 this
light comes on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle
or faster, with the transmission in NEUTRAL until the
light goes off.
24. 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.
25. Fuel Gauge
Shows level of fuel in tank when ignition switch is in the
ON position.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 171
4

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.
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.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions
The transfer case provides 4 mode positions-2(rear)-
wheel drive high range, 4-wheel drive high range, neu-
tral, and 4-wheel drive low range. This transfer case is intended to be driven in the 2-wheel
drive position (2H) for normal street and highway con-
ditions such as dry, hard surfaced roads.
When additional traction is required, the transfer case 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 shift lever to the desired positions.
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 4-wheel drive light (4WD), located in the instrument
cluster, alerts the driver that the vehicle is in 4-wheel
drive and that the front and rear driveshafts are locked
together. This light illuminates when the transfer case is
shifted to either the 4H or 4L positions. There is no light
for the 2H or NEUTRAL positions.
When operating your vehicle in 4L, the engine speed is
approximately three times that of the 2H or 4H positions
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•Shifting into or out of 4L 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 4L
with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to
5 km/h).
•Do not attempt to shift to or from 4L while the
transmission is in gear.
Transfer Case Reminder Light
The 4-wheel drive operating light (4WD), located in the
instrument cluster, is used to alert the driver that the
front axle is fully engaged and all four wheels are
driving.
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (5 Position Switch) — If
Equipped
This is an electric shift transfer case and is operated by
the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case Switch), which is
located on the instrument panel.
5 Position Switch
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

This Electronically Shifted transfer case provides 5 mode
positions: 2-wheel drive (2WD), 4WD AUTO, 4WD
LOCK, NEUTRAL and 4WD LOW.
The Electronically Shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the 2 wheel drive position (2WD) or 4-wheel
drive position (4WD AUTO) for normal street and high-
way conditions (dry hard surfaced roads). Driving the
vehicle in 2WD will have greater fuel economy benefits,
as the front axle is not engaged in 2WD.
For variable driving conditions the 4WD AUTO mode
can be used. In this mode the front axle is engaged, but
the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. 4-wheel
drive will be automatically engaged when the vehicle
senses a loss of traction. Because the front axle is en-
gaged, this mode will result in lower fuel economy than
the 2WD mode.When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW 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 rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the
desired position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for spe-
cific shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD
LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW
positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause in-
creased tire wear and damage to the driveline compo-
nents.
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5

NOTE:The transfer case NEUTRAL position is selected
by depressing the recessed button located on the lower
left hand corner of the 4WD Control Switch. The transfer
case NEUTRAL position is to be used for recreational towing only. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in this
section for specific procedures on shifting into and out of
NEUTRAL.
Transfer Case Position Indicator Lights —
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Only
Transfer case position indicator lights are located on the
instrument cluster and indicate the current and desired
transfer case selection. When you select a different trans-
fer case position, the indicator lights will do the follow-
ing:
If All Shift Conditions are Met
1. The current position indicator light will turn OFF.
2. The selected position indicator light will flash until the
transfer case completes the shift.
3. When the shift is complete, the indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
NEUTRAL Button
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

If One or More Shift Conditions are not Met
1. The indicator light for the current position will remain
ON.
2. The newly selected position indicator light will con-
tinue to flash.
3. The transfer casewill notshift.
NOTE: Before retrying a selection, make certain that all
the necessary requirements for selecting a new transfer
case position have been met. To retry the selection, turn
the control knob back to the current position, wait five
seconds, and retry selection. To find the shift require-
ments, refer to the Shifting Procedure for your transfer
case, located in this section of the owner’s manual.
The “SERVICE 4WD” warning light monitors the electric
shift 4WD system. If this light remains on after engine start up or illuminates during driving, it means that the
4WD system is not functioning properly and that service
is required.
WARNING!
Always engage the parking brake when powering
down the vehicle if the
\bService 4WD\blight is illu-
minated. Not engaging the parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll which may cause personal injury.
NOTE: Do not attempt to make a shift while only the
front or rear wheels are spinning. This could cause
damage to driveline components.
When operating your vehicle in 4WD LOW, the engine
speed is approximately three times that of the 2WD, 4WD
AUTO or 4WD LOCK positions at a given road speed.
Take care not to overspeed the engine and do not exceed
25 mph (40 km/h).
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5

Proper operation of 4-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
transfer case.
Because 4-wheel drive provides improved traction, there
is a tendency to exceed safe turning and stopping speeds.
Do not go faster than road conditions permit.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured 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 driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move
regardless of the transmission position. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position see the information below:
2WD
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - Normal street and
highway driving. Dry hard surfaced roads.
4WD AUTO
Automatic 4–wheel drive sends power to the rear wheels.
4–wheel drive will be automatically engaged when the
vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional traction for
varying road conditions.
4WD LOCK
4-Wheel Drive Lock Range - Locks the front and rear
driveshafts together. Forces the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for loose,
slippery road surfaces only.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

4WD LOW
4-Wheel Drive Low Range - Low speed 4-wheel drive.
Locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Forces 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).
N
NEUTRAL - Disengages both the front and rear drive-
shafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing
behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing”
in this section for more information.Shifting Procedure — Electronically Shifted
Transfer Case
NOTE:
•If any of the requirements to select a new transfer case
position have not been met, the transfer case will not
shift. The indicator light for the previous position will
5 Position Switch
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
5

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 knob 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 indicator light for the
selected position will stop flashing and remain ON.
2WD⇔4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK
Rotate the 4WD Control Switch to the desired position.
Shifts between 2WD and 4WD AUTO and 4WD LOCK
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 accelera-
tor pedal after turning the control switch. If the vehicle is
stopped, the ignition key must be in the ON position with
the engine either RUNNING or OFF. This shift cannot be
completed if the key is in the accessory position.
2WD or 4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK
⇔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 occupants.
Shifting can be performed with the vehicle rolling 2 to
3 mph (3 to 5 km/h) or completely stopped. USE EITHER
OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES:
Preferred Procedure
1. With engine RUNNING, slow vehicle to 2 to 3 mph (3
to 5 km/h).
2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

Electronically Shifted Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions (4 Position Switch) — If
Equipped
This is an electric shift transfer case and is operated by
the 4WD Control Switch (Transfer Case Switch), which is
located on the instrument panel.This Electronically Shifted transfer case provides four
mode positions: 2 (rear)-wheel drive high range, 4-wheel
drive lock range, 4-wheel drive low range, and NEU-
TRAL.
The Electronically Shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the 2-wheel drive position (2WD) for normal
street and highway conditions (dry, hard surfaced roads).
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW 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 rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the
desired position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for spe-
cific shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD
LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW
Transfer Case Switch
242 STARTING AND OPERATING