instrument panel Ram 1500 2009 Owner's Manual

Operating Tips
304 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Five–Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
The shift lever display located in the instrument panel
cluster indicates the transmission gear range. The shift
lever is mounted either on the right side of the steering
column (if equipped) or on the floor console (if
equipped). You must press the brake pedal to move the
shift lever out of the PARK position. To drive, move the
shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the 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 limit the highest available gear when the shift
lever is in the DRIVE position. Move the console shift
lever left (-) or right (+), or toggle the switch on the
column shift lever down (-) or up (+) to select the desired
top gear. For example, if the driver shifts the transmissioninto 3 (third gear), the transmission will never shift above
third gear, but can shift down to 2 (second gear) or 1 (first
gear), when needed.
Column Shift Lever
320 STARTING AND OPERATING

Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Four-Position Switch) — If Equipped
This is an electronic 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:•Two-wheel drive high range (2WD)
•Four-wheel drive lock range (4WD LOCK)
•Four-wheel drive low range (4WD LOW)
•Neutral (NEUTRAL)
This electronically shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the two-wheel drive position (2WD) for normal
street and highway conditions on 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, forcing the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is
accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the
Transfer Case Switch (Four-Position)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 327

NOTE:
•If Steps 1 or 2 of either the Preferred or Alternate
Procedure are not satisfied prior to attempting the
shift, then the desired position indicator light will flash
continuously while the original position indicator light
is ON, until all requirements have been met.
•The ignition key must be ON for a shift to take place
and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If
the key is not ON, the shift will not take place and no
position indicator lights will be on or flashing.
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case
(Five-Position Switch) — If Equipped
This is an electronic 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 five
mode positions:
•Two-wheel drive high range (2WD)
•Four-wheel drive automatic range (4WD AUTO)
•Four-wheel drive lock range (4WD LOCK)
Transfer Case Switch (Five–Position)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 333

PARKING BRAKE
The foot-operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle.
NOTE:The “Brake Warning Light” will come on and
flash to indicate that the parking brake is applied. You
must be sure that the parking brake is fully applied
before leaving the vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
the shift lever is in the PARK position. When parking on
a hill, you should apply the parking brake before placing
the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK.
Parking Brake
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

Heated Mirrors....................... 97,199
Heated Seats ........................... 138
Heater ............................... 293
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 311
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 153
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 403
Hoisting .............................. 433
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 174
Hood Release .......................... 145
Ignition ............................... 14
Key ............................... 12,14
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 14
Illuminated Entry ........................ 19
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint .......................... 69
Inflation Pressure Tires .................... 377
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 244 Inside Rearview Mirror
.................... 93
Instrument Cluster ................. 223,225,227
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 222
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 474
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 475
Interior Appearance Care .................. 472
Interior Lights .......................... 149
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 154
Introduction ............................. 4
Inverter Outlet (115V) ..................... 188
Jack Location ........................... 420
Jump Starting .......................... 433
Key, Programming ........................ 17
Key, Replacement ........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Key-In Reminder ......................... 15
Keyless Entry System ...................... 20
10
INDEX 529