lock Ram 2500 2014 Diesel Supplement

The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
The shift lever is mounted on the right side of the steering
column. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of PARK (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
Pull the shift lever toward you when shifting into RE-
VERSE or PARK, or when shifting out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) shift control (refer toElectronic Range Select (ERS)
Operationin this section for further information). Press-
ing the ERS (-/+) switches (on the shift lever) while in the
DRIVE position will select the highest available transmis-
sion gear, and will display that gear in the instrument
cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the park-
ing brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficultto move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
On four-wheel drive vehicles 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 move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the
shift lever out of PARK with the brake pedal
released. Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 229

WARNING!(Continued)
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the key fob. When
the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF (key removal)
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
position, the transmission is locked in PARK, se-
curing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF position, remove the key fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the shift lever.
(Continued)
230 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition (in a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go™) in the ACC or ON/RUN
position. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you
must turn the ignition switch from the LOCK/OFF
position to the ON/RUN position, and also press
the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the shift
lever could result.
•DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
•When shifting into PARK, pull the shift lever toward
you and move it all the way counterclockwise until it
stops.
•Release the shift lever and make sure it is fully seated
in the PARK gate.
•Look at the transmission gear position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position.
•With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 231

CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will cause
abnormal wear on the clutch.
NOTE:During cold weather, you may experience in-
creased effort in shifting until the transmission fluid
warms up. This is normal.
Shifting
Truck models with manual transmission are equipped
with a clutch interlocking ignition system. The clutch
pedal must be fully pressed to start the vehicle.
Shift Pattern
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in
PARK. For four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL. Always,
block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4.
Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
Towing Requirements — Tires
•Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Press the RIGHT arrow on the steering wheel to enter
“TRAILER TOW”.
6. Press the UP or DOWN buttons until Trailer Brake
Type appears on the screen.
NOTE: 1500 Models Only— Light Electric and Heavy
Electric will only be available due to the tow capacities of
the vehicle.
7. Press the RIGHT arrow and then press the UP or
DOWN buttons until the proper Trailer Brake Type
appears on the screen.8.In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry,
level surface at a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and
squeeze the manual brake control lever completely.
9. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing
tires), reduce the GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels
turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat steps 8 and 9 until the GAIN setting is at a point
just below trailer wheel lockup. If towing a heavier
trailer, trailer wheel lockup may not be attainable even
with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
Light Electric Heavy Electric Light EOH Heavy EOH
Type of Trailer
BrakesElectric Trailer
BrakesElectric Trailer
BrakesElectric over Hy-
draulic Trailer
BrakesElectric over Hy-
draulic Trailer
Brakes
Load *Under 10,000 lbs *Above 10,000 lbs *Under 10,000 lbs *Above 10,000 lbs
4
STARTING AND OPERATING 273

2. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to negative
(-) post of booster battery. Connect the other end of the
jumper cable to a good ground on the engine block of
the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure a
good connection is made, free of dirt and grease.
WARNING!
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting because
the battery could rupture or explode. The battery
temperature must be brought up above freezing
point before attempting to jump start.3. Take care that the clamps from one cable do not
inadvertently touch clamps from the other cable. Do
not lean over the battery when making connection.
The negative connection must provide good electrical
conductivity and current carrying capacity.
4. After the engine is started or if the engine fails to start,
cables must be disconnected in the following order:
•Disconnect the negative cable at the engine ground.
•Disconnect the negative cable at the negative post on
booster battery.
•Disconnect the cable from the positive post of both
batteries.
284 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START the engine before you drain water from
the fuel filters to avoid engine damage.
If the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” comes on and a
single chime is heard while you are driving, or with the
ignition switch in the ON position, there may be a
problem with your water separator wiring or sensor. See
your authorized dealer for service.
Upon proper draining of the water from both fuel filters,
the “Water In Fuel Indicator Light” will remain illumi-
nated for approximately 10 seconds. If the water was
drained while the engine was running, the “Water In Fuel
Indicator Light” may remain on for approximately three
minutes.NOTE:Care should be taken in disposing of used fluids
from your vehicle. Used fluids, indiscriminately dis-
carded, can present a problem to the environment. Con-
tact an authorized dealer, service station, or government
agency for advice on recycling programs and for where
used fluids and filters can be properly disposed of in
your area.
Drain the fuel/water separator filters when the “Water In
Fuel Indicator Light” is ON. Within 10 minutes of vehicle
shutdown, turn the engine mounted filter drain valve
(located on the side of the filter assembly) counterclock-
wise 1/4 turn, and turn the under body mounted filter
drain valve (located on the bottom of the filter assembly)
counterclock wise 1 full turn. Then turn the ignition
switch to the ON position, and allow any accumulated
water to drain. Leave the drain valve open until all water
and contaminants have been removed. When clean fuel is
visible, close the drain valves by turning them fully
clockwise, and turn the ignition switch to OFF.
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 301

CAUTION!
•Diesel fuel will damage blacktop paving surfaces.
Drain the filter into an appropriate container.
•Do not prefill the fuel filter when installing a new
fuel filter. There is a possibility debris could be
introduced into the fuel filter during this action. It
is best to install the filter dry and allow the in-tank
lift pump to prime the fuel system.
1. Ensure engine is turned off.
2. Place drain pan under the fuel filter drain hose.
3. Open the water drain valve 1/4 turn counterclockwise
and completely drain fuel and water into the ap-
proved container.
4. Close the water drain valve.5. Remove lid using a socket or strap wrench. Rotate
counterclockwise for removal. Remove used o-ring
and discard it.
6. Remove the used filter cartridge from the housing and
dispose of according to your local regulations.
7. Wipe clean the sealing surfaces of the lid and housing.
8. Install new o-ring back into ring groove on the filter
housing and lubricate with clean engine oil.
9. Remove new filter cartridge from plastic bag and
install into housing.
NOTE:Do not remove cartridge from bag until you reach
this step in order to keep cartridge clean.
10. Push down on the cartridge to ensure it is properly
seated.Do not pre-fill the filter housing with fuel.
11. Install lid onto housing and tighten to 22.5 ft lbs (30.5
N.m). Do not overtighten the lid.
6
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 303