engine Ram 2500 (Diesel) 2007 Repair Manual

delayed. Shifts into 5th and 6th gear are still allowed
under steady cruise conditions. Closed throttle down-
shifts (for improved engine braking) may occur during
steady braking maneuvers. Pressing the switch a second
time restores normal operation. Normal operation is
always the default at engine start-up.
The “TOW HAUL” light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster to indicate when the switch has been activated. If
the “TOW HAUL” modes are desired, the button must be
pressed each time the engine is started.
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation
The Auto–6 Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
allows you to move the switch down (-) or up (+) when
the shifter is in the D (Drive) position, allowing the
selection of the desired top gear. For example, if the
driver shifts the transmission into 3rd gear, the transmis-
sion will never shift above 3rd gear, but can shift down to
2nd or 1st gear, when needed.Switching from ERS to D-Mode can be done at any
vehicle speed. To switch from “Drive” mode to “ERS”
mode, press the switch down (-) once. The selected gear
will be maintained as the top gear. To disable ERS, simply
press and hold the switch up (+) until “D” is displayed in
the instrument cluster odometer.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
Screen Display12 3456D
Actual Gear(s)
Allowed1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6
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5

NOTE:To select the proper gear position for maximum
deceleration (engine braking), simply press and hold the
switch down (-). The transmission will shift to the range
from which the vehicle can best be slowed down.
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 second
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 transmissionis not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Pressing the “TOW/HAUL” 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.
Out of Park Sense Alarm — If Equipped
Vehicles equipped with a Diesel Engine and a Automatic
Transmission may be equipped with an Alarm that warns
the customer, upon exiting the vehicle, that the transmis-
sion is not in the Park position. This feature will only be
functional under following conditions:
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•engine running
•foot off the brake pedal
•driver ’s seat belt is unbuckled
•driver ’s door is open.
When this feature is triggered the horn will sound, the
high beams and turn signal lamps will flash, and the
PRNDL position will flash. This will continue until one of
the following conditions is met:
•engine is turned off
•transmission is in Park
•driver ’s seat belt is buckled
•brakes applied.The alarm will continue for 3 minutes if the driver’s door
is closed but none of the other conditions listed above are
met.
Automatic Transmission with Overdrive (48RE) —
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.
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5

“P” Park
This gear position supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The engine can be started in
this range. Never use Park while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range. Always apply parking brake first, then place the
selector in Park position. On 4-wheel drive vehicles be
sure that the transfer case is in a drive position!
WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without first
pulling it toward you after you have set it in P. Make
sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
“R” Reverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
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“N” Neutral
Shift to Neutral when the vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with the engine running. The engine may
be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
“D” Drive
This position provides all forward gears, including 3rd
gear direct and 4th or 5th (if equipped) gear overdrive
(see Overdrive Operation). Use this range for most city
and highway driving.
“2” Second
Use this position for driving slowly in heavy city traffic
or on mountain roads where more precise speed control
is desirable. Use it also when climbing long grades, and
for engine braking when descending moderately steep
grades. To prevent excessive engine speed do not exceed
45 mph (72 km/h) in this range.“1” 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 “2” Second or “1” First gear selections in high
ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
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Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed
(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from Drive to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
•the transmission selector is in Drive;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
•the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” switch has not been
activated;
•transmission 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.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
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When To Use “TOW HAUL” and “O/D OFF”
Modes
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting oc-
curs, press the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button once to
select TOW HAUL. This will improve performance andreduce the potential for transmission overheating or
failure due to excessive shifting. When operating in
“TOW HAUL” mode, 5th gear (if equipped) is disabled
and 2-3 and 3-4 shift patterns are modified. Shifts into
Overdrive (4th gear) are allowed during steady cruise
(for improved fuel economy) and automatic closed-
throttle downshifts to 3rd gear (for improved braking)
will occur during steady braking. Pressing the “TOW
HAUL O/D OFF” button a second time to select O/D
OFF will disable 4th and 5th gear completely, which
should eliminate any excessive transmission shifting.
The “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF” light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has
been activated. Pressing the switch a third time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF”
modes are desired, the button must be pressed each time
the engine is started.
Tow Haul O/D Off Switch
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5

When To Lock Out Overdrive
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent 4–3–4 transmission shifting
occurs, press the “TOW/HAUL” button. This will im-
prove performance and reduce the potential for transmis-
sion overheating or failure due to excessive shifting.
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 second
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]. Becausethe 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 “TOW/HAUL” 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.
Out of Park Sense Alarm
Vehicles with a Diesel Engine and an Automatic Trans-
mission are equipped with an Alarm that warns the
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

customer, upon exiting the vehicle, that the transmission
is not in the Park position. This feature will only be
functional under following conditions:
•engine running
•foot off the brake pedal
•driver ’s seat belt is unbuckled
•driver ’s door is open.
When this feature is triggered the horn will sound, the
high beams and turn signal lamps will flash. This will
continue until one of the following conditions is met:
•engine is turned off
•transmission is in Park
•driver ’s door is closed
•driver ’s seat belt is buckled
•brakes applied.
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.
Truck models with manual transmission are equipped
with a clutch interlocking ignition system. The clutch
pedal must be fully depressed to start the vehicle.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.
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Mode 2to3 3to4 4to5 5to6
Accel &
Cruise15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72)
Downshifting
Moving from a high gear down to a lower gear is
recommended to preserve brakes when driving down
steep hills. In addition, downshifting at the right time
provides better acceleration when you desire to resume
speed. Downshift progressively. Do not skip gears to
avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch. For accelera-
tion at speeds less than 15 mph (25 km/h), 2nd gear is
recommended.
CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the engine
which can cause valve damage.
To prevent clutch and transmission damage, your vehicle
should be downshifted at speeds no greater than those
listed in the Maximum Recommended Downshifting
Speed chart.
Maximum Recommended Downshifting Speeds
Gear
Selec-
tion1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Maxi-
mum
Speed10 mph
(16
km/h)19 mph
(31
km/h)32 mph
(51
km/h)50 mph
(80
km/h)68 mph
(109
km/h)
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