automatic transmission Ram 3500 2014 User Guide

•Service Airbag Warning Light
• Driver Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Passenger Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Front Seatbelts Unbuckled
• Door Open
• Doors Open
• Gear Not Available
• Shift Not Allowed
• Shift to Neutral then Drive or Reverse
• Autostick Unavailable Service Required
• Automatic Unavailable Use Autostick Service Req.
• Transmission Getting Hot Press Brake
• Trans. Hot Stop Safely Shift to Park Wait to Cool •
Transmission Cool Ready to Drive
• Trailer Brake Disconnected
• Service Transmission
• Service Shifter
• Engage Park Brake to Prevent Rolling
• Transmission Too cold Idle with Engine On
• Washer Fluid Low
• Service Air Suspension System
• Normal Ride Height Achieved
• Aerodynamic Ride Height Achieved
• Off Road 1 Ride Height Achieved
• Off Road 2 Ride Height Achieved
• Entry/Exit Ride Height Achieved
316 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Digital Speedometer
Press and release the UP or DOWN arrow
button until the Digital display icon is high-
lighted in the EVIC. Press and release the
SELECT/RIGHT arrow button to change the
display between km/h and mph.
Vehicle Info (Customer Information Features)
Press and release the UP or DOWN arrow
button until the Vehicle Info icon is highlighted
in the EVIC. Press and release the SELECT/
RIGHT arrow button and Coolant Temp will be
displayed. Press the LEFT or SELECT/RIGHT arrow
button to scroll through the following information sub-
menus: Air Suspension – If Equipped
Transmission Temperature – Automatic Transmission
Only
Oil Temp
Oil Life
Multimeter
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (1500 & 2500 Series)
Press and release the UP or DOWN arrow button until
“Tire Pressure” is highlighted in the EVIC. Press and
release the SELECT/RIGHT arrow button and one of the
following will be displayed:
A vehicle ICON is displayed with tire pressure values in
each corner of the ICON.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 319

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................384
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .384
▫ Automatic Transmission ................385
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................385
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .385
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C) ......................... .387
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................387
▫ After Starting ....................... .388
 STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED ......389▫
Automatic Mode ..................... .389
▫ Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not AUTO
STOP............................. .390
▫ To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .391
▫ To Manually Turn Off The Stop Start System . .392
▫ To Manually Turn On The Stop Start System . .393
▫ System Malfunction ....................393
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .393
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............394
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............396
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .396
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ........................ .397
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission —
1500 Models Only (If Equipped) ...........406
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — 2500/3500
Models Only ....................... .418
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .429
▫
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .429
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................433
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................439 ▫
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Five-Position
Switch) — If Equipped .................444
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (1500 MODELS ONLY)
— IF EQUIPPED ...................... .451
▫ Description ......................... .451
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................455
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................456
▫ Operation .......................... .456
 AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (2500/3500 MODELS
ONLY) — IF EQUIPPED ..................458
▫ Description ......................... .458
▫ Air Suspension Modes ..................459
▫ Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display Messages .....................461
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK. Apply the brake before shifting into any driving
range.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
pressed to shift out of PARK.
Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch
briefly to the START position and release it. The starter
motor will continue to run but will automatically disen-
gage when the engine is running.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Key Fob
is in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 385

4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior tothe engine starting, press the button again.
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever/shift selector in PARK, then press and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/shift selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short presses in a row with the
vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain
in the ACC position until the shift lever/shift selector
is in PARK and the button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shift lever/shift selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pressed
once, the EVIC (if equipped) will display a “Vehicle
Not In Park” message and the engine will remain
running. Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK
position, or it could roll.
NOTE: If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has four positions, OFF, ACC, RUN and
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

STOP/START SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Stop/Start function is developed to save fuel and
reduce emissions. The system will stop the engine auto-
matically during a vehicle stop if the required conditions
are met. Releasing the brake pedal will automatically
re-start the vehicle.
Automatic Mode
The Stop/Start feature is enabled after every normal
customer engine start. It will remain in STOP/START
NOT READY until you drive forward with a vehicle
speed greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). At that time, the
system will go into STOP/START READY and if all other
conditions are met, can go into an STOP/START AUTO
STOP ACTIVE “Autostop” mode.To Activate The Autostop Mode, The Following Must
Occur:
1. The system must be in STOP/START READY state. A
STOP/START READY message will be displayed in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
within the Stop/Start section. Refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
2. The vehicle must be completely stopped.
3. The transmission Gear Selector must be in Drive and the brake pedal depressed.
The engine will shut down, the tachometer will move to
the zero position and the stop/start telltale will illumi-
nate indicating you are in an Autostop. While in an5
STARTING AND OPERATING 389

To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode
While in DRIVE the engine will start when the brake
pedal is released or the throttle pedal is depressed. The
transmission will automatically reengage upon engine
restart. During this transition the brakes will hold the
vehicle to avoid undesired vehicle movement.
Conditions that will cause the engine to start automati-
cally while in Autostop mode.
The Engine Will Start Automatically When:
•The transmission selector is moved from DRIVE to
REVERSE or NEUTRAL
• To maintain cabin temperature near the HVAC settings
• HVAC is set to full defrost mode
• Autostop time exceeds 5 minutes
• Battery voltage drops too low •
Low brake vacuum (e.g. after several brake pedal
applications)
• STOP/START OFF switch is pressed
• 4WD system is put into 4LO mode
• The emissions system requires it
• A STOP/START system error occurs
Conditions that force an automatic shift to PARK while
in Autostop mode.
The Engine Will Not Start Automatically and the Trans-
mission will be placed in PARK if:
• The driver door is open and brake pedal released
• The driver door is open and the driver seat belt is
unbuckled
• The engine hood has been opened
• A STOP/START system error occurs
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 391

2500/3500 Models
The engine block heater cord is routed through the grille
by the right front tow hook.
It includes a removable cap that is secured by a tethered
strap. It also has a c-clip that is used for storage when not
in use for the winter months. During winter months,
remove the heater cord wiring assembly from itself on
the c-clip.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
• Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle
has come to a complete stop and the engine is at
idle speed.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
394 STARTING AND OPERATING

In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also be pressed
to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when
the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
The transmission is controlled using a rotary electronic
gear selector located on the instrument panel. The trans-
mission gear range (PRND) is displayed both above the
gear selector and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC). To select a gear range, simply rotate the
gear selector. You must press the brake pedal to shift the
transmission out of PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL
into DRIVE or REVERSE, when the vehicle is stopped or
moving at low speeds (refer toBrake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System in this section). To shift past multiple
gear ranges at once (such as Park to Drive), simply rotate
the gear selector to the appropriate detent. Select the
DRIVE range for normal driving. 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 gear selector has only PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, and DRIVE positions. Manual down-
shifts can be made using the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) switches (described later in this section). Pressing
the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the steering wheel)
while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear in
the instrument cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 397