automatic transmission Ram 4500 Chassis Cab 2018 Owner's Guide

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to avoid
frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent shift-
ing does occur while in DRIVE, select TOW/HAUL mode
or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic Range
Select (ERS) shift control).
NOTE:Using TOW/HAUL mode or selecting a lower
gear range (using the ERS shift control) while operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions will improve per-
formance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
When towing a loaded trailer up steep grades at low
speeds (20 mph [32 km/h] or below), holding your vehicle
in first gear (using the ERS shift control) can help to avoid
transmission overheating.
If you regularly tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes of
continuous operation, then change the automatic transmis-
sion fluid and filter(s) as specified for police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing. Refer to the “Maintenance Plan”
for the proper maintenance intervals.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
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STARTING AND OPERATING 307

NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level be-
fore towing.
Tow/Haul Mode
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, activate TOW/HAUL mode when driving in hilly
areas, or select a lower gear range (using the Electronic
Range Select (ERS) shift control) on more severe grades.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission overheat-
ing, take the following actions:
City Driving
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Air Suspension System
To aid in attaching/detaching the trailer from the vehicle,
the air suspension system can be used. Refer to “Air
Suspension System” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.
NOTE: The vehicle must remain in the engine running
position while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of the
air suspension system.
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When plowing snow, to avoid transmission and drivetrain
damage, the following precautions should be observed.
•Operate with transfer case in 4LO when plowing small
or congested areas where speeds are not likely to exceed
15 mph (24 km/h). At higher speeds operate in 4HI. •
Vehicles with automatic transmissions should use 4LO
range when plowing deep or heavy snow for extended
periods of time to avoid transmission overheating.
• Do not shift the transmission unless the engine has
returned to idle and wheels have stopped. Make a
practice of stepping on the brake pedal while shifting the
transmission.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The GroundTwo-Wheel
Drive Models Four-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONE NOT AL-
LOWED See Instructions
•
Automatic transmission in PARK
• Manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEU-
TRAL)
• Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
• Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow FrontNOT AL-
LOWED NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK OK
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NOTE:
•When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable
state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial
Highway Safety offices for additional details.
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is al-
lowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFFthe ground. This
may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If
using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place automatic trans- mission in PARK, manual transmission in gear (not in
NEUTRAL).
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions. 5. Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key fob.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing,
to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
•Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not disconnect the driveshaft because fluid may
leak from the transmission, causing damage to inter-
nal parts.
Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE: Both the manual shift and electronic shift transfer
cases must be shifted into NEUTRAL (N) for recreational
towing. Automatic transmissions must be shifted into
PARK for recreational towing. Manual transmissions must
be placed in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recreational
towing. Refer to the following for the proper transfer case
NEUTRAL (N) shifting procedure for your vehicle.
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CAUTION!
•DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with
only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear)
will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case
damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the
ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
• Before recreational towing, the transfer case must be
in NEUTRAL. To be certain the transfer case is fully
in NEUTRAL, perform the procedure outlined under
“Shifting Into NEUTRAL”. Internal transmission
damage will result, if the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL during towing.
• Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK,
and manual transmissions must be placed in gear
(not in Neutral) for recreational towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because fluid
will leak from the transfer case, causing damage to
internal parts.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on
your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.
Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEU-
TRAL (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL (N) posi-
tion disengages both the front and rear driveshafts
from the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the automatic transmission is in PARK (or
manual transmission is in gear). The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 313

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL (N) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground, with the engine running. Firmly apply the parking
brake.
2. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
5. Shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL: •With manual shift transfer case, shift the transfer case
lever into NEUTRAL (N).
• With electronic shift transfer case, push and hold the
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) button. Some models
have a small, recessed Nbutton (at the center of the
transfer case switches) that must be pressed using a
ballpoint pen or similar object. Other models have a
rectangular NEUTRAL switch, below the rotary trans-
fer case control knob. The NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will blink while the shift is in progress. The light
will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to
NEUTRAL (N) is complete. After the shift is completed
and the NEUTRAL (N) light stays on, release the
NEUTRAL (N) button.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is
no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat steps seven and eight with automatic transmis- sion in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL. Firmly apply the parking brake. Turn OFF the engine. For vehicles with
Keyless Enter-N-Go, push and hold the ENGINE
START/STOP button until the engine shuts off.
11. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL).
12. Place the ignition in the OFF mode, and remove the key fob.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING

•With electronic shift transfer case with push-button
selector switch, push and hold the switch for the
desired transfer case position, until the NEUTRAL (N)
indicator light turns off and the desired position
indicator light turns on.
NOTE: When shifting out of transfer case NEUTRAL (N),
the engine should remain OFF to avoid gear clash.
6. Shift automatic transmission into PARK.
7. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on a manual transmission).
8. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
9. Start the engine.
10. Press and hold the brake pedal.
11. Release the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and check
that the vehicle operates normally.
NOTE: With electronic shift transfer case:
• Steps 3 and 4 are requirements that must be met before
pushing the button to shift out of NEUTRAL (N), and must continue to be met until the shift has been com-
pleted. If any of these requirements are not met before
pushing the button or are no longer met during the shift,
the NEUTRAL (N) indicator light will flash continu-
ously until all requirements are met or until the button is
released.
• The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for a shift to
take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN mode, the
shift will not take place and no position indicator lights
will be on or flashing.
• A flashing NEUTRAL (N) position indicator light indi-
cates that shift requirements have not been met.
DRIVING TIPS
Driving On Slippery Surfaces
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to
the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a
difference in the surface traction under the rear (driving)
wheels.
316 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool into the access port(ringed circle) on the bottom of the steering column, and
push and hold the override release lever up.
6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Next, shift back and forth between DRIVE and
REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or SECOND
GEAR and REVERSE (with manual transmission) while
gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of
accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the engine.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode, before
rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control
System” in “Safety” for further information. Once the
vehicle has been freed, push the ESC Offswitch again to
restore ESC On mode.
Gear Selector Override Access Port
350 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode, not the ACC mode.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to “Gear Selector Override” in this section
for instructions on shifting the automatic transmission out
of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with the rear wheels
on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL. •
The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km), tow with the rear wheels OFFthe ground.
Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or
with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a
towing dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel
stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight position)
with rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the
ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle
on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the
opposite end on a towing dolly.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 353

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer case
is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the forward
direction, withALLwheels on the ground), IFthe transfer
case is in NEUTRAL and the transmission is in PARK (for
automatic transmissions) or in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL,
for manual transmissions). Refer to “Recreational Towing”
in “Starting And Operating” for further information and
detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
• Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if the
remaining wheels are on the ground). Internal dam-
age to the transmission or transfer case will occur if
a front or rear wheel lift is used when towing.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow hooks.
NOTE: For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use
both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage
to the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Do not use a chain for freeing a stuck vehicle. Chains
may break, causing serious injury or death.
• Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow hooks.
Tow straps may become disengaged, causing serious
injury.
CAUTION!
Tow hooks are for emergency use only, to rescue a
vehicle stranded off road. Do not use tow hooks for
tow truck hookup or highway towing. You could
damage your vehicle.
354 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY