manual transmission Ram 4500 Chassis Cab 2018 Owner's Manual

INTRODUCTION
Dear Customer, congratulations on selecting your new
vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision workman-
ship, distinctive styling, and high quality.
This is a specialized utility vehicle. It can go places and
perform tasks that conventional passenger vehicles are not
intended. It handles and maneuvers differently from many
passenger vehicles both on-road and off-road, so take time
to become familiar with your vehicle. If equipped, the
two-wheel drive version of this vehicle was designed for
on-road use only. It is not intended for off-road driving or
use in other severe conditions suited for a four-wheel drive
vehicle. Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the
Owner ’s Manual. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle
controls, particularly those used for braking, steering,
transmission, and transfer case shifting. Learn how your
vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Your driving
skills will improve with experience. When driving off-road,
or working the vehicle, don’t overload the vehicle or expect
the vehicle to overcome the natural laws of physics.
Always observe federal, state, provincial and local laws
wherever you drive. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of
control or a collision. Refer to the “Driving Tips” section for
further information.This Owner ’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint you
with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle. It is
supplemented by Warranty Information, and customer
oriented documents. In the attached Warranty Booklet you
will find a description of the services that FCA offers to its
customers, the Warranty Certificate and the details of the
terms and conditions for maintaining its validity. Please
take the time to read all of these publications carefully
before driving your vehicle for the first time. Following the
instructions, recommendations, tips, and important warn-
ings in this manual will help assure safe and enjoyable
operation of your vehicle.
This Owner ’s Manual describes all versions of this vehicle.
Options and equipment dedicated to specific markets or
versions are not expressly indicated in the text. Therefore,
you should only consider the information which is related
to the trim level, engine, and version that you have
purchased. Any content introduced throughout the Own-
er ’s Information, that may or may not be applicable to your
vehicle, will be identified with the wording “If Equipped”.
All data contained in this publication are intended to help
you use your vehicle in the best possible way. FCA aims at
a constant improvement of the vehicles produced. For this
reason, it reserves the right to make changes to the model
4 INTRODUCTION

Removing Key Fob From The (WIN) Ignition
Place the gear selector in PARK (if equipped with an
automatic transmission). Turn the key fob to the OFF
position and then remove the key fob.
NOTE:
•The power window switches, radio, power sunroof (if
equipped), and power outlets will remain active for up
to 10 minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the
OFF position. Opening either front door will cancel this
feature. Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia”
for further information.
• For vehicles not equipped with a touchscreen radio,
refer to “Instrument Cluster Display in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
• For vehicles equipped with a touchscreen radio, refer to
“Uconnect Settings” in “Multimedia” for further infor-
mation.
WARNING!
• Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the automatic
transmission into PARK or the manual transmission
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
into REVERSE, apply the parking brake, turn the
vehicle OFF, remove the key fobs from the vehicle,
and lock all doors. If equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go, always make sure the keyless ignition node is
in the OFF mode, 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. Leaving children 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 gear
selector.
• 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 gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in
a location accessible to children, and do not leave the
ignition of a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
(Continued)
3
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 27

DOORS
Manual Door Locks
Front and rear doors may be locked by moving the lock
knob down or unlocked by moving the lock knob up.
Front doors may be opened with the inside door handle
without lifting the lock knob.
Doors locked before closing will remain locked when
closed.The emergency key will unlock the driver door lock on
your vehicle.WARNING!
•
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
• For personal security and safety in the event of an
collision, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as well
as when you park and leave the vehicle.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the automatic
transmission into PARK or the manual transmission
into FIRST gear or REVERSE, apply the parking
brake, turn the vehicle OFF, remove the key fobs
from vehicle, and lock all doors. and lock your
vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children 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 gear
selector.
(Continued)
Door Lock Knob
36 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

•If your vehicle is not equipped with a touchscreen, you
must select the “Key Fob Linked To Memory” feature
through the instrument cluster display. Refer to “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
To program your key fobs, perform the following:
1. Cycle the vehicle’s ignition to the OFF position.
2. Select desired memory profile (1) or (2).
NOTE: If a memory profile has not already been set, refer
to Programming The Memory Feature for instructions on
how to set a memory profile.
3. Once the profile has been recalled, push and release the set (S) button on the memory switch, then push and
release button (1) or (2) accordingly. “Memory Profile
Set” (1 or 2) will display in the instrument cluster
display.
4. Push and release the lock button on the key fob within 10 seconds.
NOTE: Your key fobs can be unlinked to your memory
settings by pushing the set (S) button, and within 10
seconds, followed by pushing the unlock button on the key
fob.Memory Position Recall
NOTE:
• For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission,
the vehicle speed must be lower than 5 mph to recall
memory positions. If a recall is attempted when the
vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph, a message will be
displayed in the instrument cluster display.
• For vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the
vehicle speed must be at 0 mph (0 km/h) to recall
memory positions. If a recall is attempted with the
vehicle speed above 0 mph (0 km/h), a message will
appear in the instrument cluster display.
Driver One Memory Position Recall
• To recall the memory settings for driver one using the
memory switch, push memory button (1) on the
memory switch.
• To recall the memory settings for driver one using the
key fob, push the unlock button on the key fob linked to
memory position 1.
50 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

•The vehicle must be stopped.
• Park brake must be off.
• Driver door must be closed.
• The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
• The gear selection must match vehicle uphill direction
(i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle
backing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
• HSA will work in REVERSE gear and all forward gears.
The system will not activate if the transmission is in
PARK or NEUTRAL. For vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission, if the clutch is pressed, HSA will
remain active.
WARNING!
There may be situations where the Hill Start Assist
(HSA) will not activate and slight rolling may occur,
such as on minor hills or with a loaded vehicle, or
while pulling a trailer. HSA is not a substitute for
active driving involvement. It is always the driver ’s
responsibility to be attentive to distance to other ve-
hicles, people, and objects, and most importantly brake
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
operation to ensure safe operation of the vehicle under
all road conditions. Your complete attention is always
required while driving to maintain safe control of your
vehicle. Failure to follow these warnings can result in
a collision or serious personal injury.
Towing With HSA
HSA will also provide assistance to mitigate roll back while
towing a trailer.
WARNING!
•If you use a trailer brake controller with your trailer,
the trailer brakes may be activated and deactivated
with the brake switch. If so, there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold both the vehicle and the
trailer on a hill when the brake pedal is released. In
order to avoid rolling down an incline while resum-
ing acceleration, manually activate the trailer brake
or apply more vehicle brake pressure prior to releas-
ing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
5
SAFETY 167

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING THE ENGINE —
GASOLINE ENGINE .....................240
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................240
▫ Normal Starting ....................... .241
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition .............242
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................243
▫ Cold Weather Operation
(Below –22°F Or 30°C) ..................244
▫ After Starting ......................... .244
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED .....244
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .244
 PARKING BRAKE ...................... .245
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............246
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ................248
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .248 ▫
Six–Speed Automatic Transmission —
If Equipped ......................... .248
 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION —
IF EQUIPPED ......................... .257
▫ Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped . .257
▫ Electronically Shifted Transfer Case (Four-Position
Switch) — If Equipped ..................260
 LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL ..............265
 POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY) ....................266
▫ Stationary Mode ...................... .266
▫ Mobile Mode ......................... .267
 POWER STEERING ...................... .268
▫ Hydraulic Power Steering ................268
 SPEED CONTROL ...................... .270
6

drive, move the gear selector from PARK or NEUTRAL to
the DRIVE position. Pull the gear selector toward you
when shifting into REVERSE or PARK, or when shifting
out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a pre-
cise 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, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual downshifts
can be made using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift
control. Pushing the ERS (-/+) switches (on the gear
selector) while in the DRIVE position will select the highest
available transmission gear, and will display that gear limit
in the instrument cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc. Refer toElectronic
Range Select (ERS) Operation in this section for further
information. Some models will display both the selected
gear limit, and the actual current gear, while in ERS mode.Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.
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 exiting the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
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 difficult
to move the gear selector out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 249

NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage (and 66RFE-
equipped trucks will not shift to sixth gear), until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant are warm [usually
after 1 to 3 miles (2 to 5 km) of driving]. Because engine
speed is higher when the torque converter clutch is not
engaged, it may seem as if the transmission is not
shifting properly when cold. This is normal. Using the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control, when the
transmission is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that
the transmission is able to shift into and out of Over-
drive.
• If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the transmis-
sion 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 after starting the engine.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a manu-
ally shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted trans-
fer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further information.
Manually Shifted Transfer Case — If Equipped
The transfer case provides four mode positions:
• Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2H)
• Four-Wheel Drive Lock High Range (4H)
• Neutral (N)
• Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4L)
For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2H
Two-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry, hard surfaced roads.
4H
Four-Wheel Drive Lock High Range — This range locks the
front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and
rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
NEUTRAL (N)
Neutral — This range disengages both the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towing
behind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 257

WARNING!
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the NEU-
TRAL position without first fully engaging the park-
ing brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position disen-
gages both the front and rear drive shafts from the
powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if
the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle.
Two-Wheel Drive High Range (2H)
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range — This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced roads.
Four-Wheel Drive High Range (4H)
Four-Wheel Drive High Range — This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction for
loose, slippery road surfaces only.
Neutral (N)
Neutral — This range disengages the front and rear
driveshafts from the powertrain. To be used for flat towingbehind another vehicle. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range (4L)
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range — This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction and
maximum pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces
only. Do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
CAUTION!
Do not use 4L (Low) range when operating the vehicle
on dry pavement. Driveline hardware damage can
result.
Shifting Procedure — Manually Shifted Transfer
Case
2H To 4H
Shifting between 2H and 4H can be made with the vehicle
stopped or in motion. If the vehicle is in motion, shifts can be
made up to 55 mph (88 km/h). With the vehicle in motion,
the transfer case will engage/disengage faster if you momen-
tarily release the accelerator pedal after completing the shift.
Apply a constant force when shifting the transfer case lever.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 259

WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differential
never run the engine with one rear wheel off the
ground since the vehicle may drive through the rear
wheel remaining on the ground. You could lose control
of the vehicle.
Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could cause
both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to slide
sideways on the crowned surface of a road or in a turn.
POWER TAKE OFF OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
(CHASSIS CAB ONLY)
This vehicle when equipped with PTO Prep and the
AS66RC automatic six-speed, will allow for an aftermarket
upfit with a transmission driven PTO (power take off). The
customer will have the ability to operate the PTO in either
a “stationary” or “mobile” mode. The vehicles will be
factory set to the “stationary” mode. To select “mobile”
mode, you will need to enter the commercial vehicle menu
on the instrument cluster screen and select mobile PTO mode. Details of the PTO selection modes and further PTO
information is available at the Ram Truck Bodybuilders
web site:
www.rambodybuilder.com.
AS66RC Six-Speed Automatic Transmission Only
The PTO drive gear (part of the AS66RC) operates at torque
converter turbine speed. The turbine speed will be less
than engine speed when the torque converter clutch is not
engaged and will be same as engine speed when the torque
converter clutch is engaged.
Stationary Mode
To operate the PTO in this mode the vehicle must meet the
following conditions:
• Transmission in PARK position (vehicles equipped with
automatic transmission.)
• PTO switch has been activated.
• Parking brake applied (vehicles equipped with manual
transmission).
• Brake pedal must not be applied.
• Vehicle engine must be running.
• No vehicle, brake or clutch switch faults present.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING