2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup Owner Manual - Page 287

STARTING AND OPERATING 285 NEUTRAL Shift to Neutral when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must leave the vehicle. DRIVE This position provides all forward gears, including 3rd gear direct and 4th or 5th gear overdrive (see Overdrive Operation). Use this range for most city and highway driving. 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. 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 SECOND or FIRST gear selections in high ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant additional heat load on the cooling system. Overdrive Operation The overdrive automatic transmission contains an electronically 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; 5