2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup Owner Manual Diesel - Page 288

286 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to move the shift lever back and forth without first pulling it toward you after you have set it in PARK. Make sure it is in PARK before leaving the vehicle. REVERSE Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. 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 Drive range provides underdrive 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears, direct 4th gear and overdrive 5th and 6th gears. The shift into overdrive 5th and 6th gear occurs only after the transmission has completed the shift into 4th gear. No other movement of the shift mechanism is required to complete the 4-5 or 5-6 gear shifts. The 4th and 5th gear upshifts occurs automatically unless the Tow/Haul mode is enabled. WARNING! It is dangerous to shift the shift lever out of PARK or NEUTRAL 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.