2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup Owner Manual - Page 292
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup Manual
Page 292 highlights
290 STARTING AND OPERATING Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelerator pedal. 2500 and 3500 models are equipped with the G56 manual transmission. This transmission has a "creeper" 1st gear which should be used to start from a standing position when carrying a payload or towing a trailer. Damage to the clutch can result from starting in 2nd or 3rd gear with a loaded vehicle. An unloaded vehicle may be launched in 2nd gear. Use each gear in numerical order - do not skip a gear. Recommended Vehicle Shift Speeds To utilize your manual transmission efficiently for both fuel economy and performance, it should be upshifted as listed in recommended shift speed chart. Shift at the vehicle speeds listed for acceleration. When heavily loaded or pulling a trailer these recommended up-shift speeds may not apply. Maximum Recommended Up-shift Speeds Engine 5.7L Model L to 2 2 to 3 2500/ 3500 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6 15 25 40 45 50 mph mph mph mph mph (24 (40 (64 (72 (81 km/h) km/h) km/h) km/h) km/h)