Dodge 2004 Ram Pickup 3500 - Manual (Page 221)

• the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
• vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
• the “TOW/HAUL” switch has not been activated;
• transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the “TOW/
HAUL” button located on the selector lever. The “TOW/
HAUL” light will illuminate in the instrument cluster to
indicate that the switch has been activated. Pressing the
switch a second time restores the Overdrive function. If
the “TOW/HAUL” feature is desired, the“TOW/HAUL”
button must be pressed each time the engine is started.
NOTE: If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable temperature. Refer also to the Note
under torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the “TOW/HAUL”
and/or TRANS TEMP light(s) may illuminate and the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive until the
transmission cools down. After cooldown, the transmis-
sion will resume normal operation.
When To Lock Out Overdrive
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent 4–3–4 transmission shifting
STARTING AND OPERATING 221
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