Dodge 2008 Ram Pickup 3500 - Manual (Page 278)

reduce the potential for transmission overheating or
failure due to excessive shifting. When operating in
“TOW HAUL” mode, 5th gear is disabled and 2-3 and 3-4
shift patterns are modified. Shifts into Overdrive (4th
gear) are allowed during steady cruise (for improved fuel
economy) and automatic closed-throttle downshifts to
3rd gear (for improved braking) will occur during steady
braking. Pressing the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” button a
second time to select O/D OFF will disable 4th and 5th
gear completely, which should eliminate any excessive
transmission shifting.
The “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF” light will illuminate in
the instrument cluster to indicate when the switch has
been activated. Pressing the switch a third time restores
normal operation. If the “TOW HAUL” or “O/D OFF”
modes are desired, the button must be pressed each time
the engine is started.
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
occurs, press the “TOW/HAUL” button twice to disable
the overdrive. This will improve performance and reduce
the potential for transmission overheating or failure due
to excessive shifting.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature, designed to improve fuel economy, has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages automati-
cally at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during normal operation in
high gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during
acceleration when the transmission downshifts to second
gear, the clutch automatically disengages.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING