Dodge 2004 Ram Pickup 3500 User Manual
Page 224
avoid overspeeding the engine and clutch. For accelera-
tion at speeds less than 15 mph (25 km/h), 2nd gear is
recommended.
CAUTION!
When descending a hill, be very careful to downshift
one gear at a time to prevent overspeeding the
engine which can cause valve damage.
Manual Transmission — 6-Speed (NV-5600) — If
Equipped
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged before
leaving the vehicle, especially on an incline.
Truck models with manual transmission are equipped
with a clutch interlocking ignition system. The clutch
pedal must be fully depressed to start the vehicle.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before shifting gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal. When launching a stationary vehicle, keep the
engine speed low until the clutch is fully engaged.
Damage to the clutch can re-
sult from starting in 2nd or
3rd gear with a loaded ve-
hicle. Use each gear in nu-
merical order – do not skip a
gear.
This six-speed manual transmission has the same gear
ratios for 1st gear and the two highest gears as appear in
the five-speed transmission. The advantage is that the
middle gears (2nd, 3rd and 4th) have ratios that are closer
224
STARTING AND OPERATING