What are the gear buttons on Dodge Ram?

Gear Buttons on Dodge Ram
The gear buttons on a Dodge Ram are located on the steering wheel and serve a specific purpose. They are used to manually select gears in the transmission, allowing the driver to have more control over the vehicle’s performance and shifting behavior.
Function of the Gear Buttons
The gear buttons on the steering wheel of a Dodge Ram have two main functions:
1. Gear Selection: The buttons allow the driver to manually select a specific gear in the transmission. By pressing the “+” button, the driver can upshift to a higher gear, while pressing the “-” button allows for downshifting to a lower gear.
2. Gear Limitation: The buttons can also be used to limit the highest gear the transmission can shift into. For example, if the driver wants to prevent the transmission from shifting into 8th gear, they can press the “-” button until the display shows a lower gear number, such as 7th gear. This can be useful in situations where constant shifting is undesirable, such as when towing or driving in hilly terrain.
It’s important to note that using the gear buttons does not override the automatic shifting behavior of the transmission. The buttons provide a manual override option, but the transmission will still shift automatically if the driver does not manually select a gear.
Benefits and Considerations
The gear buttons on the steering wheel of a Dodge Ram offer several benefits and considerations:
1. Improved Control: By manually selecting gears, the driver has more control over the vehicle’s performance, especially in situations where precise gear selection is desired, such as when towing or driving on steep inclines.
2. Reduced Gear Hunting: Using the gear buttons to limit the highest gear can help reduce gear hunting, which is when the transmission constantly shifts between gears in search of the optimal gear for the driving conditions. This can result in a smoother driving experience and improved fuel efficiency.
3. Disabling MDS: When the gear buttons are used, the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is automatically disabled. MDS is a feature that deactivates cylinders to improve fuel efficiency. By manually selecting gears, the driver can prevent the transmission from engaging MDS, which may be desirable in certain driving situations.
It’s worth noting that accidentally pressing the gear buttons while driving at high speeds, such as 65 mph, is unlikely to cause any harm to the engine or the vehicle. However, it’s always recommended to operate the vehicle within the manufacturer’s guidelines and avoid unnecessary or abrupt gear changes.
In conclusion, the gear buttons on a Dodge Ram’s steering wheel allow the driver to manually select gears and limit the highest gear the transmission can shift into. They provide improved control, reduced gear hunting, and the ability to disable the Multi-Displacement System.

What is the button on the gear shift?

Most automatic gearboxes made after 1990 have 2 buttons on the gear shift. One is to allow the move into and out of park. The other is for overdrive gear on/off.

What is the D plus minus gear?

The plus and minus signs underneath (or sometimes next to) the D sign are to indicate that you can manually upshift or downshift by moving the lever in that respective direction.

What is the gear limit button on a Dodge Ram?

They are for locking in certain gears so that the transmission does not shift when you don’t want it to. This is primarily used for towing heavy loads and where there are lots of hills that cause the truck to shift gears. This limiter will lock in the gear and make for a better towing experience.

Where is the gear ratio on a Dodge Ram 1500?

you should be able to find this via the build sheet, VIN search, or by reading the tag on the rear differential. If it is a 4 wheel drive, the front and rear ratios will be the same, in the event that your tag has rotted away, your front will be more likely still in tact.

How do I use the gear limit on my Ram 1500?

How to Use Gear Limit on the RAM 1500

1. To activate ERS mode and slow down your vehicle, hit the “-” button on your steering wheel.
2. The actual gear that the transmission is in should display in the instrument panel.
3. Use the “+” and “-“ buttons to set the highest gear you want the transmission to engage.

What is overdrive in a Dodge Ram?

The OD off indicates that your car will not shift into overdrive (which is your top gear). It is useful to turn your overdrive off if you need to use engine braking or driving up a hilly area. Look for the Overdrive (O/D) button to turn it back on….

What is the gear shift button?

Most automatic gearboxes made after 1990 have 2 buttons on the gear shift. One is to allow the move into and out of park. The other is for overdrive gear on/off.

Should overdrive be on or off in my truck?

As a driver when there is no need to accelerate, the overdrive function should be turned off. Also, when driving up a hill or downhill, the overdrive function may lose its effectiveness. When shifting to a lower gear, turn the overdrive feature off.

What is the plus and minus on gear shift Dodge Ram?

The plus sign (+) is typically used when you want to upshift or go to a higher gear. For example, if you’re driving in third gear and want more power, you would shift up to fourth gear by moving the lever to the right into the + position. The minus sign (-) is used when you want to downshift or go to a lower gear.

Should I drive my truck with overdrive on or off?

It’s not bad to drive with overdrive off and does no harm to the transmission. However, you will get worse fuel economy and have more noise at high speeds. There’s really no reason to leave it off unless you need to ascend or descend a steep hill. You can turn overdrive on or off at any time or speed.