Key Ignition Park Interlock; Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System; Six-Speed Automatic Transmission - Dodge RAM 1500 2018 Diesel Supplement

138 STARTING AND OPERATING

Key Ignition Park Interlock

This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Interlock
which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the
ignition can be turned to the LOCK/OFF (key removal)
position. The key fob can only be removed from the
ignition when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF position,
and the transmission is locked in PARK whenever the
ignition is in the LOCK/OFF position.

Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System

This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock system (BTSI) that holds the transmission gear
selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN mode (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
Six-Speed Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Chassis Cab models (with automatic transmission) use the
AS69RC transmission (which is equipped with a Power
Take-Off [PTO] access cover on the side of the transmission
case). Pickup models may use either the AS69RC transmis-
sion, or the 68RFE transmission (which has no PTO access
cover).
The transmission gear position display (located in the instru-
ment cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. The gear
selector is mounted on the right side of the steering column.
You must press the brake pedal to move the gear selector out
of PARK (refer to "Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock Sys-
tem" in this section). To drive, move the gear selector from
PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position. Pull the gear
selector toward you when shifting into REVERSE or PARK,
or when shifting out of PARK.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a pre-
cise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are self-
calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle
may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and
precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles
(kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped. Be
sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when shifting
between these gears.
The transmission gear selector has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual downshifts
can be made using the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift
control. Pressing the ERS (-/+) switches (on the gear