Dodge D150 1990 Service Manual page 899

21 - 48 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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A n e u t r a l switch controls engine s t a r t i n g . T h e
switch is designed t o allow engine starts only i n
P a r k o r N e u t r a l positions.
The transmission p a r k i n g lock mechanism i s en-
gaged w h e n t h e shift lever i s moved i n t o t h e P a r k
detent. T h e mechanism consists o f a p a w l t h a t en-
gages a gear on the o u t p u t shaft.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The transmission w i l l automatically upshift a n d
downshift. T h e q u a l i t y o f shifts is i m p o r t a n t . A l l
shifts should be smooth and positive w i t h o u t engine
flare or r u n a w a y .
Gearshift And Parking Lock Controls
The c o l u m n mounted gearshift lever has s i x lever
positions w h i c h are: P (Park); R (Reverse); N (Neu-
t r a l ) ; D (Drive); 2 (Second Gear); and 1 (First Gear).
The p a r k i n g lock is engaged by m o v i n g the shift le-
ver past a gate into the P (Park) position. D o n o t
a p p l y t h e p a r k i n g l o c k u n t i l t h e v e h i c l e h a s
s t o p p e d . O t h e r w i s e a s e v e r e r a t c h e t i n g n o i s e
w i l l o c c u r .
Starting The Engine
The engine w i l l s t a r t w i t h the shift lever i n P a r k
or N e u t r a l positions. A s a safety precaution, apply
the service o r p a r k i n g brakes w h e n s t a r t i n g i n Neu-
t r a l . I f t h e e n g i n e w i l l n o t s t a r t , d o n o t a t t e m p t
t o s t a r t i t b y p u s h i n g o r t o w i n g t h e v e h i c l e . T h e
t r a n s m i s s i o n w i l l n o t p e r m i t e n g i n e s t a r t i n g i n
t h i s m a n n e r .
Mountain Driving
T r a i l e r t o w i n g or p u l l i n g heavy loads i n m o u n t a i n -
ous t e r r a i n imposes severe loads on the transmission,
torque converter a n d fluid. Shift t h e transmission
i n t o 2 or 1 range o n steep upgrades w h i c h require
heavy t h r o t t l e application for 1/2 m i l e or more. T h i s
w i l l reduce the possibility o f overheating t h e t r a n s -
mission and torque converter.
Vehicle Towing
I f t h e transmission is inoperative, either t o w t h e
vehicle w i t h the rear end raised, or remove t h e pro-
peller shaft and flat-tow the vehicle.
I f t h e transmission is operating properly, shift the
transmission i n t o N e u t r a l . The vehicle can t h e n be
towed w i t h the f r o n t or rear end raised, or i t can be
flat-towed.
T o w i n g speed should not exceed 30 m p h (48 km/h).
I f t h e v e h i c l e m u s t b e t o w e d f o r a n e x t e n d e d
d i s t a n c e , e i t h e r t o w t h e v e h i c l e w i t h t h e r e a r
e n d r a i s e d , o r r e m o v e t h e p r o p e l l e r s h a f t a n d
flat-tow t h e v e h i c l e . S i n c e t r a n s m i s s i o n l u b r i c a -
t i o n o n l y o c c u r s w h e n t h e e n g i n e i s r u n n i n g , i t i s
g o o d p r a c t i c e t o a l w a y s t o w a v e h i c l e w i t h t h e
r e a r e n d r a i s e d o r w i t h t h e p r o p e l l e r s h a f t r e -
m o v e d .