Dodge 2009 Ram Diesel Owner's Manual Supplement page 64

62 STARTING AND OPERATING
REVERSE
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
Shift into NEUTRAL when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
DRIVE
This position provides all forward gears, including 4th
gear direct and 5th or 6th (if equipped) gear overdrive
(refer to Overdrive Operation, in this section). Use this
range for most city and highway driving.
THIRD
Use this position for driving in slight heavy city traffic or
on mountain roads where more precise speed control is
desirable. Use it when climbing long grades, and for
engine braking when descending moderately steep
grades. To prevent excessive engine speed do not exceed
40 mph (64 km/h) in this range.
SECOND
Use this position for driving in more severe conditions
and lower speeds than THIRD. To prevent excessive
engine speed do not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this
range.
FIRST
Use this position for driving up very steep hills and for
engine braking at low speeds 12 mph (19 km/h) or less
when going downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed,
do not exceed 12 mph (19 km/h) in this range.
NOTE: Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in SECOND or FIRST gear selections in high
ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.