RAM 2015 1500, Operating Information Manual, Page: 253 / 998

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 switch 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 when-
ever the ignition switch is in the LOCK/OFF
position.
NOTE:
If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap
the Key Fob in the ignition switch to warn
you that this safety feature is inoperable.
The engine can be started and stopped but
the Key Fob cannot be removed until you
obtain service.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmis-
sion 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 switch must be turned to
the ON/RUN position (engine running, for ve-
hicles with eight-speed transmission) and the
brake pedal must be pressed.
In 8-speed vehicles, the brake pedal must also
be pressed to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE
or REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or
moving at low speeds.
Eight-Speed Automatic
Transmission — If Equipped
The transmission is controlled using a rotary
electronic gear selector located on the instru-
ment panel. The transmission gear range
(PRND) is displayed both above the gear selec-
tor and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)/Driver Information Display (DID).
To select a gear range, simply rotate the gear
selector. You must press the brake pedal to shift
the transmission out of PARK, or to shift from
NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE, when the
vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds
(refer to
" Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock
System " in this section). To shift past multiple
gear ranges at once (such as Park to Drive),
simply rotate the gear selector to the appropri-
ate detent. Select the DRIVE range for normal
driving.
The electronically-controlled transmission pro-
vides a precise shift schedule. The transmission
electronics are self-calibrating; therefore, the
first few shifts on a new vehicle may be some-
what abrupt. This is a normal condition, and
precision shifts will develop within a few hun-
dred 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 positions.
Manual downshifts can be made using the
Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control
(refer to
" Electronic Range Select (ERS) Opera-
tion " in this section for further information).
Pressing the GEAR-/GEAR+ switches (on the
steering wheel) while in the DRIVE position will
select the highest available transmission gear,
and will display that gear in the instrument
cluster as 1, 2, 3, etc.
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