Ever use the + & - Gear Buttons on steering wheel?

[af2018]

When I press them i see 1- 8 next to the 'D' on the display. What is the purpose of this? Am I changing into 8 different gears??

 

[chrisbh17]

the 1 is the gear you are currently in, the 8 is the maximum gear the trans will shift to.

Once you see the 8, you can use the - button to lower the 8 to whatever gear you want the trans to max out at.

Nice feature, wish there was a way to define what gear the truck takes off in as well, but not a huge issue.

 

[af2018]

the 1 is the gear you are currently in, the 8 is the maximum gear the trans will shift to.

Once you see the 8, you can use the - button to lower the 8 to whatever gear you want the trans to max out at.

Nice feature, wish there was a way to define what gear the truck takes off in as well, but not a huge issue.

i don't get it. whats the point or benefit?

 

[chrisbh17]

i don't get it. whats the point or benefit?

Helps with towing for sure (even though Tow/Haul mode is supposed to as well)

Certain spots where I drive the truck wants to be in a high gear but with twists and turns it just ends up bogging down, so I make sure it will only go up to 6 or 7 in those areas

Same deal for when I have a brief run on a highway, only 1/2 mile or so, no sense letting it get into 8th

AND once you use the +/- buttons, it automatically disables MDS (even if you let it go 1 through 8, it still wont engage MDS)

 

[SyN]

I use the manual shift religiously when towing along with being in tow/haul mode.
My 68RFE seems to continuously hunt\search for the correct gear if left in regular drive with tow/haul mode. (When towing over 10K lbs)

The manual shift buttons on my steering wheel creates the manual transmission effect. Gives me more control over the transmission shift points.
Which is a huge plus when towing a heavy load up & down steep hills or mountains.

 

[grizzstang]

They also allow you shut off the MDS so your 8 cylinder truck runs on all 8 cylinders instead of 4.

 

[turkeybird56]

They also allow you shut off the MDS so your 8 cylinder truck runs on all 8 cylinders instead of 4.

DITTO. I use them to turn off in town or very hilly roads. Otherwise I just leave trans as running.

 

[Neil E]

I use it when going down steep declines to maintain speed without using the brakes. I travel a lot here in the mountains, lots of steep inclines / declines. Engine braking is better than regular brakes.

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

I use it on this nice little road I frequent, lots of twists and turns, Hemi sounds awesome winding out and is so punchy coming out of the corners in 3rd or 4th gear!

 

[69GWC]

Use the buttons every time I drive it.

 

[Pull Ya]

Drive around town and any speed below about 50 in "7". If you don't want MDS to engage on the highway drive in "8".
Jay

 

[Hawkman]

i use mine normally when traversing hilly terrain and I dont want my tranny to keep up and down shifting. And to get rid of the drone from the Carven Progressive muffler when the MDS kicks in on the hwy.

 

[Sled Freak]

I'm starting to use my more since I put a borla xs muffler on my truck. When the mds kicks in it changes the exhaust tone and I don't care for the sound. I also find when driving in town the truck is in to high of a gear and lugs so if feels doggy. I usually shift it into 5/6 when driving under 65kms (40mph) plus the rpms go up and it sounds way better.

 

[18ram18]

2 reasons Keep out if MDS mode.
Will use to downshift in snow/ice instead of braking.

 

[huntergreen]

I would probably use the ERS more if the buttons were bigger.

 

[gdawg55]

Use it every time I drive. Mainly to turn of MDS. Definitely useful when towing or wanting to limit your final gear.

 

[Wild one]

I would probably use the ERS more if the buttons were bigger.

Add paddle shifters,lol.It can be done on the 8 speed trucks

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/srt-steering-wheel-swap.83820/page-2

 

[Longhorn1500]

I use it when towing to limit the highest gear. Even on "flat" freeways, any little hill will cause it to shift to 7th. So I usually limit it to 7th gear on freeways. On other roads, especially hilly, I will limit it to 6th or even 5th.

One thing I like when in this mode... it shows the gear the transmission is in. I wish it always did that, even when not limiting the highest gear.

 

[gixxer]

I use it every day. Great for towing or off -roading

 

[Mike Flea]

Always wondered about this myself, my 2010 has the up/down switch on the shift lever. Thanks for the replies