Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation

[Tulecreeper]

I have a new 2023 2500. There are a couple other threads about this, but none that are helpful, and the manual only touches on how to use it, not when to use it. Is the ERS selector on the steering wheel to aid in towing? I can imagine it being helpful in a situation where you're towing uphill and struggling a bit with the load and the transmission wants to keep shifting up and down repeatedly. If you activate ERS and tell it to not shift above, say, 3rd gear you could limit the shifting. Other than that, I don't see a use for it.

 

[Dean2]

The most common use is to use engine compression going downhill so you don't have to ride the brakes. 3rd gear, 4000 rpm will give you real good engine braking even with the gas motor. I have occasionally used it to keep higher revs going uphill but the tow haul usually does that fine.

Range select is also useful for higher revs in 4x4 in deep mud or snow to keep the revs where you want them.

 

[jejb]

I activate it for longer pulls through hilly terrain, just to see what gear its in when it kicks down. Just curiosity. I have the diesel, so no need for it for engine braking.

 

[crash68]

I have the diesel, so no need for it for engine braking.

Exhaust brake for the win!!!..lol
Just set the cruise at the speed you want to go down the hill with the exhaust brake on Auto, no need to touch the pedals

 

[chopperdog45]

Exhaust brake for the win!!!..lol
Just set the cruise at the speed you want to go down the hill with the exhaust brake on Auto, no need to touch the pedals

The exhaust brake is probably my favorite feature on my truck.

 

[Dean2]

I activate it for longer pulls through hilly terrain, just to see what gear its in when it kicks down. Just curiosity. I have the diesel, so no need for it for engine braking.

Take a look on your EVIC/Screen settings setup menu. Some of the 3500 and 2500s have the ability to choose to display current gear while also showing the D, rather than being on the Range Limiter. Just activate the option in screen setup.

Double click picture to expand it for easier reading.

 

[Tulecreeper]

The most common use is to use engine compression going downhill so you don't have to ride the brakes. 3rd gear, 4000 rpm will give you real good engine braking even with the gas motor. I have occasionally used it to keep higher revs going uphill but the tow haul usually does that fine.

Range select is also useful for higher revs in 4x4 in deep mud or snow to keep the revs where you want them.

Good idea, I didn't think about that. I won't lie, I feel like and idiot. I picked up this truck on Mar 24th, and it wasn't until yesterday that I noticed the "Gear +/-" buttons on the bottom of the steering wheel. I went through the manual the first week I had the truck just to try to familiarize myself with all the stuff I'll never use and I don't remember seeing that. It could be because I saw it and said, "I don't have that because I didn't order it," and just passed by that page.

 

[SniperDroid]

I turn on the gear selection and just set it to "8" when towing so I can see what gear it's in. In "Tow Haul" mode, on the 6.4L, engine breaking is introduced and helps with the downhill stuff. I'm sure it's not a great as engine compression braking on the Cummins but it works for me. Using the gear selection in the same fashion without tow haul, turns off the MDS!

 

[Tulecreeper]

I turn on the gear selection and just set it to "8" when towing so I can see what gear it's in. In "Tow Haul" mode, on the 6.4L, engine breaking is introduced and helps with the downhill stuff. I'm sure it's not a great as engine compression braking on the Cummins but it works for me. Using the gear selection in the same fashion without tow haul, turns off the MDS!

I wasn't aware my engine had MDS.

 

[SniperDroid]

I wasn't aware my engine had MDS.

The 6.4l in mine does... did Ram discontinue it?