Weak reverse, high rev required

[Hillbilly1957]

2022 Ram 1500 etorque longhorn, 30,000 miles, lightly used. When parking on an incline and backing up, the truck requires high rev up, just to start moving. Can't imagine what it would be like if I had a load. Is that normal? I took it to the dealer they said it was fine. Just sounds like it's just slipping or something. What should I do?

 

[Fast69Mopar]

2022 Ram 1500 etorque longhorn, 30,000 miles, lightly used. When parking on an incline and backing up, the truck requires high rev up, just to start moving. Can't imagine what it would be like if I had a load. Is that normal? I took it to the dealer they said it was fine. Just sounds like it's just slipping or something. What should I do?

At what RPM does it take to get the truck to just barely feel like it wants to move in reverse?

What RPM does the truck actually start to roll in reverse?

Do you have a scan tool so you can see TPS (throttle position) and transmission line pressure and clutch volume index?

 

[Hillbilly1957]

When I turn the steering wheel (like to back out on a road) it's even requires more gas pedal.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

When I turn the steering wheel (like to back out on a road) it's even requires more gas pedal.

Turning the steering wheel and then attempting to backup puts more load on the engine and transmission because the wheels turned to one side creates more drag than with the wheels straight.

 

[Hillbilly1957]

No I didn't observe the rpms. I can do that. I just expect the truck to move when I push the gas. (I can look at that) And no I have no scan tool.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

No I didn't observe the rpms. I can do that. I just expect the truck to move when I push the gas. (I can look at that) And no I have no scan tool.

Watch the tach and see what RPM it feels like it starts to move and what the actual RPM is when the truck gets rolling.

Push the pedal down slowly so you can see what is happening.

Also, how much of an incline is the truck being parked on?

Do you have Hill Start Assist as an option and is it turned on?

 

[Hillbilly1957]

I just checked. With just me, the gauge idles around 1, but has to be almost to the number 2. And with 4 adults, it requires a little above 2. (20,000 I guess that is?). I just feel it is too high, considering I don't think it does that in drive.

 

[Hillbilly1957]

That driveway is hardtop and (as a carpenter I estimate a 2 1/2 to 12 slope. And it barely starts rolling at 2. THe driveway starts flat, truck moving then when the slope gets more, is stops and requires the rpms to be increased to 2.

 

[Hillbilly1957]

Not sure what hill start assist is. So I assume its not on.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

That driveway is hardtop and (as a carpenter I estimate a 2 1/2 to 12 slope. And it barely starts rolling at 2. THe driveway starts flat, truck moving then when the slope gets more, is stops and requires the rpms to be increased to 2.

Is this a 2022 ram 1500 3.6L w/E-Torque or a 5.7L HEMI w/E-Torque?

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Not sure what hill start assist is. So I assume its not on.

Hill Start Assist is a setting in the UConnect system under braking. It prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards when you let off of the brake pedal while parked on an incline. It prevents the truck from rolling while you transition from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.

 

[Hillbilly1957]

Using my phone protractor it looks like 15-16 degrees,

 

[Hillbilly1957]

Its a 6 cylinder, probably a smaller most common one.

I thing that Hill Assist sounds like a great idea. But I have never used that unless its automatically engaged. When I am having issues, I am not using a foot brake, I am just backing out on a small single lane roadway.

 

[Hillbilly1957]

I read up on that Hill Assist, and checked the settings on the truck. And yes that was turned on. Should that be on and will it make any difference for my issue.

After reading up on that, my reference said to use that when I need to stop rollback.

LOL that just don't seem practical to stop and go through settings and turn that on every time I may end up on an incline... Where I live, I frequently back out. Should I leave it turned on?

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

You should leave hill assist turned on. Its primary purpose is to stop you from rolling backwards on an incline when you are in a forward gear. With the v6 revving to 2k is not unusual. I went out and backed up my jeep wrangler, which weighs less than your ram, with a 6 speed manual. I had to Rev almost to 2k rpms to back up my driveway and I'm about 8 degrees. I then backed up my Ram 1500 5.7 hemi and it was about 1300 rpms.

You are asking alot with the v6 at low rpms, considering the powerband for the engine starts around 3k.

I wouldn't be too concerned unless you push the pedal, the tach goes up and you don't move. That's slipping and you didn't describe that process.

Only other thing you might check is an over adjusted rear parking brake, or a sticking brake caliper. That could cause extra effort.

My opinion

 

[Hillbilly1957]

If I understand the Hill Assist feature, operation, it should only be active when the driver is braking on a location where rollback is likely. My issue is occurring, when already rolling, and moving up a slight incline, when using the footbrake is not being used.

I appreciate Fast69Mopar for pointing out a possible issue, and identifying a feature on my truck, that I was not aware of.

I am still looking for input, ideas and comments about the requirement for higher rev on a slight incline, when moving in reverse. If I were carrying a load in my bed, on those inclines, should I just move into 4 wheel drive, while driving in a straight line on dry hardtop? I am sure steering and backing up in 4 wheel low would be unadvisable. But if I am on an incline, I should not be having any issues, (especially without a load) and if that is a common issue, I have a lemon.

 

[star_deceiver]

What you’re seeing is normal, and yes, it’s worse with a trailer.

Backing up a trailer on an incline is usually 2500-3000rpm, but that’s a lot of weight. 2000rpm backing up an incline, truck only is normal.

 

[Hillbilly1957]

I will notice more about the rpms next times I drive. But, when I am saying the rpms are increasing, its more like there no advantage to push the gas petal more. Its like more gas don't mean more rpms, the truck just don't seem to have more power. And I shouldn't have to have the gas half way to the floor and the truck not moving, nor spinning the tires. Its like "that's all there is" like a 1970's Ford Pinto with 4 big football players on a hill.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Op, check for sticking brakes or and over adjusted parking brake. It's not the engine, it's doing what is suppose to do. If your transmission is slipping that's a different story but you have not described a slipping transmission, yet.

 

[Hillbilly1957]

Thanks for the comments, and thoughts. When I picked the truck, it looked like a full sized truck, with my wife's comfort requirements and my power and flatland highway mileage expectations, in one model. But in actuality, that ideal model looks closer to a very high rpm hemi 4 cylinder. Still in infancy of development.