2012 Ram Exhaust/Engine brake question!

[sjturbo]

I am getting a "new to me" 2012 Ram 3500 to tow our 5er and I can't find any information about how the exhaust/engine brake works or is engaged or anything. I know in the older Dodge Rams there is a switch on the dash that engages it. I have done internet search's and have not found information about the 2012. Please help!

[wilber1]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
My 11 with 68RFE and 15 with Aisin both have the up/down rocker with on the shifter. Work great!

You people really need to try selecting a gear when descending a grade that puts the rpm's in the high 2K range then hit cruise for the speed that you feel comfortable with. WITH EB and TH FULL on.

Tried it and didn't really like it. For one thing, I don't always want full EB when descending a hill and T/H tends to have the EB cycling in order to try and maintain a target speed. For another, having cruise control commanding the throttle when I am going downhill with a big load behind makes me feel uncomfortable.


Each to their own.

[wilber1]

Grit dog wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
I am not saying that the 68RFE shifts poorly. What I am saying is that these trucks (as well as those from the competitors) could improve by allowing a paddle shifter that would allow the driver to more easily and quickly choose their own gear.

If you haven't driven a vehicle with paddle shifters you really don't know what you are missing. They perform much better than a column shift with a button on the end that only limits the top gear the truck can use.

Have you ever sat in a Ram/Dodge pickup with a 6speed auto trans, either one?
Every one I've been in has a +/- button on the shifter that allows manual up and down gear changes when you put the shifter in manual mode.
Like a paddle shifter but not on the steering wheel.
Or are you just speculating for the sake of discussion?

The Ram ERS doesn't allow manual up changes, it restricts the gear that the transmission can shift up to. You can force the transmission to downshift but it upshifts in its own good time. It is a good feature but not a real manual mode. If you select 5 or 4 etc, it just turns the transmission into a 5 or 4 speed automatic.

Not the same at all and Bionic Man does know what he is talking about.

[Cummins12V98]

My 11 with 68RFE and 15 with Aisin both have the up/down rocker with on the shifter. Work great!

You people really need to try selecting a gear when descending a grade that puts the rpm's in the high 2K range then hit cruise for the speed that you feel comfortable with. WITH EB and TH FULL on.

[Grit_dog]

Bionic Man wrote:
I am not saying that the 68RFE shifts poorly. What I am saying is that these trucks (as well as those from the competitors) could improve by allowing a paddle shifter that would allow the driver to more easily and quickly choose their own gear.

If you haven't driven a vehicle with paddle shifters you really don't know what you are missing. They perform much better than a column shift with a button on the end that only limits the top gear the truck can use.

Have you ever sat in a Ram/Dodge pickup with a 6speed auto trans, either one?
Every one I've been in has a +/- button on the shifter that allows manual up and down gear changes when you put the shifter in manual mode.
Like a paddle shifter but not on the steering wheel.
Or are you just speculating for the sake of discussion?

[wilber1]

coolbreeze01 wrote:

wilber1 wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:


I wish the trucks had a true gear shift option - not just the ability to limit what the top gear selected is. I think paddle shifts like the sports cars have would be a nice option.

My 68rfe downshifts manually just fine. Has something changed?

Problem is, with T/H on, it downshifts automatically when I don't want it to. All ERS does is restrict the top gear you can use.

My car has paddle shifters and I find my fingers looking for them every time I get into my truck.

That is why we have on/off buttons. I turn T/H off on downhills, I prefer to do the downshifting myself as needed. Much smoother.

So do I.

[coolbreeze01]

I get pedal pushers, but I am surprised there aren't more driver's.

[coolbreeze01]

wilber1 wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:


I wish the trucks had a true gear shift option - not just the ability to limit what the top gear selected is. I think paddle shifts like the sports cars have would be a nice option.

My 68rfe downshifts manually just fine. Has something changed?

Problem is, with T/H on, it downshifts automatically when I don't want it to. All ERS does is restrict the top gear you can use.

My car has paddle shifters and I find my fingers looking for them every time I get into my truck.

That is why we have on/off buttons. I turn T/H off on downhills, I prefer to do the downshifting myself as needed. Much smoother.

[wilber1]

coolbreeze01 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:


I wish the trucks had a true gear shift option - not just the ability to limit what the top gear selected is. I think paddle shifts like the sports cars have would be a nice option.

My 68rfe downshifts manually just fine. Has something changed?

Problem is, with T/H on, it downshifts automatically when I don't want it to. All ERS does is restrict the top gear you can use.

My car has paddle shifters and I find my fingers looking for them every time I get into my truck.

[Bionic_Man]

I am not saying that the 68RFE shifts poorly. What I am saying is that these trucks (as well as those from the competitors) could improve by allowing a paddle shifter that would allow the driver to more easily and quickly choose their own gear.

If you haven't driven a vehicle with paddle shifters you really don't know what you are missing. They perform much better than a column shift with a button on the end that only limits the top gear the truck can use.

[coolbreeze01]

coolbreeze01 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:


I wish the trucks had a true gear shift option - not just the ability to limit what the top gear selected is. I think paddle shifts like the sports cars have would be a nice option.

My 68rfe downshifts manually just fine. Has something changed?

I was hoping you had some knowledge on the subject.

[coolbreeze01]

Bionic Man wrote:


I wish the trucks had a true gear shift option - not just the ability to limit what the top gear selected is. I think paddle shifts like the sports cars have would be a nice option.

My 68rfe downshifts manually just fine. Has something changed?

[wilber1]

Bionic Man wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I never use TH mode and the EB at the same time when not towing. Makes for a jerky drive thru town and anywhere else you need to be constantly slowing down.
I run the EB all the time when towing though. I also don't use TH mode with the EB when descending mtn passes. The truck always wants to slow down too much. So I just run the EB and use the gear selector. I only tow 9000lbs so maybe guys towing heavier get better use out of TH/EB at the same time.

X2. Very happy with my truck, but I don't like the T/H. Even when towing 16000 pounds.

I wish the trucks had a true gear shift option - not just the ability to limit what the top gear selected is. I think paddle shifts like the sports cars have would be a nice option.

My thoughts as well. I will use T/H when starting out because it delays the upshifts ( could do that with the ERS as well I guess) but don't like the way it works with the EB.

[Bionic_Man]

goducks10 wrote:
I never use TH mode and the EB at the same time when not towing. Makes for a jerky drive thru town and anywhere else you need to be constantly slowing down.
I run the EB all the time when towing though. I also don't use TH mode with the EB when descending mtn passes. The truck always wants to slow down too much. So I just run the EB and use the gear selector. I only tow 9000lbs so maybe guys towing heavier get better use out of TH/EB at the same time.

X2. Very happy with my truck, but I don't like the T/H. Even when towing 16000 pounds.

I wish the trucks had a true gear shift option - not just the ability to limit what the top gear selected is. I think paddle shifts like the sports cars have would be a nice option.

[Cummins12V98]

Use cruise control descending passes with EB and TH on. Select gear that keeps rpm upper 2k range.

[Kennedycamper]

Keep the exhaust brake on all the time. It keeps the variable part from sooting up, and freezing up.