Since I have driven manual tranny vehicles for the past 13 years, and in light of my tranny issue today (see my other post) needless to say I need some education on automatics. My new ram has the 5 speed auto. I have noticed that this thing seems to have an extra shift in it. For example, when it goes into what I am guessing is OD I tach about 1600 RPM at 55 with the 355 gearing. Then when I accelarate to above 60 the tranny kicks down again and lowers the RPM more so that I only tach 1900 at 70. This is neat but I have to wonder is it normal? Do the rest of you guys autos do this as well?

 

Ah... did you read the Owner's Manual? Talks about all this. To further confuse you... the truck really has 6 gears (one is different on kick-down than upshift).

DRIVE IT and enjoy your new truck!

All the best.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was a 5 speed because it had two different 2nd gear ratios. One for up shift and the other for down shifting. Other than that it is just a 4 speed with OD.