coolant temperature Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2012 Diesel Supplement

accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturers recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
116 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below -34°F
(-37°C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system. Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:
Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
118 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in
the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If
engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, the
contents of the coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
120 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hy-
brid Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
Engine Oil In ambient temperatures below 0°F (-18°C), 5W-40 syntheticengine oil
that meets Chrysler Materials Standard MS-10902 and the API CJ-4 engine
oil category is required. In ambient temperatures above 0°F (-18°C),
15W-40 engine oil that meets Chrysler Materials Standard MS-10902 and
the API CJ-4 engine oil category is required.
Engine Oil Filter MOPAREngine Oil Filter or equivalent.
Engine Fuel Filter MOPARFuel Filter or equivalent. Must meet 5 micron rating. Using a
fuel filter that does not meet the manufacturers filtration and water
separating requirements can severely impact fuel system life and reli-
ability.
Crankcase Ventilation Filter MOPAR CCV Filter or equivalent.
134 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Temperature Gauge.................... 15
Exhaust Brake ........................... 50
Exhaust System ......................... 129
Filters Engine Fuel ........................ 106
Engine Oil .................... 100,104,134
Flashers Turn Signal ......................... 15
Fluid Capacities ......................... 133
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................. 121
Manual Transmission .................. 124
Transfer Case ....................... 123
Fluid, Brake ........................... 136
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 134
Fog Lights ............................. 24
Fuel ................................ 82,83
Adding ............................ 83 Diesel
......................... 82,83,134
Filter ............................. 106
Gauge ............................. 15
Requirements ........................ 82
Specifications ........................ 83
Tank Capacity ....................... 133
Gauges Coolant Temperature ................... 15
Fuel ............................... 15
Oil Pressure ......................... 17
Speedometer ......................... 16
Tachometer .......................... 15
Voltmeter ......................... 18,41
Gear Ranges ........................ 54,65,76
Idle Up Feature .......................... 44
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 25
Instrument Cluster ...................... 14,15
166 INDEX

Signals, Turn............................ 15
Speedometer ............................ 16
Starting .............................. 8,34
Automatic Transmission ................ 34
Engine Block Heater ................. 35,49
Manual Transmission .................. 34
Remote ............................. 8
Starting Procedures ....................... 34
Starting Procedures (Diesel Engines) ........... 34
Steering Wheel Lock .......................... 8
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 104
System, Remote Starting .................... 8
Tachometer ............................. 15
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ........... 15
Tip Start ............................... 34
Ti re s Pressure Warning Light ................. 21 Torque Converter Clutch
.................63,74
Tow/Haul ............................. 62
Traction Control ......................... 123
Traction Control Light ..................... 17
Transfer Case Fluid ............................. 136
Transmission Automatic ........................ 54,64
Fluid ............................. 136
Manual .......................... 34,75
Shifting ............................ 52
Trip Odometer ........................ 17,18
Turn Signals ............................ 15
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... 103
Voltmeter ............................ 18,41
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . . 15
Water Separator, Diesel Fuel ................ 106
8
INDEX 169