radiator cap DODGE RAM 3500 DIESEL 2009 4.G Owners Manual

To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:•
Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•
Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•
Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.Engine Coolant ChecksCheck the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 441
7

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 RefillIf 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.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.Selection Of CoolantUse only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type.
442 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).
•
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 CapThe 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.
444 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•
The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•
Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine CoolantUsed ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposalrules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a
child, contact a physician immediately. Clean up any
ground spills immediately.
Coolant LevelThe coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the engine coolant (antifreeze) level is
adequate. With the engine cold, the level of the engine
coolant (antifreeze) in the coolant recovery bottle should
be between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle only needs to be checked
once a month.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445
7

Bar, Stabilizer/Sway System................ 282
Battery ............................... 434
Emergency Starting ..................... 419
Saving Feature (Protection) ............... 133
Belts, Seat ............................ 35,75
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 437
B-Pillar Location ........................ 350
Brake Assist System ...................... 335
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 333
Brake Fluid ......................... 447,480
Brake System ........................ 330,447
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................... 331,333
Fluid Check .......................... 447
Master Cylinder ....................... 447
Parking ............................. 329
Warning Light ........................ 194
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 73
Bulb Replacement ....................... 465 Bulbs, Light
.......................... 76,464
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 473
Calibration, Compass ..................... 151
Camper ............................... 178
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 478
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .......................... 432
Power Steering ........................ 328
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 444
Car Washes ............................ 453
Carbon Monoxide Warning ............74,179,379
Cargo Light ............................ 135
CD (Compact Disc) Player ...............202,216
Cellular Phone .......................... 86
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 472
Center Lap Belts ......................... 44
Center Seat Storage Compartment .........167,169
Certification Label ....................... 381
INDEX 511
10

Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 347
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............194,429
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 74
Checks, Safety ........................... 74
Child Restraint ........................ 60,61
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............64,68
Child Seat ............................ 61,67
Cigar Lighter ........................... 164
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 454
Climate Control ......................... 234
Clock ........................ 201,204,218,224
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 232
Compass ........................... 150,151
Compass Calibration ..................... 151
Compass Variance ....................... 152
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 146
Console, Overhead ....................... 145 Contract, Service
........................ 503
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 444
Cooling System ......................... 441
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 443
Coolant Capacity ...................... 478
Coolant Level ...................... 441,445
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 445
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 442
Inspection ........................... 445
Points to Remember .................... 446
Pressure Cap ......................... 444
Radiator Cap ......................... 444
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......442,478,479
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 142
Cupholders ............................ 165
Customer Assistance ..................... 501
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 58
Daytime Running Lights ................... 134512 INDEX

PowerDoor Locks ........................... 28
Mirrors .............................. 84
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 162
Seats ............................... 124
Sliding Rear Window ................... 173
Steering .......................... 327,328
Sunroof ............................. 159
Windows ............................. 32
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 480
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 46
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................ 44
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless
Entry) ................................. 23
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 357
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......442,444
Radio, Navigation (uconnect gps)........... 224 Radio Operation
...................... 202,216
Radio Remote Controls .................... 231
Radio, Satellite (uconnect studios)........ 224,227
Radio (Sound Systems) .................202,216
Ramp Travel Index ....................... 285
Rear Axle (Differential) .................... 448
Rear Seat, Folding .................... 126,127
Rear Window Features .................... 172
Rear Window, Sliding ..................... 174
Reclining Front Seats .................. 121,122
Reclining Rear Seats ...................... 125
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 58
Recreational Towing ...................... 397
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N) ....398,400
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) . . 399,402
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 375
Refrigerant ............................ 436
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 45
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
INDEX 521
10