coolant temperature DODGE RAM 4500 CHASSIS CAB 2009 4.G Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Check GaugesThis light illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine
Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature
gauges indicate a reading either too high or too low.
Examine the gauges carefully, and follow the instructions
contained below for each indicated problem.
NOTE: When the ignition switch is turned to OFF, the
Fuel Gauge, Voltmeter, Oil Pressure and Engine Coolant
Temperature gauges may not show accurate readings.
When the engine is not running, turn the ignition switch
to ON to obtain accurate readings.
2. Voltmeter When the engine is running, the gauge indicates
the electrical system voltage. The pointer should
stay within the normal range if the battery is charged. If the pointer moves to either extreme left or right and
remains there during normal driving, the electrical sys-
tem should be serviced.
NOTE:
•If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of the
gauge, the “Check Gauges” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
•The voltmeter may show a gauge fluctuation at vari-
ous engine temperatures. This cycling operation is
caused by the post-heat cycle of the intake manifold
heater system. The number of cycles and the length of
the cycling operation is controlled by the engine
control module. Post-heat operation can run for sev-
eral minutes, and then the electrical system and volt-
meter needle will stabilize.
3. Turn Signal Indicators Lights in instrument cluster flash when outside turn
signals are operating.
162 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

9. Oil Pressure GaugeThe pointer should always indicate some oil pres-
sure when the engine is running. A continuous
high or low reading, under normal driving conditions,
may indicate a lubrication system malfunction. Immedi-
ate service should be obtained.
NOTE: If the gauge pointer moves to either extreme of
the gauge, the “Check Gauges” indicator will illuminate
and a single chime will sound.
10. Transfer Case Position
This display indicator shows the transfer case position
selection.
For additional information refer to “Four-Wheel Drive
Operation” in Section 5 of this manual. 11 .
TOW HAUL
The TOW HAUL button is located at the end of
the shift lever. This light will illuminate when
the TOW HAUL OD/OFF button is pushed
once.
12. OD/OFF
the OD/OFF button is located at the end of the shift lever.
This light will illuminate when the TOW HAUL OD/OFF
button is pushed twice.
13. Temperature Gauge The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range
indicates that the engine cooling system is operat-
ing satisfactorily.
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized deal-
ership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see Section 7
of this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cool-
ing System Pressure Cap paragraph.
14. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped This light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 15 seconds, when the vehicle security
alarm is arming, and then will flash slowly
until the vehicle is disarmed.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 165
4

NOTE:Use caution when operating a heavily loaded
vehicle in SECOND or FIRST gear selections in high
ambients as torque converter slip can impose significant
additional heat load on the cooling system.
Overdrive Operation
The overdrive automatic transmission contains an elec-
tronically controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed
(Overdrive). The transmission will automatically shift
from DRIVE to Overdrive if the following conditions are
present:
•the shift lever is in DRIVE;
•the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
•vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph
(48 km/h);
•the “TOW HAUL O/D OFF” switch has not been
activated;
•transmission has reached normal operating
temperature.
NOTE: If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable level. Refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the TRANS TEMP light
may illuminate and the transmission may downshift out
of Overdrive until the transmission cools down. After
cooldown, the transmission will resume normal opera-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5

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 Checks
Check 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 anyaccumulation 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.
348 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to 5 Years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
period, it is important that you use the same engine
coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze).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.
350 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules 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 Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant 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 forengine 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 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.
352 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Door Locks............................. 27
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 250
Dual Rear Wheels ..................... 280,322
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 201
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 153
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 144
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 133
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........234,242
Emergency Brake ........................ 254
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 330
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 314
Jump Starting ......................... 326
Tow Hooks .......................... 330
Towing ............................. 331
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 382Engine
............................... 335
Air Cleaner .......................... 340
Block Heater ......................... 223
Break-In Recommendations ................ 72
Compartment Identification ............... 335
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................... 378
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 73,284
Flooded, Starting ...................... 222
Jump Starting ......................... 326
Oil .............................. 338,378
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 339
Oil Selection .......................... 339
Oil Synthetic ......................... 340
Temperature Gauge .................... 164
Event Data Recorder ...................... 57
Exhaust Gas Caution ................73,284,345
Exhaust System ....................... 73,345
Exterior Lighting ........................ 125
INDEX 413
10

Gauges............................... 162
Coolant Temperature ................... 164
Fuel ............................... 171
Oil Pressure .......................... 164
Speedometer ......................... 163
Tachometer .......................... 163
Voltmeter ............................ 162
Gear Ranges ........................... 225
General Information .................... 18,114
Glass Cleaning .......................... 363
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 153
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................. 290
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 289
Guide, Body Builders ...................... 6
GVWR ............................... 287
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect) .............. 86 Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ........................ 250
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 314
Head Restraints ......................... 117
Headlights ............................ 370
Cleaning ............................ 363
High Beam .......................... 128
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 128
Lights On Reminder .................... 126
Passing ............................. 128
Switch .............................. 125
Heated Mirrors ......................... 153
Heated Seats ........................... 120
Heater ............................... 207
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 223
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 128
INDEX 415
10

Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer
Case Neutral (N).................... 305,307
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer
Case Neutral (N) .................... 306,309
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 44
Shoulder Belts ........................... 36
Signals, Turn ........................... 127
Sliding Rear Window Power ............................ 34,154
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 276
Snow Plow ............................ 300
Snow Tires ............................ 278
Spark Plugs ............................ 378
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 133
Speedometer ........................... 163
Starting ............................... 221
Automatic Transmission ................. 221
Engine Fails to Start .................... 222
Remote .............................. 26 Starting Procedures (Gas Engines)
............ 221
Steel Carcass Ply Tires .................... 269
Steering Power ........................... 252,253
Wheel Lock ........................... 14
Wheel, Tilt ........................... 130
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 201
Storage, Behind the Seat ................... 148
Storage Compartment, Center Seat .........148,150
Storage, Vehicle ......................... 369
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 369
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information ........ 276
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 340
System, Navigation ...................... 194
System, Remote Starting .................... 26
Tachometer ............................ 163
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 164
422 INDEX