radiator cap Ram 1500 2015 Owner's Manual

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
1500 Models
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the passenger side of the vehicle near the right head lamp
assembly. It is located between the front grill and the
radiator, but underneath the black upper seal.
2500/3500 Models
The engine block heater cord is routed through the grille
by the right front tow hook.
It includes a removable cap that is secured by a tethered
strap. It also has a c-clip that is used for storage when not
in use for the winter months. During winter months,
remove the heater cord wiring assembly from itself on
the c-clip.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
458 STARTING AND OPERATING

•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake
rotors, wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected
and cleaned as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might
not have full braking power when you need it to
prevent a collision. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
impacted material. Impacted material can cause a
wheel imbalance and freeing the wheels of it will
correct the situation.
WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY — (IF
EQUIPPED)
Things To Know Before Using Your Winch
General Winch Information
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric vehicle recovery
winch. This winch uses the electrical power from the
vehicle charging system to power a motor that winds
wire rope into the winch drum via planetary gear reduc-
tion. By nature, a winch is capable of generating very
high forces and should be used with care. Do not operate
the winch without reading and understanding the com-
plete winch owner’s manual.
Tensioning The Wire Rope
The winch rope must be properly tensioned before use.
Follow the instructions below to tension the rope:
1. Un-spool the wire rope leaving five wraps of rope on
the winch drum.
556 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT
(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 HOT (H), and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure
that the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any
time a wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the
vehicle the lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a
properly calibrated torque wrench.
Torque Specifications
Lug Nut/Bolt
Torque
Lug Nut/
Bolt
Type
**Lug
Nut/Bolt
Size
Lug Nut/
Bolt
Socket
Size
130 Ft-Lbs (176
N·m)
Cone M14 x
1.50
22 mm
140 Ft-Lbs (190
N·m)
Flanged
**Use only Chrysler recommended lug nuts/bolts and
clean or remove any dirt or oil before tightening.
686 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•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
idle 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.
774 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the A/C condenser (if equipped) or the back of the
radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery 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.
The radiator drain cock is located in the lower radiator
tank. If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant expan-
sion bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRES-
SURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain Flush And Refill
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 old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 775

Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
expansion bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. 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.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•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 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
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
778 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Check the coolant level on the dipstick.
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 engine
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.
Checking Coolant Level — 6.4L Engine
The level of the coolant in the pressurized coolant bottle
should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” range on the
bottle when the engine is cold.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the cap unless checking for coolant
freeze point or replacing engine 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 addi-
tional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to maintain
the proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle.
Do not overfill.
Coolant Reservoir Dipstick
780 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cab Top Clearance Lights...................816
Camera, Rear............................210
Camper................................268
Capacities, Fluid..........................819
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine)...........................757
Power Steering.........................577
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................778
Carbon Monoxide Warning..................115
Cargo Light.............................176
Car Washes.............................791
Cellular Phone...........................398
Center High Mounted Stop Light..............814
Center Seat Storage Compartment.............240
Certification Label.........................646
Chart, Tire Sizing.........................598
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . .289
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety..............114
Checks, Safety............................114
Child Restraint............................83
Child Restraints
Booster Seats...........................87
Child Restraints.........................83
Child Seat Installation....................101
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt........99
Infants And Child Restraints................85
Install A LATCH-compatible Child Restraint.....98
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle
Seat Belt..............................100
Locating The LATCH Anchorages............95
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children.......90
Older Children And Child Restraints..........86
Seating Positions........................89
Cigar Lighter............................232
Clean Air Gasoline........................635
Cleaning
Wheels...............................792
Climate Control..........................400
850 INDEX

Automatic............................410
Cold Weather Operation....................451
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance..............397
Compact Spare Tire........................615
Console, Overhead........................212
Contract, Service..........................841
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)...........778
Cooling System...........................774
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)...............776
Coolant Capacity.......................819
Coolant Level..........................775
Disposal of Used Coolant.................778
Drain, Flush, and Refill...................775
Inspection............................779
Points to Remember.....................781
Pressure Cap..........................778
Radiator Cap..........................778
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).............776
Corrosion Protection.......................790
Cupholders.............................234
Customer Assistance.......................839
Customer Programmable Features.............375
Data Recorder, Event.......................82
Daytime Running Lights....................168
Dealer Service............................754
Defroster, Rear Window.....................245
Defroster, Windshield......................116
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers..................179
Differential, Limited-Slip....................551
Dipsticks
Power Steering.........................577
Disabled Vehicle Towing....................740
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................778
Door Locks
Door Locks............................37
Key Fob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3710
INDEX 851

Personal Settings..........................324
Pets...................................113
Pets, Transporting.........................113
Pickup Box..............................251
Placard, Tire and Loading Information..........604
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses)................798
Door Locks............................39
Mirrors..............................138
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet)...........227
Seats................................143
Sliding Rear Window....................246
Steering..............................575
Sunroof..............................224
Windows..............................46
Power Steering Fluid.......................824
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts................64
Pretensioners
Seat Belts..............................62
Programmable Electronic Features.............324
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless Entry). . .24
Radial Ply Tires...........................611
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)...........775
Radio Operation..........................398
Radio (Sound Systems).....................394
Rain Sensitive Wiper System.................180
Ramp Travel Index........................533
Rear Axle (Differential).....................784
Rear Cargo Area Utility Rails.................266
Rear ParkSense System.....................191
Rear Seat, Folding.........................153
Rear Window Features.....................245
Rear Window, Sliding......................247
Reclining Rear Seats.......................152
Recorder, Event Data.......................82
Recreational Towing.......................673
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)........676
860 INDEX