COOLING SYSTEM Ram 2500 2016 Owner's Guide

CAUTION!(Continued)
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.
• Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the engine coolant and may
plug the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (OAT coolant conforming to MS.90032) that al-
lows extended maintenance intervals. This engine cool-
ant (antifreeze) can be used up to ten years or 150,000
miles (240,000 km) before replacement. To prevent reduc-
ing this extended maintenance period, it is important that
you use the same engine coolant (OAT coolant conform-
ing to MS.90032) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Organic
Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant (antifreeze)
that meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS.90032. When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
• We recommend using MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 10
Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology) that meets the requirements of FCA Ma-
terial Standard MS.90032.
820 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Mix a minimum solution of 50% OAT engine coolant
that meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS.90032 and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34°F
(37°C) are anticipated. Please contact your authorized
dealer for assistance.
• 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.
NOTE:
• It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the proper
level of protection against freezing according to the
temperatures occurring in the area where the vehicle is
operated. •
Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant
properly. Failure to fill these systems properly could
lead to severe internal engine damage. If any coolant is
needed to be added to the system, please contact your
local authorized dealer.
• Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types is not recom-
mended and can result in cooling system damage. If
HOAT and OAT coolant are mixed in an emergency,
have a authorized dealer drain, flush, and refill with
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032) as soon as
possible.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 821

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.
• 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.
Checking Coolant Level — 3.6L and 5.7L Engines
With the engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine
coolant should be between the ADD and SAFE range on
the dipstick.
822 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean. •
Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 825

U.S.Metric
Cooling System
3.6L Engine (We recommend you use MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula that meets the requirements of FCA
Material Standard MS.90032.) 13.7 Quarts
13 Liters
5.7L Engine – 1500 Models (We recommend you use MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula that meets the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032.) 18.3 Quarts
17.3 Liters
5.7L Engine – 2500/3500 Models (We recommend you use
MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula that
meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032.) 18.3 Quarts
17.3 Liters
6.4 Liter Engine – 2500/3500 Models (We recommend you use
MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula that
meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032.) 16.6 Quarts
15.7 Liters
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 865

CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is not recommended.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 869

Required Maintenance
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By OilChange Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
• Lube the front drive shaft fitting (2500/3500 (4x4)
models only).
876 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

CleaningWheels .............................. .836
Climate Control ...................... .420, 431
Automatic ........................... .431
Cold Weather Operation ....................480
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............418
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .655
Console, Overhead ....................... .215
Contract, Service ......................... .888
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........821
Cooling System .......................... .818
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............820
Coolant Capacity ...................... .864
Coolant Level ...................818, 822, 824
Disposal Of Used Coolant .................822
Drain, Flush, And Refill ...................819
Inspection ........................ .822, 824
Points To Remember .....................824
Pressure Cap ......................... .821Radiator Cap
......................... .821
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......819, 864, 866
Corrosion Protection ...................... .833
Cruise Light ......................... .327, 329
Cupholders ............................ .237
Customer Assistance ...................... .885
Customer Programmable Features .............396
Data Recorder, Event .......................84
Daytime Running Lights ....................173
Dealer Service ........................... .797
Defroster, Rear Window .....................248
Defroster, Windshield ...................120, 424
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................183
Differential, Limited-Slip ....................589
Dipsticks Power Steering ........................ .615
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................782
10
INDEX 899

Load Capacity..................... .643, 644
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............666
Pressure Warning Light ...................311
Quality Grading ....................... .891
Radial .............................. .651
Replacement .......................... .658
Rotation ............................. .663
Safety ........................... .636, 648
Sizes ............................... .638
Snow Tires ........................... .653
Spare Tire ........................ .654, 656
Spinning ............................ .657
Tread Wear Indicators ....................657
Tire Safety Information .....................636
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................698
Tonneau Cover .......................... .840
Tonneau Cover Cleaning ....................840
Torque Converter Clutch .................510, 521
Tow Hooks, Emergency .....................777 Towing
............................ .689, 782
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .782
Guide .............................. .698
Recreational .......................... .716
Weight .............................. .698
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ...........716
Traction ............................... .590
Traction Control ......................... .626
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................632
Trailer Towing .......................... .689
Cooling System Tips .....................710
Hitches ............................. .697
Minimum Requirements ..................699
Mirrors ............................. .144
Trailer And Tongue Weight ................698
Wiring .............................. .708
T

railer Towing Guide ...................... .698
Trailer Weight ........................... .698
Transfer Case ........................... .82910
INDEX 913