cooling Ram 3500 2011 User Guide

Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant 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 coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser for any 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
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) solution.
534 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze), may
result in engine damage and may decrease corro-
sion protection. If a non-HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling system
in an emergency, it should be replaced with the
specified engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as
possible.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the engine coolant
(antifreeze) and may plug the radiator.
•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 five years or 104,000 miles (169 000 km) before7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 535

replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance 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) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°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 coolant changes.
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
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
536 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 Coolant
Used 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
or pet, seek emergency assistance 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 for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 537

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 coolant 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of
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.
538 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

U.S. Metric
Cooling System
3.7L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent)14 Quarts 13 Liters
4.7L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent)14 Quarts 13 Liters
5.7L Engine — 1500 Models (MOPARAntifreeze/
Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or equivalent)16 Quarts 15 Liters
5.7L Engine — 2500/3500 Models (MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula or
equivalent)18.7 Quarts 17.7 Liters
5.7L Engine — 2500/3500 Models w/Heavy Duty
(MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile
Formula or equivalent)19.2 Quarts 18.2 Liters
570 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Power Steering........................ 386
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 536
Car Washes............................ 547
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............83,440
Cargo Light............................ 126
Cellular Phone.......................100,285
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 564
Center Lap Belts......................... 48
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 171
Certification Label....................... 446
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 403
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............219,520
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 82
Checks, Safety........................... 82
Child Restraint........................68,69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............73,76
Child Seat............................69,75
Cigar Lighter........................... 163Cleaning
Wheels............................. 548
Climate Control......................... 285
Clock.............................246,256
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 285
Compass.............................. 236
Compass Calibration..................... 237
Compass Variance....................... 237
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 233
Connector
UCI .............................270,276
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)......270,276
Conserving Fuel......................231,233
Console, Overhead....................... 149
Contract, Service........................ 595
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 536
Cooling System......................... 534
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 535
Coolant Capacity...................... 569
604 INDEX

High Speed.......................... 413
Inflation Pressures..................... 412
Life of Tires.......................... 416
Load Capacity.....................407,408
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 424
Pressure Warning Light.................. 217
Quality Grading....................... 598
Radial.............................. 414
Replacement......................... 417
Rotation............................ 421
Safety...........................401,411
Sizes............................... 403
Snow Tires........................... 420
Spinning............................ 415
Tread Wear Indicators................... 416
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 454
Torque Converter Clutch................316,322
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 507
Towing............................448,508Disabled Vehicle....................... 508
Guide.............................. 454
Recreational.......................... 471
Weight.............................. 454
Traction.............................. 361
Traction Control......................... 391
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)................. 400
Trailer Towing.......................... 448
Cooling System Tips.................... 465
Hitches............................. 453
Minimum Requirements................. 455
Mirrors.............................. 99
Trailer and Tongue Weight............... 454
Wiring.............................. 463
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 454
Trailer Weight.......................... 454
Transfer Case........................... 542
Electronically Shifted.................327,334
Fluid............................... 572
618 INDEX