cooling Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2012 User Guide

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.Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
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)
422 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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) 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) 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.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 423

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.
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.
424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
•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
emissions.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 427

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
Standard Rear Tank 52 Gallons 197 Liters
Optional Midship Tank 22 Gallons 83 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
5.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 7 Quarts 6.6 Liters
Cooling System
5.7L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula) or equivalent.18.7 Quarts 17.7 Liters
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 453

Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 79,345
CargoLight ............................ 152
Cellular Phone........................ 93,262
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 449
Center Lap Belts......................... 49
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 176
Certification Label....................... 347
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 316
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............200,407
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 78
Checks, Safety........................... 78
Child Restraint.......................... 65
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 69,74
Child Seat............................ 65,71
Cigar Lighter........................... 169
Cleaning
Wheels............................ 437
Climate Control......................... 262Clock .............................225,234
Cold Weather Operation................... 280
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 262
Compact Spare Tire...................... 331
Compass.............................. 215
Compass Calibration..................... 216
Compass Variance....................... 217
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 213
Connector
UCI .............................. 249
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)....... 249
Console, Overhead....................... 163
Contract, Service........................ 479
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 424
Cooling System......................... 421
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 423
Coolant Capacity..................... 453
Coolant Level....................421,425
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 425
488 INDEX

Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 397
Towing ............................350,399
24-Hour Towing Assistance............. 108
Disabled Vehicle..................... 399
Guide ............................. 354
Recreational........................ 368
Weight ............................ 354
Towing Assistance....................... 108
Traction.............................. 305
TrailerTowing .......................... 350
Cooling System Tips.................. 364
Hitches............................ 353
Minimum Requirements................ 355
Mirrors ............................ 92
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 354
Wiring ............................ 362
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 354
TrailerWeight .......................... 354Transfer Case........................... 431
ElectronicallyShifted .................. 298
Fluid ............................. 455
Transmission
Automatic.......................284,432
Fluid ............................. 455
Maintenance........................ 432
Shifting ........................... 282
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 20
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 20
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 333
Trip Odometer.......................193,194
Turn Signals......................153,190,447
10
INDEX 501