radiator cap Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2017 Owner's Manual

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the upper
switch bank just below the radio.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic
of an emergency. Push the switch a second time to turn off
the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE: With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down. •
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed
while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine 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 or coolant bottle is hot.
426 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
If your vehicle has a discharged battery it can be jump-
started using a set of jumper cables and a battery in another
vehicle or by using a portable battery booster pack. Jump-
starting can be dangerous if done improperly so please
follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:When using a portable battery booster pack follow
the manufacturer ’s operating instructions and precautions.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump-starting if the battery is frozen. It
could rupture or explode and cause personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any other
booster source with a system voltage greater than 12
Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor, alternator
or electrical system may occur.
Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the
engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly. NOTE:
The positive battery post may be covered with a
protective cap if equipped. Lift up on the cap to gain access
to the positive battery post. Do not jump off fuses. Only
jump directly off positive post which has a positive (+)
symbol on or around the post.
WARNING!
• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
(Continued)
Correct Positive Jumping Location
436 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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 specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
•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
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
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 appli-
cable). 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
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 471

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 expansion 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).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine dam-
age and may decrease corrosion protection. Organic
Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant is differ-
ent and should not be mixed with Hybrid Organic
Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant (anti-
freeze) or any “globally compatible” coolant (anti-
freeze). 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 authorized dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
• 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 (anti-
freeze) is not recommended.
472 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 over-
heated. 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 speci-
fied for your vehicle. Personal injury or engine
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 animals 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 — 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). Ad-
vise 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.
474 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid Type......................... .478, 502
Shifting .............................. .327
Special Additives ........................ .479
Axle Fluid ........................ .477, 478, 502
Axle Lubrication ....................... .477, 478
Back-Up Camera .......................... .161
Battery .............................. .204, 457
Charging System Light ....................204
Keyless Key Fob Replacement ................24
Belts, Seat .................................96
Body Builders Guide ..........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ..................465
B-Pillar Location .......................... .371
Brake Assist System ........................ .355
Brake Control System, Electronic ................353
Brake Fluid .......................... .476, 502
Brake System ......................... .352, 475
Fluid Check ........................... .476
Master Cylinder ........................ .476
Parking .............................. .350
Warning Light .......................... .202
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................327
Bulb Replacement ......................... .494Bulbs, Light
........................... .98, 493
Cab Top Clearance Lights .....................498
Camera, Rear ............................ .161
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........499
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .499
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ........................... .453
Power Steering ......................... .350
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................474
Carbon Monoxide Warning .................95, 399
Cargo Light ............................. .137
Car Washes .............................. .481
Center High Mounted Stop Light ...............496
Center

Seat Storage Compartment ...............182
Certification Label ......................... .401
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .367
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .449
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ................95
Checks, Safety .............................95
Child Restraint .............................70
Child Restraints Booster Seats ............................74
Child Restraints ..........................70
Child Seat Installation .................83, 84, 85
10
INDEX 517

How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt.........81
Infants And Child Restraints .................72
Locating The LATCH Anchorages ..............79
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children ........76
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........73
Seating Positions ..........................75
Cigar Lighter ............................ .177
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .396
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .483
Climate Control ........................... .277
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .323
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ................275
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .381
Console, Overhead ........................ .164
Contract, Service .......................... .512
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............474
Cooling System ........................... .471
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................473
Coolant Capacity ........................ .499
Coolant Level ....................... .471, 474
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................474
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................472
Inspection ............................. .474
Points To Remember ..................... .475Pressure Cap
........................... .474
Radiator Cap .......................... .474
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........472, 500
Corrosion Protection ....................... .481
Cruise Light ....................... .220, 221, 222
Cupholders .............................. .178
Customer Assistance ....................... .510
Customer Programmable Features ...............256
Daytime Running Lights .....................131
Dealer Service ............................ .451
Defroster, Rear Window ..................... .186
Defroster, Windshield ........................96
Delay

(Intermittent) Wipers ...................139
Differential, Limited-Slip .....................346
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ....................479
Power Steering ......................... .350
Disabled Vehicle Towing .....................442
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................474
Do Not Disturb ........................... .314
Door Ajar ............................... .207
Door Ajar Light ........................... .207
518 INDEX

Take-Off Adapter........................ .336
Take-Off Operation ...................... .336
Windows ...............................37
Power Seats Down .............................115,116
Forward ............................115,116
Rearward ...........................115,116
Recline ................................115
Tilt...................................116
Up................................115,116
Power Steering Fluid ....................... .502
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts .................51
Pretensioners Seat Belts ...............................52
Programmable Electronic Features ...............230
Programming Key Fobs (Remote Keyless Entry) ......21
PTO (Power Take-Off) ...................... .336
Radial Ply Tires ........................... .378
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .........472, 474
Radio Frequency General Information .............17, 19, 27, 30, 37
Radio Operation .......................... .275
Radio (Sound Systems) ..................... .273
Rain Sensitive Wiper System ...................140 Rear Axle (Differential)
...................477, 478
Rear ParkSense System ...................148, 155
Rear Window Features ...................... .186
Rear Window, Sliding ...................... .187
Reclining Rear Seats ........................ .120
Recreational Towing ........................ .418
Shifting Into Transfer Case Neutral (N) .........420
Shifting Out Of Transfer Case Neutral (N) .......422
Reformulated Gasoline ...................... .396
Refrigerant .............................. .459
Reminder, Seat Belt ..........................42
Remote Control Starting System ...........................27
Remote Keyless Entry ..................... .21, 22
Programming Additional Key Fobs .............18
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ...........274
Remote Starting Uconnect Customer Programmable Features . .249, 266
Uconnect Settings .....................249, 266
Remote Starting System .......................27
Replacement

Keys ...........................18
Replacement Parts ......................... .450
Replacement Tires ......................... .384
Reporting Safety Defects .....................513
Restraint, Head ........................... .121
10
INDEX 525