cooling RAM CHASSIS CAB 2011 User Guide

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is impor-
tant 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 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.392 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 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.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for 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.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393

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.
• 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 (173 000 km) before
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.394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

• Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below  34°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.
WARNING!• The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
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 pres-
sure cap while the system is hot or under pressure.
(Continued)
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 395

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.
• 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) per-
formance, poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397

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 (MOPAR  Antifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula) or equivalent. 18.7 Quarts 17.7 Liters422 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Carbon Monoxide Warning ............... 73,321
Cargo Light ............................ 144
Cellular Phone ........................ 88,247
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 419
Center Lap Belts ......................... 46
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 166
Certification Label ....................... 324
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 296
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............. 189,379
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 72
Checks, Safety ........................... 72
Child Restraint ........................ 60,61
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............. 64,67
Child Seat ............................ 61,65
Cigar Lighter ........................... 160
Cleaning
Wheels ............................. 407
Climate Control ......................... 247 Clock ............................. 212,221
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 246
Compass .............................. 203
Compass Calibration ..................... 204
Compass Variance ....................... 204
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 201
Connector
UCI ................................ 235
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 235
Console, Overhead ....................... 155
Contract, Service ........................ 447
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 395
Cooling System ......................... 392
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 394
Coolant Capacity ...................... 422
Coolant Level ...................... 393,396
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 396
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 393
Inspection ........................... 396456 INDEX

Cooling System Tips .................... 340
Hitches ............................. 329
Minimum Requirements ................. 331
Mirrors .............................. 87
Trailer and Tongue Weight ............... 330
Wiring .............................. 338
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 330
Trailer Weight .......................... 330
Transfer Case ........................... 401
Electronically Shifted ................... 278
Fluid ............................... 424
Transmission
Automatic ........................ 268,402
Fluid ............................... 424
Maintenance ......................... 402
Shifting ............................. 266
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 24 Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 310
Trip Odometer .......................... 182
Turn Signals ...................... 145,179,416
UCI Connector ......................... 235
Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone) .............. 88
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 451
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) Connector . . . 235
Variance, Compass ....................... 204
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 6
Vehicle Loading ...................... 301,324
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations .............. 7
Vehicle Storage ....................... 257,415
Voice Recognition System (VR) .............. 118
Voltmeter ............................. 186
10 INDEX 469