2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL Antifreeze

speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on the
windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
defrost mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high
quality antifreeze coolant during summer to provide
proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point
of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50 %
concentration is recommended. Refer to Recommended
Fluids and Genuine Parts for the proper coolant type.
When using the air conditioner in extremely heavy traffic
in hot weather especially when towing a trailer, addi-
tional engine cooling may be required. If this situation isencountered, operate the transmission in a lower gear to
increase engine RPM, coolant flow and fan speed. When
stopped in heavy traffic, it may be necessary to shift into
NEUTRAL and depress the accelerator slightly for fast
idle operation to increase coolant flow and fan speed.
NOTE:On models equipped with Diesel engines, the
idle speed will automatically increase to 1000 rpm at
elevated coolant temperatures to improve engine cooling.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use partial
Recirculation A/C mode to provide additional comfort.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 197
4

Windshield Wiper Blades
The rubber edges of the wiper blades and the windshield
should be cleaned periodically with a sponge or soft cloth
and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accu-
mulations of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
Windshield Washers
The fluid reservoir is located under the hood and should
be checked for fluid level at regular intervals. Fill the
reservoir with windshield washer solvent only (not ra-
diator antifreeze).To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
After the engine has warmed, operate the defroster for a
few minutes to reduce the possibility of smearing or
freezing the fluid on the cold windshield. Mopar All
Weather Windshield Washer Solution, used with water as
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 341
7

Coolant bottle level check
The coolant reserve system provides a quick visual
method of determining that the coolant level is adequate.
With the engine idling, and warmed to the normal
operating temperature, the level of the coolant on the
coolant bottle should be between the fluid level marks.
Check the coolant level whenever the hood is raised.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no longer a need to remove the coolant pressure cap
except for checking coolant freeze point or replacement
with new antifreeze coolant.
WARNING!
Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove pressure cap to
cool overheated engine! The coolant is under pres-
sure and severe scalding could result.
Drain, Flush And Refill
At intervals shown on the Maintenance Schedules, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled. Refer to
your dealer or consult a service manual for proper
procedures.
Adding Coolant
When adding coolant or refilling system, a 50% solution
of ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant in water should be
used. Higher concentrations (not to exceed 65%) are
required if temperatures below -34 ÉF (-37 ÉC) are antici-
pated. Use only high purity water such as distilled or
deionized water when mixing the water/antifreeze solu-
tion. 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
maintain the proper level of protection against freezing
according to the temperatures occurring in the area
where the vehicle is operated.
344 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, add the recommended concentration of
antifreeze and water to the overflow bottle. Do not
overfill.
NOTE:Failure to follow the antifreeze concentration
and replacement recommendations, or failure to use
antifreeze formulated to prevent corrosion of all cooling
system metals, may result in radiator plugging, overheat-
ing, or cooling system leaks such as in core hole plugs.WARNING!
Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove pressure cap to
cool an overheated engine. The coolant is under
pressure and severe scalding could result.
Recommended Engine Coolant
Refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts for the correct Fluid type.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 345
7

RECOMMENDED FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Engine Coolant MopartAntifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Or-
ganic Additive Technology) P/N 5011764AB or equivalent.
Engine Oil For the proper quality and SAE Grade oil for your engine, refer to the sec-
tion9Maintenance Procedures.9
Engine Oil Filter MopartEngine Oil Filter, P/N 05083285AA or equivalent.
Engine Fuel Filter MopartFuel Filter, P/N 05015581AB or equivalent.
Fuel Selection Refer to the section9Fuel Requirements9for detailed information on fuel se-
lection.
380 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Cleaner, Engine...................331,358
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 338
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............338,339
Air Conditioning System................187,338
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control........ 191
Air Filter.............................. 331
Air Pressure, Tires....................252,259
Airbag..............................45,50
Airbag Light.........................70,144
Airbag On/Off Switch..................... 50
Airbag, Side............................ 53
Alarm..............................29,147
Alignment and Balance................... 258
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................ 345
Capacities........................... 379
Anti-Lock Warning Light...............146,242
Anti-Theft System.....................29,147
Appearance Care........................ 362Ashtray............................... 127
Automatic Transmission................... 353
Adding Fluid......................... 353
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 354
Fluid Level Check...................... 353
Fluid Type........................354,381
Shift Indicator........................ 147
Shifting............................. 218
Special Additives...................... 355
Axle Fluid.......................274,351,381
Axle Lubrication.....................274,351
Ball Joints............................. 340
Battery............................... 336
Blanket..........................213,338
Emergency Starting..................... 310
Bearings.............................. 355
Belts, Drive............................ 331
Belts, Seat.............................. 34
412 INDEX

Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 340
B-Pillar Location........................ 247
Brake Fluid............................ 381
Brake System........................239,348
Anti-Lock........................... 240
Disc Brakes.......................... 348
Fluid Check.......................... 348
Hoses.............................. 350
Master Cylinder....................... 348
Parking............................. 238
Warning Light........................ 147
Bulb Replacement....................... 367
Bulbs, Light............................ 367
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 375
Calibration, Compass..................... 117
Camper............................... 135
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 379
Capacities, Fluid........................ 379Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 339
Car Washes............................ 362
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............69,136
Cargo Light............................ 103
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 183
Cassette Tape Player................152,154,158
CD Changer......................156,167,172
CD Player..................164,168,171,175,177
Cellular Phone.......................... 79
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 373
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 129
Certification Label....................... 269
Charge Air Cooler....................... 347
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 244
Check Engine Light...................... 143
Child Restraint........................55,56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............59,63
INDEX 413
10

Used Coolant......................... 346
Door Ajar............................. 145
Door Locks............................. 16
Door Opener, Garage..................... 120
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter.......... 334
Drive Belts............................ 331
Dual Rear Wheels.....................263,306
Electric Rear Window Defrost..........78,191,195
Electrical Power Outlets................... 126
Electronic Speed Control................... 109
Emergency Brake........................ 238
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 313
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 296
Jacking............................. 300
Jump Starting......................... 310
Tow Hooks.......................... 314
Towing............................. 315Emission Control System Maintenance......... 384
Engine............................... 320
Air Cleaner.......................... 331
Block Heater.......................205,212
Break-In Recommendations................ 67
Compartment......................... 320
Coolant..........................345,380
Cooling............................. 343
Data Plate........................... 294
Identification......................... 320
Idling.............................. 214
Jump Starting......................... 310
Oil ..............................325,380
Oil Synthetic......................... 214
Runaway............................ 264
Temperature Gauge..................... 146
Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze................. 345
Exhaust Gas Caution................69,136,342
Exhaust System....................69,342,358
INDEX 415
10