
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles before
replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle. Please review
these recommendations for using Hybrid Organic Addi-
tive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended Mopar Antifreeze/ Coolant 5 Year/100,000
Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technol-
ogy), or equivalent, in water should be used. 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 deionized
water when mixing the water/engine coolant 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 coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447
7

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant 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 scald-
ing 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 Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for yourcommunity. Do not store ethylene glycol-based engine
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. Prevent ingestion by animals and
children. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
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 coolant 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
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
448 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

When additional coolant 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 coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 449
7

•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 coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Fan
Inspection
Check the fan for cracks and bent or broken blades. If any
of these conditions exist, you must replace the fan. Make
sure it is securely mounted.
NOTE:This service procedure must be performed by a
trained service technician. Make arrangements with your
authorized Dodge Truck Dealer for this inspection.
Charge Air Cooler (Inter-Cooler)
The charge air cooler is positioned between the radiator
and the air conditioner condenser. Air enters the engine
through the air cleaner and passes through the turbo-
charger where it is pressurized. This pressurized air
rapidly reaches high temperature. The air is then directed
through a hose to the charge air cooler and through
another hose to the intake manifold of the engine. The air
entering the engine has been cooled by about 50 to 100
degrees Fahrenheit. This cooling process enables more
efficient burning of fuel resulting in fewer emissions.
To guarantee optimum performance of the system, keep
the surfaces of the charge air cooler, condenser and
radiator clean and free of debris. Periodically check the
hoses leading to and from the charge air cooler for cracks
or loose clamps resulting in loss of pressure and reduced
engine performance.
450 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Cleaner Assembly
Inspect air cleaner housing for proper assembly and fit.
Make certain that the air cleaner is properly positioned
and that the cover is tight. Check all hoses leading to the
air cleaner for tightness. The air filter element must also
be clean and serviced according to the instructions out-
lined in the Maintenance Schedule Section of this
manual.
Tampering With Noise Control System Prohibited
Federal law prohibits the following acts or the causing
thereof: (1) the removal or rendering inoperative by any
person, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or
replacement, of any device or element of design incorpo-
rated into any new vehicle for the purpose of noise
control prior to its sale or delivery to the ultimate
purchaser or while it is in use, or (2) the use of the vehicle
after such device or element of design has been removed
or rendered inoperative by any person.Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are
the acts listed below.
•AIR CLEANER
Removal of the air cleaner.
Removal of the air cleaner filter element from the air
cleaner housing.
Removal of the air ducting.
•EXHAUST SYSTEM
Removal or rendering inoperative exhaust system
components including the muffler or tailpipe.
•ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Removal or rendering inoperative the fan clutch.
Removal of the fan shroud.
460 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUID CAPACITIES
FLUID CAPACITIES U.S. Metric
Fuel
2500 Shortbed Models 34 gal. 128L
2500 Longbed Models 35 gal. 132L
3500 Shortbed Models 34 gal. 128L
3500 Longbed Models 35 gal. 132L
FLUID CAPACITIES U.S. Metric
Engine Oil
5.9L Diesel Engine I-6 12.0 qts. 11.4L
6.7L HO Turbo Diesel
Engine (SAE 15W-40, API
CJ-4 Certified, that meets
CES 20081 Standards.)12 qts. 11.4L
Cooling System
5.9L Diesel Engine I-6 7 gal. 26.5L
6.7L Diesel Engine I-6 22.6 qts. 21.4L
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 487
7

Car Washes............................ 463
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 76,190
CargoLight ............................ 132
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 255
Catalyst Full Message..................... 434
CD (Compact Disc) Player............209,217,231
Cellular Phone.......................... 89
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 481
Center Lap Belts......................... 43
Center Seat Storage Compartment.........176,177
Certification Label....................... 355
Charge Air Cooler....................... 450
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 327
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 202
Child Restraint........................ 60,61
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 65,69
Child Seat............................ 61,68
Cigar Lighter........................... 171Cleaning
Wheels............................. 465
Climate Control......................... 257
Clock .....................207,211,219,232,245
Clutch Linkage Maintenance................ 453
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 256
Compact Spare Tire...................... 338
Compass...........................146,147
Compass Calibration..................147,158
Compass Variance....................148,158
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 143
Console, Overhead....................142,150
Contract, Service........................ 526
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 447
Cooling System......................... 444
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 447
Coolant Capacity...................... 487
Coolant Level...................444,445,448
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 448
536 INDEX

Electronic Range Select (ERS)............... 295
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 139
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 151
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case........... 310
Emergency Brake........................ 320
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 402
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 386
Jacking............................. 389
Jump Starting......................... 399
Tow Hooks.......................... 403
Towing ............................. 404
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 494
Engine............................408,409
Air Cleaner........................422,424
Block Heater.......................276,283
Break-In Recommendations................ 74
Compartment......................408,409
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 488Cooling ............................. 444
DataPlate ........................... 411
Identification......................408,409
Idling .............................. 286
Jump Starting......................... 399
Oil ..............................414,488
Oil Filler Cap......................... 418
Oil Synthetic.......................285,419
Runaway............................ 348
Temperature Gauge..................... 200
Event Data Recorder...................... 58
Exhaust Brake.......................... 290
Exhaust Gas Caution................ 76,190,444
Exhaust System................. 76,443,444,459
ExteriorLighting ........................ 130
Fabric Care............................ 465
Fan .................................. 450
538 INDEX