2011 Ram 1500 radiator

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.
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.
544 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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)
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 545

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.
Disposal Of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 547

3. Check the coolant level on the dipstick.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendantof 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.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 549

•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.
550 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

BULB REPLACEMENT
Dual Or Quad Headlamp/Front Park And Turn
Signal — If Equipped
1. Open the hood.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the four plastic push-in fasteners that secure
the upper radiator seal to the grille support and both
fender ledges.
4. Remove the two plastic push-in rivets that secure the
upper radiator seal to the radiator.
5. Remove the upper radiator seal from the vehicle.
6. Remove the two headlamp assembly attachment
screws.7. Reach into the front wheel house ahead of the front
wheel, remove the fastener, and lift the cover over the
access hole in the front of the wheel house splash shield.
Access to the rear of the lamp can be gained through this
access hole.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 571

Caps, FillerOil (Engine) ........................ 534
Power Steering ...................... 391
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 547
Car Washes ............................ 558
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............82,447
Cargo Light ............................ 126
Cellular Phone ....................... 101,290
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 575
Center Lap Belts ......................... 48
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 174
Certification Label ....................... 453
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 407
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............223,530
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 82
Checks, Safety ........................... 82
Child Restraint ........................ 67,68
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............72,76Child Seat
............................ 68,74
Cigar Lighter ........................... 166
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 560
Climate Control ......................... 290
Clock ............................. 250,260
Cold Weather Operation ................... 310
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 290
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 419
Compass .............................. 240
Compass Calibration ..................... 241
Compass Variance ....................... 241
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 237
Connector UCI ........................... 274,280
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....274,280
Conserving Fuel ...................... 235,237
Console, Overhead ....................... 150
Contract, Service ........................ 607
616 INDEX

Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 547
Cooling System ......................... 544
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 546
Coolant Capacity ..................... 580
Coolant Level .................... 544,548
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 547
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 544
Inspection .......................... 548
Points to Remember .................. 549
Pressure Cap ........................ 547
Radiator Cap ....................... 547
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....545,580,582
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 134
Cupholders ............................ 169
Customer Assistance ..................... 605
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 66
Daytime Running Lights ................... 127
Dealer Service .......................... 531 Defroster, Rear Window
................... 180
Defroster, Windshield ................84,293,299
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 130
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 365
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 556
Power Steering ...................... 391
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 518
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 547
Door Locks ............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 152
Driving Off-Pavement ....................... 347
Off-Road .......................... 347
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................. 366
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .... 235
10
INDEX 617