2011 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab cooling

▫Exhaust System ..................... 394
▫ Cooling System ..................... 396
▫ Brake System ....................... 401
▫ Rear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle Fluid
Level ............................. 404
▫ Transfer Case ....................... 405
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 405
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 409
 Fuses .............................. 414
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module ......... 414
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 419 
Replacement Bulbs .................... 420
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 420
▫ Dual Or Quad Headlamp/Front Park And
Turn Signal – If Equipped .............. 420
▫ Fog Lamps – If Equipped .............. 422
▫ Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
With Cargo Lamp .................... 423
▫ Cab Top Clearance Lamps – If Equipped .... 424
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 426
 Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ....... 427
▫ Engine ............................ 427
▫ Chassis ........................... 428
380 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

To minimize the possibility of catalyst 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
idling 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.
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.
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397

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.
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 5 Years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
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.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (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.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 engine coolant (antifreeze)
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 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 399

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)
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 “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
Standard Rear Tank 52 Gallons197 Liters
Optional Midship Tank 22 Gallons83 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
5.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 7 Quarts6.6 Liters
Cooling System
5.7L Engine (MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula) or equivalent. 18.7 Quarts
17.7 Liters
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Center Lap Belts......................... 47
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 166
Certification Label ....................... 328
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 299
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............190,383
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 73
Checks, Safety ........................... 73
Child Restraint ........................ 61,62
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............64,68
Child Seat ............................ 62,66
Cigar Lighter ........................... 159
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 411
Climate Control ......................... 248
Clock ........................ 21 1,212,216,225
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 247
Compass .............................. 202
Compass Calibration ..................... 204 Compass Variance
....................... 204
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 201
Connector UCI ................................ 236
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 236
Console, Overhead ....................... 154
Contract, Service ........................ 451
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 399
Cooling System ......................... 396
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 398
Coolant Capacity ...................... 426
Coolant Level ...................... 396,400
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 400
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 397
Inspection ........................... 400
Points to Remember .................... 400
Pressure Cap ......................... 399
Radiator Cap ......................... 399
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .........397,427
460 INDEX