2012 RAM CHASSIS CAB radiator cap

Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in the front of the
engine compartment, behind the left headlight assembly.
NOTE: The positive battery post is covered with a
protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain access to the
positive battery post. WARNING!• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as watch bands or
bracelets that might make an inadvertent electrical
contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission
into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories.Positive Battery Post
6 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 389

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.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 417

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
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.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419

2. Lift and remove the plastic dipstick from the reservoir
neck. 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 attendant
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 421

• 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. WARNING!Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or
riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake Fluid Level Check
The fluid level of the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under the hood service or immediately
if the brake system warning lamp indicates system
failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic
reservoir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” dot and an “MIN” dot. The fluid level must be
kept within these two dots. Do not add fluid above the
MAX mark because leakage may occur at the cap.
7 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 423

Automatic Transmission
Adding Fluid ....................... 429
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 430
Fluid Level Check ................. 427,428
Fluid Type ...................... 427,451
Shifting ........................... 278
Special Additives ..................... 428
Axle Fluid ....................... 425,426,451
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............ 425,426
B-Pillar Location ........................ 314
Battery ............................... 409
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 25
Saving Feature (Protection) .............. 152
Belts, Seat ............................ 39,79
Body Builders Guide ....................... 6
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 412
Brake Fluid ......................... 423,451 Brake System ........................ 306,423
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 307
Fluid Check ........................ 423
Master Cylinder ..................... 423
Parking ........................... 304
Warning Light ....................... 197
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 278
Bulb Replacement ....................... 443
Bulbs, Light .......................... 81,442
Cab Top Clearance Lights .................. 447
Calibration, Compass ..................... 215
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 449
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 449
Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine) ........................ 407
Power Steering ...................... 303
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 419
Car Washes ............................ 431
10 INDEX 483

Carbon Monoxide Warning ............... 78,339
Cargo Light ............................ 152
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,255
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 445
Center Lap Belts ......................... 48
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 176
Certification Label ....................... 342
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 310
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............. 199,403
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 77
Checks, Safety ........................... 77
Child Restraint ........................ 64,65
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............. 68,73
Child Seat .............................. 70
Cigar Lighter ........................... 169
Cleaning
Wheels ............................ 432
Climate Control ......................... 256 Clock ............................. 223,232
Cold Weather Operation ................... 274
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 255
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 325
Compass .............................. 214
Compass Calibration ..................... 215
Compass Variance ....................... 215
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 212
Connector
UCI .............................. 246
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 246
Console, Overhead ....................... 163
Contract, Service ........................ 475
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 419
Cooling System ......................... 417
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 418
Coolant Capacity ..................... 449
Coolant Level .................... 417,420
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 420484 INDEX

Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 417
Inspection .......................... 420
Points to Remember .................. 422
Pressure Cap ........................ 419
Radiator Cap ....................... 419
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....... 418,450
Cupholders ............................ 172
Customer Assistance ..................... 473
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 63
Daytime Running Lights ................... 153
Dealer Service .......................... 405
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 180
Defroster, Windshield ................ 80,258,264
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 155
Differential, Limited-Slip .................. 298
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ................ 428
Power Steering ...................... 303 Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 395
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 420
Door Locks ............................. 30
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 32
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 300
Dual Rear Wheels ..................... 334,384
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 180
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 165
Electronic Range Select (ERS) ............... 284
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 160
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 203
Electronically Shifted Transfer Case ........... 292
Emergency Brake ........................ 304
10 INDEX 485