2016 Ram 1500 Antifreeze

WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. 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 Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 819

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.
Checking Coolant Level — 6.4L Engine
The level of the coolant in the pressurized coolant bottle
should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” range on the
bottle when the engine is cold.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the cap unless checking for coolant
freeze point or replacing engine coolant (antifreeze).
Advise your service attendant of this. As long as the
engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
Coolant Reservoir Dipstick
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 821

bottle need only be checked once a month. When addi-
tional 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/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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 expansion bottle.•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
•Make sure that the coolant expansion 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.
822 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•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 emis-
sions.
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
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
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 823

U.S. Metric
Cooling System
3.6L Engine (We recommend you use MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 10
Year/150,000 Mile Formula that meets the requirements of FCA Mate-
rial Standard MS.90032.)13.7 Quarts 13 Liters
5.7L Engine – 1500 Models (We recommend you use MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula that meets the re-
quirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032.)18.3 Quarts 17.3 Liters
5.7L Engine – 2500/3500 Models (We recommend you use MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula that meets the re-
quirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032.)18.3 Quarts 17.3 Liters
6.4 Liter Engine – 2500/3500 Models (We recommend you use MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula that meets the re-
quirements of FCA Material Standard MS.90032.)16.6 Quarts 15.7 Liters
862 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS, AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Coolant We recommend you use MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 10
Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology).
Engine Oil – 3.6L Engine We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20
Engine Oil, meeting the requirements of FCA Material
Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR, Pennzoil, and Shell
Helix. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE
grade.
MOPAR SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to FCA Mate-
rial Standard MS-6395 may be used when SAE 5W-20
engine oil meeting MS-6395 is not available.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 863

CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
•Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is not recommended.
866 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)............817
Adding Fuel.............................683
Additives, Fuel...........................678
Adjust
Down...............................149
Forward..........................149, 150
Rearward.........................149, 150
Up .................................149
Adjustable Pedals.........................191
AirBag...............................69, 70
Advance Front Air Bag....................71
Air Bag Operation.......................72
Air Bag Warning Light....................80
Enhanced Accident Response................80
Event Data Recorder (EDR).................83
FrontAirBag...........................69
If A Deployment Occurs...................78
Knee Impact Bolsters.....................73
Maintaining Your Air Bag System............82Side Air Bags...........................73
Transporting Pets.......................116
Air Bag Deployment........................69
Air Bag Light......................80, 119, 299
Air Bag Maintenance.......................82
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter). . . .799
Air Conditioner Maintenance.................805
Air Conditioning......................422, 427
Air Conditioning Controls................422, 427
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips...........441, 444
Air Conditioning Refrigerant..........805, 806, 807
Air Conditioning System..........422, 427, 440, 805
Air Pressure, Tires.....................648, 659
Air Suspension........................545, 557
Alarm, Panic.............................29
Alarm (Security Alarm)..................22, 302
Alarm System (Security Alarm)................22
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle...............7
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...............816, 861
892 INDEX