The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•Do not open hot engine cooling system. Never add
engine coolant (antifreeze) when the engine is over-
heated. 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 speci-
fied for your vehicle. Personal injury or engine
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 animals 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.
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 normally
a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity
accumulating on the radiator and being vaporized when
the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine coolant (anti-
freeze) 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 (antifreeze)
needs to be added, the contents of the coolant expansion
bottle must also be protected against freezing.
• 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
194 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion pro-
tection of your engine which contains aluminum com-
ponents.
• 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.
• 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.
Charge Air Cooler — Inter-Cooler
The charge air cooler is positioned below 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 rap-
idly 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°F (10° to
38°C). 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.
Brake System
Brake Master Cylinder — 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 Light” indicates system
failure.
The brake master cylinder has a translucent plastic reser-
voir. On the outboard side of the reservoir, there is a
“MAX” mark and a “MIN” mark. The fluid level must be
kept within these two marks. Do not add fluid above the
full mark because leakage may occur at the cap.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 195
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 com-
ponents including the muffler or tailpipe. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
•
Removal or rendering inoperative the fan clutch.
• Removal of the fan shroud.
Noise Emission Warranty
The manufacturer warrants that this vehicle as manufac-
tured by the manufacturer, was designed, built and
equipped to conform at the time it left the manufacturer’s
control with all applicable U.S. EPA Noise Control Regu-
lations.
This warranty covers this vehicle as designed, built and
equipped by the manufacturer, and is not limited to any
particular part, component or system of the vehicle manu-
factured by the manufacturer. Defects in design, assembly
or in any part, component or system of the vehicle as
manufactured by the manufacturer, which, at the time it
left the manufacturer’s control, caused noise emissions to
exceed Federal standards, are covered by this warranty for
the life of the vehicle.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 201
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
2500/3500 Standard Cab Longbed Models 28 Gallons106 Liters
2500/3500 Crew/Mega Cab Shortbed Models 31 Gallons129 Liters
2500/3500 Crew Cab Longbed Models 32 Gallons132 Liters
Standard Rear Tank – Chassis Cab Only 52 Gallons197 Liters
Optional Midship Tank – Chassis Cab Only 22 Gallons83 Liters
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank (Approximate) –
2500/3500 Models 5.5 Gallons
21 Liters
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank (Approximate) –
Chassis Cab 9 Gallons
34 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
6.7L Turbo Diesel Engine 12 Quarts11.4 Liters
Cooling System
6.7L Turbo Diesel Engine (MOPAR Engine
Coolant/Antifreeze 10 Year/150,000 Mile
Formula) 5.7 Gallons
21.4 Liters
204 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Inspection and service should also be performed anytime a
malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all receipts.
* Inspect the front and rear axle surfaces every 20,000 miles
(32,000 km). If gear oil leakage is suspected, check the fluid
level. If using your vehicle for police, taxi, fleet, off-road or
frequent trailer towing change the axle fluid every
20,000 miles (32,000 km).
** Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 15,000 miles (24 000 km) or six months or
500 Hours, whichever comes first.
*** The manufacturer highly recommends that all cooling
system service, maintenance, and repairs be performed by
your local authorized dealer.
**** Under no circumstances should the air cleaner filter
element exceed 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months,
whichever comes first.WARNING!
•You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
• Failure to properly inspect and maintain your vehicle
could result in a component malfunction and effect
vehicle handling and performance. This could cause
an accident.
CAUTION!
***The manufacturer highly recommends that all
cooling system service, maintenance, and repairs be
performed by your local authorized dealer.
216 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)..............66
Adding Fuel ...............................45
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......57
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ....................65
Capacities ..............................71
Disposal ................................68
Automatic Transmission Fluid Type ..............................75
Axle Fluid ................................75
Battery ...................................64
Brake Fluid................................75
Brake System ..............................69
Fluid Check .............................69
Master Cylinder ..........................69
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............71
Capacities, Fluid ............................71
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) .............................56
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ..................67
Charge Air Cooler ...........................69
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............67
Cooling System .............................65
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................66 Coolant Capacity
.........................71
Coolant Level ............................65
Disposal Of Used Coolant ...................68
Drain, Flush, And Refill .....................65
Points To Remember .......................68
Pressure Cap ............................67
Radiator Cap ............................67
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...........65,72
Diesel Fuel ................................40
Diesel Fuel Requirements ......................40
Bulk Storage Of ..........................48
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming .................62
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................68
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .............60
Engine ...................................54
Air Cleaner .............................57
Block Heater ..........................34,40
Break-In Recommendations ..................11
Compartment ............................54
Coolant (Antifreeze) .......................72
Identification ............................54
Idling .................................38
218 INDEX - RAM 1500
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).............192
Adding Fuel ............................. .160
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) ......180
Air Filter ............................... .180
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...................192
Capacities ............................. .204
Disposal .............................. .194
Automatic Transmission Adding Fluid .......................... .199
Fluid Level Check ....................... .198
Fluid Type ............................ .207
Shifting .............................. .141
Axle Fluid .............................. .207
Battery ................................. .190
Blanket ........................... .132 , 191
Emergency Starting ...................... .170
Brake System ............................ .195
Fluid Check ........................... .195
Master Cylinder ........................ .195
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................141
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........204
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .204Caps, Filler
Oil (Engine) ........................... .178
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................193
Charge Air Cooler ......................... .195
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............193
Cooling System ........................... .191
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................192
Coolant Capacity ........................ .204
Coolant Level .......................... .191
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................194
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................192
Points To Remember ..................... .194
Pressure Cap ........................... .193
Radiator Cap .......................... .193
Selection
Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........192 , 205
Diesel Exhaust Brake ....................... .138
Diesel Fuel .............................. .157
Diesel Fuel Requirements .....................157
Bulk Storage Of ......................... .163
Diesel Fuel System, Re-Priming .................188
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................194
Draining Fuel/Water Separator Filter .............184
8
INDEX - RAM 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500 221