Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 64

0 - 2 8 LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE —
(3) Add oil, verify crankcase oil level and start en­
gine. Inspect for oil leaks.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
WARNINGS JIMP PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: A N T I F R E E Z E IS AH ETHYLENE GLYCOL
BASE COOLANT AND I S HARMFUL IF S W A L ­
L O W E D OR INHALED. IF S W A L L O W E D , DRINK
TWO G L A S S E S O F WATER AND INDUCE VOMIT­
ING. IF INHALED, MOVE TO FRESH AIR A R E A .
S E E K MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT
STORE IN O P E N OR UNMARKED CONTAINERS.
WASH SKIN AND CLOTHING THOROUGHLY A F T E R
COMING IN CONTACT WITH ETHYLENE GLYCOL.
K E E P OUT O F REACH O F CHILDREN.
D I S P O S E O F GLYCOL B A S E COOLANT P R O P ­
ERLY, CONTACT YOUR D E A L E R OR GOVERNMENT
AGENCY FOR LOCATION OF COLLECTION CENTER
IN YOUR A R E A .
DO NOT O P E N A COOLING S Y S T E M W H E N THE
ENGINE IS AT RUNNING T E M P E R A T U R E , P E R ­
SONAL INJURY CAN RESULT.
AVOID RADIATOR COOLING FAN W H E N ENGINE
COMPARTMENT RELATED S E R V I C E I S P E R ­
FORMED, P E R S O N A L INJURY CAN RESULT.
CAUTION: Do not use straight antifreeze a s engine
coolant, inadequate engine running temperatures
can result.
Do not operate vehicle without proper concentra­
tion of recommended ethylene glycol coolant, high
running temperatures and cooling system corrosion
can result.
The engine cooling system will develop internal
pressure of 97 to 123 kPa (14 to 18 psi) at normal op­
erating temperature. Allow the vehicle approximately
one half hour to cool off before opening the cooling
system. As an indicator of pressure, squeeze the up­
per radiator hose between index finger and thumb. If
it collapses with little effort the system would have
low internal pressure and should be safe to open to
the first safety notch of the radiator cap. Refer to
Group 7, Cooling System.
COOLING SYSTEM INSPECTION
Coolant level should be inspected when other en­
gine compartment service is performed or when cool­
ant leak is suspected. Coolant recovery tank level
should read between the ADD and FULL marks, lo­
cated on the side of recovery tank, when the engine
is at normal operating temperature. Normal coolant
level maintenance does not require the removal of ra­
diator cap. Cooling system freeze protection should
be tested at the onset of the winter season or every
^ — ^ - B R
12 months. Service is required if coolant is low, con­
taminated, rusty or freeze protection is inadequate.
To properly test cooling system, see Group 7, Cooling
System.
The cooling system factory fill is a mixture of 50%
Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze and 50% water. Us­
ing a suitable hydrometer, measure antifreeze con­
centration in the radiator when the engine is cool. If
the cooling system has recently been serviced, allow
coolant to circulate for at least 20 minutes before
taking hydrometer reading. Properly mixed coolant
will protect the cooling system to -37°C (-35°F). If the
freeze protection is above -28°C (-20°F), drain enough
coolant from the cooling system to allow room to add
antifreeze to achieve adequate protection. A mix table
on the coolant container indicates the amount of an­
tifreeze required to winterize the cooling system
based on the capacity, see Capacity Chart in General
Information section of this group.
ANTIFREEZE SPECIFICATION
Chrysler Corporation recommends Mopar Anti­
freeze/Coolant or a high quality, ethylene glycol base
antifreeze/coolant, with a silicate inhibitor.
RADIATOR CAP
The radiator cap must be secure to provide proper
pressure release and coolant recovery. Inspect and
test radiator cap when cooling system service is per­
formed or when problem is suspected.
COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE
The cooling system should be drained, flushed and
filled with the proper coolant mixture at the inter­
vals described in the Lubrication and Maintenance
Schedules. Refer to General Information section of
this group. For proper service instructions see Group
7, Cooling System.
ENGINE AIR CLEANER
The engine air filter should be serviced only when
the Filter Minder™ on the air cleaner lid (Fig. 6) in­
dicates restricted air flow (Fig. 7). Refer to Group 25,
Emission Control Systems for proper service proce­
dures.
BATTERY
Inspect battery trays, hold down and terminal con­
nections when other under hood service is performed.
For proper diagnostic procedures refer to Group 8A,
Battery/Starting/Charging System Diagnostics. For
service and cleaning procedures refer to Group 8B,
Battery/Starter Service.