How to Change the Coolant in a Dodge RAM

Changing the coolant in your Dodge Ram is an easy maintenance task that can keep your engine in top operating condition. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is designed to keep the water in your radiator from freezing during cold weather and boiling during hot weather. Coolant comes premixed in a one-gallon container, and it can be purchased in any department or automotive store. Due to the size of a Dodge Ram’s radiator, it will take five gallons of coolant to refill the radiator. You should change your coolant every two years.

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Distilled water
• 5-gallon drain pan
• Containers for coolant disposal

Drain the Radiator

1. Park your Dodge Ram on a level surface and set the parking brake.
2. Open the hood and make sure the radiator is cool. If the radiator is hot, wait until it cools before removing the cap.
3. Push down and turn the radiator cap a half turn to relieve any remaining pressure, wait a few seconds and remove the cap.
4. Place a five-gallon drain pan directly underneath the radiator drain valve on the bottom of the radiator. The drain valve is on the driver's side. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the drain valve. Allow all of the coolant to drain from the radiator.
5. Pour the drained coolant into sealable containers for proper disposal. Coolant is extremely toxic to people and pets. Do not leave coolant in an uncovered drain pan.
6. Place the drain pan back under the drain valve. Tighten the drain valve and pour distilled water into the radiator. Open the drain valve and let the water drain out. Fill and drain the radiator until clear water runs out of the drain valve. It will take approximately three gallons of distilled water to flush debris from the radiator.

Fill the Radiator

1. Tighten the drain valve. Remove the drain pan from under the radiator. Because the distilled water may have coolant in it, dispose of it as you would full-strength coolant.
2. Fill the radiator with new coolant to within one inch of the top of the radiator.
3. Leave the radiator cap off and start the truck. Allow the engine to run for several minutes.
4. Turn off the engine and check the coolant level in the radiator. If fluid level has gone down, add more coolant to the radiator. It should take approximately five gallons of coolant to fill the radiator of the Dodge Ram.
5. Put the cap back on the radiator and close the hood.

Tips and Warnings

Do not use tap water as an alternative to distilled water, as it can cause sediment to remain in the radiator after flushing.

You may want to use Zerex G-05 coolant, which is recommended by the manufacturer for all Dodge vehicles.

Be careful any time you have to remove the cap from a hot radiator, as the pressurized coolant inside can spray out and burn anyone in the vicinity.

Never pour drained coolant into a gutter or sewer system.

Video showing how to do a Ram 1500 coolant flush:

Comments on this video:

• Easy, simple, informative, to the point, great video manI'm sure a lot of people appreciate these kinds of DIY videos, it's also great that your trying to build a library of as many mods and maintenance videos for people looking for answers, or trying to learn
• Maybe I missed the flush part but pretty informative explains where and what each parts is.