2016 Ram 1500 Coolant Capacity & Type

The 2016 Ram 1500 holds approximately 14.2 to 15.6 quarts (13.4 to 14.7 liters) of coolant, depending on the engine and specific cooling system configuration.

Quick answer

• Total Cooling System Capacity: 14.2 – 15.6 quarts (13.4 – 14.7 Liters)
• OEM Coolant Specification: Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology) meeting Chrysler Material Standard MS-12106. This is typically purple in color.
• Mix Ratio: 50/50 prediluted, or 50/50 concentrate mixed with distilled water.

Capacity by engine option

The total cooling system capacity for the 2016 Ram 1500 varies slightly by engine:

Note: These capacities are for a complete drain and fill, including the radiator, engine block, and heater core. Always consult your owner's manual for the most precise figures for your specific vehicle configuration.

Flush interval

The recommended coolant flush interval for the 2016 Ram 1500 with the factory-fill OAT coolant (MS-12106) is exceptionally long due to its robust additive package:

• Normal Duty: 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• Severe Duty: While the factory OAT coolant is designed for longevity, if your truck experiences severe duty often (e.g., heavy towing, off-roading, extreme temperatures), it's wise to consider an inspection of the coolant at 5 years or 75,000 miles, and a potential flush if contamination or degradation is observed. No specific shortened interval is provided by Chrysler for severe duty, but monitoring is always recommended in such conditions.

How to refill & bleed

Refilling and bleeding the cooling system on your 2016 Ram 1500 is crucial to prevent air pockets, which can lead to overheating. Always perform this procedure on a cool engine.

1. Drain: With the engine cool, place a drain pan under the radiator. Open the radiator drain cock (petcock) located at the bottom of the radiator. For a more complete drain, you may also need to remove the lower radiator hose. Be prepared for a large volume of fluid.
2. Close Drain & Refill: Close the drain cock or reattach the lower radiator hose. Begin filling the cooling system through the coolant reservoir (degas bottle) with the specified Mopar OAT MS-12106 coolant mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
3. Engine Start & Bleed: Start the engine with the heater set to full hot and the fan on low (this opens the heater core circuit). Be sure to leave the coolant reservoir cap off. Allow the engine to reach operating temperature. As the engine warms up, the thermostat will open, and coolant will begin to circulate. Watch the coolant level in the reservoir; it will likely drop significantly as air escapes. Continuously top off the reservoir to the "COLD FILL" line.
4. Burp System: Gently squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses several times to help dislodge trapped air bubbles. Some 2016 Ram 1500 models, particularly those with the 3.6L Pentastar V6, may benefit from a dedicated bleed screw located near the thermostat housing or on an upper coolant hose. If present, open this screw until a steady stream of coolant (without air bubbles) emerges, then close it.
5. Final Check: Once the engine is at operating temperature and no more air bubbles are visible in the reservoir, install the reservoir cap. Drive the vehicle for a short period and then allow it to cool completely. Recheck the coolant level in the reservoir the next day and adjust if necessary.

Pro-Tip: Using a vacuum-fill tool is the most effective way to refill the system and eliminate air pockets, especially on complex cooling systems.

Common cooling system issues

Owners of the 2016 Ram 1500 may experience some common cooling system issues, especially as the vehicles age:

• Water Pump Leaks: This is a relatively common failure point across all engine options. Symptoms include coolant leaking from the front of the engine, a grinding noise from the front accessory drive, or an overheating engine. The 3.6L Pentastar V6, in particular, has seen a fair share of water pump issues.
• Thermostat Housing Leaks: The thermostat housing, often made of plastic on these models, can become brittle and crack over time, leading to coolant leaks. These leaks are usually visible around the housing itself.
• Radiator Leaks: Radiators can develop leaks, particularly at the plastic end tanks where they crimp to the aluminum core. White or colored residue around the radiator fins or on the ground can indicate a leak.
• EGR Cooler Leaks (EcoDiesel): The 3.0L EcoDiesel engine has an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler, which is water-cooled. Leaks in the EGR cooler can lead to coolant loss, sometimes into the exhaust or combustion chamber, which can be identified by white smoke from the exhaust or coolant consumption without external leaks.
• Coolant Reservoir (Degas Bottle) Cracks: The plastic coolant reservoir can develop pinhole leaks or cracks, particularly around hose connections or seams, leading to slow coolant loss.
• Heater Core Issues (less common but possible): Symptoms include a sweet smell inside the cabin, unexplained coolant loss, or a damp passenger-side floorboard. This is generally a more involved repair.

Regular inspection of your cooling system components, hoses, and fluid level can help prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.

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