How Much Coolant Does a 2019 Ram 1500 Hold?

A 2019 Ram 1500 typically holds between 14.2 to 16 quarts (13.4 to 15.1 liters) of coolant, depending on the engine.

Quick Answer

• Total Cooling System Capacity: 14.2 - 16 quarts (13.4 - 15.1 liters)
• OEM Coolant Spec: Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology) in Purple. Meets Chrysler Material Standard MS-12106.
• Mix Ratio: 50/50 Pre-mix or 50/50 concentrate with distilled water.

Capacity by Engine Option

The 2019 Ram 1500 was available with several engine choices, each with slightly different coolant capacities:

Flush Interval

Maintaining your coolant is crucial for the longevity of your engine. The recommended flush intervals for a 2019 Ram 1500 are:

• Normal Duty: Replace coolant every 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• Severe Duty: If you frequently tow, haul heavy loads, operate in extreme temperatures, or drive in dusty conditions, it's wise to inspect your coolant more frequently and consider replacing it sooner, typically around 5 years or 75,000 miles.

Always refer to your owner's manual for the most accurate and up-to-date maintenance schedules.

How to Refill & Bleed

Properly refilling and bleeding the cooling system after a flush or repair is essential to prevent air pockets, which can lead to overheating. Here's a general procedure:

1. Drain: With the engine cool, place a drain pan under the radiator and open the drain cock. Remove the radiator cap to speed up draining. If replacing, flush with distilled water until clear.
2. Close Drain & Fill: Close the radiator drain cock. Slowly fill the system with the specified 50/50 OAT coolant mix through the radiator fill neck. Fill the coolant reservoir to the "MIN" mark.
3. Bleed Air: Start the engine with the radiator cap off (or loosely fitted). Turn the heater to its highest setting (fan speed low) to open the heater core valve. Allow the engine to reach operating temperature. As the engine warms up, air bubbles will escape. You may need to gently squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses to help trapped air escape.
4. Maintain Level: As the air bleeds out, the coolant level in the radiator will drop. Continuously top off with coolant until the level stabilizes and no more bubbles are visible. Install the radiator cap.
5. Final Check: Once the engine is cool, recheck the coolant level in the reservoir and top off to the "MAX" line if necessary.

Specific Bleed Notes for the 2019 Ram 1500: Some Ram 1500 models, especially those with the 3.6L Pentastar engine, can be prone to air pockets. It's beneficial to park the truck on an incline with the front end elevated to make the radiator filler neck the highest point, aiding in air removal. Running the engine at a slightly elevated idle (around 1500-2000 RPM) for short periods can also help circulate coolant and expel air.

Common Cooling System Issues for This Generation (2019-Present Ram 1500)

While generally reliable, here are some common cooling system issues that can arise in the 2019+ Ram 1500:

• Radiator Leaks: Over time, radiators can develop leaks, often around the plastic end tanks or from corrosion in the aluminum core. Keep an eye out for pink or purple coolant stains.
• Water Pump Failure: The water pump is a wear item. Symptoms of a failing water pump include coolant leaks from the pump's weep hole, a whining or grinding noise, or engine overheating.
• Thermostat Issues: A stuck open thermostat can cause the engine to run too cool, leading to poor fuel economy and reduced heater performance. A stuck closed thermostat will cause rapid overheating.
• Coolant Temperature Sensor Malfunctions: A faulty sensor can provide inaccurate readings to the engine control unit, leading to incorrect fan operation or dashboard warnings.
• EGR Cooler Leaks (5.7L HEMI): On some HEMI engines, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler can develop internal leaks, leading to coolant consumption or even mixing coolant with exhaust gases. This can manifest as white smoke from the exhaust.
• Radiator Fan Module Issues: The electric cooling fan is controlled by a module. If this module fails, the fan may not operate at the correct speed or at all, leading to overheating, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

Regular inspections and adherence to the recommended maintenance schedule can help catch these issues early and prevent more costly repairs.

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