2010 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab Owner Manual - Page 370

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 369 Cooling System WARNING! You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when the radiator is hot. Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for leaks. With the engine at normal operating temperature (but not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock. If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE Engine Coolant Checks Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT. 12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where Cooling System - Drain, Flush and Refill applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a rusty in appearance, the system should be drained, considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a flushed and refilled with fresh engine coolant (antireliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser and rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly radiator for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution. clean by gently spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the face of the condenser and radiator. Refer to "Maintenance Schedule" for further information. 7