A Dodge Ram pickup (including the 1500, 2500, and 4.7L applications) generally holds 16.2 quarts (4.05 gallons) of coolant when completely drained. That’s about 2 gallons of concentrated antifreeze mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
How much antifreeze does a Dodge Ram 1500 take?
A Dodge Ram 1500 cooling system holds 16.2 quarts (4.05 gallons), so you’ll need roughly 2 gallons of concentrated antifreeze mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
This covers the whole system—radiator, engine block, and heater core. Stick with a 50/50 mix unless the antifreeze bottle says otherwise. If your Ram has a heavy-duty radiator or towing package, the system might hold up to 18 quarts. Honestly, this is the best approach for most drivers.
How much coolant does a 5.7 take?
A 5.7L Hemi V8 in a Ram 1500 or similar platform usually holds 3.5 to 4.5 gallons of 50/50 coolant mix in the cooling system.
Use a 50/50 mix of either Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (MS. 90032) or ACDelco DEX-Cool to meet FCA Material Standard MS. 90032. If you’re doing a drain-and-fill, grab about 2 gallons of concentrate first, then top off as needed.
What kind of antifreeze does a Dodge Ram 1500 take?
ACDelco DEX-Cool (Part #12346290) works too—it meets the same spec. Always mix with distilled water at 50/50 unless the label says otherwise. Never mix different antifreeze types; it can cause gel formation and clogs.
How much coolant does a 97 Dodge 1500 take?
A 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.2L or 5.9L V8 holds 20 quarts (5 gallons) of coolant when fully drained.
That includes the radiator, engine block, heater core, and upper/lower hoses. Use a 50/50 mix of HOAT or OAT coolant that meets the original ChrysCo 97 requirement (usually green or orange). Check your owner’s manual for the exact model year spec.
How much coolant does a 350 take?
A small-block Chevrolet 350 typically holds around 4 gallons of coolant in the cooling system when full.
This includes the radiator, engine block, and heater core. For a complete drain, plan on about 2 gallons of concentrate mixed 50/50. If you’re only partially draining, top up with pre-mixed coolant to keep freeze protection and corrosion resistance where they should be.
What color antifreeze does Dodge Ram use?
Dodge Ram uses orange antifreeze based on OAT (Organic Acid Technology), but color isn’t a reliable way to pick the right type.
Some older Rams used green HOAT coolant, and aftermarket brands sell yellow, red, or purple OAT formulas. Always check the label for the correct spec (MS. 90032 or equivalent) instead of guessing by color. Mixing the wrong types can hurt cooling performance and damage seals.
What kind of antifreeze does Dodge use?
This is an ethylene-glycol-based, silicate-free coolant designed to last up to 150,000 miles. ACDelco DEX-Cool or equivalent OAT coolant that meets MS. 90032 works too. Mix with distilled water at 50/50 unless the product allows a different ratio for extreme climates.
How do you flush the radiator on a Dodge Ram 1500?
To flush a Dodge Ram 1500 radiator: park on level ground, drain the old coolant, flush with distilled water until it runs clear, refill with a 50/50 coolant mix, then burp the system by running the engine with the cap off.
- Drain the old coolant: Put a catch pan under the radiator drain valve. Open the valve and let it all out. Remove the engine block drain plugs if your manual says to.
- Flush with distilled water: Close the drain valve, fill the radiator with distilled water, start the engine, and let it reach operating temperature. Repeat draining and refilling until the water runs clear.
- Refill with coolant: Close all drains, fill the radiator with a 50/50 mix of Mopar OAT coolant and distilled water. Run the engine with the cap off to release air, then top off as needed.
- Check for leaks: Look over hoses, clamps, and the radiator for leaks. Toss the old coolant at a hazardous waste facility.
Safety Note: Coolant is toxic—wear gloves and eye protection. Keep pets and kids away from spilled antifreeze; it smells sweet and is deadly if ingested. If you suspect antifreeze poisoning, seek immediate veterinary care.
How many gallons of antifreeze does a Dodge Ram 2500 hold?
A Dodge Ram 2500 (gas or Cummins diesel) cooling system holds 16.2 quarts (4.05 gallons), so use about 2 gallons of concentrated antifreeze mixed 50/50.
Diesel models might have a larger radiator or auxiliary coolers, but the system capacity stays close to 16.2 quarts. Always double-check your owner’s manual for model-year-specific capacity, especially with a heavy-duty cooling package.
How much coolant does a 4.7 Dodge take?
A Dodge Ram with the 4.7L PowerTech V8 holds 13.8 quarts (3.45 gallons) of coolant in the full system.
Use a 50/50 mix of OAT coolant meeting MS. 90032 (like Mopar or ACDelco DEX-Cool). This engine shows up in Dakota, Durango, and early Ram 1500 models. Always check the coolant recovery reservoir after refilling to make sure it’s at the right level.
How many gallons of antifreeze does a 1998 Dodge Dakota take?
A 1998 Dodge Dakota with the 5.2L or 5.9L V8 holds about 2 gallons of concentrated antifreeze when fully drained. That’s 4 gallons total of 50/50 mix in the system.
This covers the radiator, engine block, and heater core. Use Mopar HOAT (green) or early OAT (orange) coolant depending on when it was built. Confirm the exact formulation with the owner’s manual or a Mopar parts catalog.
How many gallons of antifreeze does it take to fill a radiator?
Most automotive cooling systems, including those in Rams and other trucks, need about 3 gallons of total coolant (1.5 gallons of concentrate mixed 50/50).
That accounts for the radiator, engine block, hoses, and heater core. Always fill to the “MAX” line on the coolant recovery tank and burp the system to get rid of air pockets. Overfilling is a bad idea—the system needs room to expand.
How much coolant is in the engine block?
A typical engine block holds between 1.5 and 2 gallons of coolant when fully drained through block drains.
This volume includes the water jackets around the cylinders and combustion chambers. Always drain the block separately from the radiator to get everything out. If you’re doing a partial flush, top off with fresh 50/50 mix to restore proper freeze protection and corrosion resistance.
What color antifreeze does Chevy use?
Chevrolet vehicles use orange Dex-Cool antifreeze, an OAT (Organic Acid Technology) formula rated for up to 100,000 miles.
Dex-Cool is made for GM vehicles and doesn’t play nice with green silicated coolants. Always check the reservoir label and owner’s manual to confirm the right type before mixing or topping off. For more details on coolant types, see our guide on how to check antifreeze levels.
