2015–2024 Ram 1500 Oil Capacity & Fluid Specs
Quick answer
The Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI takes 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 with a filter change; the 3.6L Pentastar takes 5.9 quarts of 0W-20; the 3.0L EcoDiesel takes 10.5 quarts (2015–2019) or 9.0 quarts (2020+) of 5W-40. The ZF 8-speed takes ZF 8&9 ATF — never ATF+4.
Compiled from Ram owner's manuals covering 2015–2024 (DS and DT generations). The fluid that wrecks these trucks isn't engine oil — it's transmission fluid: the ZF 8-speed requires its specific ZF 8&9 fluid, and ATF+4 (correct for the transfer case, wrong for the trans) has destroyed gearboxes via well-meaning top-offs. Label your funnels.
5.7L HEMI V8 (incl. eTorque)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 7.0 qt (6.6 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-20 (Mopar/SRT spec MS-6395) |
| Oil filter | Mopar MO-339 / Fram equivalent |
| Automatic, 8-speed (8HP75/ZF) — service fill | ≈5.5 qt (5.2 L) pan drop; ≈9.5 qt total — ZF 8&9 Speed ATF (Mopar 68218925) — NOT ATF+4 |
| Coolant (engine) | ≈15.4 qt (14.6 L) — Mopar OAT (purple, 10-yr) |
| Rear differential | ≈2.6 qt (2.5 L) — 75W-85 / 75W-140 with tow pkg (check axle tag) |
| Front differential (4x4) | ≈1.7 qt (1.6 L) — 75W-85 GL-5 |
| Transfer case (4x4) | ≈1.6 qt (1.5 L) — ATF+4 |
3.6L Pentastar V6 (incl. eTorque)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 5.9 qt (5.6 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 0W-20 (MS-6395) |
| Oil filter | Mopar 68191349AC (cartridge) |
| Automatic, 8-speed (8HP45/850RE) — service fill | ≈4.8 qt (4.5 L) pan drop — ZF 8&9 Speed ATF |
| Coolant (engine) | ≈10.4 qt (9.8 L) — Mopar OAT |
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2015–2019 Gen 1/2)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 10.5 qt (9.9 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-40 full synthetic (MS-10902) |
| Oil filter | Mopar 68229402AA (cartridge) |
| Coolant (engine) | ≈12 qt (11.4 L) — Mopar OAT |
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2020–2023 Gen 3)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 9.0 qt (8.5 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-40 (MS-12991 — verify) |
| Oil filter | Mopar cartridge (verify part for year) |
| Coolant (engine) | ≈12 qt (11.4 L) — Mopar OAT |
Oil drain plug torque: ≈25 lb-ft (34 N·m) — verify per engine
Capacities compiled from the owner’s manual. Always confirm with your own manual before servicing.
Quick reference
| Battery group size | H7 (most) — eTorque adds a 48V pack (dealer service) |
| Wiper blades (driver / passenger) | 22" / 22" |
| Common factory tire sizes | 275/60R20 · 285/45R22 · 265/70R17 (per trim) |
| Lug nut torque | 130 lb-ft (176 N·m) |
| Spark plugs / gap (HEMI: 16 plugs!) | Champion/NGK per engine · HEMI gap 0.043" (verify) |
Maintenance schedule highlights
| Item | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | Per oil-life monitor, max 10,000 mi / 1 yr (diesel: per monitor) |
| Tire rotation | Every 8,000 mi |
| Engine air filter | Every 30,000 mi |
| Spark plugs (HEMI — 16 of them) | Every 100,000 mi (32 plugs… no, 16 — but budget like it's 32) |
| ZF 8-speed fluid | ZF recommends ~8 yr/100,000 km despite 'lifetime' marketing |
| Coolant (OAT) | 10 yr / 150,000 mi first interval |
Exact products for this vehicle
- 5W-20 (HEMI) / 0W-20 (3.6L) / 5W-40 diesel — full synthetic ↗
- Mopar oil filter per engine (MO-339 HEMI; cartridge for 3.6L/diesel) ↗
- Drain plug gasket per engine ↗
- Oil filter cap wrench (3.6L cartridge) ↗
- Funnel + 12-qt drain pan (diesel needs the big one) ↗
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DIY oil change — quick steps
-
1 Set up
Level ground, warm engine, no ramps needed. HEMI owners: the 7-quart fill means a full jug plus two — have it all before you drain.
-
2 Drain
Drain plug per engine; diesel sumps take a while — let them finish. New gasket where fitted.
-
3 Filter and refill
HEMI: spin-on up front, easy. 3.6L: top-side cartridge under a cap — swap element and O-ring, modest torque. Diesel: cartridge, and mind the fill — 9 to 10.5 quarts depending on generation.
-
4 Verify and reset
Run, check, settle, dipstick. Oil-life reset on most years: ignition on (engine off), fully press the accelerator slowly 3 times within 10 seconds.
Common problems on this vehicle
HEMI tick / lifter and cam failure
The famous 'HEMI tick': some ticks are benign exhaust-manifold bolts (see below), but a deepening tick with a misfire is lifter roller failure heading for the cam. A new tick + P030X on a HEMI deserves diagnosis now, not at 'next oil change'.
Related code: P0300
Broken exhaust manifold bolts
The OTHER hemi tick: a ticking on cold start that fades as metal expands = snapped manifold bolts, an institution on these trucks. Repairable without pulling heads; the sound difference (cold-fading vs constant) is the field diagnostic.
EVAP small-leak codes
P0456/P0455 are frequent flyers on DS/DT trucks — cap and ESIM/canister plumbing. Cheap ladder first.
Related code: P0456
Codes this vehicle is known for
Recall results below are shown for 2024 models — check your exact year with the free VIN tool.
Open recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Service bulletins (TSBs)
Manufacturer communications and technical service bulletins for this vehicle are available on NHTSA’s site:
View TSBs on NHTSA.gov ↗Frequently asked questions
- How much oil does a 5.7 HEMI take?
- 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 with a filter change, per the owner's manual (MS-6395 spec). eTorque doesn't change the engine fill.
- What transmission fluid does a Ram 8-speed take?
- ZF 8&9 Speed ATF (Mopar 68218925 equivalent) — explicitly NOT ATF+4. ATF+4 belongs in the transfer case. Mixing them up is a four-figure mistake.
- How much oil does the EcoDiesel take?
- Gen 1/2 (2015–2019): 10.5 quarts of 5W-40. Gen 3 (2020+): 9.0 quarts of 5W-40. Diesel-rated synthetic only.
- Why does my HEMI tick when cold?
- Cold tick that fades = almost always broken exhaust manifold bolts (common and fixable). Constant or worsening tick, especially with a misfire code, = suspect lifters and act quickly.
- What's the lug nut torque?
- 130 lb-ft, star pattern, recheck after 100 miles.