2015–2024 Ram 1500 Oil Capacity & Fluid Specs
Quick answer
The Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI takes 7.0 quarts with a filter change — 5W-20 through 2021, 0W-20 from 2022. The 3.6L Pentastar takes 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 (2015–2018) or 5.0 quarts of 0W-20 (2019+). The EcoDiesel takes ~10.5 quarts (2015–2019) or 8.5 quarts (2020+) of 5W-40. The ZF 8-speed takes ZF 8&9 ATF — never ATF+4.
Specs verified against Ram's own owner's manuals (2016, 2020 and 2022 editions) covering the DS and DT generations — note the DS continued as the 'Ram 1500 Classic' alongside the DT, so Classic owners should use the 2015–2018 columns. 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 (the manual says 'use only'), and ATF+4 — correct in the DS transfer case, wrong everywhere else — has destroyed gearboxes via well-meaning top-offs. Label your funnels.
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5.7L HEMI V8 (incl. eTorque)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 7.0 qt (6.6 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-20 (MS-6395) through 2021 · 0W-20 (MS-6395) from 2022 — use your oil cap |
| Oil filter | Mopar MO-339 / equivalent |
| Automatic, 8-speed (8HP75/ZF) — service fill | ≈5.5 qt (5.2 L) pan drop; ≈9.5 qt total (service data) — Mopar ZF 8&9 Speed ATF — NOT ATF+4 (manual: "use only") |
| Coolant (engine) | 18.3 qt (17.3 L) — Mopar OAT 10-yr/150k formula (MS.90032) |
| Rear differential | ≈2.6 qt (2.5 L) — service data — DT 2019+: SAE 75W-90 (MS-A0160) + 5 oz LS additive on limited-slip; 75W-140 some HD ratios · DS 2015–18: per axle tag |
| Front differential (4x4) | ≈1.7 qt (1.6 L) — service data — Mopar GL-5 Synthetic SAE 75W-85 |
| Transfer case (4x4) | ≈1.6 qt (1.5 L) — DS 2015–18: ATF+4 · DT 2019+: Shell Spirax S2 ATF A389 (part-time) or Mobil Fluid LT (4WD AUTO) — match your case |
3.6L Pentastar V6 (DS, 2015–2018)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 6.0 qt (5.6 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-20 (MS-6395) |
| Oil filter | Mopar 68191349AC (cartridge) |
| Automatic, 8-speed (8HP45) — service fill | ≈4.8 qt (4.5 L) pan drop (service data) — Mopar ZF 8&9 Speed ATF |
| Coolant (engine) | 13.7 qt (13 L) — Mopar OAT |
3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque (DT, 2019–2024)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 5.0 qt (4.7 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 0W-20 (MS-6395) |
| Oil filter | Mopar 68191349AC (cartridge) |
| Automatic, 8-speed (850RE) — service fill | ≈4.8 qt (4.5 L) pan drop (service data) — Mopar ZF 8&9 Speed ATF |
| Coolant (engine) | 13.7 qt (13 L) engine + 1.8 qt (1.7 L) separate eTorque motor-generator loop — Mopar OAT |
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2015–2019 Gen 1/2)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | ≈10.5 qt (9.9 L) — verify in your diesel supplement |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-40 full synthetic (MS-10902) |
| Oil filter | Mopar 68229402AA (cartridge) |
| Coolant (engine) | ≈12 qt (11.4 L) — Mopar OAT (verify per supplement) |
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2020–2023 Gen 3)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil — with filter | 8.5 qt (8.0 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-40 synthetic, API SN |
| Oil filter | Mopar cartridge (verify part for year) |
| Coolant (engine) | 11.6 qt (11 L) — Mopar OAT |
| DEF tank | 5.1–5.7 gal (19.5–21.7 L) per trim — DEF (ISO 22241) |
Oil drain plug torque: ≈25 lb-ft (34 N·m) — not printed in the owner's manual; verify per engine
Capacities compiled from the owner’s manual. Always confirm with your own manual before servicing.
Quick reference
| Battery | Match your original battery's label (typically H7) — eTorque adds a 48V pack (dealer service) |
| Wiper blades (driver / passenger) | 22" / 22" (fitment-grade — verify your year) |
| Common factory tire sizes | 275/60R20 · 285/45R22 · 265/70R17 (per trim) |
| Lug nut torque | 130 lb-ft (176 N·m) |
| Spark plugs (HEMI: 16 plugs!) | Champion/NGK per engine · HEMI gap ≈0.043" (not printed in the manual — verify) |
Maintenance schedule highlights
| Item | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | Per oil-change indicator, max 10,000 mi / 1 yr (diesel: per indicator) |
| Tire rotation | Every 8,000 mi |
| Engine air filter | Every 30,000 mi |
| Spark plugs (HEMI — 16 of them) | Every 100,000 mi — mileage-based only per the manual; budget for 16 plugs |
| 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-20/0W-20 per year (HEMI) / 0W-20 (DT 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 — 8.5 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) — Ram's own manual even acknowledges the engine 'at times can tick'. 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
EcoDiesel EGR cooler fire recall (2014–2019)
Recall 19V-757 covers ~108,000 2014–2019 EcoDiesel trucks: the EGR cooler can crack internally and introduce vaporized coolant that can combust in the intake manifold — a real fire risk. The fix is a redesigned cooler, free at the dealer. If you have an EcoDiesel, run your VIN through our free recall check today.
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 with a filter change, per the owner's manual — 5W-20 through 2021, and 0W-20 (same MS-6395 spec) from 2022. Your oil filler cap is the tiebreaker. eTorque doesn't change the engine fill.
- What transmission fluid does a Ram 8-speed take?
- Mopar ZF 8&9 Speed ATF (or licensed equivalent) — the manual says 'use only'. ATF+4 belongs in the DS-generation transfer case, not the transmission. 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 (verify in your diesel supplement). Gen 3 (2020+): 8.5 quarts of 5W-40, per the manual. 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.