If you own a Ram 1500, the most important thing to know before an oil change is which engine you have. Three completely different powerplants have shipped in the 1500 over the years, and they do not share capacity, viscosity, or filter. Pour 6 quarts into a HEMI that wants 7 and you will run it a quart low. Pour 7 into a Pentastar and you have overfilled it.
Below is the exact spec for each engine, plus the filters, the oil-change interval, and the mistakes that cost people money. If you are unsure which engine is in your truck, the easiest check is the eighth character of your VIN or the engine badge on the fender.
🛢️ Ram 1500 Oil Capacity by Engine
Here is how much oil each Ram 1500 engine takes with a filter change, along with the factory-recommended viscosity. These figures cover the DS and DT generation trucks (roughly 2011 onward) where the modern engine lineup applies.
| Engine | Oil Capacity | Viscosity | Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L HEMI V8 | 7.0 qt (6.6 L) | 5W-20 | Chrysler MS-6395 |
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 6.0 qt (5.7 L) | 5W-20 | Chrysler MS-6395 |
| 3.6L Pentastar eTorque | 6.0 qt (5.7 L) | 5W-20 | Chrysler MS-6395 |
| 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 | ~10.5 to 12 qt | 5W-40 | Chrysler MS-12991 |
The capacity includes the new oil filter. If you do not change the filter, you will need slightly less. Always add about 90 percent of the listed amount first, run the engine, then top off to the full mark on the dipstick rather than dumping in the whole jug blind.
Note: some early MDS-equipped HEMI engines and certain model years called for 0W-20 instead of 5W-20. The oil-fill cap on your engine is stamped with the correct viscosity, so trust the cap over a generic chart if they ever disagree.
🌡️ What Oil Type and Viscosity to Use
For the gas engines, the 5.7L HEMI and 3.6L Pentastar both call for 5W-20 full-synthetic meeting the Chrysler MS-6395 standard. Synthetic is not optional on these engines if you want to hit the long factory oil-change intervals. The numbers describe how the oil flows: the 5W rating handles cold starts, and the 20 rating describes thickness at operating temperature.
The 3.0L EcoDiesel is a different animal. It uses 5W-40 full-synthetic diesel oil meeting Chrysler MS-12991. Do not put gasoline-spec oil in a diesel, and do not put 5W-20 in it. The wrong oil in the EcoDiesel can affect the emissions system and the high-pressure fuel components.
Running the wrong viscosity is not harmless. Too thin and you can see low oil-pressure warnings or premature wear. Too thick and cold starts strain the system. If you are seeing an oil-pressure light after a change, that is worth investigating right away. You can read more on what triggers a low oil pressure warning and whether it is the oil or the sensor.
🔧 Oil Filters by Engine
The filter is engine-specific, not model-specific. Matching the wrong filter is a common parts-counter error, so confirm the engine first.
| Engine | Filter Type | Mopar Part | Common Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L HEMI | Spin-on canister | MO-339 | Fram PH3614, Wix 51348 |
| 3.6L Pentastar | Cartridge | 68191349AB | Wix 57082, Mahle OX775D |
| 3.0L EcoDiesel | Diesel cartridge | 68492616AA (later) | Use diesel-rated only |
The HEMI uses an easy spin-on filter that almost anyone can swap. The Pentastar uses a top-mounted cartridge that is clean to service but easy to over-torque. The EcoDiesel filter is part of a more involved service and must be a diesel-rated unit. When in doubt, check our guide to checking oil level correctly so you confirm your fill after the change.
📅 How Often to Change Ram 1500 Oil
Ram trucks use an oil-life monitor rather than a fixed mileage. Under normal driving, the gas engines typically signal a change every 8,000 to 10,000 miles on full-synthetic oil. The monitor watches engine load, temperature, and run time, so it shortens the interval automatically when you drive hard.
If you fall under severe service, the real-world interval drops to about 5,000 miles. Severe service includes:
- Frequent towing or hauling heavy loads
- Lots of short trips where the engine never fully warms up
- Dusty, off-road, or extreme-temperature operation
- Extended idling, common in work-truck use
The EcoDiesel runs similar intervals but is stricter about oil spec and is sensitive to fuel and DEF quality. If your oil-change light or a check engine light comes on sooner than expected, it can point to a sensor or a deeper issue. A code like P0521 (oil pressure sensor/switch performance) or P06DD (oil pressure control) is worth scanning before you blame the oil itself.
⚠️ Common Ram 1500 Oil Mistakes
These are the errors we see cost owners the most time and money:
- Overfilling the HEMI. The 5.7L wants exactly 7 quarts. People who assume a big V8 needs 8 quarts overfill it, which can foam the oil and stress seals. Fill to the dipstick, not to the jug.
- Using the wrong viscosity. Dropping 5W-30 into a 5W-20 engine because the store was out of 20-weight throws off oil pressure and can affect MDS cylinder deactivation on the HEMI.
- Putting gas oil in the EcoDiesel. The diesel needs 5W-40 MS-12991. Gas oil can damage the after-treatment system.
- Skipping the filter. A fresh filter is part of the listed capacity. Reusing an old filter leaves dirty oil in circulation and changes your fill math.
- Ignoring the oil-life monitor. Resetting it without changing the oil, or changing the oil without resetting it, both defeat the system.
If you are weighing a shop oil change against doing it yourself, or a shop quoted you a number that feels high, run it through our repair quote checker to see if it is fair for your area.
✅ TL;DR: Ram 1500 Oil Cheat Sheet
- 5.7L HEMI V8: 7 quarts, 5W-20 full-synthetic, MO-339 filter.
- 3.6L Pentastar V6 (and eTorque): 6 quarts, 5W-20 full-synthetic, cartridge filter.
- 3.0L EcoDiesel V6: about 10.5 to 12 quarts, 5W-40 diesel synthetic, MS-12991 spec.
- Interval: 8,000 to 10,000 miles normal, ~5,000 miles severe service.
- Always verify against the oil-fill cap and your dipstick.