What Oil Does a Dodge Charger Take? Type, Weight & Capacity

⚡ The quick answer

It depends on your engine, but it is always full synthetic. What oil a Dodge Charger takes comes down to which engine sits under the hood. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 runs 5W-20 (0W-20 on 2015 and newer). The 5.7L HEMI V8 runs 5W-20. The 6.4L 392 HEMI and the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat both run 0W-40. Every one of these is a full synthetic spec from the factory.

Two numbers decide everything: the oil weight and the capacity. Put the wrong weight in a HEMI and you can confuse the MDS (cylinder deactivation) system, which relies on tight oil pressure tolerances to fire the solenoids. Underfill it and you starve the lifters. So before you buy a jug, match it to your specific engine using the table below, then confirm against the cap and the owner's manual.

📋 Oil spec by Charger engine

This is the full breakdown for the LX/LD platform Charger (2006 to 2023) by engine. Weights reflect the factory recommendation; capacities include a fresh filter and are rounded to the nearest tenth.

Engine	Oil Weight	Capacity	Type	Years (typical)
3.6L Pentastar V6	5W-20 (0W-20 on 2015+)	~5.9 qt	Full synthetic	2011–2023
2.7L / 3.5L V6 (early)	5W-20	~5.0 qt	Synthetic blend	2006–2010
5.7L HEMI V8	5W-20	~7.0 qt	Full synthetic	2006–2023
6.1L SRT8 HEMI	0W-40	~7.0 qt	Full synthetic	2006–2010
6.4L 392 HEMI	0W-40	~7.0 qt	Full synthetic	2012–2023
6.2L Hellcat (supercharged)	0W-40	~7.0 qt	Full synthetic	2015–2023

For the V8 SRT engines, the factory fill is Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-40 (a Euro-grade, high-detergent synthetic). It is not the cheapest oil on the shelf, but it is the grade Dodge validated for the heat and boost these engines see.

🔧 What the weight numbers actually mean

The two-part code like 0W-20 describes how the oil flows cold and hot. The number before the W is the cold-cranking rating (lower flows better on a freezing morning), and the number after is the viscosity at full operating temperature. Here is why the Charger lineup splits the way it does:

0W-20 and 5W-20 on the V6 and 5.7L are thin oils chosen for fuel economy and fast cold-start lubrication. They protect fine through normal driving.
0W-40 on the 6.1L, 6.4L, and Hellcat is a thicker hot-side oil. Those engines make far more heat and cylinder pressure, so they need the heavier film at temperature to keep bearings and the supercharger happy.

If you are chasing a ticking noise from the engine or a low oil pressure light, the wrong viscosity is one of the first things to rule out, especially on a HEMI where the MDS lifters are sensitive to it.

⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid

Most Charger oil problems are self-inflicted. Watch for these:

Running 5W-30 in a 20-weight engine. The V6 and 5.7L want 5W-20 or 0W-20. Pouring in 5W-30 because it was on sale makes the oil thicker than spec and can throw off the P0521 oil pressure sensor reading or upset the MDS.
Putting 0W-40 in the V6. The reverse mistake. The Pentastar does not want a 40-weight; it costs you fuel economy and cold-start flow for no benefit.
Trusting the spec number over the dipstick. Always fill to the dipstick mark. A new filter, a slightly different drain, and oil clinging to the pan all change the real number by a few tenths.
Ignoring the oil life monitor reset. If you do not reset it after a change, the system keeps counting from the old service and nags you early or, worse, lets you run long.
Using conventional oil in a V8. The 5.7L, 6.4L, and Hellcat are full-synthetic-only. Conventional oil breaks down faster under their heat.

🕒 How often to change it

The Charger uses an oil life monitor, not a fixed mileage, so the dash tells you when. Here is the realistic guidance by use case:

Driving Style	Interval	Notes
Normal commuting	8,000–10,000 mi	Or once a year, whichever first. Let the monitor guide you.
Severe / short trips	4,000–6,000 mi	Lots of cold starts, dust, or stop-and-go.
Towing / heat	5,000–6,000 mi	Heat thins oil faster; shorten the interval.
Hellcat / track use	4,000–6,000 mi	Boost and heat are hard on oil. Many owners go by time, not just miles.

A full synthetic oil and filter change on a Charger typically runs $70 to $130 at a shop for the V6 and 5.7L, and $110 to $180 for the 6.4L or Hellcat because the 0W-40 Euro synthetic costs more per quart. If your quote is way above that, run it through our repair quote checker before you pay.

🧩 Pick the right oil in 3 steps

Identify your engine. Open the hood and read the badge, or check the eighth digit of your VIN. The cap usually says G (3.6L V6), T (5.7L HEMI), J or 5 (6.4L), or Z (6.2L Hellcat).
Match the weight from the table. 20-weight for V6 and 5.7L, 0W-40 for the SRT V8s and Hellcat. When in doubt, the weight is molded right into the oil filler cap.
Buy the capacity plus a little margin. Grab two jugs for a V8 (you need ~7 qt) or one large jug plus a quart for the V6. Then fill to the dipstick, not to the number.

If you are smelling burning oil, seeing blue smoke, or topping off between changes, that points past oil choice and into a leak or consumption issue. Start with our free AI diagnosis to narrow it down before you spend on parts.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What oil does a Dodge Charger take?

Most modern Dodge Chargers take full synthetic oil. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 uses 5W-20 (0W-20 on 2015 and newer), the 5.7L HEMI V8 uses 5W-20, the 6.4L 392 HEMI uses 0W-40, and the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat uses 0W-40 (Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is the factory fill). Always confirm the weight printed on your oil cap and in your owner's manual.

How much oil does a Dodge Charger hold?

Capacity depends on the engine. The 3.6L V6 holds about 5.9 quarts, the 5.7L HEMI holds about 7 quarts, and the 6.4L 392 and 6.2L Hellcat hold about 7 quarts each. Always fill to the dipstick mark rather than just dumping in the spec number.

Can I use 5W-30 in my Dodge Charger?

It depends on the engine. The 3.6L V6 and 5.7L HEMI are spec'd for 5W-20 or 0W-20, so 5W-30 is thicker than the factory grade and should only be used if your owner's manual lists it as an acceptable alternative for high heat or towing. The 6.4L and Hellcat use 0W-40 and should not run 5W-30. Using the wrong weight can trigger oil pressure or MDS (cylinder deactivation) issues on the HEMI.

How often should you change the oil in a Dodge Charger?

With full synthetic, the oil life monitor typically calls for a change every 8,000 to 10,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. Severe use (towing, track days, lots of short trips, or a Hellcat driven hard) cuts that to around 4,000 to 6,000 miles. Reset the oil change indicator after every service.

Does a Dodge Charger need full synthetic oil?

Yes for the V8 models and strongly recommended for the V6. The 5.7L, 6.4L, and 6.2L Hellcat all require full synthetic from the factory. Running conventional oil in these engines voids the recommended maintenance spec and can shorten engine life, especially in the supercharged Hellcat.

What oil does a Dodge Charger Hellcat take?

The 6.2L supercharged Hellcat (and Redeye or Jailbreak) takes 0W-40 full synthetic, with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-40 as the factory-recommended fill. Capacity is roughly 7 quarts. Because of the heat and boost, many owners change it every 4,000 to 6,000 miles rather than waiting for the monitor.

✅ TL;DR

What oil does a Dodge Charger take? Full synthetic, with the weight set by your engine: 0W-20 or 5W-20 for the V6 and 5.7L HEMI, and 0W-40 for the 6.1L, 6.4L, and Hellcat. The V6 holds about 5.9 quarts; the V8s hold about 7. Change it every 8,000 to 10,000 miles for normal driving, or 4,000 to 6,000 for severe and high-performance use. Read the weight off your oil cap, fill to the dipstick, and reset the oil life monitor when you are done.