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DS (4th generation; sold 2019–2024 as Ram 1500 Classic) · Full-size half-ton pickup (Regular, Quad, Crew Cab)

2012–2018 Ram 1500 Specifications

Every maintenance specification shared across the 2012–2018 Ram 1500: which oil and how much, battery group, factory tire sizes, wiper lengths, service intervals, and the failures recorded against this generation.

Last verified

Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative, not necessarily your model year or trim.

Quick facts

Engine oil
5W-20, 5 qt (base engine)
Battery
Group 65, 730 CCA
Tire size
265/70R17 (base trim)
Wiper blades
22" / 22"
Max towing
10,650 lbs
Cabin filter
Mopar 68406048AA (filter) + 68052292AA access door

2012–2018 Ram 1500 maintenance guides

Oil & filter

Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval

Battery

BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded

Tires & wheels

Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque

Wiper blades

Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths

Air & cabin filters

Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals

Bulbs

Headlight, fog and marker bulb types

Brakes

Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes

Fluids

Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities

Service schedule

What's actually due at every mileage interval

Problems & reliability

Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid

Oil light reset

Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools

Key fob battery

Which coin cell the remote takes

Specs

Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy

Which engines came in the 2012–2018 Ram 1500?

EngineModel yearsTrimsOilCapacity
3.7L Magnum V6 (2012 only)2012–2012ST/Tradesman regular cab (2012)5W-205 qt
4.7L PowerTech V8 (2012–2013)2012–2013ST, SLT, Big Horn (2012–2013)5W-206 qt
3.6L Pentastar V6 (2013–2018)2013–2018Tradesman, Express, SLT/Big Horn, Lone Star; standard V6 from 20135W-205.9 qt
5.7L HEMI V8 (EZH)2012–2018Optional nearly all trims; standard on Sport, Laramie, Longhorn, Limited, Rebel V85W-207 qt
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2014–2018, VM Motori)2014–2018Optional on most trims 2014–2018 (Tradesman through Limited)5W-4010.5 qt

Year-by-year changes

  • 2012Carryover powertrains: 3.7L V6 (4-spd), 4.7L V8 (6-spd), 5.7L HEMI; hydraulic steering; HOAT coolant
  • 2013Major refresh: 3.6L Pentastar + ZF 8-speed arrive, electric power steering, optional air suspension, RamBox and 8.4-in Uconnect expand; coolant switches to 10-year OAT
  • 20143.0L EcoDiesel V6 added (first half-ton diesel of the modern era); 4.7L V8 dropped after 2013
  • 2015Off-road-focused Rebel trim debuts mid-year with a factory-tuned suspension, off-road tires, and unique styling; interior/trim options broaden
  • 2015–2018Rebel added (2015, 285/70R17 tires); Limited becomes flagship; mechanical specs otherwise carry over
  • 2016Essentially unchanged: redesigned center console standard across the lineup; Rebel (introduced mid-2015) gains new interior color choices including Radar Red
  • 2018DS production continued after 2018 as the 'Ram 1500 Classic' (2019–2024, Tradesman/Express/Warlock/Big Horn trims) sold alongside the new DT. This generation's data applies to those Classic trucks; the DT generation below covers same-year 'new body' trucks

Model years in this generation

2012 15002013 15002014 15002015 15002016 15002017 15002018 1500

Year pages cover what changed that year, the engines offered, and the problems documented against it. For the full nameplate history, see the Ram 1500 guide.

Sources