--- title: "2012-2018 Ram 1500 Battery: Group 65, 730 CCA" description: "The 2012-2018 Ram 1500 uses a BCI group 65 battery rated at 730 cold cranking amps. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/battery" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2018 Ram 1500 Battery Size (BCI Group and CCA) The 2012-2018 Ram 1500 uses a BCI group 65 battery rated at 730 cold cranking amps. Fitment, replacement notes, and what to check before you buy. **Quick answer**: The 2012-2018 Ram 1500 uses a Group 65 battery, 730 CCA. ## 2012-2018 Ram 1500 battery specifications (Verified) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | BCI group size | 65 | | Cold cranking amps | 730 CCA | | Battery type | FLOODED | | AGM required | No | | Location | Engine bay, driver side | Note: FCA's spec sheets list a Group 65, 730-CCA maintenance-free battery for gas DS trucks. EcoDiesel models use an H7/94R instead (see engine entry). No registration/reset needed after replacement. ## 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2014-2018, VM Motori) battery (Check your manual) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | BCI group size | H7 (94R) | | Battery type | FLOODED | Note: EcoDiesel trucks use a larger DIN-format H7/94R battery (some also carry a heavier-duty alternator) instead of the Group 65 used by gas DS trucks. Check the battery in the truck before buying. ## Which Ram 1500 model years does this cover? These battery specifications apply to every Ram 1500 built from 2012 through 2018, the DS (4th generation; sold 2019-2024 as Ram 1500 Classic), full-size half-ton pickup (regular, quad, crew cab). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012) - [2013 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2013) - [2014 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2014) - [2015 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2015) - [2016 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2016) - [2017 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2017) - [2018 1500](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2018) ## What changed during the 2012-2018 Ram 1500 | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Carryover powertrains: 3.7L V6 (4-spd), 4.7L V8 (6-spd), 5.7L HEMI; hydraulic steering; HOAT coolant | | 2013 | Major 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 | | 2014 | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 added (first half-ton diesel of the modern era); 4.7L V8 dropped after 2013 | | 2015 | Off-road-focused Rebel trim debuts mid-year with a factory-tuned suspension, off-road tires, and unique styling; interior/trim options broaden | | 2015-2018 | Rebel added (2015, 285/70R17 tires); Limited becomes flagship; mechanical specs otherwise carry over | | 2016 | Essentially unchanged: redesigned center console standard across the lineup; Rebel (introduced mid-2015) gains new interior color choices including Radar Red | | 2018 | DS 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 | ## 2012-2018 Ram 1500 battery: common questions ### What size battery does a 2012-2018 Ram 1500 take? BCI group 65, rated at 730 cold cranking amps from the factory. Group size is a physical dimension and terminal-position standard, so a battery from a different group may not clamp down or may put the terminals on the wrong side. ### How many CCA does a 2012-2018 Ram 1500 need? At least 730 CCA. Going higher is harmless and helps in cold climates; going lower is how a vehicle that started fine in October stops starting in January. ### Does the 2012-2018 Ram 1500 need an AGM battery? The factory battery is a conventional flooded type. AGM is a valid upgrade, but never downgrade from AGM to flooded. ### Where is the battery on a 2012-2018 Ram 1500? Engine bay, driver side. ### Does a 2012-2018 Ram 1500 need the battery registered after replacement? FCA's spec sheets list a Group 65, 730-CCA maintenance-free battery for gas DS trucks. EcoDiesel models use an H7/94R instead (see engine entry). No registration/reset needed after replacement. ## Sources - [FCA media, 2015 Ram 1500 specifications (battery, capacities)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/chryslermedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/specs/2015_RAM_1500_SPvcfijqn696qeodm5be2oh020fk.pdf) - [NHTSA recall 19V-757, EcoDiesel EGR cooler (Part 573 report)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCLRPT-19V757-2821.PDF) - [FCA Safety Recall VB1, diesel EGR cooler, 2014-2019 Ram 1500 (oemdtc)](https://chrysler.oemdtc.com/1423/safety-recall-vb1-diesel-egr-cooler-2014-2019-ram-1500/) - [RamForum, Safety recall P54 / NHTSA 14V-530 fuel pump relay](https://www.ramforum.com/threads/safety-recall-p54-hsta-14v-530-fuel-pump-relay.203933/) - [Diesel Hub, 3.0L EcoDiesel oil change guide (capacities, filters, TSB 18-078-16)](https://www.dieselhub.com/maintenance/ecodiesel-oil-change-guide.html) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2015 Ram 1500 EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2015_Ram_1500.shtml) - [Wheel-Size.com, 2016 Ram 1500 OE fitments](https://www.wheel-size.com/size/ram/1500/2016/) - [RamForumZ, 5.7L spark plug spec (NGK LZFR5C-11, 30k interval)](https://www.ramforumz.com/threads/spark-plug-replacement-5-7l.249281/) - [RamForum, oil change indicator reset procedure](https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-reset-oil-change-indicator.196835/) ## Other Ram 1500 generations - [2019-2025 Ram 1500 battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2019-2025/battery) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/battery). ## More for the 2012-2018 Ram 1500 - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/oil) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.