2012–2018 DS (4th generation; sold 2019–2024 as Ram 1500 Classic)
2012–2018 Ram 1500 Oil Type and Capacity
The 2012–2018 Ram 1500 takes 5W-20 engine oil, 5 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Mopar 05281090AB (MO-090, spin-on). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents.
Last verified
Quick answer
2012–2018 Ram 1500 3.7L Magnum V6 (2012 only) oil
Check your manual| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-20 |
| Oil standard | API SN / Chrysler MS-6395 |
| Capacity (with filter) | 5 qt / 4.7 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Mopar 05281090AB (MO-090, spin-on) |
| Aftermarket filters | Wix 51516, Fram PH16 |
| Change interval | Follow oil-change indicator; 8,000 mi / 12 months max (2012 schedule); 4,000 mi severe |
Final year for the 3.7L. Conventional or synthetic 5W-20 meeting MS-6395.
2012–2018 Ram 1500 4.7L PowerTech V8 (2012–2013) oil
Check your manual| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-20 |
| Oil standard | API SN / Chrysler MS-6395 |
| Capacity (with filter) | 6 qt / 5.7 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Mopar 05281090AB (MO-090, spin-on) |
| Aftermarket filters | Wix 51516, Fram PH16 |
| Change interval | Follow oil-change indicator; 8,000 mi / 12 months max; 4,000 mi severe |
Dropped after 2013 when the Pentastar V6 + 8-speed made it redundant. Two plugs per cylinder (16 total).
2012–2018 Ram 1500 3.6L Pentastar V6 (2013–2018) oil
Verified| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-20 |
| Oil standard | API SN / Chrysler MS-6395 |
| Capacity (with filter) | 5.9 qt / 5.6 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Mopar 68191349AA (MO-349, cartridge; 2013 engines use earlier 68079744AC element. Check by VIN) |
| Aftermarket filters | Wix 57526, Fram XG11665 (Ultra), Purolator PL36296 |
| Change interval | Follow oil-change indicator; 10,000 mi / 12 months max; 4,000–5,000 mi severe (towing, dust, short trips) |
Cartridge filter sits on top of the engine, no crawling under the truck for the filter. Do not overfill; 5.9 qt with filter.
2012–2018 Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI V8 (EZH) oil
Verified| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-20 |
| Oil standard | API SN / Chrysler MS-6395 |
| Capacity (with filter) | 7 qt / 6.6 L |
| Synthetic required | See owner's manual |
| OEM filter | Mopar 04884899AC (MO-339, spin-on) |
| Aftermarket filters | Wix 57060, Fram XG10575 (Ultra), Mobil 1 M1-212A |
| Change interval | Follow oil-change indicator; 10,000 mi / 12 months max (8,000 mi on earliest years); 4,000–5,000 mi severe |
7 quarts, a common DIY mistake is filling to the 5–6 qt typical of other V8s. 5W-20 is specified partly for the MDS cylinder-deactivation lifters; don't run thicker oil to mask the 'HEMI tick'.
2012–2018 Ram 1500 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2014–2018, VM Motori) oil
Verified| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Viscosity | 5W-40 |
| Oil standard | Full synthetic meeting MS-10902 / API CJ-4 (or newer CK-4/FA-4 per label) |
| Capacity (with filter) | 10.5 qt / 9.9 L |
| Synthetic required | Yes |
| OEM filter | Mopar 68229402AA (cartridge) |
| Aftermarket filters | Wix WL10010, Mann HU 8006 z |
| Change interval | Follow oil-change indicator; 10,000 mi / 12 months max; more frequent with heavy towing/idling |
Trucks originally specced 5W-30; TSB 18-078-16 retroactively changed all 2014–2016 EcoDiesels to 5W-40. Torque of 420 lb-ft is why people buy it, and why oil quality matters.
Which Ram 1500 model years does this cover?
These oil 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. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2012–2018 Ram 1500
- 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
2012–2018 Ram 1500 oil: common questions
How many quarts of oil does a 2012–2018 Ram 1500 take?
- It depends on the engine. The 3.7L Magnum V6 (2012 only) takes 5 quarts; The 4.7L PowerTech V8 (2012–2013) takes 6 quarts; The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (2013–2018) takes 5.9 quarts; The 5.7L HEMI V8 (EZH) takes 7 quarts; The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2014–2018, VM Motori) takes 10.5 quarts, all figures include a new filter.
What kind of oil does a 2012–2018 Ram 1500 take?
- 5W-20 meeting API SN / Chrysler MS-6395. Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above.
Can you use a different viscosity in a 2012–2018 Ram 1500?
- The factory specification is 5W-20 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice.
How often does a 2012–2018 Ram 1500 need an oil change?
- Follow oil-change indicator; 8,000 mi / 12 months max (2012 schedule); 4,000 mi severe. Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval.
What oil filter does a 2012–2018 Ram 1500 take?
- The OEM filter is Mopar 05281090AB (MO-090, spin-on). Common equivalents: Wix 51516, Fram PH16.
Sources
- FCA media, 2015 Ram 1500 specifications (battery, capacities)
- NHTSA recall 19V-757, EcoDiesel EGR cooler (Part 573 report)
- FCA Safety Recall VB1, diesel EGR cooler, 2014–2019 Ram 1500 (oemdtc)
- RamForum, Safety recall P54 / NHTSA 14V-530 fuel pump relay
- Diesel Hub, 3.0L EcoDiesel oil change guide (capacities, filters, TSB 18-078-16)
- fueleconomy.gov, 2015 Ram 1500 EPA ratings
- Wheel-Size.com, 2016 Ram 1500 OE fitments
- RamForumZ, 5.7L spark plug spec (NGK LZFR5C-11, 30k interval)
- RamForum, oil change indicator reset procedure