---
title: "2012-2018 Ram 1500 Oil Type: 5W-20, 5 qt"
description: "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."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/oil"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 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.

**Quick answer**: The 2012-2018 Ram 1500 (3.7L Magnum V6 (2012 only)) takes 5W-20 engine oil, 5 quarts with a filter change (OEM filter Mopar 05281090AB (MO-090, spin-on)). Other engines differ; see the tables below.

## 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 |

Note: 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 |

Note: 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) |

Note: 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 |

Note: 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 |

Note: 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.

- [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 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)](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 oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2019-2025/oil)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/oil).

## More for the 2012-2018 Ram 1500

- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/battery)
- [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.