--- title: "2012-2018 Ram 1500 Maintenance Schedule" description: "The factory maintenance schedule for the 2012-2018 Ram 1500 covering every service through 150,000 miles. Exactly what is due at each interval, and where severe-service conditions change it." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/service-schedule" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012-2018 Ram 1500 Factory Maintenance Schedule The factory maintenance schedule for the 2012-2018 Ram 1500 covering every service through 150,000 miles. Exactly what is due at each interval, and where severe-service conditions change it. ## 2012-2018 Ram 1500 maintenance schedule (High confidence) ### 8,000 miles / 12 months - Change engine oil and filter (or sooner when the oil-change indicator says so) - Rotate tires - Inspect brakes, battery, CV/U-joints, exhaust ### 20,000 miles / 24 months - Replace cabin air filter (if fitted) - Inspect front/rear axle fluid ### 30,000 miles / 36 months - Replace engine air filter - Replace HEMI spark plugs (16, every 30k) - Inspect transfer case fluid (4x4) ### 60,000 miles / 72 months - Change transfer case fluid (severe/towing use) - Change rear axle fluid if towing regularly - Inspect drive belt ### 100,000 miles / 120 months - Replace 3.6L V6 spark plugs - Inspect/replace drive belt ### 150,000 miles / 120 months - Replace engine coolant (OAT; first change 10 yr/150k, then every 5 yr) Note: The truck's oil-change indicator adapts to duty cycle. Heavy towing, dust, or short trips can call for oil changes as early as 4,000 mi. EcoDiesel adds fuel filter changes every 20,000 mi and DEF top-offs. ## Which Ram 1500 model years does this cover? These service schedule 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 service schedule: common questions ### How often does a 2012-2018 Ram 1500 need servicing? The first scheduled visit is at 8,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, and the pattern repeats from there. ### What is due at 30,000 miles on a 2012-2018 Ram 1500? Replace engine air filter; Replace HEMI spark plugs (16, every 30k); Inspect transfer case fluid (4x4). ### What is due at 60,000 miles on a 2012-2018 Ram 1500? Change transfer case fluid (severe/towing use); Change rear axle fluid if towing regularly; Inspect drive belt. ### What is due at 100,000 miles on a 2012-2018 Ram 1500? Replace 3.6L V6 spark plugs; Inspect/replace drive belt. ### Does severe service change the schedule for a 2012-2018 Ram 1500? The truck's oil-change indicator adapts to duty cycle. Heavy towing, dust, or short trips can call for oil changes as early as 4,000 mi. EcoDiesel adds fuel filter changes every 20,000 mi and DEF top-offs. ## 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 service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2019-2025/service-schedule) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/service-schedule). ## More for the 2012-2018 Ram 1500 - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ram/1500/2012-2018/oil) - [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) - [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.