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You pull the dipstick on your 2024 Ram 1500 and blank on the number. The jug says 5 quarts. The guy at the parts counter said 8. Your owner's manual is buried under a work order in the glovebox.
I've been there. Half the Ram forum threads start the same way. Someone asks if it's 7 or 8 on the HEMI because two YouTubers gave different answers. This guide cuts through it. Every engine, every model year from 2009 through 2026, with the right viscosity for each.
Quick Answer
Ram 1500 oil capacity depends on your engine. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 takes 5 quarts with a filter change. The 5.7L HEMI V8 takes 7 quarts. The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 takes 8 quarts. The 3.6L eTorque and 5.7L eTorque mild-hybrid versions match their base engine numbers. Most gasoline Ram 1500s from 2019 forward run 0W-20 full synthetic. EcoDiesels run 5W-40 diesel-rated. Always confirm on the dipstick after filling.
Ram 1500 Oil Capacity Chart by Engine (2009-2026)
Find your engine, match your year, and you've got your fill number and viscosity in one glance.
| Engine | Years Offered | Oil Capacity (w/ filter) | Recommended Viscosity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 2011-2026 | 5.0 quarts | 5W-20 (2011-2012), 0W-20 (2013+) |
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque | 2019-2026 | 5.0 quarts | 0W-20 full synthetic |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 | 2009-2026 | 7.0 quarts | 5W-20 (2009-2018), 0W-20 (2019+) |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque | 2019-2025 | 7.0 quarts | 0W-20 full synthetic |
| 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 | 2014-2022 | 8.0 quarts | 5W-40 full synthetic diesel |
| 3.0L Hurricane I6 (Twin-Turbo) | 2025-2026 | 6.6 quarts | 0W-20 full synthetic |
The eTorque hybrid setups don't change your oil volume. That 48-volt belt-driven motor generator hangs off the front of the block, but the sump stays the same. The discontinued EcoDiesel is the outlier. It holds an extra quart over the HEMI and needs diesel-rated oil, not the 0W-20 your buddy uses in his Big Horn.
For factory specs straight from the source, the Ram spec page lists current model year fluid requirements by trim. Cross-reference it against your VIN's engine code stamped on the block.
Use this chart to match your VIN year and engine before buying oil.
Oil Capacity for the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (2011-2026)
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The Pentastar is straightforward: five quarts with a filter change. Every year, every trim fits this number. Whether it's the base V6 in a 2014 Tradesman or the 2024 eTorque hybrid V6 in a Laramie, you're pouring five quarts.
Viscosity is where it splits. From 2011 through 2012, Ram spec'd 5W-20. Starting in 2013, they moved to 0W-20 full synthetic. That recommendation has stayed through 2026. Chrysler's MS-6395 spec is what you want on the bottle. Any major full synthetic carrying that certification works.
The filter sits on the passenger side of the block, roughly halfway back, threaded canister-style. The drain plug is standard, and Ram calls for 20 ft-lb of torque with a fresh crush washer every change. Skip the washer and you'll be back under there in a month wiping seepage off the skid plate.
Newer models benefit from protection during maintenance days. 2024 ram seat covers fit right over the factory buckets and take the abuse your cab throws at them during service work.
Oil Capacity for the 5.7L HEMI V8 (2009-2026)
The HEMI is the truck everyone argues about. It's 7 quarts. Not 8. Not 6.5. Seven, with a filter change.
I've seen guys on RamForumZ swear it's 8 because their catch pan looked full at 7. They kept pouring. What's happening is they didn't let the engine drain fully. A chunk of oil stays in the cooler lines and heads after you pull the plug. Add 7, run it 30 seconds, shut it down, wait a couple minutes, then read the stick.
The Multi-Displacement System that shuts down four cylinders at cruise doesn't affect capacity. Same sump, same pump, same 7 quarts. The eTorque mild-hybrid that ran from 2019 through 2025 holds the same amount.
Viscosity split: 2009 through 2018 used 5W-20. From 2019 onward with the DT platform launch, Ram moved to 0W-20 full synthetic. If you've got a 2018 or older DS-body truck, don't put 0W-20 in it. The clearances were designed for 5W-20 and the oil pressure curve reflects that.
Oil Capacity for the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (2014-2022)
The EcoDiesel takes 8 quarts. That's the highest capacity of any Ram 1500 engine ever offered. It needs a specific oil type.
You want a diesel-rated 5W-40 full synthetic meeting the Chrysler MS-10902 spec. It must carry API CJ-4 or CK-4 certification. Do not put passenger-car 0W-20 in an EcoDiesel. The additive package is wrong, the viscosity is wrong, and you'll damage the DPF and injectors within a service interval.
Mopar's own EcoDiesel oil (part number 68229295BA in the older spec, updated to 68518199AA for newer trucks) is the safe answer if you don't want to research. Amsoil, Mobil 1 ESP, and Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 all meet spec.
Ram killed the EcoDiesel after 2022 in the 1500. Emissions compliance costs and the shift toward the Hurricane inline-six pushed it out. If you own one, treat it well. Parts and dealer knowledge get thinner every year.
Oil Type and Viscosity Grade by Model Year
Here's where many owners get burned buying the wrong jug at Walmart on a Sunday.
| Model Year Range | Engine | Viscosity | Full Synthetic Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-2012 | 5.7L HEMI | 5W-20 | Recommended |
| 2013-2018 | 5.7L HEMI | 5W-20 | Recommended |
| 2019-2026 | 5.7L HEMI | 0W-20 | Yes |
| 2011-2012 | 3.6L V6 | 5W-20 | Recommended |
| 2013-2026 | 3.6L V6 | 0W-20 | Yes (2019+) |
| 2014-2022 | 3.0L EcoDiesel | 5W-40 | Yes (diesel-rated) |
| 2025-2026 | 3.0L Hurricane I6 | 0W-20 | Yes |
Match your VIN's engine code to the viscosity row before you buy.
Every DT-platform Ram from 2019 forward requires full synthetic. Conventional oil isn't approved on any current-gen truck, and running it can affect powertrain warranty coverage. Mopar-branded oil meets factory spec, but any full synthetic with MS-6395 certification does the same job. I've run Mobil 1, Valvoline Extended Protection, and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum in HEMI trucks for years with no issues.
Oil Change Interval: How Often Your Ram 1500 Actually Needs It
Ram's Oil Life Monitor lives on the instrument cluster and does the math for you. When it hits about 15% remaining life, you'll see the wrench icon and a "Change Oil Soon" message. At 0%, it gets more insistent.
Under normal driving on full synthetic, gasoline Ram 1500s stretch 8,000 to 10,000 miles between changes. The OLM adjusts based on cold starts, idle time, RPM history, and trip length. A truck that lives on the highway runs longer between alerts than one doing short winter commutes.
EcoDiesel service runs 10,000 miles under normal conditions. It drops to 7,500 if you tow heavy or idle a lot. The diesel also has a separate DEF interval and a fuel filter change every 15,000 miles that most owners forget until the truck throws a code.
Severe-duty use shortens everything. If you're pulling a bumper-pull trailer weekly, working the truck on gravel or ranch roads, or running short trips in cold weather, cut your interval to 5,000 miles regardless of what the OLM says. Oil analysis at that mileage will usually show you why.
For a broader look at protection across every truck platform, truck seat covers covers the same ground for a variety of work-use setups.
Step-by-Step Oil Fill: What to Check Before You Pour
Simple job. Easy to mess up if you rush it.
Warm the engine for 5 minutes before draining. Cold oil is thick and sticky and leaves more residue in the pan. Pull the drain plug and let it drip for a full 10 minutes. Swap the crush washer. Torque the plug to spec: 20 ft-lb on the HEMI, similar on the V6.
Change the filter. On the HEMI, it's on the driver's side, low. On the Pentastar, passenger side. Prime the new filter gasket with a smear of fresh oil so it seats clean.
Now the pour. Don't dump all 7 quarts in at once. Pour 6 quarts first on the HEMI (4 on the Pentastar). Let it settle for a minute, then check the dipstick. Add in half-quart increments until you're at the full mark. Start the engine, let it idle 30 seconds, shut it off, wait 2 minutes for the oil to drain back to the pan, and read the stick one more time.
Overfilling by half a quart won't hurt anything. Overfilling by a full quart or more can foam the oil and starve the bearings.
Keeping the Cab as Clean as the Engine
Oil change day is also the day your driver's seat pays the price. Greasy fingerprints on the door bolster. A shop rag balled up on the passenger cushion. Your toolbox sliding across the rear bench when you take a corner. I've watched a buddy's factory cloth seats go from clean to permanently gray in one summer of DIY maintenance.
Factory Ram 1500 seats hold up okay under office-commute duty. Under work-use, they don't. The bolster fabric wears through at the seam by 60,000 miles. The vinyl on the base trim scratches every time you climb in with a wrench in your pocket.
Made-to-fit seat covers for the 2026 Ram 1500 go over the factory seats without altering the factory-style look. They're airbag-safe so the side-impact bags deploy through the built-in seams. Own a slightly older truck? 2025 ram seat covers fit the same DT-platform cabs.
If your truck has the split-bench setup, the 40/20/40 split bench seat ram guide walks through the fitment details. And if you're curious how the factory-style look holds up next to factory upholstery, the oem ram seat covers guide compares stitching, materials, and install. All of it is built on the same luxury seat cover platform with eco-leather and diamond stitch detail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ram 1500 Oil Capacity
Q: How many quarts of oil does a Ram 1500 5.7 HEMI take?
The 5.7L HEMI V8 takes 7 quarts with a filter change. That number is the same across every year the HEMI's been offered in the Ram 1500, from 2009 through 2026. It doesn't change for the eTorque mild-hybrid version that ran from 2019 to 2025. If your dipstick reads high after 7 quarts, let it sit longer, then recheck. Some oil stays trapped in the cooler lines until it drains back.
Q: What oil does a 2026 Ram 1500 take?
The 2026 Ram 1500 3.6L Pentastar V6 and 5.7L HEMI V8 both require 0W-20 full synthetic oil meeting the Chrysler MS-6395 specification. The new 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six also runs 0W-20 full synthetic, with a capacity of 6.6 quarts. Mopar-branded oil is factory spec, but any API-certified full synthetic carrying MS-6395 does the same job.
Q: Does the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel take more oil than the HEMI?
Yes. The 3.0L EcoDiesel takes 8 quarts versus 7 quarts for the HEMI V8. It also needs a diesel-rated 5W-40 full synthetic, not the 0W-20 used in gasoline Ram engines. The Chrysler MS-10902 spec (or API CJ-4/CK-4 equivalent) is the requirement. Running gasoline-engine oil in the EcoDiesel damages the emissions system and voids warranty coverage.
Q: What happens if you overfill a Ram 1500 with oil?
Overfilling by more than half a quart can cause the crankshaft to whip air into the oil, creating foam. Foamy oil loses its ability to lubricate bearings and can starve the oil pump pickup. If your dipstick reads above the full mark by a quart or more, drain the excess through the pan plug or use a suction pump through the dipstick tube. Half a quart over is fine.
Q: How often should I change the oil on a Ram 1500?
Follow the Oil Life Monitor on your instrument cluster. Under normal driving, full synthetic in the gasoline engines lasts 8,000 to 10,000 miles before the OLM signals. EcoDiesel intervals run about 10,000 miles under normal conditions. Severe-duty use (towing, off-road, short winter trips, dusty roads) shortens the interval significantly. Cut it to 5,000 miles if you work the truck hard.
Q: Is the oil capacity the same on the 2019+ DT Ram 1500 as the older DS model?
Capacity is the same by engine family. The 5.7L HEMI still takes 7 quarts, the 3.6L V6 still takes 5. But the DT platform switched to 0W-20 full synthetic across the board starting in 2019. The older DS-platform HEMI ran 5W-20. Check your model year before buying oil, because putting 0W-20 in a 2015 HEMI or 5W-20 in a 2022 HEMI is a mistake either way.
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