Ram 3500 Oil Capacity by Engine & Year (2026 Reference Guide)

You're on your back under a 2019 Ram 3500 on a Saturday morning. Drain plug pulled, filter twisted off, fresh Rotella on the workbench. Then it hits you: is this 12 quarts or 13? The owner's manual sits in the glovebox of a truck three feet above your face. Overfill a 6.7 Cummins by one quart and you risk oil aeration and bearing wear on an engine costing over $18,000 to replace. This guide gives you the exact fill for every Ram 3500 engine and year, plus the oil spec Ram actually wants.

Quick Answer

Most Ram 3500 models take between 7 and 12 quarts. The 6.7L Cummins diesel (2013-2026) holds 12 quarts with a filter change. The 6.4L HEMI gas engine holds 7 quarts. The older 5.7L HEMI also holds 7 quarts. Ram calls for 5W-40 full synthetic in the 6.7 Cummins (API CK-4) and 0W-40 or 5W-20 in the HEMI depending on year. Verify against your build sheet before pouring.

Ram 3500 Oil Capacity at a Glance: Full Chart by Year and Engine

Every heavy-duty pickup gets this question wrong somewhere. Ford lists dry-fill capacity in one spot and drain-and-fill in another. GM does the same. Ram is more consistent, but the numbers still shift depending on filter type and model year. Here's the full chart, filter included, for every 3500 engine since 2013.

Model Year	Engine	Oil Capacity (with filter)	Recommended Oil
2013-2018	6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel	12 quarts	5W-40 full synthetic (CJ-4/CK-4)
2019-2026	6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel	12 quarts	5W-40 full synthetic (CK-4)
2014-2018	6.4L HEMI V8	7 quarts	0W-40 full synthetic
2019-2026	6.4L HEMI V8	7 quarts	0W-40 full synthetic
2013	5.7L HEMI V8 (rare in 3500)	7 quarts	5W-20 synthetic blend

Use this chart to match your VIN year and engine badge before you crack the drain plug. If you're rocking a work-spec 3500 from an odd fleet build, cross-check the sticker under the hood or pull the exact spec off the Ram spec page. One thing worth flagging: these are all filter-included numbers. Drain-only will run you about half a quart shy because oil clings to the pan and galleries.

Most articles stop at the current-gen Cummins. If you're keeping a 2014 dually alive for another 200,000 miles, you deserve an answer too.

6.7L Cummins Diesel Oil Capacity and Spec (2013-2026)

The Cummins hasn't changed its oil capacity in over a decade. 12 quarts, filter and all. What has changed is the oil spec Ram wants in it, and the filter part number depending on emissions gear.

2019-2026 Third-Gen Cummins (12 Quarts)

The high-output Cummins that landed in 2019 pushes 400 hp and 1,000 lb-ft in top trim. It still takes 12 quarts with a filter change. Ram calls for a 5W-40 full synthetic meeting API CK-4. Mopar's own oil meets the spec, but Shell Rotella T6, Mobil Delvac 1, and Valvoline Premium Blue Restore all qualify. Skip anything labeled only CJ-4. That older spec doesn't work on the newer platform.

Oil filter is a top-mount canister. Part numbers shift by build date, so cross-check with your dealer or on the spec page if you're not sure. If you're already digging into the trim details on your truck, our guide to dodge ram trim codes walks through where to find the build info.

2013-2018 Second-Gen Cummins (12 Quarts)

Same 12-quart fill. Ram allowed CJ-4 oils in these years, and 15W-40 was a common choice for fleet trucks running above freezing year-round. Full synthetic 5W-40 is still the better call if you cold-start below 20°F.

6.4L HEMI Gas Engine Oil Capacity and Spec (2014-2026)

The 6.4L HEMI is the gas option that actually earns its keep in a 3500. 410 hp, 429 lb-ft, and a healthy tow rating for guys who don't want to pay the diesel premium.

Capacity is 7 quarts with a filter change. Ram calls for 0W-40 full synthetic on most model years. The API spec bumped from SN on 2014-2019 builds to SP on 2020 and later. Both are backward-compatible, so if you can only find SP on the shelf, you're fine.

The 6.4 is thirstier for oil than the 5.7 HEMI, and it eats a quart between changes when it's being worked hard. Check the dipstick before every long tow.

Drain plug torque is 25 ft-lb. Don't cheat it with an impact. You'll strip the pan threads and end up buying a $60 self-tapping plug from the parts store.

5.7L HEMI Oil Capacity and Spec (Older Ram 3500 Models)

The 5.7L HEMI is uncommon in a 3500. Ram phased it out of the heavy-duty lineup pretty quickly in favor of the 6.4. You'll see it in some early 2013 builds and fleet-order trucks.

Capacity is 7 quarts with a filter change. Ram spec for these engines was 5W-20, and a synthetic blend is fine. Full synthetic gets you longer intervals if you're the type who forgets when the last change happened.

If you've got a 5.7 in a 3500, you know it. The engine is undersized for the platform and works harder than a 6.4 doing the same job. Change oil more often, not less.

Recommended Oil Types for the Ram 3500: Diesel and Gas

Here's where most Cummins forum arguments start. Guy with a 2015 running 15W-40 says he's got 300,000 miles on it. Guy with a 2022 running 5W-40 synthetic says the newer spec is non-negotiable. Both can be right, if you read the fine print.

Diesel: 6.7L Cummins Oil Spec

For 2019 and newer, Ram wants API CK-4 5W-40 full synthetic. The CK-4 rating is non-negotiable. The DPF and EGR systems on modern Cummins engines don't play nice with older oil formulations. Change interval is 15,000 miles or 1 year with full synthetic under normal use. Severe duty (heavy towing, dusty conditions, short trips) drops to 7,500 miles.

Can you run 15W-40? Yes, if you're above 0°F ambient year-round. Ram allows it in the manual for warm-climate operation. It won't flow as fast on cold starts, so if you're in Michigan or Montana, stick with 5W-40 synthetic.

Gas: 6.4L and 5.7L HEMI Oil Spec

The 6.4L HEMI runs 0W-40 full synthetic on modern builds. The older 5.7L takes 5W-20. Change interval is 8,000-10,000 miles with full synthetic, sooner if you're towing near max or running short trips in winter. The oil life monitor on 2019+ trucks does a decent job. Trust it within reason, but don't push past its recommendation.

Oil Change Interval for the Ram 3500: How Often Is Often Enough

Ram's official interval on the 6.7 Cummins is 15,000 miles or 1 year on full synthetic. Severe duty drops that to 7,500. What counts as severe duty on a 3500? Most of what a 3500 actually does:

• Towing at or near the truck's rated capacity
• Job-site work in dust or sand
• Short trips under 10 miles where the engine never fully warms
• Sustained idling (contractors, fleet vehicles, PTO work)

If any of that sounds like your week, cut the interval in half. Oil is cheap. A Cummins short block is not.

For the HEMI trucks, 8,000-10,000 miles on full synthetic is safe under normal use. The oil life monitor on 2019+ Rams factors in load, temperature, and short trips, so it'll adjust down for you if you're working the truck hard.

Step-by-Step Oil Fill Process for the Ram 3500

For the 6.7 Cummins, drain plug torque is 32 ft-lb. Filter housing on the top-mount canister setup gets 25 ft-lb. Do not gorilla-grip it; the housing cracks.

Here's the fill sequence that keeps you out of trouble:

1. Pour in 11 quarts of your 5W-40 CK-4.

2. Start the truck and let it idle for 30 seconds to prime the filter.

3. Shut it off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.

4. Check the dipstick and add oil to bring it right to the full mark. That'll usually take another 3/4 to a full quart.

Never dump all 12 quarts in at once. If the filter doesn't fully fill or the drain plug wasn't fully tight, you'll be pulling oil back out. An overfilled diesel is worse than an underfilled one. A single quart over the full mark can aerate the oil and starve the bearings under load. Guys on the Cummins forums have posted spun-bearing rebuilds from exactly this mistake.

Keeping Your Ram 3500 Interior Clean Through Every Oil Change

Anyone who's done their own oil on a 3500 knows the drill. You wash your hands twice, wipe them on a shop rag, and there's still enough black on your knuckles to leave a print on the door panel and the driver's seat when you climb in. Do that 8 times a year and your factory cloth has a permanent handprint on it.

This is where custom-fit 2026 Ram 3500 seat covers actually pay off. They take the greasy hands, the muddy boots, and the coffee spills from the truck-stop cup that didn't fit the console cupholder. Wipe them clean at the end of the week and the seat underneath still looks like the day you drove it home.

If you're on an older truck, we also fit 2025 Ram 3500 seat covers and 2024 Ram 3500 seat covers. All of them are airbag-safe, go in under an hour, and cost around half what the dealer wants for reupholstery. For a broader look at what fits, our truck seat covers hub covers the full lineup. The OEM-style Ram 3500 seat cover guide walks through material options. If you already know what you want, browse the Luxury Seat Covers product page directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What oil is recommended for the 6.7 Cummins?

Ram calls for 5W-40 full synthetic meeting API CK-4 for the 6.7L Cummins. Above 0°F ambient, 15W-40 CK-4 also works. Mopar-branded oil meets the spec, but any API-certified CK-4 full synthetic from Shell Rotella, Mobil Delvac, or Valvoline Premium Blue will do the job. Avoid CJ-4 oils in 2019 and newer engines. They don't meet the current spec, and running them can shorten emissions-component life.

Q: How many quarts of oil does a Ram 3500 take?

Depends on the engine. The 6.7L Cummins diesel takes 12 quarts with a filter change. The 6.4L HEMI gas engine takes 7 quarts. The older 5.7L HEMI also takes 7 quarts. Best practice on the Cummins: add 11 quarts first, start the truck to prime the filter, shut it off, wait 5 minutes, then top off to the full mark. That way you never overfill.

Q: Can you run 15W-40 in a 6.7 Cummins?

Yes, in most conditions. Ram allows 15W-40 CK-4 in the 6.7 Cummins when ambient temperatures stay above 0°F. In colder climates or for year-round use, 5W-40 full synthetic is the better call because it flows faster on cold starts and protects turbo bearings during warm-up. Either way, stick with the API CK-4 rating. Older CI-4 or CJ-4 oils don't meet the current spec for 2019+ engines.

Q: What is the best oil for a Ram 3500 diesel?

For the 6.7L Cummins, a 5W-40 full synthetic rated API CK-4 is the top pick for year-round use in most US climates. Shell Rotella T6, Mobil Delvac 1, and Valvoline Premium Blue Restore all meet the spec. Mopar's own 5W-40 full synthetic is factory-approved and priced competitively at most dealer parts counters. The oil grade matters less than keeping up with intervals. Change on time and the Cummins will run to 500,000 miles.

Protect your truck's interior with custom-fit seat covers made for your exact Ram 3500 year and trim at our 2026 Ram 3500 seat covers page. Airbag-safe, installed in under an hour, and priced at around half of dealership upholstery. A solid pairing with the maintenance you're already putting into the truck.