The DS-generation Ram 1500 is one of the easier trucks to change oil on, but the filter job is completely different depending on what is under the hood. The 4.7 and 5.7 V8s use an old-school spin-on filter low on the front of the block that you reach from underneath, while the 3.6 Pentastar and 3.0 EcoDiesel use a paper cartridge in a plastic housing on top of the engine that you open with a 24 mm or 36 mm socket. Every gas engine uses a 13 mm hex-head drain plug in the pan.
The most common mistakes are underestimating capacity and overtightening. The 5.7 takes 7 quarts and the EcoDiesel around 10.5, so a 5-quart jug and a small drain pan will leave you short and messy. On the cartridge engines, people reuse the old flattened cap O-ring or crank the plastic cap down past 18 ft-lb and crack it - use the O-rings in the filter kit and a torque wrench. Finally, reset the oil life monitor, or the truck will keep nagging you at the wrong interval.
| Item | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor jack 2-3 ton Lift the truck if you are not using ramps; 4x4 models have limited clearance under the pan. | Required | shop |
| Jack stands 3 ton pair Support the truck on the frame rails while you work underneath. | Safety | shop |
| Vehicle ramps Pair, 6000+ lb rating Faster and steadier than jacking for a simple oil change. | Recommended | shop |
| Socket wrench 3/8 in drive ratchet Drives the drain plug and filter cap sockets. | Required | shop |
| Drain plug socket 13 mm 6-point, 3/8 in drive Removes the oil pan drain plug on 3.6, 4.7 and 5.7 engines. | Required | shop |
| Oil filter cap socket 24 mm, 3/8 in drive (3.6 Pentastar) Turns the plastic cartridge filter housing cap on top of the Pentastar. | Required | shop |
| Oil filter cap socket 36 mm or 1-5/16 in, 1/2 in drive (3.0 EcoDiesel) Removes the EcoDiesel's top-mounted cartridge filter cap. | Required | shop |
| Cup-type oil filter wrench Fits Mopar MO-899 / PH16-size spin-on (approx. 93 mm, 15 flute) Removes the spin-on filter on the 4.7 and 5.7 V8s; check the flute count against your filter. | Required | shop |
| Oil drain pan 10-15 quart with spout The 5.7 holds 7 quarts and the EcoDiesel over 10, so a small pan overflows. | Required | shop |
| Funnel Long-neck Fills the engine without spilling on the intake or exhaust manifold. | Required | shop |
| Torque wrench 3/8 in drive, 10-80 ft-lb Sets the drain plug and cartridge cap correctly; the pans are aluminum on several engines. | Required | shop |
| Engine oil 5W-20 synthetic blend (4.7/5.7/3.6, MS-6395); 5W-40 full synthetic MS-11106 (3.0 EcoDiesel) Correct grade and spec for the engine; EcoDiesel requires diesel-rated oil. | Parts | shop |
| Oil filter MO-899 spin-on (5.7/4.7), MO-349 cartridge (3.6), MO-6162 cartridge (3.0 diesel) Engine-specific filter; cartridge kits include new O-rings. | Parts | shop |
| Drain plug gasket Crush washer / sealing ring as equipped Prevents weeping at the plug; replace if it is a soft crush washer. | Consumables | shop |
| Nitrile gloves Hot used oil is a skin irritant. | Safety | shop |
| Safety glasses Oil drips and debris fall from under the truck. | Safety | shop |
| Shop rags / absorbent pads The V8 spin-on filter dumps oil onto the crossmember and skid area. | Consumables | shop |
| Brake cleaner or degreaser Cleans the filter mount and pan area so you can spot leaks later. | Consumables | shop |
Drain plug is 13 mm hex head on the 3.6, 4.7 and 5.7. Filter tooling differs: 4.7/5.7 need a cup-type spin-on filter wrench (Mopar MO-899 size), the 3.6 Pentastar needs a 24 mm socket for its top-mounted cartridge cap, and the 3.0 EcoDiesel needs a 36 mm (1-5/16 in) cap socket. Capacities are 6 qt (3.6 and 4.7), 7 qt (5.7) and about 10.5 qt of 5W-40 for the EcoDiesel.
| Oil pan drain plug (3.6, 4.7, 5.7) | 20 ft-lb (27 Nm) |
| Oil filter cap, 3.6 Pentastar | 18 ft-lb (25 Nm) |
| Spin-on oil filter (4.7/5.7) | Hand tight, about 3/4 turn after gasket contact |
| Oil pan drain plug, 3.0 EcoDiesel | verify in the service manual |
| Oil filter cap, 3.0 EcoDiesel | verify in the service manual |
The 13 mm drain plug, 24 mm Pentastar cap and spin-on V8 filter are well established for this generation; verify the exact filter wrench flute count for your brand of filter and the EcoDiesel drain plug and cap torque in the FSM.
A 13 mm 6-point socket fits the drain plug on the 5.7, as well as the 4.7 and 3.6. Torque it to about 20 ft-lb - the pan threads strip easily if you lean on it.
The 5.7 Hemi takes 7 quarts with filter, the 3.6 Pentastar and 4.7 V8 take 6 quarts, and the 3.0 EcoDiesel takes about 10.5 quarts. Always confirm on the dipstick after filling.
5W-20 meeting Chrysler MS-6395 for the 4.7, 5.7 and 3.6 (some later 3.6 trucks spec 0W-20 - check the cap). The 3.0 EcoDiesel requires 5W-40 full synthetic meeting MS-11106.
With EVIC, turn the ignition to ON with the engine off and select Oil Life, then hold OK/reset until it returns to 100%. Without EVIC, turn the key to ON and slowly press the accelerator fully to the floor three times within 10 seconds, then turn the key off.