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Dodge Ram 2009-Present: Engine Oil Information Guide

Not all oils are created equal, brand, weight, base weight; there is a lot to take in. Fortunately, we've got the breakdown on the information you need to keep your Ram running in tip-top shape.

By Jeffrey Smith - July 30, 2015

This article applies to the 4th Generation Dodge Ram (2009-Present).

The age old question among Ram owners has to be 'What kind/type/brand/weight of oil should I be using?" The short answer is "yes." The most important thing is that you change your oil at the recommended and regular intervals. There are just as many owners who hate brand x as there are others who love brand x. The same can be said about oil filters. Again, the important thing to remember is to change out that oil filter when you change your oil. Neglecting this maintenance will cause irreparable damage to your engine. Dirty oil is just about the worse thing that you can run through your engine. Fresh oil with an old oil filter isn't doing your truck any favors. Here are some considerations to ponder when deciding on engine oil, filters, and common issues with oil in these trucks.

Component Breakdown

Oil Brand, Type, and Weight

You must use the recommended weight of oil as outlined in your owner's manual. For MDS (cylinder deactivation) models, 5W-20 is required, while non-MDS trucks can use a 5W-30 oil. Depending upon the engine, you'll use five, six, or seven quarts of the black gold. The brand and type is completely up to you. It should be noted that the MDS Hemi motor does seem to prefer conventional oils. However, if you're experiencing oil consumption or higher temperatures from towing, a synthetic or semi-synthetic oil will better resist breaking down under those higher temperatures. Whatever you choose, make sure that you change at the recommended intervals. It should be noted that as your engine ages and wears, some amount of oil consumption is considered normal. With that in mind, regularly checking your oil level, and possibly shortening that service interval, could be useful for engine longevity. Each motor is different, so check your oil level and judge accordingly.

Figure 1. Regular oil changes prevents engine wear.

Oil Filter

Oil filters are the filtration system for your oil. Much like an air filter, it catches contaminants and prevents those contaminants from going back into your engine. Being part of the pressurized system, oil filters can also affect oil pressure. Reusing an old, contaminated filter can lead to drops in oil pressure, which is bad. You have many choices when it comes to oil filters. Whether you want to stick with Mopar, the OEM brand, or use NAPA (or K&N), the choice is yours. Do your research on customer satisfaction with oil filters for the Ram 1500 and choose the one that is right for you. The most important thing is that you change the filter with every oil change. It does your engine no good to keep a used, dirty filter on with fresh oil.

Figure 2. Your oil filter is more important than you think.

Scheduled Maintenance

Always follow your owner's manual when it comes to regular maintenance intervals. This generation should have the oil changed at every 6,000 miles. Both the oil and oil filter should be changed. Of course, if you feel more comfortable using the ancient recommendations, you can change it every 3,000 miles. Changing it sooner is never a problem; however, waiting too long increases the wear and tear on the engine.

Common Questions

My Manual States My Interval is Every 10,000 Miles. Is That Really Safe?

Later models use modern electronics to detect the condition of your oil in real time. These engines are built so that 10,000 miles is about as long as the oil will retain its protective properties. Never let the miles exceed 10,000, or even if the mileage is less than 10,000, do not let it go for more than 12 months in between. It should be noted that using a quality, name-brand oil makes this service interval possible. Usually, oil service intervals in excess of 7,500 miles are possible due to synthetic oils.

Isn't Synthetic Oils Bad to Use Exclusively?

Early synthetic oils didn't have the properties they have today, and as a result, oil leaks were commonplace. Much has changed over the years and synthetics as well as blended oils will work just fine in your Ram engine.

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