With the rising cost of car ownership, regular car maintenance expenses can break the bank. Luckily, changing the oil in your 2012 Ram 5.7 yourself rather than going to a mechanic can save you money, but you’ll need to know the correct oil type for your model.

That’s why

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and

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expert

Jerry

has done the research and created this guide to help you change the oil in your Ram. If you lost your owner’s manual, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started!

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2012 Ram 5.7 engine oil capacity

You need to know how much engine oil your 2012 Ram 5.7 needs before you begin your do-it-yourself oil change.

The 2012 Ram 5.7 has an engine oil capacity of 7 quarts or 6.62 liters. If you are consulting your owner’s manual, don’t get engine oil capacity—or the amount of engine oil your Ram needs—confused with your engine’s displacement, which is the volume of the cylinders.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Ram 5.7 need?

Since your 2012 Ram 5.7 won’t take just any engine oil, you’ll want to start by finding 5W-20 oil in a 1500 truck or 5W-30 oil in a 2500/3500 truck. Now, let’s break down what those numbers and letters actually mean.

The letter “W” indicates winter, while the two numbers refer to the oil’s viscosity or thickness. The first number tells us that the oil has a low viscosity of 0°F and the 20 indicates that it begins thinning at 212°F.

Low viscosity oils perform well under cold weather conditions and mean less wear and tear on your engine.

Your Ram 5.7 requires synthetic oil, so you’ll want to purchase a 5W-20 synthetic oil. Generally, Ram recommends the use of any motor oil meeting the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.

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Car Loan for Ram 2022

How often to change oil on a 2012 Ram 5.7

It’s recommended you change your Ram’s engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or every six months if you drive more than the average. Checking your oil once a month will ensure your oil is being changed when needed and keep your oil sludge free.

However, you may need to change your Ram’s oil sooner rather than later if you notice any of the following:

Dark brown or black motor oil

Motor oil that is gritty or sludgy

Unfamiliar noises

from your engine

Burning smell or smoke when you drive

Sluggish vehicle performance

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Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you know how much oil and which type of oil your 2012 Ram 5.7 needs, we can get started on your do-it-yourself oil change! But first, you’ll need to gather a socket and filter wrench, a drain pan, and of course, a replacement filter and 7 quarts of 5W-20 motor oil.

Start by running your engine until it’s at normal operating temperatures. Warming up your Ram usually takes just five minutes. Now all you need to do is follow these steps to change your Ram’s oil:

Locate and remove oil cap

Get under your Ram to remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Drain the oil into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and install the new filter

Refill the engine with new oil

To polish off your oil change like a pro, you’ll need to make sure you added enough oil to your engine and check for leaks. You can use your dipstick to check your oil levels. You’ll know you’ve done your oil change correctly if the oil pressure light is no longer illuminated on your dashboard.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

Properly cleaning up after an oil change is just as important as the oil change itself. Make sure you place the oil into a sealed container and take it to a recycling center.

MORE:

What to do if your car’s oil pressure light is on

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Make shopping for

car insurance

a part of your regular maintenance schedule to get next-level savings!

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