The rough and tumble 2020 Ram 1500 5.7 has one of the highest predicted reliability scores of any vehicle on the road today. But to keep this truck in tip-top shape, you will need to know its engine oil capacity.

Rams are known to be able to handle it all. With care and a

regular maintenance schedule

, they can run for up to 300,000 miles and/or 20 years before retiring! If you want that kind of longevity from your 2020 Ram 1500, learn about its engine oil capacity and how to do your own oil changes. It’s easier than you think!

And that’s why

Jerry

, the

licensed insurance broker

and super app, created this guide. We’ll walk you through your engine oil type, how to change your oil, and even show you how to save money on your

Ram car insurance costs

. Let’s get started!

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2020 Ram 1500 engine oil capacity

First, how much engine oil does a 2020 Ram 1500 5.7 need?

The 5.7-liter engine of the Ram 1500 takes 7 quarts or 6.6 liters of engine oil. Keep in mind that the 7 quarts needed for an oil change is your Ram’s engine oil capacity—the 5.7 liters is actually your engine displacement. The displacement is the amount of room the cylinders take up in the engine.

What kind of oil does a 2020 Ram 1500 5.7 need?

Now that we know how much oil you need, let’s talk about what kind of oil you should buy. When you walk down the engine oil aisle, the options seem endless and you have to get the right one to protect your engine. The manufacturer recommends API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil.

To protect your engine, the oil needs to be thin enough to flow through the engine during cold weather but remain thick enough to provide proper coating when the engine is hot. That is why the numbers on your can of oil are so important.

The 5W is the viscosity (thickness) rating for when the engine is cold, with W meaning winter. The 20 represents the viscosity needed when the engine is hot. As well, API stands for American Petroleum Institute and SAE stands for Societ of Automotive Engineers—the entity that codes oil viscosity to assure a reliability standard from all engine oil companies.

Another fact to note is that there are oil grades along with oil types. The oil grade required for the Ram 1500 is stamped on the engine oil cap under the hood of your trunk. You will want to get full-synthetic oil.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2020 Ram 1500 5.7

Ok, ready for an

oil change

? Maybe, or maybe not! Ram recommends changing your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. If you’ve had it done more recently, you won’t need to do anything just yet.

Also, the oil change frequency is just a recommendation. Every truck and driver is a little different. If you choose to go with a lower quality oil or maybe a synthetic blend instead of full synthetic oil, you should stay within those guidelines. On the other hand, if you put low miles on your truck or chose a high-quality motor oil, you might be able to stretch it to 7,500-10,000 miles.

The best way to get to know your truck and learn when the best time to change your oil is to check your dipstick at every other fuel up. Here is what to look for:

Dark brown or black oil (clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea—dirty oil is like a cup of soda)

Gritty oil (clean oil is smooth)

New engine noises

New burning smells

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

How to pick the right Dodge Ram 1500 rear differential fluid

Are you overpaying for your car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Compare Rates Now

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees

4.717k Ratings

5M+Drivers Joined

7M+Cars Garaged

How to change your oil and oil filter

Ok, for real this time, it's time to change your oil! So you can get this done as fast as possible, have your materials ready ahead of time. Here is what you will need:

Socket wrench

Drain pan

Filter wrench

Replacement filter

5W-20 full synthetic engine oil

New washer

Engine oil flows faster when it is warm, so let your truck run for about five minutes. This would be a good time to find a location with level ground to do the oil change. When the truck is warm, turn off the engine, pop the hood, and get started!

Remove the oil fill cap

Crawl under the truck

Place the oil drain pan under the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Let the oil drain into the pan

Remove the old oil filter

Install the new filter once the oil is finished draining

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil

Put the oil fill cap back on

Give yourself a high-five—you did it!

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.

To ensure all went well, run the engine for a few minutes to check for leaks and verify the oil levels by checking the dipstick. If your oil pressure light is on, it will turn off shortly.

You are probably wondering what to do with all of the dirty engine oil in your drain pan. Do mother earth a favor and pour it carefully into the now empty oil cans. The oil from one oil change can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water, so proper disposal matters!

You can recycle it at your local recycling center or contact an auto parts store like AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts with oil recycling programs.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

DIY oil changes are just one great way to save money on car expenses. You just saved yourself about $100! But, don’t stop there, keep the money ball rolling by downloading

Jerry

to find the

cheapest car insurance

around.

Jerry is America’s best-rated insurance super app, saving users an average of $800+ per year on car insurance.

Once you download the app, just answer a handful of questions and you’ll get access to quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry makes finding the cheapest

Ram 1500 car insurance costs

easy!

“This app is all about savings!
Jerry
just saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic.” —Rachel B.

RECOMMENDED