With three powerful engines to choose from, finding the 2020 Ram 1500’s oil capacity can be a bit of a challenge. So let’s help you find the correct oil and the right amount of that oil for your 2020 Ram 1500.

The 2020 Ram 1500 is a tough, durable, powerful, no-nonsense work truck. And it would need all of that power if it ever hoped to transport a printed list of all the trim levels and optional add-ons this pickup had on offer when it came out.

However, finding a 2020 Ram 1500’s oil capacity can be a pain in the rear. This truck has three engines to choose from: a 3.0-liter diesel V6, a 3.6-liter gasoline V6, and a gargantuan 5.7-liter HEMI V8. All three have their own oil capacities and need different types of oil, too.

This guide from

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, will go over the oil capacities of all three Ram 1500 engines, and what types of oil to get for each. We’ll go over changing the oil too. Let’s jump right in!

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2020 Ram 1500 engine oil capacity

Your 2020 Ram 1500’s oil capacity will depend entirely on which of these three engines you have:

3.0-liter diesel V6: 8.5 quarts

3.6-liter V6: 6 quarts

5.7-liter V8 HEMI: 7 quarts

It’s important you don’t confuse engine displacement and oil capacity, as they aren’t the same thing. For instance, the 2020 Ram 1500 5.7’s oil capacity is 7 quarts, but the engine has 5.7 liters of cylinder volume. These are two very different numbers that mean radically different things.

What kind of oil does a 2020 Ram 1500 need?

Now that you know how much oil you need given which of the Ram 1500’s three engines you have, you’ll want to know what type of oil to use as well. Engines need specific types of oil in order to run safely and efficiently, so make sure you use the recommended oil for your engine.

Here are the three engines again, and which type of oil each one uses:

3.0L V6 Diesel: SAE 5W-40 full synthetic

3.6L V6 Gasoline: SAE 0W-20 full synthetic

5.8L V8 Gasoline: SAE 5W-20 full synthetic

Ram recommends using Mopar brand oil, which you can buy directly from the Mopar website or in just about any auto parts store. You can also use oil from other trusted name brands including Mobil1, Pennzoil, Fram, STP, or another brand you trust.

While we’re on this subject, what exactly do all those numbers mean in the oil names? Those refer to oil viscosity or thickness. The “0W” means “zero degrees Fahrenheit, Winter”. It means the engine’s oil moves better when it’s cold out than the 5W oil does.

The “20” and “40” refer to the speed the oil moves through the engine when the engine is running at 212 degrees. Higher numbers here are typically better suited to warmer climates; a mechanic might recommend a higher number here if you lived in, say, Arizona or someplace tropical.

Oil that’s “full synthetic” is man-made, rather than made from crude oil left behind by dinosaurs. Crude oil is used to make full synthetic oil, just not as much. Most modern vehicles call for full synthetic oil as their engines are more advanced and require higher levels of purification. You should only use full synthetic motor oil in your 2020 Ram 1500.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2020 Ram 1500

Now that you know more about your 2020 Ram 1500’s oil capacity and what type of oil to use, let’s quickly discuss how often you should be changing the oil as well.

Mopar recommends getting an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, regardless of which engine your Ram 1500 has. And if you aren’t driving your truck often, it’s recommended you change it every six months. Motor oil does go bad over time!

You’ll come across some experts who argue fully synthetic motor oil can last up to 10,000 miles, but while that’s technically true for many engines, it’s never recommended.

It’s better to replace the engine oil early than wait until the last possible second, and you don’t want to drive for too long with motor oil past its prime. You can end up doing a lot of costly damage, and it’s simply not worth the risk over a generally very cheap oil change.

If you aren’t quite sure if you need an oil change yet or not, here’s how you can tell:

Old motor oil looks dark brown or black, like the color of cola or coffee

It will often (but not always) feel gritty or coarse if you rub it between two fingers

You might smell burning oil or smoke, or some other burning smell when the engine is running

The engine might be performing poorly or sound overly labored

Keep in mind that burning smells or major changes in the engine’s performance or sound should be coupled with an immediate visit to a mechanic to have everything checked out. It could just be the oil, but there’s a risk it could be something much more serious.

MORE:

Ram 1500 Laramie towing capacity

How to change your oil and oil filter

It’s finally time for the fun part! Let’s roll up those sleeves and get to work changing the oil in your Ram 1500.

This is one of the easiest DIY car and truck projects out there, but if you’re super busy or just don’t want to get oil all over your hands, it’s okay to hire a mechanic. Changing your own oil does save you money though, and for a lot of pickup truck owners, this is a rite of passage.

Here’s how it’s done:

Buy your motor oil. You may need to buy more than one container to reach the amount of oil you need for your 2020 Ram 1500

Get the other tools you’ll need, including a socket wrench, drain pan, and filter wrench. It’s a good idea to have some rags on hand, too

Run the engine for a few minutes, until it reaches its normal operating temperature. This heats up the oil and makes it flow more easily, but not to the point where it burns your skin

Remove the oil fill cap, set your drain pan under the oil drain bolt, and remove the drain bolt and washer underneath the truck. You should replace this washer with each oil change

Remove the old oil filter, then just wait around until all the oil is drained.

Once the oil stops coming, you can install your new oil filter, then reinstall the drain bolt and the new washer, tightening it to 29 foot-pounds

Refill the motor oil and then screw the fill cap back on

All set? Great! Now just check the dipstick to make sure you’ve given it enough oil, then run the engine for a few minutes and check underneath your truck for leaks. The

oil pressure light

will turn off soon enough if everything is correct.

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.

One last important note: take your old, used motor oil to a recycling center in a sealed container. Don’t just toss it in the trash or dump it on the ground. That’s dangerous both to you and the environment!

Don’t overpay on your car insurance!

Changing your own motor oil can lower the cost of an oil change, and it’s a gateway experience to the wonderful—okay, sometimes it’s admittedly super frustrating—world of DIY automotive repairs. If you think this saved you money, just wait until you’re replacing more expensive parts!

Of course, if you’re looking for even bigger savings related to your truck, use the

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The days of calling an insurance salesperson and listening to them type for an hour and a half are behind us now. Jerry will find you great quotes fast, saving you hundreds of dollars per year on car insurance in less time than it takes you to check your oil. Give it a try today and see for yourself how much you’ll save!