Powerful, capable, smooth, and unrivaled are just some of the words used to describe the 2021 Ram 1500 5.7. But to continue to enjoy this refined ride, you’ll need to know your Ram’s engine oil capacity.

Driving a luxurious truck like the Ram 1500 can come with a load of added expenses. From the cost of fuel to pricey insurance, your regular payments can slowly make a dent in your wallet. Fortunately, you can save on the cost of your vehicle maintenance by changing your engine oil from home!

If you’re unsure where to start, you’re in luck.

Jerry

, the trusted brokerage app for

car insurance

, has put together this guide to 2021 Ram 5.7 oil capacity. We’ll go over how much oil your Ram needs, how often to change your oil, and run through the steps to change your oil from home. After that, we’ll throw in some tips on how to save on your

Ram car insurance costs

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2021 Ram 1500 5.7 engine oil capacity

The first thing you’ll need to know about your 2021 Ram 1500’s engine is how much engine oil it needs.

The engine oil capacity of your 2012 Ram 1500 5.7 is 7 quarts or 6.6 liters. Hold on- what about the 5.7-liter volume your Ram’s V8 cylinders take up? While the two numbers are easy to confuse, they are not interchangeable.

Your engine oil capacity—i.e. the amount of oil you'll need to complete an oil change- is not equivalent to your engine displacement, the volume taken up by your Ram’s cylinders. Before you start changing your oil, ensure you have the right number!

What kind of oil does a 2021 Ram 1500 5.7 need?

So what type of oil is compatible with your 2012 Ram? That’s right—along with a specified oil volume, your truck has a specified oil type. According to Dodge manufacturers, an SAE 5W-20 motor oil will do the trick for your Ram.

While it’s helpful to know what to look for on the shelves, understanding what the numbers in an oil grade refer to will ensure you’re getting the right oil for your truck.

Each number in the oil grade refers to how viscous or thick the oil is. In this oil grade, the 5 in front of the “W” (which stands for “winter”), tells us that the oil will have a low viscosity level at 0°F. The second number, 20, specifies that the oil will also be relatively thin at 212°F.

An oil with low viscosity at various temperatures will lead to less wear and tear on your engine. In addition, opting for syntheticoil as per the manufacturer’s recommendation will allow you to drive for longer intervals between oil changes.

The genuine article: To follow what the manufacturer’s recommend, use

MOPAR® Synthetic 5W-20 Engine Oil

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2021 Ram 1500 5.7

You’re prepared to change your oil with 7 quarts of SAE 0W-20 engine oil. So when is it time to get your hands dirty?

If you’re using conventional oil, you should change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but if you're using a synthetic motor oil, you can drive a good 7,500 to 10,000 miles before doing an oil change.

However, if you notice any of the following symptoms before you’ve reached a designated oil change interval, you may need to change it sooner:

Dark or gritty motor oil

Unfamiliar sounds coming from the engine

A deterioration or change in your vehicle's performance

Unfamiliar smells, like oil or smoke, coming from the engine

MORE:

The most common Ram problems

How to change your oil and oil filter

Let’s get to it! Before you get started, ensure you’re prepared with a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a replacement filter, and 7 quarts of 5W-20 synthetic motor oil.

Begin by running your engine until it reaches a normal operating temperature. After roughly five minutes, you can switch off your engine and pop the hood. Follow these steps to change your oil:

Remove the oil fill cap

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer from underneath the engine

Drain the old oil into the drain pain

As the oil drains, remove the old oil filter

Install the new oil filter

Using a new washer, install the oil drain bolt and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with new oil

Replace the fill cap

Check that you’ve added the right amount of oil to your engine using a dipstick

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.

And there you have it—fresh oil in your truck! Pretty simple, right? Before you hit the road, run your Ram’s engine for a few minutes to ensure there aren’t any oil leaks. The

oil pressure light

on your dashboard should now be off.

The last step? Properly disposing of the dirty motor oil. To do so, seal the old oil in a container and drop it off at a recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

In a few easy steps, you’ve saved on the cost of a mechanic’s labor at a garage by completing your maintenance from home! Want to cut down on your

Ram 1500 car insurance costs

, too? Download the

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