The complete 3rd-gen Ram 1500 maintenance schedule for 2009–2018—covering the 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.6L Pentastar V6, and 3.0L EcoDiesel with oil-life intervals, common Mopar part numbers, and how towing and 4x4 use change the chart. These engines do not share oil filters, so track the right one in Carmainty.
Quick reference
Factory-style intervals for 3rd-gen Ram 1500 trucks under normal driving. Most builds use an oil-life monitor that adjusts timing from real use—treat mileage figures as maximums, not fixed targets. Severe towing, short trips, and dusty jobsites favor shorter oil changes than the optimistic chart; see the towing section below.
| Interval | Service item | Notes & Mopar |
|---|---|---|
| Per oil-life / ≤1 yr | Engine oil & filter | 5.7: 4892339BE · 3.6: 68191349AC · 5W-20 typical |
| Severe: 5,000–8,000 mi (8,000–13,000 km) | Engine oil & filter | Towing, short trips, idling, dust—don’t wait on the monitor |
| Every oil service | Tire rotation | Check pressure and tread · matched depth protects 4x4 drivetrain |
| Every oil service | Brake inspection | Pads, rotors, lines · towing accelerates wear |
| 15,000–30,000 mi (24,000–48,000 km) | Cabin air filter (later builds) | 68318365AA · supersession 68535623AA · early years may lack one |
| 30,000 mi (48,000 km) | Engine air filter (gas) | 53032404AB — many 2010–2018 gas Ram 1500s |
| 30,000 mi (48,000 km) | Brake fluid inspection | Replace if contaminated · every 2 yr if towing |
| 30,000–60,000 mi (48,000–96,000 km) | Front / rear axle fluid | Inspect · replace sooner if towing, off-road, or deep water |
| 4x4: ~60,000 mi (96,000 km) | Transfer case fluid | Sooner if towing or off-road · confirm spec by VIN |
| Severe: ~60,000 mi (96,000 km) | Automatic transmission fluid | Don’t treat “long-life” as infinite on a hard-worked truck |
| ~100,000 mi (160,000 km) (verify) | Spark plugs | Confirm interval and plug by engine in your owner’s manual |
| Per manual / age | Engine coolant | Inspect level yearly · replace per schedule or if contaminated |
| Every 2–3 years | Brake fluid replacement | Sooner if towing or driving in wet / humid climates |
| EcoDiesel only | Oil, fuel filter & DEF | VIN-specific · not covered by the HEMI / Pentastar part numbers |
Engine-specific — don’t mix up your parts
The 5.7 HEMI, 3.6 Pentastar, and EcoDiesel each use a different oil filter—and the EcoDiesel also needs different oil. Using the wrong Mopar filter is one of the most common DIY mistakes on this generation.
Tradesman · Express · SLT · Big Horn · Laramie · Sport · Longhorn · Limited
4892339BE04884899AC (2009–2012 variants)Spin-on Mopar filter. 4892339BE supersedes 4892339AA/AB; early hydraulic-steering trucks often used the larger 04884899AC—confirm your year.
Tradesman · Express · SLT · Big Horn · Laramie (2013–2018)
68191349ACCartridge filter only—do not use the HEMI spin-on.
Outdoorsman · SLT · Big Horn · Laramie (2014–2018)
Look up the filter and oil spec by VIN on store.mopar.com or with a Ram dealer—do not use gas-engine part numbers.
Detailed schedule
Expand each item for OEM numbers, capacities, and owner notes. Always confirm fitment for your year, engine, and drivetrain.
Per oil-life monitor · at least yearly
Most 3rd-gen Ram 1500 trucks use an oil-life monitor that tracks load, temperature, and trip patterns. On easy highway use it can run well past 5,000 miles (8,000 km); towing, hauling, short cold trips, and long idling push it the other way. Change oil at least once a year even if the monitor hasn’t triggered.
Many 5.7 HEMI and 3.6 Pentastar trucks specify 5W-20 (confirm the cap—some years differ). Capacities are roughly ~7 qt (~6.6 L) on the 5.7 and ~6 qt (~5.7 L) on the 3.6. EcoDiesel uses different oil and a different filter—do not use gas-engine numbers.
4892339BESpin-on Mopar filter widely used on later 5.7s (supersedes 4892339AA/AB). Early 2009–2012 hydraulic-steering trucks often used larger 04884899AC—confirm year.
04884899ACSome early 2009–2012 trucks—verify by VIN before ordering.
68191349ACCartridge filter for 3.6L—do not use the HEMI spin-on.
Every oil service
Rotate at every oil service and measure tread. 4x4 trucks that tow or mix highway and dirt need matched tire depths to protect transfer case, axles, and ABS. Inspect pads, rotors, and brake lines at the same visit—heavy payloads and trailers accelerate wear.
Every 15,000–30,000 miles (24,000–48,000 km)
Later 3rd-gen trucks added a cabin filter (often ~2013+ depending on build). Replace every 15,000–30,000 miles (24,000–48,000 km) or annually, and sooner if HVAC airflow weakens or smells musty. Dusty jobsites and pollen season justify earlier changes.
68318365AACommon 2016–2018 cabin element; Mopar may list 68535623AA as supersession. Earlier years may lack a cabin filter—verify.
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Replace about every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) under normal use. On gravel, construction routes, or wildfire smoke, inspect at 15,000. A packed filter costs power and MPG.
53032404ABCommon Mopar element for many 2010–2018 gas Ram 1500s—confirm EcoDiesel separately.
~100,000 mi (160,000 km) (verify) · coolant per manual
Spark-plug intervals vary by engine and build year—many trucks are listed around 100,000 miles (160,000 km), but confirm your owner’s manual rather than guessing. Check coolant level and condition yearly; towing and hot climates justify earlier service.
This page does not list spark-plug or coolant part numbers because they vary by engine and year. Look them up by VIN on store.mopar.com.
Severe service / 4x4
Towing and 4x4 use mean earlier axle and transfer-case fluid than the “normal” chart. Inspect axle fluids around 30,000–60,000 miles (48,000–96,000 km); replace if discolored or after hard off-road or deep-water use.
Transmission service intervals are long but not infinite on hard-worked trucks. Many owners service ATF around 60,000 miles (96,000 km) under towing—use the fluid specified for your transmission.
If you actually use your truck
Normal-driving intervals assume light loads and highway miles. Regular towing, heavy payloads, jobsite dust, extreme heat, or lots of idling count as severe use—and the schedule shortens. This is where many Ram 1500 owners under-maintain the truck.
Master reference
| Service | OEM / Mopar | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter — 5.7 HEMI | 4892339BE | Spin-on · supersedes 4892339AA/AB |
| Oil filter — early 5.7 HEMI | 04884899AC | Some 2009–2012 trucks · VIN |
| Oil filter — 3.6 Pentastar | 68191349AC | 2013–2018 · cartridge |
| Cabin filter | 68318365AA | Later years · supersession 68535623AA |
| Engine air filter (gas) | 53032404AB | Many 2010–2018 gas |
| EcoDiesel oil filter / oil | VIN lookup | No gas-engine numbers apply |
| Oil viscosity | 5W-20 typical | Confirm under-hood / cap |
The real math
Overdue HEMI oil → MDS / valvetrain issues
Vs. monitor-based (or 5–8k severe) oil changes
$3,000–$8,000+
Wrong oil filter for engine → fitment / filtration risk
Vs. matching 5.7 vs 3.6 filters
Engine damage risk
Neglected ATF under tow load → transmission failure
Vs. fluid service around 60k severe
$3,500–$6,000+
Neglected 4x4 fluids after hard use → axle work
Vs. fluid services
$1,500–$4,000+
People also ask
When the oil-life system says so—and at least yearly. Towing, short trips, and severe use often land between 5,000 and 8,000 miles (8,000–13,000 km). Spec is typically 5W-20 on the 5.7 HEMI and 3.6 Pentastar; confirm the filler cap.
Many 5.7 HEMI trucks use Mopar 4892339BE (early years may use 04884899AC). 2013–2018 3.6L uses 68191349AC. EcoDiesel differs—look it up by VIN. Confirm on store.mopar.com.
Not always. Later years commonly use 68318365AA (or supersession 68535623AA). Verify housing / VIN before ordering.
Many gas 2010–2018 trucks use Mopar 53032404AB (~30,000 miles (48,000 km)). EcoDiesel uses a different element—confirm by VIN.
Yes. Under severe/towing use: oil every 5,000–8,000 miles (8,000–13,000 km), inspect axle fluids every 30,000, transfer case and transmission fluid around 60,000 miles (96,000 km), and brake fluid about every 2 years. Air filters also need earlier inspection on dirt roads.
The 3.0L EcoDiesel needs diesel-specific oil and a different filter than the HEMI or Pentastar. We don’t list part numbers here—look them up by VIN on store.mopar.com or ask a Ram dealer.
No. 2019–2024 trucks are the 4th-gen DT with different cabin and air filter numbers and eTorque on some engines. See the 2019–2024 schedule linked below.
Yes—Carmainty lets you log mileage, set reminders for each interval on this page, attach receipts, and track multiple vehicles. Free to download on the App Store and Google Play.