Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual

Component

Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part

Engine Oil – 5.7L Engine 2500/3500
trucks operating under a gross com-
bined weight rating greater than
14,000 lbs/(6,350 kg.)

We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-30 Engine Oil, meeting the
requirements of FCA Material Standard MS-6395 such as MOPAR, Pennzoil, Shell
Helix or equivalent. Refer to your engine oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.

Engine Oil – 6.4L

For best performance and maximum protection under all types of operating
conditions, the manufacturer only recommends full synthetic engine oils
that meet the American Petroleum Institute (API) categories of SN. The
manufacturer recommends the use of Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40 or equivalent
MOPAR engine oil meeting the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS-12633 for use in all operating temperatures.

Engine Oil Filter

We recommend you use MOPAR brand Engine Oil Filters.

Spark Plugs

We recommend you use MOPAR Spark Plugs.

Fuel Selection – 3.6L Engine

87 Octane, 0-15% Ethanol.

Fuel Selection – 3.6L Flex Fuel (E-85)
Engine – If Equipped

87 Octane, Up To 85% Ethanol.

Fuel Selection – 5.7L/6.4L Engines

89 Octane Recommended - 87 Octane Acceptable, 0-15% Ethanol.

876

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!

• Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than

specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will

(Continued)

CAUTION! (Continued)

need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032), by an au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible.

• Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine

coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.

• This vehicle has not been designed for use with

propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is not recommended.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

877

Chassis

Component

Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part

Automatic Transmission – Eight-Speed Automatic

Use only MOPAR ZF 8&9 Speed ATF Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid, or equivalent. Failure to use the correct
fluid may affect the function or performance of your
transmission.

Automatic Transmission – Six-Speed Automatic with
Gasoline Engine (For Diesel Engine see Diesel Supple-
ment)

Use only ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. Failure
to use ATF+4 fluid may affect the function or perfor-
mance of your transmission. We recommend MOPAR
ATF+4 fluid.

Transfer Case

We recommend you use MOPAR BW44–44 Transfer
Case Fluid.

Front Axle – 1500 Four-Wheel Drive Models

We recommend you use MOPAR GL-5 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant SAE 75W-85.

878

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Component

Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part

Rear Axle – 1500 Models

We recommend you use MOPAR Synthetic Gear Lubri-
cant SAE 75W-140 (MS-8985). Limited-Slip Rear Axles
require the addition of 5 oz. (148 ml) MOPAR Limited
Slip Additive (MS-10111).

Front and Rear Axle – 2500/3500 Models

We recommend you use SAE 75W-85 HD Ram GL-5
Synthetic Axle Lubricant. Limited slip additive is not
required for Limited-Slip Rear Axles.

Brake Master Cylinder

We recommend you use MOPAR DOT 3. If DOT 3 brake
fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable.

Power Steering Reservoir – 2500/3500 Models

We recommend you use MOPAR Power Steering Fluid
+4 or MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

879

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.

Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that ser-
vice is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other

than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Dis-
play (DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information.

1500 Models Only

NOTE:

Under no circumstances should oil change inter-

vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or
350 hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The
350 hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a
concern for fleet customers.

2500 – 3500 Models Only

NOTE:

Under no circumstances should oil change inter-

vals exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km), twelve months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a
concern for fleet customers.

882

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Severe Duty All Models

NOTE:

Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the

vehicle is operated in a dusty and off road environment
or is operated predominantly at idle or only very low
engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is considered
Severe Duty.

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:

• Check engine oil level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or damage.

Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it
occurs before the oil indicator system turns on.

• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake

master cylinder, power steering (2500/3500 Models
Only) and automatic transmission (six-speed only)
and fill as needed

• Check function of all interior and exterior lights

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

883

Required Maintenance

Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for required maintenance.

At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil

Change Indicator System:

• Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-

lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.

• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as

required.

• Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped

with dipstick.

• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses

and park brake.

At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil

Change Indicator System:

• Inspect engine cooling system protection and

hoses.

• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or

off-road conditions.

• Lube the front drive shaft fitting (2500/3500 (4x4)

models only).

884

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Maintenance Chart

Mileage or time passed

(whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

Additional Inspections

Inspect the CV/Universal joints.

Inspect front suspension, tie rod
ends, and replace if necessary.

1500 Models:
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level.
If using your vehicle for police,
taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing, change axle fluid.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

885

Mileage or time passed

(whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

2500/3500 Models:
Inspect the front and rear axle
surfaces. If gear oil leakage is
suspected, check the fluid level.
If using your vehicle for police,
taxi, fleet, off-road or frequent
trailer towing, change axle fluid.

Inspect the brake linings, replace
as necessary.

Adjust parking brake as neces-
sary.

Inspect transfer case fluid.

886

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Mileage or time passed

(whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

Additional Maintenance

Replace engine air filter.

Replace spark plugs.**

Flush and replace the engine
coolant at 10 years or 150,000
miles (240,000 km) whichever
comes first.

Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s) (six-speed auto-
matic only), if using your vehicle
for police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

887

Mileage or time passed

(whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter(s) (six-speed auto-
matic only).

Inspect the transfer case fluid,
change for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent
trailer towing.

Change the transfer case fluid.

Inspect and replace PCV valve if
necessary.

** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.

888

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual - part 55