When you own a Dodge Ram 1500, you must put the right type of gas in it. Using the wrong type of gas could cause permanent damage to your engine.
So, you need to know—for certain—what type of gas your vehicle uses.
What kind of gas does a Dodge Ram 1500 take?
A Dodge Ram 1500 uses regular gas. But Ram recommends an 89 octane for the V8 engine, which is a mid-grade gas. However, the V8 will also run on regular gas as well. And, Ram recommends regular gas for the 3.6L (219.9 ci) V6 engine.
Next, let’s go over a bit of Ram history. Then, we want to give you additional information concerning your truck, what happens if you put the wrong gas in it, what happens if you mix regular gas with premium gas, and more.
A Little Dodge Ram 1500 History
The first time the name Ram was ever used was in 1981, and it replaced the Dodge D Series.
However, the Ram-head ornament was used as far back as 1933. This truck was named Dodge Ram until 2010.
In 2010, Fiat Chrysler Group restructured Dodge and decided to make the Ram its own brand.
The change from Dodge Ram to just “Ram” was so that the company could put more emphasis on their trucks. FCA felt that by doing this they could better market to real truck consumers. This change would also allow Dodge to market more to performance enthusiasts with their line of muscle cars.
What Size Gas Tank Does the Ram 1500 Have?
The 2019 Ram 1500 comes with two different-size gas tanks, depending on which model you choose. The short bed and regular/quad/crew cabs come standard with a 23-gallon gas tank.
The long bed and regular/quad/crew cabs come standard with a 26-gallon gas tank. But Ram does offer an optional 33-gallon gas tank that you can choose to upgrade to.
What Happens if You Put the Wrong Gas in Your Vehicle?
If you put the wrong type of gas in your vehicle, it will usually misfire and start knocking. You might also notice a reduction in engine power. And, doing so could potentially cause permanent damage to your engine.
If you have a newer, “clean diesel” vehicle, and you put any amount of the wrong type of gas in your tank, it will get into the vehicle’s system and damage the sensitive emissions controls.
Will Mixing Regular Gas with Premium Gas Damage Your Vehicle?
No, mixing regular gas with premium gas in your fuel tank will not damage your vehicle. And, contrary to popular belief, adding premium gas to your regular gas won’t add any extra power to your engine either. The only negative to adding premium gas to your regular gas is that you will have wasted your money by doing so.
If you put regular fuel into a vehicle that calls for a higher octane fuel, it won’t cause damage to your vehicle either. This is because those vehicles have a device called a knock sensor on them. The knock sensor will determine whether or not the ignition timing should be altered.
All of this assumes you’re using fuels that are of the same mixture of ethanol.
What Does Premium Gas Do for Your Vehicle?
Most high-performance vehicles require premium gas. This is because their engines have higher compression ratios. Premium gas almost always has 92 or 93 octane. In comparison, regular gas only has 87 octane. Premium gas was developed to help prevent knock on high-compression ratios vehicles.
Does Premium Gas Last Longer Than Regular Gas?
No, premium gas does not last longer than regular gas as far as fuel consumption goes.
Does Premium Gas Clean Your Engine?
No. Contrary to popular belief, premium gas won’t clean the deposits from your fuel injectors or any other parts of the fuel system. This is because regular gas now contains the same detergent additives as does premium gas.
What are the Symptoms of Putting the Wrong Gas in Your Vehicle?
If you are not sure whether or not you put the wrong gas in your vehicle, there are some signs that indicate that you did. For example, if you put the wrong gas in your vehicle, the engine won’t start.
Your engine might work briefly if you just refueled, but it will then suddenly stop. You might also see abnormal smoke coming from your exhaust system as well.
What Should I Do if I Put the Wrong Gas in My Vehicle?
If you put the wrong gas in your vehicle, you should stop driving it immediately. Driving a vehicle with the wrong type of fuel in it will damage your vehicle. This is because it will get into the other parts of your fuel system.
To correct the problem, you will have to drain the gas tank. Or, contact a fuel-draining service unless you are capable of doing it yourself.
Does Insurance Cover Me if I Put the Wrong Fuel in My Gas Tank?
Almost all insurance companies choose to exclude damages caused by putting the wrong fuel in your gas tank. But there is what is called Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) that in some cases might cover misfueling-related damages.
What’s Next?
Are you thinking about buying another vehicle? Or, perhaps you want to learn a little more about the vehicle you already own.
Either way, checking the Vehicle History could help you learn more about any given vehicle. This could save you from buying a problem vehicle or warn you about known issues, so you know what to watch out for on your current vehicle.
Photos: Stellantis
