The Dodge 5.7 Hemi is a powerful engine designed for towing when you need it. It’s fun to look at powerful engine specs, but there’s more to understanding the vehicle.
If you are considering purchasing a Dodge with this engine, you’ll need to know its oil capacity.
How much oil does the Ram 1500 5.7L take?
The 5.7L (345 ci) Hemi engine takes 6.6 liters or 7 quarts of oil. This applies to all 5.7L Hemi engines, from 2003-2020.
There’s more to know about the 5.7L than its oil capacity. We’ll look at the Ram 1500 with the 5.7. You’ll learn the type of oil it needs, and what the maintenance schedule is.
The Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi
The 5.7L Hemi made its debut as an option for the 2003 Ram. The Hemi replaced the 360 V8 that was a signature Dodge engine for decades. The 5.7L provided more horsepower, more torque, and slightly better gas mileage than its predecessor.
The 2013 1500 Hemi has 345 horsepower and 375 lb-ft. It reaches 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds, which is quite a feat for a full-size truck. It has a quarter-mile time of 15.11 seconds and reaches 89 miles per hour.
There were significant upgrades to the engine in 2009. These include variable valve timing, a stronger camshaft, and a higher capacity oil pump. The result is an engine that is more powerful and more durable.
The 2009 Hemi has 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft. It gets 13 mpg with city driving, and 18 mpg with highway driving.
The Hemi has continued to improve, with the 2020 Hemi providing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. This is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It has a maximum towing capacity of 12,700 pounds.
Ram 1500 5.7L Oil Capacity and Type
The best place to find information about your vehicle is the owner’s manual. This will ensure without a doubt you have the right information for your vehicle. However, the information is widely available, and provided here.
Most engines prefer a certain type of oil, but you can get by with other types. This isn’t true with the Hemi. This is due to its MDS (Multi-displacement system).
The MDS system shuts down 4-cylinders when the vehicle is traveling at steady speeds and doesn’t need the power of all eight. This reduces emissions and improves fuel economy.
According to Dodge, the Hemi engine requires SAE 5W-20. You’ll need to use a fully synthetic oil. A high-performance engine needs high-performance oil to run at its best. Conventional oil is not recommended for the 5.7L.
When Should You Change Your Oil?
Again, the best answer will be found in your owner’s manual. However, what follows are the recommendations for the 5.7L Hemi engine.
It’s recommended to follow the oil indicator light in your 1500. It monitors driving conditions, engine conditions, weather conditions, and mileage. It will then tell you when to change your oil based on all these factors.
When the light comes on, you should get your oil changed as soon as possible. Do not go more than 500 miles without changing the oil once the indicator is on.
At the most, you should never go more than 10,000 miles, 1 year, or 350 hours of drive time between oil changes. If you drive in extreme weather conditions or tow frequently, you can expect to change your oil more frequently.
If you frequently drive short distances, you’ll need to change it more often as well. Short distances don’t allow the engine to heat up completely, and this reduces the life of your oil. If you drive in dusty conditions, you should change the oil every 4,000 miles.
Considering a Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi?
If you are considering purchasing a 1500 with a 5.7L, there’s much more information you should know. You can check out Vehicle History for expert reviews, a full list of specs, and owner experiences.
You can also perform a VIN search to learn about the history of the vehicle you are interested in. Knowing the history of the vehicle can be the difference between reliability and a lemon, particularly with an engine that is not forgiving of improper maintenance.
