All,
I recently purchased a 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 liter Hemi.
I didn't do much investigation before I did, but I just learned from a local mechanic I need to buy a certain oil when doing oil changes?
Synthetic? He thought it was a 0w-40.
The dealer didn't tell me, that's usually something a salesman does not know.
Also, what is the preferred filter for this engine?
On my '06 Deisel I always used K&N filters with no issues - mainly for ease of installing with the 1" nut on the end.
I love the new truck btw, I would recommend one to everyone!!
Thanks in advance!!

Wally.

I would get the owners manual out of the glove box and do some reading.

My 14 5.7 uses 5w-20 and a Mopar 899 filter. As Stumpy mentioned the owners manual is always your best reference.

You can get your owners manual in pdf form from Dodge.

http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/owners/manuals/

My 6.4 Scat Pack uses 0-40w and I upgraded to the SRT oil filter.

Yes, the 6.4 recommended oil is 0W40 and they suggest you use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum ... It is expensive. I use Mobile 1 0W40 in my 6.4 and the NAPA gold filter ...the filter is considerably smaller than those on the 5.7s

They still recommend Material Standard MS-6395, I believe Pennziol Ultra Platinum is one of a few that claims to meet the standard. On the other hand I think the 6395 standard to be pretty old (maybe explains why so few certify it?) so be sure to meet or exceed the specified API standard.

Robert

I prefer someone with real world experience to get real opinions from.
That's why this is a forum for Questions/Answers.

That's good info, very much appreciated.

It's a difficult concept for some

Congrats on the new truck

Thank you very much!
Like I said, I would recommend this truck to all.
I bought an '06 new, and loved it.
Bought this one last week, and it's friggin awesome.

I am too lazy to change my own oil nowadays and the dealer charges $29 for an oil and filter change, so I just take it to them. Besides, if anything gets messed-up it is on them!

Well, you're both wrong, and Stumpy is right: It's an MDS engine, and correct oil is critical.

I have an MDS '07 hemi so being a know-it-all I ignored the manual and put my normal diesel-spec 10-30 in it and the manual calls for 5-20.

Guess what?

MDS quit working and as a result mileage went down.

Switched back to 5-20 and the MDS came back and mileage went back to normal.

This is the one exception I have found in my automotive experience where the manual and Engineers were 110% right.

I believe there is another exception and that's ATF-4, but I'm not going to be the guina pig.

Wally:

'06 diesel to a 6.4 hemi. You da Man.

How about giving us a nice real-world review/comparison over in the Truck Section?

LOL

We both aren't wrong.

The OP is smart enough to read the owner's manual and follow the manufacture's recommendation.

He came on here to get the back story and it was provided.

I have a 99 CTD with a 6 speed (one of only 135 made that year) and the manual calls for some very unique tranny fluid that you can only get at the dealer

Yep, I'd love to know what kind of mileage you're getting, especially if you're towing.

Clarify your position, smart azz: who are you directing this comment to? Stumpy or the OP?

Not you.

Like the OP I'm on this forum to share what I know and the resources I have and to get knowledge from the wealth of people that are on here.

I find it amusing that lots of people ignored the request and just made the assumption that he should just go to the owners manual.

Sorry if you were some how offended

Morty and I both meant it toward Stumpy.
If you don't own one with real world advice, don't come here giving me advice to read the owners manual. I did that.
I'm really just wondering what other have used and what works best and have real world experience.
Thanks boys for chipping in with that!

What is wrong with going to the owners manual? We just bought a 2016 Jeep Cherokee and there is an unbelievable amount of info in the manual you wouldn't be able to figure out on your own with out a lot of trouble and effort.

I will do that Grizz!
Thanks!

The oil is 7-8 bucks/quart and it takes 7 quarts?
How do you get it done for $29???

My 2015 2500 is a 5.7 non-MDS engine, so it must have different oil. Have you checked what the dealer oil change costs?

When I bought my 2.4L Dart I got a couple free oil changes with the deal. When I went in to use one, the service manager told me I was "lucky" to have got 2 free oil changes for my car, as they "were real expensive because you need synthetic oil". I asked how much they charge for my car's oil change and he said around $80.
They send out service special coupons from time to time and often there is a coupon for a $29 oil change. In the small print it says "Hemi, Diesel and synthetic higher".
My Dart uses 0W-20 which is only available synthetic. Needless to say, I never went back to the dealer for an oil change after I used up my free ones. I stock up on 5 qt jugs of Mobil 1 0W-20 when it's on sale at Meijer for $21 or $22, get a Wix filter at O'Reillys for around $5, so with sales tax it costs me around $29 to do my own oil change. And I don't have to worry about a clod mechanic stripping my oil plug or putting too much or too little oil in either!
Friend of mine bought a Hellcat recently and IIRC was saying it needs 0W-40 and it's sort of hard to find. I don't see 5 qt jugs of it at my Meijers! He found OW-40 someplace, I'll have to ask where and how much he pays, but I wouldn't doubt at all dealers charging $8 a quart for that oil.

Not a mopar but my wifes VW takes Castrol OE 5w40 at around $12 a quart and it uses 6.3 quarts. A rather expensive oil change even when done at home.

I haven't yet, I also got 2 free oil changes when i bought it.
I hope they stick to their word and don't try to charge extra??
i suppose I'm used to changing oil in my diesel, so cost is close any way.
It's still worth it, I love this truck.

Check your local Walmart. I have seen Mobil 1, 0w40 in 5 quart jugs for $27 each !!! When I go to the states I always pick up a couple - that is what my Crossfire uses (8liter is approx. 8quarts) . . . .

The Pennzoil Ultra Platinum could cost close to a hundred bucks an oil change

I knew someone with a Challenger with the high performance 6.4 and it required 0-40wt oil, and had heard him mumbling about the cost. It was almost enough to keep me from buying a Ram 2500 with the 6 .4. I'm glad I did, there are places you can get high quality full synthetic for reasonable prices.

Walmart.com has both Mobil One and Pennzoil for about $25 for 5 qts.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/23636902?wmls...=sem#about-item

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-Platium-Euro-0w40-Sn-5-Quart/163165881

If in doubt, and you don't know what viscosity to use? Check the oil filler cap and it will be clearly labeled.

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0w40 at Walmart is $8/qt, when they have it, which is seldom.

Most parts stores want $9-$10/qt.

It can be found on Amazon for $52/6qts, free shipping, that's $8.67/qt.

0W40 synthetic is an interesting spec.

I guess the "40" (when hot) part is to protect heavily loaded bearings when running hot and hard in a truck application. Same idea some hot rodders have (that includes me!) when running a warmed up engine hard for extended periods.

I guess the 0 part is for fuel economy on cold start. I think this is an EPA test? Also, the MDS system does not like thick oil so to some extent, lighter cold viscosity is necessary for MDS.

I guess the synthetic part has two drivers. One is to get a durable oil with such a wide range of viscosity. Another is to handle extended high heat in the oil. Does the 6.4 have an oil cooler? I am pretty sure the 5.7 does not.

An experiment would be to run some conventional 15W40 in a 6.4. I bet it would hold oil pressure OK in hard use... at least for a while. Also the MDS may not work.

This could be an expensive experiment and I would not run it personally.

hi , anybody try 5w-30 syn on mds 6.4. I have done it on 5.7 , but not a 6.4. ronnie

Jim,
Same here, too much effort to jack up the Jeep and change oil for about the same cost as dealer.
Just had my Hemi Grand Cherokee Jeep done at 29.00 with a coupon, normally it is 39.
Ziegler Dodge in Downers Grove.

Has anyone else noticed Mobil 1 doesn't say it meets Chrysler specs anymore?
Dallas