2012 Ram 5.7 HEMI Oil?

[longislandcampe]

My brother is using this truck to tow his 8,000# camper. It's used almost exclusively for towing to local campgrounds of about 25 miles away being the furthest.

We are starting to get into doing our own oil changes and were wondering what we should use for oil and filter. Any suggestions?

[ib516]

I thought there was something in the manual about using 5w30 when towing?

[twinstick]

I run Castrol synthetic 5w20 in my wife's 2014 Grand Cherokee with the hemi. I bought a case of filters from Dodge for under $50 for 10. I buy oil at Walmart, they usually have it for $22 for a 5 quart.

[jerem0621]

Not a Hemi but PYB (Pennzoil Yellow Bottle) is Chrysler certified at least for the Pentastar and is factory fill. I'd double check the owners manual to make sure that it doesn't call for synthetic but if it doesn't this PYB Dino oil has worked great.

I tried Amzoil OE which is also Chrysler Certified and it made me nervous. The motor was much more noisy and I just didn't like it. I only used it for one oil change and then right back to PYB. Noise immediately quieted down.

I wanted to try Mobile 1 but it does not carry the Chrysler Certification. I don't really know if that matters or not, but I have just stuck with PYB and it's performed great.

I normally run Semi Synthetic Motorcraft 5w-20 with my Ford Mod motors but ran PYB 5w-20 on my last oil change in my 4.6 powered F150. Seems to be doing a great job.

We recently passed 80,000k miles on our Van and I noticed that Motor is quieter now than it Has ever been.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[1995brave]

My 2012 Ram specifies 5W-20 and I use Mobil One full synthetic and either Fram or K&N filters (which ever is in sale). It takes 7 quarts.

[Ron3rd]

FishOnOne wrote:

Ron3rd wrote:
Use any major brand oil that meets the mfg specs: Castrol, Penzoil, Quaker State, etc. For filters, use either the Mopar OEM brand (WalMart carries them), or WIX brand. Don't over complicate it! Very simple.

Agreed.... but I would make sure to use the proper weight of 5W20 for the MDS system.

Yes, use whatever the owners manual requires, and any major brand is fine. Nothing magical about engine oil

[larry_barnhart]

Our 2018 equinox came with 0/20 synthetic. Must be special so it will be the oil it gets.

chevman

[FishOnOne]

Ron3rd wrote:
Use any major brand oil that meets the mfg specs: Castrol, Penzoil, Quaker State, etc. For filters, use either the Mopar OEM brand (WalMart carries them), or WIX brand. Don't over complicate it! Very simple.

Agreed.... but I would make sure to use the proper weight of 5W20 for the MDS system.

[Lwiddis]

Can't believe Chrysler does not specify oil weight in owner's manual or that something different is needed for 25 mile tows.

[Ron3rd]

Use any major brand oil that meets the mfg specs: Castrol, Penzoil, Quaker State, etc. For filters, use either the Mopar OEM brand (WalMart carries them), or WIX brand. Don't over complicate it! Very simple.