Engine Oil Change 2004 Dodge Ram 5.7-Liter Hemi

• The information herein describes engine oil change and oil filter procedures for 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks with 5.7L, 8-cylinder Hemi SMPI gasoline engines.

Engine oil is a viscous lubricant derived from petroleum. It is required to remove and replace  engine oil and engine oil filter routinely on all internal-combustion engines. If motor oil and filter are not swapped out with new oil, internal engine components will become too hot and will prematurely wear out and warp. DiamlerChrysler Corporation “recommends” that Mopar brand lubricants and parts are used when replacing the oil filter and changing the engine oil. The following engine oil change and oil filter removal and installation procedures are based on factory specifications and are cited from the official service manual.

Engine Oil and Filter Replacement Intervals

The factory service manual advise engine oil and filter be changed at 3,000 mile (5,000 kilometer) intervals if a vehicle operates under the following conditions:

• Operates in temperatures below 0° C (32° F).
• Experiences a lot of stop and go driving.
• Driven in sandy or dusty atmospheres.
• Engine is left idling for long periods of time.
• Engine spends 50% of its driving time at high speeds and in hot weather 32° C (90° F).
• If vehicle is used for trailer towing.
• If vehicle is used for delivery service or other commercial service e.g., Taxi, Police.
• If vehicle is used for off-road or in desert atmospheres.
• If engine operates with E-85 ethanol fuel.

Vehicles that are not operated under the conditions listed above, and are not subjected to extreme driving conditions or abuse, can wait until 6,000 miles (10,000 kilometers) before changing engine oil and engine oil filter.

Engine Oil Capacity

Engine Oil Type

The factory recommended synthetic oil type for a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 L Hemi is 5w30 synthetic oil. If temperatures stay above 0° F, switch to 10w-30 . Engines oil with filter require 7.0 quarts.

Engine Oil Change

The factory service manual advise engine oil and filter be changed at 3,000 mile (5,000 kilometer) intervals. The following engine oil replacement proceeders are based on the factory service manual recommendations.

1. Run engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Put the vehicle on a flat level surface and turn off the motor.
3. Hoist and support the truck on safety stands rated for the vehicle’s weight.
4. Remove oil fill cap.
5. Place a suitable pan underneath the crankcase drain plug.
6. Remove drain plug and allow the engine oil to drain into pan.
7. Inspect drain plug threads for damage, stretching or other abnormalities.
8. Reinstall drain plug in crankcase.
9. Torque drain plug to 34 N·m ( 25 ft. lbs.).
10. Lower the truck and fill crankcase with engine oil.
11. Reinstall oil fill cap.
12. Start up the motor and check for oil leaks.
13. Turn off the engine and inspect the engine oil level.

Oil Filter

Removal

Dodge Ram 5.7-liter engines are equipped with a high-quality, high flow disposable oil filter. DaimlerChrysler advises the use of a Mopar or equivalent oil filter replacement.

1. Place an oil drain pan underneath the oil filter.
2. Use an oil filter wrench to loose the filter.
3. Turn the oil filter counterclockwise so as to take off oil filter from the cylinder block.
4. Once you have operated the filter from the cylinder block, tip the filter’s gasket end upward as seen in image below to prevent oil spill.
5. Make sure the oil filter gasket is not stuck on the oil filter boss. In other words, make sure the oil filter gasket was removed with filter.
6. Use a clean cloth to wipe the gasket sealing surface so it is free of oil, dirt and grime.

Installation

1. Apply a light coat of new motor so as to lubricate the new oil filter gasket.
2. Thread and rotate the oil filter onto the adapter nipple until in makes contact with the sealing surface. Once the filter makes a connection with the sealing surface, hand tighten the oil filter one half turn, or 180°, do not over torque.
3. Add oil, verify engine oil level then start the truck’s engine. Inspect for oil leaks.

Summary

Over time, dirt and particles due to engine wear can decrease the life of the engine. A routine engine oil and filter change can extract particles and sludge, keeping the engine at peak operating condition. Furthermore, petroleum-based oils will degrade as a result of heat and pressure and become unable to properly lubricate the motor and internal engine parts. If you plan to keep your truck in good running condition for years to come, it is a necessity to change the oil and filter on a regular basis.