I bought my new ram about 3 weeks ago. It has 1200km's on it. I have been reading here about taking it to the dealer to have them do the first one as the filter is very tight. I really don't feel like spending $130 on a oil change every 10,000km's.

I am not very mechanical, but I figure I can do an oil change. I did it on my ATV so, it's probably the same theory...

Is there a site, or can anyone post how to do an oil change at home on the new Ram? Maybe pictures?

Thanks.

 

$130? where do you live? its only $30 by me

 

Step 1- remove drain plug from oil pan(place something under to catch oil)
Step 2- Put drain plug back in once oil has drained out
Step3- remove oil filter(Will probly be tight. if you can't turn it by hand stab a screwdriver into it. also put something under to catch oil.)
Step 4- install new oil filter(make sure gasket from old filter is not stuck on the engine where the new filter goes.put a light coat of oil on the new gasket before install. tighten about 3/4 past hand tight.)
Step 5- put oil in engine.
Step 6- start truck and make sure engine builds oil pressure(also get out and make sure nothing is leaking.)
Step7-turn off truck and check oil level.

 

If your dealer is charging $130 for an oil change, run. Run fast. That is ridiculous.

If you're not really the do-it-yourself type with experience at auto maintenance and/or with a reasonable selection of basic hand tools then I'd definitely suggest having a dealer do the first change (one that doesn't charge $130). I've been maintaining cars, tractors, sporting equipment, etc. for over 30 years and the first filter change on my new RAM was the most stuck on I've ever seen. I tried a normal plastic cup-style wrench that just spun (slipped). I tried a strap-style filter wrench that just crushed the filter in the middle where I first tried using it. Only by getting the strap wrench on the very end where it is more crush resistant could I get the filter off. The screwdriver trick would have been useless in this case.

Once you get that factory filter off then go ahead and start doing your own changes with the steps Drew listed. It's really a cakewalk unless you deal with something like a stuck filter and that really has no chance of happening when you're doing your own changes because a) you lube the gasket before installing the filter (the factory didn't) and b) you don't overtighten the damn thing!

Rob

 

Dallas Dodge on hemi is 16. plus some change , oil and lube -- top off fliuds

 

I pay 30 plus 2 bucks for the extra oil for the HEMI including filter and anything that would need lube . What I find is they spend time checking you air in your tires where the truck does that for you. They used to oil the hood hinges and door hinges.

 

also remember to place a few rags or paper towels over your rack-pinion,because oil will leak down onto the housing and boot!!!!!

 

I agree, get someone else to do the first one.. even get regular 5W20 for $30-40 first and change yourself after a few 1000k. Just my two cents, but if your stuck in the driveway with no oil in your pan and have to fill it up again to get to a garage because the filter won't come off, what's the difference? Worse, if you stick a screwdriver through the filter and can't get it off, you're towing your truck to the garage.. big bucks!!