2026 RAM 1500 Hemi 5.7 recommended oil 0w-20.

[RAMSESSES]

My 2026 RAM Hemi owners manual calls for 0w-20 and to my knowledge is the same engine that was in my 2019 & 2020 RAM's.

The recommended oil for the 2019 & 2020 was 5w-20.

I thought that the 5w-20 was thin but ran it in compliance with the owners manual.

Now the 2026 owners manual calls for 0w-20. Why ?

Why if the 5.7 Hemi engine is the same do they now recommend an even thinner motor oil ?

I will grudgingly comply again with the owners manual and use 0w-20 but my other two trucks ran fine on the 5w-20 and part of me wonders if I should deviate and continue with 5w-20.

Any thoughts ?

 

[mikeru82]

There is very little difference between 0w-20 and 5w-20. The difference is at cold start, where the 0w-20 actually has a slight advantage. Both are 20 weight oils at operating temp. IIRC Ram made that switch for 2021 or 2022. My concern came several years back (with 4th gens) when Ram changed from 5w-30 to 5w-20.

If you’re at all concerned with your warranty I’d stick with the recommended oil viscosity. Now that the power train warranty on our 2020 Limited has expired I’ve switched to Redline 5w-30.

 

[RAMSESSES]

There is very little difference between 0w-20 and 5w-20. The difference is at cold start, where the 0w-20 actually has a slight advantage. Both are 20 weight oils at operating temp. IIRC Ram made that switch for 2021 or 2022. My concern came several years back (with 4th gens) when Ram changed from 5w-30 to 5w-20.

If you’re at all concerned with your warranty I’d stick with the recommended oil viscosity. Now that the power train warranty on our 2020 Limited has expired I’ve switched to Redline 5w-30.

Thanks for your input. I feel better knowing this.

 

[MotorcycleBoy]

Moreover (at least in the EU this is the case) the 0w20 is recommended for all catalytic converter engines.

Sent by SM-F766B on Tapatalk

 

[oe542bob]

My ‘22 Hemi 1500 calls for the 0W20. I use the Mopar filter and Pennzoil

 

[Scram1500]

0w and 5w are basically interchangeable. Without looking at the oil manufactures specification sheet the weights are ballpark numbers, a 5w could flow better than 0w depending on brand.

Cant go wrong with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. Their 5w 20 and 0w 20 have the same pour point of -48 Celsius and same viscosity at operating temp, only difference being during the warm up period the 0w-20 has a slightly lower viscosity which is supposed to save fuel so they say.

 

[1791]

0w and 5w are basically interchangeable. Without looking at the oil manufactures specification sheet the weights are ballpark numbers, a 5w could flow better than 0w depending on brand.

Cant go wrong with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. Their 5w 20 and 0w 20 have the same pour point of -48 Celsius and same viscosity at operating temp, only difference being during the warm up period the 0w-20 has a slightly lower viscosity which is supposed to save fuel so they say.

0-20, e torque, mds......whatever! save fuel? but when you need a new motor from premature wear, mgu, or a 48 volt battery it really is just feel good crap.
because there is no net positive from any of it all i see is negative. just to save a few drops of fuel. in the long run the attempt to save fuel will cost more energy/fuel when you look at the supply chain and logistics of the replacement parts from raw materials to finished product's at the part's counter.......
f-it i run 5-30

 

[HSKR R/T]

My 2026 RAM Hemi owners manual calls for 0w-20 and to my knowledge is the same engine that was in my 2019 & 2020 RAM's.

The recommended oil for the 2019 & 2020 was 5w-20.

I thought that the 5w-20 was thin but ran it in compliance with the owners manual.

Now the 2026 owners manual calls for 0w-20. Why ?

Why if the 5.7 Hemi engine is the same do they now recommend an even thinner motor oil ?

I will grudgingly comply again with the owners manual and use 0w-20 but my other two trucks ran fine on the 5w-20 and part of me wonders if I should deviate and continue with 5w-20.

Any thoughts ?

You do realize the only difference between a 5w-20 and a 0w-20 is how well the oil flows when cold? They are both still 20 weight oils, so it's not "thinner".

 

[RAMSESSES]

My 2026 RAM Hemi owners manual calls for 0w-20 and to my knowledge is the same engine that was in my 2019 & 2020 RAM's.

The recommended oil for the 2019 & 2020 was 5w-20.

I thought that the 5w-20 was thin but ran it in compliance with the owners manual.

Now the 2026 owners manual calls for 0w-20. Why ?

Why if the 5.7 Hemi engine is the same do they now recommend an even thinner motor oil ?

I will grudgingly comply again with the owners manual and use 0w-20 but my other two trucks ran fine on the 5w-20 and part of me wonders if I should deviate and continue with 5w-20.

Any thoughts ?

I forgot to mention that upon checking my oil for the first time the oil level was 1 Qt too high.

I should have checked it before I left the dealership.

( How many people do that ) ?

First service done at 654 miles ( Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0w-20 Synthetic Oil & OEM Mopar Oil Filter )

( The mechanic confirmed that the oil level was 1 Qt too high )

If you're buying a new truck you might want to to check your oil right away for piece of mind.

 

[Cbty2050]

0-20, e torque, mds......whatever! save fuel? but when you need a new motor from premature wear, mgu, or a 48 volt battery it really is just feel good crap.
because there is no net positive from any of it all i see is negative. just to save a few drops of fuel. in the long run the attempt to save fuel will cost more energy/fuel when you look at the supply chain and logistics of the replacement parts from raw materials to finished product's at the part's counter.......
f-it i run 5-30

This is like arguing over gear ratios in an oil thread. All you had to say is I use 5w30 because they used it in 2005 with no issues.

 

[bunk22]

Being my 2023 5.7 is still under warranty, I use 0W-20 as advertised. A buddy of mine has a 2017 Ram 1500 5.7 with just over 200,000 miles and he has been using 0W-40 for the last few years with no negative effects. I think he believe it helps deal with the hemi-tick.

 

[bigdodge]

I tried to find the large oil thread but was unable to find to find it

 

[wallyuwl]

I use Kirkland brand (Costco) full synthetic, made by Warren, 5W-30. Runs great with it. Smoother and quieter than when I ran the spec'd 5W-20 (mostly Pennzoil Platinum).