New Ram Owner Has Questions

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Dodgebloke

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Hemi 5.7
I have recently become the owner of a new, 2022 Ram 1500 (Non ETorque, 5.7 Hemi) that will be used primarily for towing a medium size boat and will not be a daily driver. We live in Indiana so don’t plan on driving up mountains or crossing deserts.

Wanting to do everything I can to give the motor the best chance of a long, happy life and hopefully avoid the “Hemi Tick” etc. issues, I have been doing some reading …… and now my head is spinning.

The internet forums are full of information that probably varies between fact, opinion and urban myth and mostly stated with such conviction it’s not easy to tell which is which, so I’m hoping the more learned folks here can help me by confirming or denying (with something substantial to back it up) some of the stuff I have read.

So, true or false:

The factory installed oil is not fully synthetic and is best replaced a.s.a.p.

The recommended 0-20 oil is specified to in order to obtain EPA fuel numbers and not because the engine specifically needs a 0-20.

Using 5-20 or 5-30 or even 10-30 is preferable.

Using a non-0-20 weight oil will not void the warranty.

Redline oil is the best oil currently available.

Oils by PUP, Amsoil and Mobil1 are perfectly fine but not as good as Redline.

The stock Mopar oil filters are cellulose based and not particularly high quality and are best replaced by a synthetic version from RP, Fram Ultra etc., larger the better, depending on what will fit in the space.

Using a non-OEM filter will not void the warranty.

The lifters are splash lubricated and raising the idle speed by 100 RPM will enhance lifter lubrication at idle.

Raising the idle speed will not void the warranty.

Lifter wear is not caused by a lack of lubrication but because the roller bearings become gummed up with particles from the oil.

Camshaft wear is not caused by lack of lubrication but by a lack of lubricity in the oil.

Disabling the MDS feature either by reprograming or using the Gear Limit switch will enhance engine life.

All the above are things I have recently read at various places on the web. The threads/posts were pretty much all from guys who have Pre-2022 models so I guess my last question would be:

Would all of the above (whether true or false) apply to a 2022 model.

Thanks,
…W
 

CaliRamDude

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2017
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Hemi 5.7
Follow your owner manual, get a oil catch can. Replace your exhaust manifold with headers about 20k-30k in. Do not get a tuner. They do not save you money. You got 5th gen but these our the threats in the past.
 

turkeybird56

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Hemi 5.7
Is there a change for 2022, 0W 20 oil? Did I miss something? Did they go away from the 5W 20 recommendation for the 5.7L? 0W 40 for the 6.4 if I remember correctly. Hmmmm.
 

Jim113

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2020 Longhorn
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I have recently become the owner of a new, 2022 Ram 1500 (Non ETorque, 5.7 Hemi) that will be used primarily for towing a medium size boat and will not be a daily driver. We live in Indiana so don’t plan on driving up mountains or crossing deserts.

Wanting to do everything I can to give the motor the best chance of a long, happy life and hopefully avoid the “Hemi Tick” etc. issues, I have been doing some reading …… and now my head is spinning.

The internet forums are full of information that probably varies between fact, opinion and urban myth and mostly stated with such conviction it’s not easy to tell which is which, so I’m hoping the more learned folks here can help me by confirming or denying (with something substantial to back it up) some of the stuff I have read.

So, true or false:

The factory installed oil is not fully synthetic and is best replaced a.s.a.p.

The recommended 0-20 oil is specified to in order to obtain EPA fuel numbers and not because the engine specifically needs a 0-20.

Using 5-20 or 5-30 or even 10-30 is preferable.

Using a non-0-20 weight oil will not void the warranty.

Redline oil is the best oil currently available.

Oils by PUP, Amsoil and Mobil1 are perfectly fine but not as good as Redline.

The stock Mopar oil filters are cellulose based and not particularly high quality and are best replaced by a synthetic version from RP, Fram Ultra etc., larger the better, depending on what will fit in the space.

Using a non-OEM filter will not void the warranty.

The lifters are splash lubricated and raising the idle speed by 100 RPM will enhance lifter lubrication at idle.

Raising the idle speed will not void the warranty.

Lifter wear is not caused by a lack of lubrication but because the roller bearings become gummed up with particles from the oil.

Camshaft wear is not caused by lack of lubrication but by a lack of lubricity in the oil.

Disabling the MDS feature either by reprograming or using the Gear Limit switch will enhance engine life.

All the above are things I have recently read at various places on the web. The threads/posts were pretty much all from guys who have Pre-2022 models so I guess my last question would be:

Would all of the above (whether true or false) apply to a 2022 model.

Thanks,
…W
The recommended oil for your 5.7 hemi is 5W20 ... I have owned 3 RAM trucks since 2013 and I have used 5W20 Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full synthetic oil along with a Mobil 1 extended performance oil filter, and never developed the hemi tick in any of my trucks ..
I didn't change the factory oil until after I put on about 1000 miles ... I also towed a 20 foot boat with an inboard without any problems ...
I'm not a mechanic so I won't go into the possible causes of the the tick, but all I can do is indicate what oil I use, that in my opinion helped me avoid getting it ... When the store I deal with is out of my Mobil 1 oil I used Castrol Edge Extended Performance synthetic as an alternative without issue ...
I bought a new RAM 2 years ago and when I was at the dealership the guy who bought my 2013, whom I know, was there and I asked him how he was liking the truck, and he stated he loved it and would never get rid of it, and, he never mentioned anything about the hemi tick so I presume it never developed ... HOPE THIS HELPS ...
 
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Dodgebloke

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@jim & Bird
The recommended oil is indeed 0-20.
It’s on the engine oil filler cap and in the owners manual. The manual makes no mention of alternative viscosity grades.
Thanks everyone for the input.

…W
 

yakalong

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KC
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hemi 5.7
@jim & Bird
The recommended oil is indeed 0-20.
It’s on the engine oil filler cap and in the owners manual. The manual makes no mention of alternative viscosity grades.
Thanks everyone for the input.

…W
On my 2019 the oil cap has 5W20
 

Burla

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The difference between 0w20 and 5w20 is next to zero, the both are thin at cst operating temp. The best oil comes down to a given situation. A perfectly fine running hemi would be a different oil then a hemi tick engine with cold piston slap toboot. Generally speaking, don't worry about hemi tick unless you get hemi tick, sounds like a sewing machine at warm idle. PUP is a good choice, either 5w20, 0w20 or 5w30 which in PUP is also close to 5w20 PUP, look it up viscosity sheets are available on every oil. I would however try and get my hands on a Royal Purple 20-820 if I could, see oil filter thread page 1 and 93, fram xg2 another top choice, then there is like nothing out there for our filters. If you ever get hemi tick, look up the threads in my sig.
 

brian42

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There is a large difference between 0w20 and 5w20...warranty coverage.

If you think some dealerships suck when you follow the rules, try it when you don't.

If you want your warranty coverage I recommend following the recommendations in the Owner's Manual.

Yes Redline has more moly but it's a price jump from my PUP. If my tick gets worse I'll jump to Redline but stay at 5w20 as stated in my Owner's Manual. I have a 7 year ESP so will continue to follow the Owner's Manual until then. I do my own oil changes so keep the receipts to prove that I maintained the proper OCIs.

While not all dealerships are looking for a reason to deny work, they will if they don't think that corporate will pay them for the (warranty) work. I am not interested in giving corporate any reason for me to end up like these guys:



I'm sure there's more to each story but, nevertheless, they are denied coverage.

After my ESP is done maybe I'll jump to 5w30 but then there's consternation on the lifters and MDS lubrication:



At that point I'll be around 150K miles so why bother.

Just my .02
 

Wanted33

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IMHO don't overthink it. Just take care of your truck, and it will take care of you. If you can't get the tick, etc out of your mind maybe get yourself an extended warranty (a genine MOPAR warranty, not a third party). My OCD is taking care of my vehicles, but I did buy an 8/85 MOPAR entended warranty for my own peace of mind.

If your interested I bought mine from Granger CDJR in Granger, Iowa. At $50 over cost they beat all the other online dealers in price. Smooth, easy process. Just email them your name, address, phone number, VIN, mileage on the truck, and number of years you want the coverage. They will get back with you quickly on the pricing.

Email: [email protected]
 

Jim113

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Hemi 5.7
@jim & Bird
The recommended oil is indeed 0-20.
It’s on the engine oil filler cap and in the owners manual. The manual makes no mention of alternative viscosity grades.
Thanks everyone for the input.

…W
I stand corrected .. I did check the 2022 RAM owners manual and it does state 0W20 as the recommended grade ... RAM must have done something with the 5.7 engine in the newer models that I am not aware of as my 2020 (5'th Gen) recommends 5W20 ... Perhaps it's the difference in location since I am in Canada ... In any event, enjoy your new ride ...
 
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Dodgebloke

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.......... RAM must have done something with the 5.7 engine in the newer models that I am not aware of .............
Did they though?
I'm wondering if they've made changes to the engine and now it needs a 0-20 of if it's simply a way of getting a theoretical tiny bit more MPG while they really know a 5-20 would be better in the long run?

None of this, is nor will become, an obsession for me; I just like to get to the bottom of things. As I said above, sort out facts from fiction.
It's interesting that in the handbook, the wording reads "we recommend using 0-20" and not "must use 0-20" as you'd expect if they've changed the engine and 0-20 is now a necessity.

...W
 
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Dodgebloke

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Had a good look around under my new 2022 truck and it looks like the designer was handed an oil filter and told “Build a truck around this”!
Everything is doable but why they do crap like this is beyond me.
I’m sure I’ve seen a post with the physical dimensions of the major filter contenders but I’m darned if I can find it.
Can someone please point me to it?
Thanks,

…W
 

brian42

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Did they though?
I'm wondering if they've made changes to the engine and now it needs a 0-20 of if it's simply a way of getting a theoretical tiny bit more MPG while they really know a 5-20 would be better in the long run?

None of this, is nor will become, an obsession for me; I just like to get to the bottom of things. As I said above, sort out facts from fiction.
It's interesting that in the handbook, the wording reads "we recommend using 0-20" and not "must use 0-20" as you'd expect if they've changed the engine and 0-20 is now a necessity.

...W
If you want minimal hassle for any engine-related warranty issues (5yrs/60K miles) "I recommend" sticking with the Owner's Manual recommendations no matter how casual they seem.

Had a good look around under my new 2022 truck and it looks like the designer was handed an oil filter and told “Build a truck around this”!
Everything is doable but why they do crap like this is beyond me.
I’m sure I’ve seen a post with the physical dimensions of the major filter contenders but I’m darned if I can find it.
Can someone please point me to it?
Thanks,

…W
Try changing the oil filter in a newer Ford Ranger. You have to take the left front wheel off, remove the fender liner, then slowly unscrew it (the filter is horizontal) so it drains before you completely remove it. It's so bad (and Ford knew it) that there is a catch funnel and trough that attaches to the frame to prevent an oil mess. It will still be a mess if you don't know this as the oil will come out about a foot behind where you've set up your pan.
 

Farmer Fran

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I use Wix filters and 5w20 Penzoil Platinum. No tick and no issues. Change when the DIC is usually around 20% life

2020 1500, tows a lot. Used to tow 7k trailer now a 4k trailer
 
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