2020 RAM 1500 3.6L Oil Capacity: 6 qts or 5 qts?

[tsherv]

This weekend I did my first oil / filter change on my 2020 RAM 1500 with the 3.6L V6. Everything I read says that the crankcase has a 6 quart oil capacity. With a warm engine, I drained the oil until it was dripping out of the engine oil pan. I drained about 5 quarts. I then added 5 quarts, pulled the dipstick, and the oil level was up to the full line. What am I missing? Should have it taken more than 5 quarts?

 

[SniperDroid]

Change the oil filter?

 

[star_deceiver]

6, and don’t over-tighten the oil filter housing cap.

 

[tsherv]

Yes, I did change the filter. It's strange...I had the engine warm, the truck was level, and only drained 5 quarts. I then added 5 quarts and the dipstick was full.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Yes, I did change the filter. It's strange...I had the engine warm, the truck was level, and only drained 5 quarts. I then added 5 quarts and the dipstick was full.

After you put in the 5 quarts, did you run the engine for a minute to pump the oil into the filter then look at the dipstick again?

 

[tsherv]

I didn't check it after I started it...that may be the answer. I'll check.

 

[Tulecreeper]

I didn't check it after I started it...that may be the answer. I'll check.

You shouldn't have to do that, but you never know. I don't think I've ever done that, I just put in what the book said it needed and assumed that took into account the amount in the oil filter.

 

[Willie Mosher]

Read your own man,
But 3.6 jeep are 6 qt

 

[RCush]

i have a 2013 ram with a 5.7. i had been draining mine on a flat/ level driveway. the engine was completely cooled. never checked how much came out, just plugged it up when it stopped dripping.
poured oil in and kept checking till it got in the middle of the cross hatches. always took about 5 quarts of oil including filling the filter.
then i find out its supposed to take 7 quarts?
what am i missing?

 

[BenchTest]

That's what the dipstick is for. Unless you have reason to believe that it's not the correct dipstick. With a filter and oil change, start the engine for a minute to circulate and clear all the voids/refill filter area, shut if off, re-check after 10 minutes. Just slightly over 5qts is what my 3.6 takes every single time. I could just pour in 5.2 qts and slam the hood shut and be confident that it's properly filled, but my OCD prevents that

 

[RCush]

i checked the dipstick to make sure its the correct one and it is. 53021321AK.
maybe i am misunderstanding.
should the truck take 7 quarts at each oil change, including the oil filter?
i can get in the cross hatch with a 1.25 gallon jug of oil including filling the oil filter.

but thats cold. i have not tried to start it, let it run, shut it down and recheck.

 

[grizzstang]

To get a proper oil level check after an oil change you ALWAYS need to start it and run it for a few minutes to pump the oil through the motor and fill the oil filter.

This is oil change 101.

For the 3.2 and 3.6 Pentastar I have found that ours hang on to oil somewhere in the motor after starting. About a 1/2 quart. So if it is in the middle of the hash marks after 15 minutes it should be good. I then let it sit for several hours or overnight and check it again. It is always full after. Where ever that 1/2 quart in the Pentastars gets hung up it takes forever to make it back down to the pan for a proper level check.

My Ram Hemi takes 7 quarts and both our Pentastars take almost 6 quarts.

I always leave a 1/2 quart out then start and check the level. It is far easier to top up then to drain some back out.

 

[RCush]

i do start the truck and check for leaks and alarms, usually run it for a min or two to circulate, but havent rechecked the dip stick.