New 2012 Ram 1500 owner

[Ron B]

Just purchased a 2012 Ram 1500 ST 4 door 4wd with 5.7 Hemi 6 spd auto with 60K miles. From the experts out there, what are some issues and other preventative maintenance (beyond recommended scheduled) I should be looking out for?

 

[Burla]

Plugs are past due, you might have 30k mile plugs, dif oil change as well. Read my oil filter thread in my sig, good read. Check tranny fluid, is it still red?

your manual online.

 

[miguelherrera4]

Your exhaust manifold bolts are def gonna snap. Mine happened at 80k but everyone's do from around 50 on up. Just replace with better ones when they do.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Burla]

You have to use Mopar NGK LZFR5C–11 plugs.

Next task you have to find out if you have HOAT or OAT coolant because you are on the cut off I think. PM member H395 he just went through this. They do not mix and if you have HOAT, you are past due on this item as well as plugs and differential service. Might want to look into PEA fuel cleaners as well. And the always overlooked pcv valve, time to swap out easy job.

 

[Burla]

You need to find out of you have the bw44 tranfer case, if you do you need to use MOPAR BW44–44 Transfer Case Fluid and nothing else. Cost a fortune. Your transmission would be the last thing I address if the fluid is red still, but that is easy it just takes atf4, A lot of guys like Redline C+ for that application.

 

[MADDOG]

Welcome to RamForum.

 

[chrism1367]

You have to use Mopar NGK LZFR5C–11 plugs.

Next task you have to find out if you have HOAT or OAT coolant because you are on the cut off I think. PM member H395 he just went through this. They do not mix and if you have HOAT, you are past due on this item as well as plugs and differential service. Might want to look into PEA fuel cleaners as well. And the always overlooked pcv valve, time to swap out easy job.

Aren't we able to use champion plugs instead of ngk? I just bought champions for like 30 for 16 of them, listed as direct replacement for the 30k spark plugs (copper)

 

[Burla]

Aren't we able to use champion plugs instead of ngk? I just bought champions for like 30 for 16 of them, listed as direct replacement for the 30k spark plugs (copper)

Who told you those would work? I haven't put much more thought into it and haven't looked at any other specs besides copper, maybe those will work, but for sure Mopar NGK will work. If you use different plugs then ngk mopar, I would do research. Good to have options, mopar ngk 60 bucks off amazon.

 

[chrism1367]

I've seen it listed at a couple different websites, rockauto is one. That's where I bought them from. Listed for. 2013 ram 1500

 

[chrism1367]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ram,2013,1500,5.7l+v8,3000991,ignition,spark+plug,7212

 

[Ron B]

Plugs were done at 60K before I purchased it. ATF looks good. I'll be sure to check everything else when I get some time. It was a dealer purchase and I have a decent warranty from the dealer on it. Thanks to all for input.

 

[Ron B]

A bit of background on me. I grew up in my parents automotive repair shop in the 60s and 70s. One fond memory I have is when my Dad built up a 426 hemi and put it in a customers Roadrunner. I worked in the shop as a teen until I went in the service, but what I learned has lasted a lifetime. Still have all my Snap-on tools I bought when I was 16-18.

 

[Ron B]

I changed the oil today for the 1st time since I purchased my 2012 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi after about 4000 miles since the dealer changed it. Interesting note they installed a Motorcraft 820S filter, which I use on my Expedition. But I installed the factory Mopar oil filter since I don't know the internal differences in detail between the filters. Also poured in some Pennzoil 5w20 Platinum Full Synthetic.