The 2018 RAM 1500 belongs to the 4th generation DS (2009-2018), built with 3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8, or the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. It takes 5W-20 full synthetic on the gas engines, 5W-40 on the EcoDiesel. Oil changes run 8,000 - 10,000 miles on gas, shorter on the diesel. This is the final model year of that generation, usually the most sorted version of the design before the redesign that followed.
A 2018 RAM 1500 is 8 years old in 2026, which at an average 12,000 miles a year puts it around 96,000 miles - the interval that decides its future. At roughly 96,000 miles the bigger fluids come due - transmission, differential, coolant - and this is the window that separates vehicles that reach 200,000 miles from those that do not. Deferring here is what produces expensive failures later. On that mileage estimate it should already have had a second transmission service, suspension inspection and belts at 90,000 miles, and the next milestone is 100,000 miles - coolant flush, water pump inspection and PCV service - roughly 1 years away at average use.
The fault most worth knowing about on this generation is EcoDiesel emissions system faults and EGR cooler problems. Owners also report HEMI lifter and camshaft failure, the signature expensive fault, often preceded by a tick; and Exhaust manifold bolt breakage on the HEMI causing a cold-start ticking sound. None of these are certainties on any individual vehicle - they are the patterns worth checking for when you buy or when a symptom appears.
Track your 2018 RAM 1500 service history free with the ServiceSage maintenance tracker, or compare it against other model years on the RAM 1500 maintenance schedule hub.
| Interval | Service |
|---|---|
| Every 5,000 mi (severe duty / towing) | Engine oil & filter change, Rotate tires, Inspect brakes and driveline, Inspect for fluid leaks |
| Every 10,000 mi / 12 months | Engine oil & filter change (5W-20 HEMI/Pentastar; 5W-40 EcoDiesel), Rotate tires, Inspect brake pads, rotors, and suspension, Inspect steering and driveshafts |
| Every 20,000 mi | Replace cabin air filter, Inspect brake linings, Replace fuel filters (3.0L EcoDiesel) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Replace engine air filter, Inspect drive belt and hoses, Inspect coolant condition |
| Every 36 months (brake fluid) | Replace brake fluid (DOT 3) |
| Every 60,000 mi | Front and rear axle fluid change (sooner for heavy towing), Transfer case fluid change (4WD), Automatic transmission fluid service (severe duty) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Replace spark plugs (5.7L HEMI / 3.6L Pentastar), Inspect PCV valve, Inspect water pump |
| Every 120,000 mi | ZF 8-speed transmission fluid & filter (normal duty), Inspect accessory drive |
| Every 150,000 mi | Engine coolant flush (Mopar OAT / HOAT), Inspect entire cooling system |
The table above is indexed by service interval. This is the same schedule indexed by odometer reading, for when you know your mileage and want the list. If your odometer sits between these figures, work back to the last one you passed and catch up anything skipped.
| Odometer | Service due |
|---|---|
| 30,000 mi (48,000 km) | Engine oil & filter change (5W-20 HEMI/Pentastar; 5W-40 EcoDiesel), Rotate tires, Inspect brake pads, rotors, and suspension, Inspect steering and driveshafts, Replace engine air filter, Inspect drive belt and hoses, Inspect coolant condition. |
| 60,000 mi (97,000 km) | Engine oil & filter change (5W-20 HEMI/Pentastar; 5W-40 EcoDiesel), Rotate tires, Inspect brake pads, rotors, and suspension, Inspect steering and driveshafts, Replace cabin air filter, Inspect brake linings, Replace fuel filters (3.0L EcoDiesel), Replace engine air filter, Inspect drive belt and hoses, Inspect coolant condition, Front and rear axle fluid change (sooner for heavy towing), Transfer case fluid change (4WD), Automatic transmission fluid service (severe duty). |
| 100,000 mi (161,000 km) | Engine oil & filter change (5W-20 HEMI/Pentastar; 5W-40 EcoDiesel), Rotate tires, Inspect brake pads, rotors, and suspension, Inspect steering and driveshafts, Replace cabin air filter, Inspect brake linings, Replace fuel filters (3.0L EcoDiesel), Replace spark plugs (5.7L HEMI / 3.6L Pentastar), Inspect PCV valve, Inspect water pump. |
| 120,000 mi (193,000 km) | Engine oil & filter change (5W-20 HEMI/Pentastar; 5W-40 EcoDiesel), Rotate tires, Inspect brake pads, rotors, and suspension, Inspect steering and driveshafts, Replace cabin air filter, Inspect brake linings, Replace fuel filters (3.0L EcoDiesel), Replace engine air filter, Inspect drive belt and hoses, Inspect coolant condition, Front and rear axle fluid change (sooner for heavy towing), Transfer case fluid change (4WD), Automatic transmission fluid service (severe duty), ZF 8-speed transmission fluid & filter (normal duty), Inspect accessory drive. |
| 150,000 mi (241,000 km) | Engine oil & filter change (5W-20 HEMI/Pentastar; 5W-40 EcoDiesel), Rotate tires, Inspect brake pads, rotors, and suspension, Inspect steering and driveshafts, Replace engine air filter, Inspect drive belt and hoses, Inspect coolant condition, Engine coolant flush (Mopar OAT / HOAT), Inspect entire cooling system. |
| 200,000 mi (322,000 km) | Same as the 100,000 mi service. |
| Fastener | Torque | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Lug nut | 130 ft-lbs (176 Nm) | 22mm |
Maintenance keeps these away, but when the dash does light up these are the codes this vehicle throws most often - each with what it means and what the repair actually costs.