3.6L V6 Pentastar
- Oil viscosity
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 6 qt with filter
- Oil spec
- API SN, MS-6395
- Timing drive
- Chain, no scheduled service
- Spark plugs
- Iridium
- Coolant
- Mopar 10-year OAT (purple)
DS (2009 to 2018)
2016 Ram 1500 Maintenance Schedule
Enter the current mileage to see what needs attention, then use the milestones below to plan the work ahead.
Review status Aug 11, 2026 Verification against the printed manual in progress
BodyPickup
DriveRWD / 4WD
Transmission8-speed automatic (845RE/8HP70) / 6-speed automatic (66RFE, some 5.7L)
Engines2 available
01 / Full schedule
Service points by mileage
Grouped the way a service booklet reads. Costs are broad national shop ranges; severe use shortens the intervals shown in that column.
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tire rotation | Rotate | Every 8,000 mi | Same | $25 to $60 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Replace | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | 4,000 mi / 6 mo | $65 to $125 | Light |
| Front brake pads | Inspect | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
| Oil filter | Replace | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | 4,000 mi / 6 mo | Included in service | Light |
| Rear brake pads | Inspect | 10,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake lines and hoses | Inspect | 15,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | Up to $60 | Light |
| Suspension and steering inspection | Inspect | 15,000 mi / 12 mo | Same | Up to $90 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine air filter | Replace | Every 30,000 mi | 15,000 mi | $35 to $75 | Easy |
| Shocks and struts | Inspect | Every 30,000 mi | Same | $600 to $1400 | Involved |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark plugs (5.7L V8 Hemi) | Replace | Every 32,000 mi | Same | $150 to $420 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serpentine belt | Inspect | First at 60,000 mi, then every 15,000 mi | Same | $90 to $200 | Light |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark plugs (3.6L V6 Pentastar) | Replace | Every 100,000 mi | Same | $150 to $420 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front differential fluid | Replace | Every 120,000 mi | 40,000 mi | $70 to $140 | Moderate |
| Rear differential fluid | Replace | Every 120,000 mi | 40,000 mi | $70 to $140 | Moderate |
| Transfer case fluid | Replace | Every 120,000 mi | 60,000 mi | $75 to $150 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine coolant | Replace | 150,000 mi / 120 mo | Same | $130 to $260 | Moderate |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Test | Every 12 mo | Same | $160 to $320 | Light |
| Battery terminal cleaning | Clean | Every 12 mo | Same | Up to $40 | Easy |
| Brake fluid | Inspect | Every 12 mo | Same | $90 to $160 | Moderate |
| Tire pressure | Inspect | Every 1 mo | Same | Up to $10 | Easy |
| Washer fluid | Inspect | Every 1 mo | Same | Up to $10 | Easy |
| Wiper blades | Inspect | Every 6 mo | Same | $30 to $80 | Easy |
| Service item | Action | Normal interval | Severe use | Shop range | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic transmission fluid | Replace | No scheduled change | 60,000 mi | $150 to $320 | Moderate |
Time limits still apply when you drive fewer miles than the interval. Calendar-based items are listed in their own group above.
02 / Engine and fluids
The specs people need at the parts counter
Confirm the engine before buying fluids, filters, or ignition parts. Capacities and specs differ between them.
5.7L V8 Hemi
- Oil viscosity
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 7 qt with filter
- Oil spec
- API SN, MS-6395
- Timing drive
- Chain, no scheduled service
- Spark plugs
- Conventional, 16 plugs
- Coolant
- Mopar 10-year OAT (purple)
Common tire sizes 265/70R17275/60R20
03 / The year in context
What this schedule asks of you
The 2016 Ram 1500 in the DS generation pairs the Pentastar V6 or 5.7L Hemi with the ZF-designed 8-speed on most trucks. The indicator paces oil changes with a 10,000-mile ceiling and a 4,000-mile severe plan, coolant runs a ten-year clock, and rotations ride along with every oil service.
The plug schedule is where this truck differs from every rival: the Hemi wants sixteen conventional plugs every 32,000 miles. It is a straightforward job with cheap plugs, but skipping it earns misfires and coil bills. V6 trucks skip the drama with 100,000-mile iridiums.
The 8-speed is marketed as lifetime fill, and the fine print disagrees with the marketing for trucks that tow. The severe schedule calls fluid at 60,000 miles, which matches what the transmission builder suggests for hard duty. Axles and the transfer case follow the same logic on worked trucks.
SEV
Shorter intervals
Do you use the severe schedule?
Frequent short trips, towing, dusty roads, extreme temperatures, and long idling shorten the intervals. The severe column in the table above shows by how much; the toggle in the mileage check applies it.
Check severe-use timing04 / Worth knowing
Before you book service
- 01
The Hemi carries sixteen spark plugs on a 32,000-mile interval, the shortest plug schedule of any truck on this site. The Pentastar V6 runs iridium plugs to 100,000.
- 02
A ticking Hemi is usually broken exhaust manifold bolts, not lifters. The bolts shear from heat cycles; listen for a tick that fades as the engine warms.
- 03
These years have no cabin air filter, which is why none appears on the schedule.
- 04
The EcoDiesel V6 follows its own schedule with fuel filters and diesel-rated oil; this page covers the gasoline engines.
- 05
Trucks with optional air suspension should have the compressor and bags inspected yearly; a sagging corner overnight means a leak, and parts prices reward early diagnosis.
- 06
Mid-generation years like 2016 changed trim and equipment only; the service chart is identical across late DS trucks.
05 / Cost outlook
What routine service may cost
Estimated from this schedule over five years or 60,000 miles of normal driving. Parts, labor rates, location, and condition all move the total; treat these as planning figures.
5 years / 60K at a shop $790 to $1,950 Independent shop rates
DIY parts estimate $270 to $760 Routine items only
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, this site earns a commission at no extra cost to you. See the full disclosure.
Find parts for this 1500
- Engine oilAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Engine air filterAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Wiper bladesAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- Front brake padsAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
- BatteryAmazon AutoZone O'Reilly Auto Parts
08 / Common questions
2016 1500 service answers
01 How often does a 2016 Ram 1500 need an oil change?
The published interval is every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Under severe conditions such as short trips, towing, dust, or extreme temperatures, the interval drops to 4,000 miles.
02 Does the 2016 Ram 1500 have a timing belt or a timing chain?
Every available engine, the 3.6L V6 Pentastar and the 5.7L V8 Hemi, uses a timing chain. There is no scheduled timing belt replacement.
03 What oil does the 2016 Ram 1500 take, and how much?
3.6L V6 Pentastar: 5W-20, 6 quarts with filter. 5.7L V8 Hemi: 5W-20, 7 quarts with filter. Confirm the grade printed in the owner's manual before buying.
04 When do the spark plugs need to be replaced on a 2016 Ram 1500?
3.6L V6 Pentastar: every 100,000 miles. 5.7L V8 Hemi: every 32,000 miles.
05 Does the 2016 Ram 1500 ever need automatic transmission fluid changes?
The factory schedule lists no automatic transmission fluid change under normal driving, but the severe schedule calls for one at 60,000 miles. The 8-speed is sold as lifetime fill. ZF, who builds it, suggests fresh fluid near 60,000 to 80,000 miles for hard use, and the severe schedule agrees.
06 When does the 2016 Ram 1500 need a coolant change?
Engine coolant is due every 150,000 miles. The specified coolant is Mopar 10-year OAT (purple).
07 What extra maintenance does the 4WD 1500 need?
The driveline adds its own fluids: differential gear oil and, where fitted, transfer case fluid. They are inexpensive services with long intervals under normal use, and much shorter ones under towing or off-road duty. The schedule table lists each with its interval.
08 What counts as severe service for the 2016 Ram 1500?
Repeated trips under about five miles, extended idling, stop-and-go traffic in heat, dusty or gravel roads, towing, and sustained sub-freezing starts. If a few of those describe a typical week, use the severe column in the table above; most manufacturers write their fine print around exactly that kind of driving.
09 / Sources
Where this schedule came from
- 2016 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, maintenance section Accessed 2026-08-11
- 2016 Ram 1500 User Guide, maintenance plan Accessed 2026-08-11
Reference only. Confirm the schedule for your exact vehicle in the owner's manual. This site is not affiliated with Ram or any manufacturer.
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