Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 5.9L.
The 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 and 2500 pickups ride on the DH platform and are powered by a 5.9L engine that takes 6 quarts of 5W-30 API-spec oil with filter. Owner-reported data shows 578 total complaints, with air bags ranking as the top complaint area, and the model year carries 12 recalls. That volume of complaints and recalls places this model year among the more heavily flagged iterations in the RAM truck lineage, signaling that researchers should scrutinize air bag systems and recall completion records when evaluating examples.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 DIESEL · 750 DIESEL CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 04884899AC alt 04781452BF |
| Engine air filter | 68441763AA |
| Spark plug | SPFR8TI332 alt SPFR8TE2AA |
| Front wiper blades | 55077100AE |
| Serpentine belt | 53032132AL alt 53041138AE |
| Thermostat | 68174083AA alt 52028898AJ |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 218.9 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 68.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 131.1 in |
| Curb weight | 4295 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63 / 63 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 37.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 7.2 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF+4 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 6.5 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF+4 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 5.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 21 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 17 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 37.0 ft-lbs |
| Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts) | 110.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 155 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 135 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 135 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 15.0-22.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 15.0-22.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 65 DIESEL |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 750 DIESEL cca |
| Pressure Test | 15 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 56.0-60.0 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Engine Compression | 350 |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 30 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure RPM | 2500 rpm |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 24 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 130 ft-lbs / 145 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 24 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 130 ft-lbs / 145 ft-lbs |
| Other | DUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0005 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.002 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.102 in / 0.86 in |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi.
| Every 6,000 mi | Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level) |
| Every 7,500 mi | Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Bands (adjust) |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup lead in one area — the air bags, 142 of 578 reports (25%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 15V-313 and 16V-352 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 44 of the reports describe a crash and 7 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 578 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the…
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be…
Showing 5 of 57 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103774 | 2025-05-01 | Electrical System | LAMP - DOME |
| 101232 | 2024-10-29 | Power Train | Plate - Planetary |
| 9100226 | 2023-09-15 | Electrical System | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar… |
| 9100226 | 2023-09-15 | Electrical System | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar… |
| 9004009 | 2021-04-07 | Power Train | Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.