DodgeRAM 3500 Cab Chassis2010Overview/dodge/ram-3500-cab-chassis/2010/base/
DC platform

2010 Dodge RAM 3500 Cab Chassis

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis.

The 2010 Dodge RAM 3500 Cab Chassis utilizes the DC platform and requires 12 quarts of 5W-40 API CJ-4 oil with filter service, specifications that define its maintenance requirements. Reliability records document 150 owner complaints with steering as the top concern, alongside nine recalls. This documented service profile positions the model year within the line's reliability history, providing researchers with concrete benchmarks for evaluation.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity12 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40 API CJ-4OEM · verified
Lug nut torque145 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R DIESEL · 730 DIESEL CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. 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.

Battery groupBCI 94R DIESEL · 730 DIESEL CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05083285AA
Engine air filter53034051AB
Fuel filter68065608AB
Battery04608719AE
Front wiper blades68051219AA
Serpentine belt53041138AE
Thermostat68067109AB alt 05086740AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length226 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height74 in
Wheelbase140.2 in
Curb weight5060 lb
Track (front / rear)69.3 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 12 qt w/ filter of 5W-40 API CJ-4 engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)110.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket254.5 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle160.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket160.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts145 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityDiesel engines, Ram Truck 1500-2500, 1.62; Ram Truck 3500, 1.87; gasoline engines, 1.62. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityDiesel engines, Ram Truck 1500-2500, 6.00; Ram Truck 3500, 7.00; gasoline engines, 6.00. oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.62-1.87 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Engine Compression350
Engine Oil Pressure30 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to KnuckleUpper: 90; Lower: 190 ft-lbs
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0009 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.535 in / 1.338 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.535 in / 1.338 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 6022 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep If using old bolts, use the following procedure:

144 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
259 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
390 degrees; If using new bolts, use the following procedure:90 degrees
189 ft. lbs.89 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
344 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
463 ft. lbs.63 ft. lbs
5120 degrees120 degrees
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 216 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect)
Every 7,500 miDriveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 67,500 miEGR Valve (clean) · EGR Valve Cooler (clean) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2010 Dodge RAM 3500 Cab Chassis dominate in one area — the steering, 64 of 150 reports (43%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the steering, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 4 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering 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.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
223
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
150
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 150 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering64
Steering,Suspension13
Electrical System9
Power Train6
Engine4
Suspension4
Air Bags3
Fuel/Propulsion System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V018000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 223 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S1203000003 REV.A2026-06-26Service BrakesTrac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
1129062026-06-17EngineBEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
1129062026-06-17EngineBEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
1106042026-03-03Electrical SystemSPEAKER - NONE
1106032026-03-03Electrical SystemSPEAKER - NONE

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 3500 Cab Chassis. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis take?

12 qt w/ filter of SYNTHETIC 5W-40 API CJ-4 MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-10902, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.