RamRAM 3500 Pickup2012Overview/ram/ram-3500-pickup/2012/base/
D2 platform

2012 Ram RAM 3500 Pickup

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 RAM 3500 Pickup.

The 2012 Ram RAM 3500 Pickup. It takes 7 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 engine oil.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 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.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04884899AC alt 05083285AA
Engine air filter53034051AB alt 68441763AA
Fuel filter68065608AB
Spark plugSPLZFR5C11
BatteryBBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades55277446AB
Serpentine belt53041138AE alt 04593852AB
Thermostat68067109AB alt 52028898AJ

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 7 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2
Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity10.8 Pints
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 70 ft-lbs, MT: 55 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 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
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.18-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190 °F
Engine Compression350
Engine Compression100

Brakes

OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle190 ft-lbs / 260 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
OtherDUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0009 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.338 in / 1.535 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 6022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
152 ft. lbs.52 ft. lbs
2back off 1 turn
377 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
4recheck torque77 ft. lbs
590 degrees; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
1M12 bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
2M12 bolts 1-1040 ft. lbs
3M12 bolts 1-1090 degrees
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 8,000 mi; spark plugs every 32,000 mi; coolant every 97,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 97,500 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 7,500 miDriveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 8,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 32,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 67,500 miEGR Valve (clean) · EGR Valve Cooler (clean) · PCV Valve (replace)
Every 97,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Power Steering System (drain, flush & refill)

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

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

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Vehicles with shared specs

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Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 RAM 3500 Pickup take?

7 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.