Do you have a Dodge or a RAM truck with a 5.7 engine and you are looking for the best oil for 5.7 HEMI? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be quite a lot to cover on this topic and we are going to learn everything you need to know when it comes to the proper oil that should be used in this engine.
Doing the proper research before you buy engine oil is the way to go. Why we are saying this? Well, this is actually the case because not all engines work well with any type of oil. You need to make sure that you use the proper type of oil in an engine to work well.
And by proper engine oil, we mean the right oil viscosity, the right type of oil, whether it is a synthetic blend or fully synthetic oil. As well as one thing that people underestimate, and that is the brand of oil.
Even though some engine oils should technically be the same. Sometimes they are not and some engines benefit more from some oils than from others. But you shouldn’t worry because we are going to cover everything.
First, we are going to learn what is engine oil and we will understand oil viscosity. We will also discuss the different types of oil. After we are done with that, we will cover the 5.7 HEMI engine and learn more about its specs. Lastly, we will discuss the best oil for 5.7 HEMI. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.
What Is Engine Oil
Now let’s take a look at what is engine oil before we start learning more about the best oil for 5.7 HEMI and the RAM 1500 5.7 HEMI. Why do we think that this is necessary? Well, mainly because there are people with different car-related problems that are reading this article and want to learn more about the basics. So, this chapter is dedicated to them, as a good introduction.
Nevertheless, engine oil is the main fluid that your engine needs besides the coolant to work properly. Why is this the case? Why my engine needs oil?
Well, this is the case because inside the engine, there are metal components. And these components work really fast and create a ton of friction as well as heat. So, the engine needs a lubricant in order to smoothen things out.
Without engine oil, your engine will simply create so much friction and heat, that it will destroy itself in a matter of minutes if there is no oil inside the block.
As you probably know, each engine has a lubrication system installed on it. The engine internals is designed in a way, to allow proper oil flow non-stop when the engine is running.
At the bottom of the engine is a big oil pan that has a sump connected to it. Once the engine starts running, the sump is collecting the oil with the help of the oil pump and pushes the oil around the engine. But what is the best oil for 5.7 HEMI? More on that we will cover in a bit.
Oil Viscosity
Now before we dive into the best oil for 5.7 HEMI, let’s take a look at oil viscosity and try to understand it.
You are probably familiar with the numbers 5w30, or 10w40. What do these numbers mean and why they are on each oil jug? Let’s elaborate.
Well, when it comes to the numbers, we can say that these numbers are indicating the oil viscosity. And oil viscosity in general terms is the performance of the engine oil in extremely cold temperatures. So, how do you read these numbers?
The first two which are the 5w indicate the performance of the engine oil in winter. And frankly, these are the most important numbers that you need to be aware of.
The smaller the number, the better the oil performs in extremely cold temperatures. So, if you live in some extreme places like Alaska, you might want to use a 0w oil. Since this type of oil is relatively thin in extreme cold.
If you live in a medium climate with four seasons and hot and cold summers like Oklahoma. Then you should opt for something more convenient like 5w30. This oil will be relatively thin in the winter months when temperatures don’t get too low. If you opt for 0w20, the oil will be really thick and the engine will not like it at all.
Or if you live in an area with extremely high temperatures all year long like Florida or California, then going for 10w30 will do the trick.
We forgot to mention that the second two numbers indicate the performance in summer. The higher the number the better it performs in extreme heat. But what is the best oil for 5.7 HEMI? More on that we will cover in a bit.
Types Of Engine Oil
Now since we understood more about engine oil and learned the oil viscosity numbers and their meaning. Let’s now move on and learn more about the types of engine oil that are out there before we start understanding more about the best oil for HEMI 5.7.
If you didn’t know, there are a few types of engine oil that are sold. And the performance of the engine oil really depends on the type of oil that we are talking about. Also, some engines work better with some types of oil than others. But you shouldn’t worry because we are going to cover all you need to know.
1. Conventional Motor Oil
Now let’s cover the first type of oil before we dive into the best oil for 5.7 HEMI. And this is the conventional oil. So, what is conventional oil?
Well, conventional oil in simple terms is a type of oil that is produced out of crude oil in most cases. If you didn’t know, during the production of gasoline and diesel, there are byproducts that are left over.
And one of them is engine oil. So, oil producers found a market for this type of oil and included it in cars.
And during the 20th century, conventional oil was the way to go. All cars up till the 90s included conventional motor oil.
But as time progressed, the drawbacks of this type of oil were more and more noticeable. Namely, the longevity of the oil, as well as the protection that this oil delivers.
Frankly, conventional oil does not last for a long time. 6,000 miles and you have to replace it. It is not like synthetic where you can push the oil for 10,000 miles with no problem. Also, engines improved quite a bit and this required new types of oil to be introduced. And let’s move on to the next type of oil before we dive into the best oil for 5.7 HEMI.
2. Synthetic Blend Motor Oil
The next type of oil that we are going to cover before we dive into the best oil for 5.7 HEMI is a synthetic blend variety. So, what is a synthetic blend?
Well, the synthetic blend is also known as a semi-synthetic type of oil. To great extent, this type of oil is standard conventional oil but with a little twist.
It has some additives that make it last longer and also make it create less sludge. Which is a good thing. These additives make this type of oil last up to 8,000 miles with no problem.
But we still recommend you flush the oil at 7,000 just to be on the safe side. You don’t want to go to extremes with oil changes. Preventive maintenance is key to longevity.
This is the type of oil used mostly on vehicles that are from the 90s and early 00s era. Before the next type of oil that we are going to cover went into the mainstream.
3. Fully Synthetic Motor Oil
And the last type of engine oil that we are going to cover before we dive into the best oil for 5.7 HEMI is the fully synthetic motor oil.
The fully synthetic oil nowadays is the gold standard when it comes to engine oil. Almost all modern engines are using this type of oil because it outperforms any other oil type in terms of longevity, as well as performance.
Also, for the 5.7 HEMI, it is recommended that you use synthetic motor oil. This type of oil easily lasts more than 10,000 miles with no problem whatsoever.
Synthetic motor oils are not something new, they were invented during WW2 for use in extremely cold environments by the Germans. But their introduction in cars was not possible till recent years when the manufacturing of synthetic motor oils became cheaper.
So, nowadays this type of oil is not more expensive than your standard conventional or synthetic blend type of oil. And this is why a lot of people are opting for these modern motor oils. But we would not recommend this for any type of engine.
For example, if you are running a classic HEMI, this type of oil would not work quite well. But if you run a 5.7 HEMI, which is a modern engine, this type of oil is the way to go. But what is the best oil for 5.7 HEMI? More on that, we will cover it in a bit.
What Is The 5.7 HEMI
Now let’s dive into the 5.7 HEMI and learn more about it before we cover the best oil for 5.7 HEMI. Knowing the specs is really useful because there are some people that are interested in buying a Jeep (to learn more, check out our guide on how much do Jeeps cost), RAM, Dodge, or Chrysler with this engine. So, let’s cover something more about it.
The 5.7 HEMI if you didn’t know is the third generation of the famous HEMI engine. This generation was introduced in 2003. And includes engines with a variety of displacements.
In essence, all the engines are pretty much the same. The main differences are found in the displacement.
During their long production run, they were revised a few times. More precisely, the 2009 revision is the biggest one.
In this revision, the engines got variable valve timing, improved intake manifolds, and MDS. MDS if you don’t know is the Multi-Displacement System. This system basically shuts down two cylinders when the engine is not under heavy load.
This helps a bit when it comes to fuel economy. But frankly, some people just delete it and run the engine without it. Since it creates fewer problems. But what are the best oil for 5.7 HEMI and the 5.7 HEMI oil type? More on that, we are going to cover it in a bit.
And last but not least is the HEMI tick, this problem often occurs on older engines that have the MDS system. It creates a subtle ticking noise that can be rather unpleasant. So, people often also look for the best oil for 5.7 HEMI tick. But more on that, after we cover the specs.
5.7 HEMI Specs
Now let’s cover some of the specs of the 5.7 HEMI engine before we dive into the best oil for 5.7 HEMI. Knowing the specs is really important when it comes to an engine for you to determine if this engine is the right one for you.
As you probably know, this engine is a V8 with a displacement of 5.7L or 345cu. The engine block is made out of cast iron and the heads are made of aluminum. Making this engine quite lighter in comparison to the predecessors like the Magnum engine.
The cylinder bore is 3.9 inches and the piston stroke is 3.578 inches. Not a long stroke by any means. But remember that these are pushrod V8 engines designed for running on non-high-performance applications.
The cylinder heads as we mentioned are aluminum and they implement an OHV design with rocker arms. On each cylinder, there are two valves. One for the intake and one for the exhaust. The compression ratio really depends on the application since these engines were included in many vehicles.
The engine uses sequential multi-port fuel injection (you can find out more in our guide on what do fuel injectors do). This makes the engine fuel injection system one of the highlights. Since it does not create many problems like carbon buildup in direct injection engines. So, it gets our recommendation.
The HEMI 5.7 horsepower really depends from application to application. The standard engine delivers about 345hp and 375lb-ft of torque. After the revision in 2009, these numbers were bumped up to 363hp. Some versions even make 392hp and 404lb-ft of torque like in the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer. But what is the best oil for 5.7 HEMI? More on this in a bit.
5.7 HEMI Applications
Another thing that we would want to discuss before we dive into the best oil for 5.7 HEMI is the applications of this engine.
As we noted previously, this engine was included in a variety of Chrysler products. Namely, RAM pickup trucks, as well as the Chrysler 300, and Chrysler Aspen.
Also, in Dodge products like the Dodge Charger and Challenger, the Dodge Durango, and Dodge Magnum.
In addition to this, the engine is also quite popular in Jeep products. Namely, the Jeep Wagoneer (2022), Jeep Commander, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. But what about the best oil for 5.7 HEMI? More on this we will cover in a bit.
5.7 HEMI Oil Capacity
Now before we cover the best oil for 5.7 HEMI, let’s take a look at the oil capacity of the engine. Knowing the oil capacity of oil for the engine will help you determine how much oil you really need to buy in order to flush the oil.
The 5.7 HEMI is not notorious for running a lot of oil. The engine only takes 7 quarts of oil or 6.6 liters.
So, oil changes for this engine are rather cheap and affordable. This is why you should opt to do the oil changes more regularly. But what is the best oil for 5.7 HEMI? More on that, we will cover next.
Best Oil For 5.7 HEMI
Now let’s take a look at what is the best oil for 5.7 HEMI. The recommended viscosity for the 5.7 HEMI is 5w-20 oil. Also, if you live in a colder climate, you can use 0w-20.
Both of these types of oil should meet the FCA Material Standard MS-6395. This means that these oils will run perfectly well with your HEMI engine. Always use oils that are recommended by the manufacturer and meet the standards that they require.
Since using the right oil sometimes can make a world of difference and your engine will thank you in the long run. In the following two chapters, we will give you our picks when it comes to the right oil for your RAM 1500 5.7 HEMI.
1. Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil (1-Quart, Case of 6)
The first in our list of the best oil for 5.7 HEMI is the Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic motor oil. When you have a Mopar, going for Pennzoil is a brainer since Mopar engines work the best with Pennzoil.
This type of oil is a fully synthetic oil that is produced from natural gas. And what is best is that this type of oil meets the FCA standards for this specific engine.
This product comes in a pack of 6, which means that for the HEMI 5.7 you should need 1 more quart since the engine requires 7 quarts of oil.
2. Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-20, 5 Quart
Our second recommendation is the Mobil 1 Full Synthetic motor oil. Mobil 1 is even better than Pennzoil when it comes to longevity.
This type of oil will last for 10,000 miles between oil changes with no problem whatsoever. Even so, we would recommend that you should do an oil change before you hit this mileage just to be on the safe side.
This oil comes in a 5-quart jug. So, you will need to get 2 quarts extra in order to be enough for the 5.7 HEMI.
This oil also meets the required standards and will work well with your 5.7 HEMI engine. Now let’s move on to the next best oil for 5.7 HEMI.
3. Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil 5 QT
And the last on our list of the best oil for 5.7 HEMI is this Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil. This is also an excellent product with more than 20,000 ratings on Amazon.
Also, Mopar engines work pretty well with this type of oil and you will not have any problems with compatibility whatsoever. This oil type also comes in a 5 qt jug but you can customize it in any way you want.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the best oil for 5.7 HEMI. First, we learned what is engine oil and the different types of engine oil. As well as the engine oil viscosity.
Then we covered the 5.7 engine and learned more about it, we covered the specs and applications. Finally, we shared our recommendation on the best oil for 5.7 HEMI. Either way, you will not make a mistake.
F.A.Q
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
How Much Horsepower Does The 5.7 HEMI Have
The number really depends on the year of production and the application. The early engines produce about 345hp. While more modern engines like in the Jeep Wagoneer from 2022 produce 392hp.
How Much Horsepower Does A RAM 1500 HEMI Have
The 5.7 HEMI engine is producing up to 395hp for the 2021 model year. Which is plenty for a truck of this size. This is also a really reliable engine that will last for a really long time if properly maintained.
How Many Quarts Of Oil Does A 5.7 HEMI Take
The 5.7 HEMI takes 7 quarts of engine oil. The recommended oil is 5w-20 with the FCA Certificate. So, make sure that the oil you want to buy is certified for this engine.
What Kind Of Oil Does A Dodge RAM 1500 Take
If you are running the 5.7L HEMI, the oil that you should use is a 5w-20. We would recommend using fully-synthetic motor oil since this is a rather modern engine and synthetic oil like the Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic will work best on this engine.
What Oil Does Dodge Recommend
Dodge recommends using Pennzoil engine oil. Just go for the Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic and you will be good. Just make sure that you get the right viscosity for your application since the numbers might differ between engines.
How Long Will A 5.7 HEMI Last
The 5.7 HEMI easily lasts for 300,000 miles if it’s properly maintained. This is a workhorse engine and is designed to last. So, you will not make a mistake if you get one for yourself. Just beware of the HEMI tick and you will be good to go.
