2015 Ram 1500 MS-6395

Fuel Requirements
Your vehicle will operate on both unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87, or E-85 fuel, or any mixture of
these two. For best results, a refueling pattern that
alternates between E-85 and unleaded gasoline should be
avoided.
When you do switch fuel types it is recommended that:
•You do not add less than 5 gallons (19 Liters) when
refueling.
•You operate the vehicle immediately after refueling for
a period of at least 5 minutes.
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in driveability
during warm up.
NOTE:
•When the ambient temperature is above 90° F (32° C),
you may experience hard starting and rough idle
following start up even if the above recommendations
are followed.
•Some additives used in regular gasoline are not fully
compatible with E-85 and may form deposits in your
engine. To eliminate driveability issues that may be
caused by these deposits, a supplemental gasoline
additive, such as MOPAR® Injector Cleanup or
Techron may be used.
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles
FFV vehicles operated on E-85 require specially formu-
lated engine oils. These special requirements are included
in MOPAR® engine oils, and in equivalent oils meeting
Chrysler Specification MS-6395. The manufacturer only
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STARTING AND OPERATING 641

recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Material Standard MS-6395. MS-6395
contains additional requirements, developed during ex-
tensive fleet testing, to provide additional protection to
Chrysler Group LLC engines. Use MOPAR® or an
equivalent oil meeting the specification MS-6395.
Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C). In the
range of 0°F (-18°C) to 32°F (0°C), you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for your engine to start, and
a deterioration in driveability (sags and/or hesitations)
until the engine is fully warmed up.
NOTE:Use of the engine block heater (if equipped) is
beneficial for E-85 startability when the ambient tempera-
ture is less than 32°F (0°C).
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon/liter
than gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel
consumption. You can expect your miles per gallon
(mpg)/Kilometers per liter and your driving range to
decrease by about 30%, compared to gasoline operation.
Replacement Parts
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) are
designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be sure
that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol com-
patible parts.
CAUTION!
Replacing fuel system components with non-ethanol
compatible components can damage your vehicle.
642 STARTING AND OPERATING

Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE: 1500 Models Only
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months on
1500 trucks, whichever comes first.
2500 – 3500 Models
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13,000 km) or twelve months on
2500 – 3500 trucks, whichever comes first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
756 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity — 3.6L Engines (1500 Models
Only)
MOPAR® SAE 5W-20 engine oil approved to Chrysler
Material Standard MS-6395 or equivalent Pennzoil® or
Shell Helix® is recommended for all operating tempera-
tures. This engine oil improves low temperature starting
and vehicle fuel economy.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your vehicle. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE:MOPAR® SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to
Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 may be used when
SAE 5W-20 engine oil meeting MS-6395 is not available.
Engine Oil Viscosity — 5.7L Engine (1500/2500/3500
Models)
MOPAR SAE 5W-20 engine oil or equivalent Pennzoil®
or Shell Helix® is recommended for all operating tem-
peratures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. The engine oil filler
cap also shows the recommended engine oil viscosity for
your engine. For information on engine oil filler cap
location, refer to “Engine Compartment” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for further information.
NOTE:
•Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil
certification mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade
number should not be used.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 757

FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS
Engine
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine CoolantWe recommend you use MOPAR® Antifreeze/Coolant 10 Year/150,000
Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology).
Engine Oil – 3.6L EngineWe recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as
MOPAR®, Pennzoil®, and Shell Helix®. Refer to your engine oil filler
cap for correct SAE grade.
MOPAR® SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to Chrysler Material Stan-
dard MS-6395 may be used when SAE 5W-20 engine oil meeting
MS-6395 is not available.
Engine Oil – 5.7L EngineWe recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-20 Engine Oil, meeting
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as
MOPAR®, Pennzoil®, and Shell Helix®. Refer to your engine oil filler
cap for correct SAE grade.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 821

ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Engine Oil – 5.7L Engine 2500/3500
trucks operating under a gross com-
bined weight ratinggreaterthan 14,000
lbs/(6,350 kg.)
We recommend you use API Certified SAE 5W-30 Engine Oil, meeting
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395 such as
MOPAR®, Pennzoil®, Shell Helix® or equivalent. Refer to your engine
oil filler cap for correct SAE grade.
Engine Oil – 6.4LFor best performance and maximum protection under all types of
operating conditions, the manufacturer only recommends full synthetic
engine oils that meet the American Petroleum Institute (API) categories
of SN. The manufacturer recommends the use of Pennzoil Ultra™
0W-40 or equivalent MOPAR® engine oil meeting the requirements of
Chrysler Material Standard MS-12633 for use in all operating tempera-
tures.
Engine Oil FilterWe recommend you use MOPAR® brand Engine Oil Filters.
Spark PlugsWe recommend you use MOPAR® Spark Plugs.
Fuel Selection – 3.6L Engine87 Octane.
Fuel Selection – 5.7L/6.4L Engines 87 Octane Acceptable - 89 Octane Recommended.
822 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE