🔧 3500 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the oil and oil filter on your 3500 keeps the 6.4L engine lubricated and helps prevent internal wear. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, then refill with the correct oil and reset the oil life monitor.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the truck with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 15–30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep the truck in Park and set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses to prevent oil contact.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 13mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range)
• Oil drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Oil filter wrench (strap style)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil - Use what your oil fill cap specifies (commonly SAE 0W-40) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug sealing washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off and let it sit 15–30 minutes. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap to help the crankcase vent while draining.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front (if needed)

• Place wheel chocks, then lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the frame onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and gently shake the truck to confirm it’s stable.

Step 2: Position the drain pan

• Slide the oil drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Inspect the drain plug and replace the oil drain plug sealing washer if it’s crushed, hardened, or damaged.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range) with a 13mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill when the filter comes off).
• Use an oil filter wrench (strap style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Wipe the filter mounting surface clean with shop rags.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a bad leak).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the base, then tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn.
• Hand-tight only—don’t use the wrench to tighten.

Step 7: Refill with the correct oil

• Place a funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 6.5 quarts first, then pause.
• Install the oil fill cap, wait 1 minute, then check the dipstick and top off slowly to reach the full mark.
• Total fill is typically about 7 quarts with filter, but always use the dipstick as final authority.

Step 8: Start, inspect for leaks, and recheck level

• Start the engine and let it idle 30–60 seconds.
• Check underneath with safety glasses on: look for leaks at the drain plug and filter.
• Shut the engine off, wait 5 minutes, then recheck the dipstick and top off if needed.
• Wipe any spilled oil with shop rags.

Step 9: Reset the oil life monitor

• Pedal method: Turn ignition to RUN (engine off). Within 10 seconds, press the accelerator pedal to the floor 3 times. Turn ignition OFF.
• Cluster menu method (if equipped): Use steering wheel buttons to navigate to Oil Life, then hold OK to reset.

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✅ After Repair

• Verify the oil level is at the full mark on the dipstick (not overfilled).
• Confirm the oil life shows 100% (or “reset”).
• Look for drips after a short test drive, then recheck the dipstick once more.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or parts store oil drop-off.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $140-$230 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $55-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $85-$120 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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