🔧 1500 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your 1500 with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the 5.7L HEMI V8 from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground so the truck is stable and the oil drains correctly.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn you. Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Never work under the truck supported only by a jack. Use jack stands if you raise it.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin from used oil.
• ⚠️ Used engine oil is hazardous waste. Collect it in a drain pan and recycle it properly.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 13mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench 93mm 15-flute
• Oil drain pan 10-quart minimum
• Automotive funnel
• Shop towels
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil SAE 5W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 7 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug sealing washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 1500 on a flat surface and shift the transmission to Park.
• Set the parking brake firmly.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the truck from rolling.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap using your hand. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• If you need more room underneath, use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front frame lift point, then support the truck with jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the frame.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Slide the oil drain pan 10-quart minimum under the engine oil pan drain plug.
• The drain plug is at the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Oil shoots outward at first.

Step 2: Remove the Oil Drain Plug

• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug carefully by hand so it does not fall into the drain pan.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to occasional drips.
• Use shop towels to wipe oil from the drain plug area.

Step 3: Inspect and Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Remove the old drain plug sealing washer by hand.
• Install the new engine oil drain plug sealing washer by hand.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means damaging the threads by forcing the plug in crooked.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench 93mm 15-flute and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• An oil filter wrench grips the round filter so you can turn it without crushing it.
• Once loose, spin the filter off by hand.
• Keep the open end upright as much as possible to reduce spills.
• Use shop towels to clean the oil filter mounting surface on the engine.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter.
• Double gaskets cause major leaks.

Step 5: Prepare the New Oil Filter

• Use your finger with a small amount of fresh SAE 5W-20 oil to lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• This helps the gasket seal and makes the next oil change easier.
• Do not fill the filter with oil before installation on this engine location because it can spill during installation.

Step 6: Install the New Oil Filter

• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the mount by hand clockwise.
• When the rubber gasket first touches the engine, tighten it by hand another 3/4 turn.
• If using the oil filter wrench 93mm 15-flute for final snugging, use only light pressure.
• Do not overtighten the oil filter.

Step 7: Add New Engine Oil

• Place the automotive funnel into the oil fill opening on top of the engine.
• Pour in 6 quarts of SAE 5W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Wait 1 minute, then check the dipstick using a shop towel.
• Add oil slowly until the level is near the full mark.
• Total refill capacity with filter is about 7 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use a flashlight if needed and look under the truck at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Do not put your hands near moving belts, fans, or hot exhaust parts.
• If you see leaking, shut the engine off immediately and recheck the drain plug and filter tightness using the correct tool.

Step 9: Final Oil Level Check

• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil drains back into the oil pan.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean with a shop towel, reinstall it fully, then pull it again.
• Add SAE 5W-20 oil through the automotive funnel in small amounts until the level is at the full mark.
• Do not overfill above the full mark.

Step 10: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Press the ignition button to RUN without pressing the brake pedal, or turn the key to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel arrow buttons to reach Vehicle Info > Oil Life in the instrument cluster display.
• Press and hold the OK button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• If that menu path is not available, use this pedal method: with ignition in RUN and engine off, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor 3 times within 10 seconds.
• Turn the ignition OFF, then start the engine and confirm the oil life message is cleared.

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✅ After Repair

• Check under your 1500 again after a short drive for any oil drips at the drain plug or oil filter.
• Recheck the dipstick level after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• Recycle the used oil and old filter at an approved oil recycling center or parts store.
• Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.
• For normal service, repeat oil changes based on the oil life monitor or severe-duty driving conditions.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $95-$170 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $50-$85 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-0.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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