I don’t have a garage or a shop, and paying a mechanic for every oil change adds up fast. So I learned to do it myself on my 2011 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 HEMI. It takes me about half an hour, and it’s one of those small jobs that makes you feel a little more in control of your week.
What you need
- Mopar MO-090 oil filter (the factory filter for this engine)
- About 7 quarts of 5W-20 full synthetic. My picks: Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 or Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-20
- A drain pan, a socket for the drain plug, gloves and some rags
- Optional while you’re under the hood: an ECOGARD XA3462 air filter
The steps
- Run the engine for a couple of minutes so the oil flows easily, then shut it off.
- Slide the drain pan under the plug, remove it and let the oil drain completely.
- Reinstall the drain plug snug, not cranked.
- Remove the old filter, wipe the mount clean, and rub a little fresh oil on the new filter’s gasket.
- Spin the new filter on hand-tight.
- Fill with about 7 quarts, start the engine, check for leaks, then check the dipstick and top off.
- Take the old oil to an auto parts store. Most take it for free.
Always check your owner’s manual for the exact capacity and oil spec for your truck.
Keep it simple
Small jobs like this save money and add up to a lot of confidence. If you want more easy wins like this, check out the Daily Healthy Habit or browse the gear I actually use.
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