2020 Ram 2500 Maintenance Schedule: The Ultimate Guide

The 2020 Ram 2500 is a powerful and reliable heavy-duty truck, built to tackle tough jobs and endure demanding conditions. To ensure your Ram 2500 continues to perform at its best for years to come, adhering to a comprehensive maintenance schedule is crucial. This guide, written by an ASE-certified master technician, will walk you through the factory-recommended service intervals, highlight common issues, discuss severe-duty adjustments, provide typical service costs, and touch upon recall awareness for your 2020 Ram 2500.

Factory Service Intervals: Keeping Your Ram 2500 Running Strong

Ram's factory service intervals are designed to keep your truck in optimal condition. Neglecting these services can lead to premature wear, reduced performance, and costly repairs down the line. It's important to differentiate between gas and diesel engines, as their maintenance requirements can vary significantly. The 2020 Ram 2500 was available with two primary engine options: the 6.4L HEMI V8 gasoline engine and the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 engine.

Engine Oil and Filter

6.4L HEMI V8 (Gasoline): Ram recommends an oil and filter change every 8,000-10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, under normal driving conditions. Always use Mopar® approved engine oil meeting FCA Material Standard MS-6395, typically a 0W-20 or 5W-20 synthetic blend. For towing or heavy-duty use, consider shorter intervals.
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6: Diesel engines have different requirements. For the Cummins, the recommended oil and filter change interval is every 15,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, under normal operation. Use only API CJ-4 or higher quality engine oil specifically designed for diesel engines, such as 15W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic-blend. Again, those who frequently tow or operate in dusty conditions should consider more frequent changes.

Air Filters (Engine and Cabin)

Engine Air Filter: Inspect every 15,000 miles and replace as needed, or every 30,000 miles under normal conditions. Operating in dusty environments will necessitate more frequent replacement to protect your engine.
Cabin Air Filter: Often overlooked, the cabin air filter ensures clean air inside your truck. Inspect every 15,000 miles and replace every 30,000 miles, or more often if you drive in polluted areas or have allergies.

Fluids (Transmission, Transfer Case, Axles, Coolant, Brake)

Automatic Transmission Fluid: For both gasoline and diesel models, Ram generally recommends inspecting the fluid level and condition every 30,000 miles. Under normal driving, the fluid and filter typically don't require replacement until 60,000-120,000 miles, but this can vary depending on your specific transmission (e.g., 8HP75 for gas, Aisin AS69RC/68RFE for diesel). Severe duty (heavy towing, off-roading) will significantly shorten this interval to as low as 30,000-60,000 miles. Always use Mopar® brand ATF+4 or equivalent.
Transfer Case Fluid: Inspect every 30,000 miles and replace every 60,000 miles. Use Mopar® Transfer Case Fluid or equivalent.
Front and Rear Axle Fluids: Inspect every 30,000 miles. For general use, replacement is typically recommended every 60,000 miles. Severe duty, such as heavy towing or off-road use, can reduce this to 15,000-30,000 miles. Always use the specified gear oil, such as 75W-90 synthetic for the front and 75W-140 synthetic for the rear, meeting API GL-5 standards.
Engine Coolant: Inspect coolant level and condition at every oil change. Replace every 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Use only Mopar® Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent.
Brake Fluid: Inspect the fluid level at every oil change. Ram often recommends replacing brake fluid every 30,000 miles or every two years, as it can absorb moisture over time, reducing braking efficiency and potentially damaging components. Use DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid as specified in your owner's manual.

Spark Plugs (6.4L HEMI V8 Only)

For the 6.4L HEMI V8, spark plugs are recommended for replacement every 30,000 miles. Use only OEM specified iridium-tipped spark plugs. The 6.7L Cummins diesel engine does not use spark plugs.

Timing Belt/Chain

6.4L HEMI V8 and 6.7L Cummins Diesel: Both engines utilize a timing chain, which is designed to last the life of the engine under normal circumstances. There is no scheduled replacement interval for a timing chain. However, listening for unusual noises (rattling) can indicate potential wear.

Fuel Filters (6.7L Cummins Diesel Only)

The 6.7L Cummins diesel engine has both a fuel filter and a fuel/water separator filter. Ram recommends replacing the fuel filter every 15,000 miles or 12 months, and draining the fuel/water separator whenever indicated by the

2020 Ram 2500 Maintenance Schedule: The Ultimate Guide