2016 Ram 2500 — Complete Fluid Type Specifications

As an ASE-certified master technician, I know that keeping a heavy-duty truck like the 2016 Ram 2500 on the road requires meticulous maintenance and strict adherence to factory fluid specifications. Whether you are running the trusty 5.7L HEMI, the heavy-hauling 6.4L HEMI, or the legendary 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, putting the wrong fluid in your Ram can lead to catastrophic failures, voided warranties, and thousands of dollars in repair bills.

This comprehensive guide covers every factory-spec fluid for the 2016 Ram 2500. Always verify your specific vehicle's requirements in your owner's manual or OEM service information, as capacities can vary slightly based on cab configuration and specific driveline options.

Quick reference

Fluid	Type/Spec	Capacity
Engine Oil (5.7L V8)	5W-20 API SN (Mopar MS-6395)	7.0 qts (6.6L) with filter
Engine Oil (6.4L V8)	0W-40 Synthetic API SN (Mopar MS-12633)	7.0 qts (6.6L) with filter
Engine Oil (6.7L Cummins)	15W-40 or 5W-40 Synthetic (CES 20081 / API CJ-4/CK-4)	12.0 qts (11.4L) with filter
Engine Coolant	Mopar 10-Year/150k OAT (Purple) (MS-12106)	16.3 qts (5.7L) / 22.0 qts (6.7L)
Transmission (66RFE/68RFE/G56)	Mopar ATF+4 (MS-9602)	Varies (Verify in manual)
Transmission (Aisin AS69RC)	Mopar ASRC / AS68RC Fluid	Varies (Verify in manual)
Transfer Case (4WD)	Mopar ATF+4 or BW44-44 Spec	2.0 - 2.5 qts
Front Differential	75W-90 GL-5 Synthetic (MS-9763)	Approx. 2.2 qts
Rear Differential	75W-90 or 75W-140 GL-5 Synthetic	Approx. 4.0 - 4.2 qts
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 (MS-3111)	Fill to MAX line
Power Steering Fluid	Mopar Power Steering Fluid +4 or ATF+4	Fill to MAX line
Washer Fluid	Standard All-Season	Up to 1 Gallon
DEF (6.7L Diesel only)	API Certified ISO 22241	Approx. 5.5 Gallons

Engine Oil

Choosing the correct engine oil for your 2016 Ram 2500 depends entirely on the engine under the hood.

• 5.7L HEMI V8: Requires 5W-20 engine oil that meets API SN standards and Chrysler specification MS-6395. Using a thicker oil can interfere with the operation of the Multi-Displacement System (MDS).
• 6.4L HEMI V8: This heavy-duty specific HEMI requires a dedicated 0W-40 Full Synthetic engine oil meeting API SN and Chrysler specification MS-12633. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is the factory fill and highly recommended.
• 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel: Standard operating conditions (above 0°F) call for 15W-40 heavy-duty diesel engine oil. For harsh winter climates (below 0°F), a 5W-40 Full Synthetic is required. The oil must meet Cummins standard CES 20081 and API CJ-4 (or the newer backward-compatible API CK-4).

Interval Notes: Gas engines should not exceed 10,000 miles or 12 months between changes. The Cummins diesel requires changes based on duty cycle but should not exceed 15,000 miles, 1,000 hours, or 12 months.

Engine Coolant

All 2016 Ram 2500 models utilize Mopar's 10-Year/150,000-mile OAT (Organic Additive Technology) coolant (Spec MS-12106). From the factory, this fluid is dyed purple.

Common Pitfall: Never mix OAT coolant with the older HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology, usually pink/orange) or conventional green coolant. Mixing OAT with HOAT causes a chemical reaction that creates a gel-like sludge, clogging the heater core, radiator, and engine cooling passages, leading to severe overheating and expensive repairs. Always use distilled water if diluting concentrated coolant.

Transmission Fluid

The Ram 2500 has several transmission options, making this a critical area to double-check:

• 66RFE (Gas) & 68RFE (Diesel) Automatics: These Chrysler-built transmissions require Mopar ATF+4 (Spec MS-9602).
• G56 6-Speed Manual: Interestingly, the manual transmission also utilizes Mopar ATF+4 (Spec MS-9602).
• Aisin AS69RC 6-Speed Automatic: This heavy-duty transmission (available on high-output Cummins models) cannot use ATF+4. It requires specialized Mopar ASRC (AS68RC) fluid.

Common Pitfall: Never use "universal" ATF in Chrysler transmissions. The friction modifiers in ATF+4 are highly specific to the clutch packs used in the RFE transmissions. Universal fluids can cause harsh shifting, shuddering, and premature transmission failure.

Transfer Case

For 4WD models, the BorgWarner transfer cases (manual shift BW 44-47 and electronic shift BW 44-46) generally utilize Mopar ATF+4. However, always check your service manual, as some heavy-duty variants may call for Mopar Transfer Case Fluid. Fluid replacement is generally recommended every 60,000 miles, or more frequently if submerged in water or used for heavy towing.

Front and Rear Differentials

The massive solid axles on the 2016 Ram 2500 require GL-5 gear lubricants to protect the ring and pinion gears under high-torque loads.

• Front Axle: Requires 75W-90 Full Synthetic GL-5 gear oil (Spec MS-9763).
• Rear Axle: For heavy towing applications, Ram typically recommends a 75W-140 Full Synthetic GL-5, though 75W-90 is acceptable for standard duty.

Note on Limited Slip: The American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) axles in the 2500 feature a helical-gear anti-spin differential. Unlike traditional clutch-type limited-slip differentials, these do not require an additional friction modifier additive.

Brake Fluid, Power Steering & Washer Fluid

• Brake Fluid: Use a high-quality DOT 3 motor vehicle brake fluid meeting Chrysler spec MS-3111. DOT 4 can be used if DOT 3 is unavailable, as it has a higher boiling point, but do not mix them if avoidable. Never use DOT 5 (silicone-based), as it is incompatible with ABS systems. Flush every 2 years regardless of mileage.
• Power Steering: The 2016 Ram 2500 uses Mopar Power Steering Fluid +4 or ATF+4. Check the cap to be certain, though they share the same MS-9602 specification.
• Washer Fluid: Use any standard automotive washer fluid. In freezing climates, ensure it is rated for sub-zero temperatures.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

If your Ram is equipped with the 6.7L Cummins, it utilizes an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system requiring DEF.

• Specification: You must use fluid that is API Certified to ISO 22241 standards.
• Notes: The DEF tank holds roughly 5.5 gallons. Never add DEF to the diesel fuel tank, and never put diesel in the DEF tank. DEF degrades over time and when exposed to direct sunlight or extreme heat, so purchase fresh fluid and avoid stockpiling it for years.

Taking care of your truck's fluids is the number one way to ensure it lasts for hundreds of thousands of miles. If you aren't comfortable tackling these heavy-duty maintenance tasks in your own driveway, leave it to the professionals.

Find a trusted shop on Repairius.