Ram has been building the fifth generation of its 1500 half-ton since 2019. As 5th generation Ram 1500 owners put miles on their trucks, they find them very reliable, when serviced regularly. Read on for the Ram 1500 maintenance schedule.
What is considered high mileage for a Ram 1500?
Ram publishes a maintenance schedule of up to 144,000 miles for its 1500 half-ton pickup truck. Some owners claim that Ram 1500s are so reliable that they don’t consider their Ram trucks high mileage until they hit the mark of the 200k.
The current Ram 1500 (fifth generation) shares many of its transmission components with the older (fourth generation) pickup trucks. The current Ram 1500 Hemi 5.7L V8 and ZF 8-speed automatic are tried and true components with a reputation for longevity.
How many miles will a Ram 1500 last?
The lifespan of a Ram 1500 half-ton depends on how the truck is used and maintained. The fifth-generation Ram 1500 has only been in production since 2019, so there aren’t many high-mileage examples yet. But at least one owner has put 200,000 miles on a 2019 Ram 1500.
Justin Wheeler is a diesel mechanic who must cross the United States with a truck full of tools. He chose a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited and has already put 190,000 miles on his truck. He has diligently stuck to the Ram 1500’s recommended maintenance schedule and promptly addressed issues such as a cracked exhaust manifold. As a result, its drivetrain remains strong.
What is the maintenance schedule for the Ram 1500?
Ram recommends that you take your 1500 half-ton in for an oil change and tire rotation every 8,000 miles. After 20,000 miles, you should also have other truck components inspected and sometimes serviced as well.
During the first 120 miles of his Ram, Justin Wheeler usually waited to take it in for an oil change until the truck warned him it was time. So took it in for service every 8,000-10,000 miles.
Our Motorbiscuit chart of the Ram 1500 maintenance schedule is one of the most comprehensive and conservative around. That’s because we’ve combined official Ram recommendations (via Junek’s Ram dealer) and additional suggestions from CarEdge.com. See the full chart below:
| Mileage | service |
| 8k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 16k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 20k | Inspect the brake pads, tie rods, and all front suspension components |
| 24k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 30k | Inspect brakes, front suspension components, CV joints, transfer case fluid, and transfer case and axle condition |
| 32k | Oil change, tire rotation, air filter replacement, spark plug replacement |
| 40k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 48k | Oil change, tire rotation, spark plug replacement |
| 56k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 60k | Inspect the brakes and suspension components. Check and/or replace: transmission fluid, engine coolant, transfer case fluid, and brake fluid. Inspect all filters. |
| 64k | Oil change, tire rotation, air filter replacement, spark plug/wires change |
| 72k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 80k | Oil change, tire rotation, cooling system flush |
| 88k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 96k | Oil change, tire rotation, air filter replacement, spark plug/wires change |
| 100k | Inspect brakes and suspension components and CV joints. Check and/or replace: transmission fluid, engine coolant, transfer case fluid, and brake fluid. Inspect all filters. |
| 104k | Oil change, tire rotation, cooling system flush |
| 112k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 120k | Oil Change, Tire Rotation, Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement, Transmission Fluid Service, Transfer Case Fluid Service Inspect the brakes and suspension components. Check and/or replace engine coolant and brake fluid |
| 128k | Oil change, tire rotation, air filter replacement, spark plug/wires change |
| 136k | Oil change, tire rotation |
| 144k | Oil change, tire rotation, spark plug replacement, cabin air filter replacement |
Below, find out specifically how the Ram’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8 looks after 160,000 miles, or watch Justin Wheeler answer frequently asked questions about his high-mileage 2019 Ram 1500 in the video below:
