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2021 Ram 1500 maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

3.6L Pentastar V6 (305 hp) or 5.7L HEMI V8 (395 hp, optional eTorque mild hybrid); 6.4L HEMI V8 (702 hp, TRX only)TradesmanBig HornLaramieMSRP $33,290

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles60k miles90k miles120k miles

Full service timeline

MileageService itemsDetails
5k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic for 3.6L Pentastar V6; 0W-20 full synthetic for 5.7L HEMI V8 (Ram Oil Change Indicator System governs actual interval, typically 8k-10k under normal use, but verify at 5k on first service)
  • Tire rotation
  • Inspect brake pads and rotors — front and rear
  • Inspect front and rear differential fluid level (4x4 models)
  • Check all fluid levels
10k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic (both engines)
  • Tire rotation
  • Inspect cabin air filter condition
  • Inspect transfer case fluid level (4x4 — NV243 or NV273 electronic shift transfer case)
  • Inspect battery terminals and connections
15k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Inspect brake fluid color and level
  • Inspect front suspension ball joints and tie rod ends
  • Inspect front and rear driveshaft U-joints (4x4 models)
30k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Replace engine air filter
  • Inspect spark plugs — 3.6L Pentastar iridium (factory interval ~100k, inspect for fouling at 30k on tow/heavy-use trucks)
  • Inspect spark plugs — 5.7L HEMI iridium (factory interval ~60k-100k depending on eTorque; inspect at 30k)
  • Inspect front differential fluid (4x4 — Mopar 75W-140 synthetic gear oil; change if milky or dark)
  • Inspect transfer case fluid (4x4 — Mopar ATF+4)
  • Inspect rear axle fluid (all 4x4 and heavy-tow 2WD; limited-slip requires friction modifier additive)
  • Inspect 8-speed automatic transmission fluid — ZF 8HP45/8HP70 ATF+4 (inspect condition, especially on tow-package trucks)
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60k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Replace engine air filter
  • Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 (recommended every 2 years or 30k miles, minimum by 60k)
  • Replace front differential fluid — Mopar 75W-140 synthetic (4x4 models)
  • Replace transfer case fluid — Mopar ATF+4 (4x4 models)
  • Replace rear axle fluid — Mopar 75W-140 synthetic with friction modifier if limited-slip equipped
  • Replace spark plugs — 5.7L HEMI iridium (factory interval: 60k miles under normal use; eTorque-equipped trucks may extend to 60k-100k)
  • Inspect serpentine belt — both 3.6L V6 and 5.7L V8
  • Inspect coolant condition (Mopar OAT orange extended-life coolant — first change at 100k or 5 years)
  • Inspect ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid — change under severe-duty/towing schedule
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90k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Inspect serpentine belt condition — replace if cracked or glazed
  • Inspect front CV axle shafts and boots (4x4 front axle)
  • Inspect leaf spring bushings and U-bolts (rear suspension on Tradesman/Big Horn work trucks)
  • Inspect coil spring and shock mounts (Laramie/Rebel air suspension or coil rear models)
  • Inspect brake calipers, hardware, and parking brake cables
  • Inspect 3.6L Pentastar spark plugs — replace at 90k-100k if not previously serviced
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100k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace spark plugs — 3.6L Pentastar iridium (factory interval 100k miles)
  • Replace engine coolant — Mopar OAT orange extended-life (first change at 100k or 5 years, then every 50k)
  • Replace ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid — ATF+4 (mandatory by 100k for towing-duty trucks)
  • Replace front differential fluid — Mopar 75W-140 (4x4)
  • Replace transfer case fluid — Mopar ATF+4 (4x4)
  • Replace rear axle fluid — Mopar 75W-140
  • Full brake system flush — DOT 3
  • Inspect and service front wheel bearings and hub assemblies
120k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace serpentine belt if not already replaced
  • Inspect all suspension components — control arm bushings, sway bar end links, and air suspension compressor (if equipped)
  • Inspect fuel injectors and direct injection fuel rail (5.7L HEMI — carbon buildup inspection)
  • Inspect exhaust manifold bolts and MDS (Multi-Displacement System) solenoids — 5.7L HEMI
  • Inspect steering gear and pitman/idler arms
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Upgrading your 1500's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2021 Ram 1500 — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified 1500 fitments at AlloyHaus →

AlloyHaus is our sister site — built by the same maker as eli5cars.

Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.