Dodge›RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup›2008›5.7L/dodge/ram-1500-2500-pickup/2008/5-7l/

DH platform

2008 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup — 5.7L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 5.7L.

Body TRUCKEngine 5.7LTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 and 2500 are DH-platform trucks powered by a 5.7L engine paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. These vehicles deliver an EPA-rated 13/19/15 mpg and require 7 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil when changing the filter. Regarding reliability, this model year is characterized by 12 recalls and 578 total owner complaints, with air bags cited as the top complaint area.

Model year2008 2007 2006 2005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque155 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy13/19/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R U.S. BUILT · 625 U.S. BUILT CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R U.S. BUILT · 625 U.S. BUILT CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLT245-70R17EOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04884899AC alt 04781452BF
Engine air filter	68441763AA
Spark plug	SPFR8TI332 alt SPFR8TE2AA
Battery	BB65F121AA
Front wiper blades	55077100AE
Serpentine belt	53032132AL alt 53041138AE
Thermostat	68174083AA alt 52028898AJ

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	218.9 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	68.5 in
Wheelbase	131.1 in
Curb weight	4295 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	13 / 19 / 15 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 135 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.2
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	6.5
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 70 ft-lbs, MT: 55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	110.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	155 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	135 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	135 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0-15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	94R U.S. BUILT
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	625 U.S. BUILT cca
Optional BCI Group Number	94R - U.S. BUILT
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	730 U.S. BUILT cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Compression	100
Engine Oil Pressure	25-110 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	130 ft-lbs / 145 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	130 ft-lbs / 145 ft-lbs
Other	DUAL REAR WHEELS / SINGLE REAR WHEELS
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 0.86 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tie Rod (lubricate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 12,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 90,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)
At 120,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Dodge RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup lead in one area — the air bags, 142 of 578 reports (25%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 15V-313 and 16V-352 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 44 of the reports describe a crash and 7 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

578

Owner complaints

44 involved a crash · 7 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 578 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags142

Steering63

Power Train54

Fuel/Propulsion System36

Suspension23

Electrical System23

Engine16

Fuel System, Gasoline12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V313000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/05/2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the…

16V352000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 24/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 57 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
103774	2025-05-01	Electrical System	LAMP - DOME
101232	2024-10-29	Power Train	Plate - Planetary
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9004009	2021-04-07	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R battery Vehicles taking 7 qt w/ filter DH-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04884899AC Engine air filter 68441763AA Spark plug SPFR8TI332 Battery BB65F121AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup 5.7L take?

7 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 RAM 1500, 2500 Pickup have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 5.7L get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.