DodgeRAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis2010Overview/dodge/ram-4500-5500-cab-chassis/2010/base/
DM platform

2010 Dodge RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis.

The 2010 Dodge RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis sits on the robust DM platform, a workhorse designed for heavy-duty tasks, and is equipped with a 12‑quart oil capacity that includes a filter, using 5W‑40 API CJ‑4 oil for optimal protection. This generation maintained a steady drivetrain and chassis layout while offering the dependable maintenance schedule typical of the series. In the broader 2008‑2012 reliability window, the 2010 model was positioned between the lowest complaint year of 2009 (four complaints) and the peak of 2011 (fourteen complaints), indicating a relatively solid mid‑cycle performance that researchers can rely on when evaluating long‑term durability trends.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity12 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-40 API CJ-4OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R DIESEL · 730 DIESEL CCA battery, OE oil filter 05083285AA. 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 DIESEL · 730 DIESEL CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05083285AA
Engine air filter53034051AB
Fuel filter68065608AB
Front wiper blades68051219AA
Serpentine belt53041138AE alt 53041139AE
Thermostat68534176AA alt 05086740AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length226 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height74 in
Wheelbase140.2 in
Curb weight5060 lb
Track (front / rear)69.3 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 12 qt w/ filter of 5W-40 API CJ-4 engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.2
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.4 Pints,
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity10.8 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-40 · API · MS-10902

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts100 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)360.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket360.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle160.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket317.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.87 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.62-1.87 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Engine Compression350

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 6022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

152.0 ft. lbs.52 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
377.0 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
4Recheck torque of 77.0 ft. lbs.77 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep If using old bolts, use the following procedure:

144 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
259 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
390 degrees; If using new bolts, use the following procedure:90 degrees
189 ft. lbs.89 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
344 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
463 ft. lbs.63 ft. lbs
5120 degrees120 degrees
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 216 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 7,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miDriveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 67,500 miEGR Valve (clean) · EGR Valve Cooler (clean) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 97,500 miPower Steering System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
3
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V018000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S1203000003 REV.A2026-06-26Service BrakesTrac-Rite Operation Diagnosis, Chatter, Shudder, Moving From A Stop And Turning
1129062026-06-17EngineBEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT
1129062026-06-17EngineBEARING - CRANKSHAFT THRUST and KIT

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

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VIN
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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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis take?

12 qt w/ filter of SYNTHETIC 5W-40 API CJ-4 MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-10902, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 RAM 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.