RamC/V2013Overview/ram/c-v/2013/base/

2013 Ram C/V

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 C/V.

Transmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2013 Ram C/V requires 6.0 quarts of 5W‑20 API oil and is paired with an automatic six‑speed transmission, delivering EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 17/25/20 mpg. Owner feedback is limited to just four complaints, with the power train identified as the top concern area, and the model year was subject to two recalls. In the context of the Ram C/V’s reliability history, this low complaint count and modest recall total place the 2013 model among the more dependable years for the line. Consequently, it signals a period of comparatively trouble‑free operation for the vehicle.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 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 · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 68079744AD. 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 · 730 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter68079744AD
Engine air filter04861737AB
Spark plugSP149125AF
BatteryBBH7A001AA alt BBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades68125735AA alt 68028442AA
Thermostat05184894AA alt 05184570AK

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. 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

Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in / 0.463 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.107 in / 0.482 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.04 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
159 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 4059 FT. LBS
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
233 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
3Do not use a torque wrench, turn 75 degrees75 degrees
4Do not use a torque wrench, turn 50 degrees50 degrees
5Loosen all fasteners in reverse sequence shown
622 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
733 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
8Do not use a torque wrench, turn 70 degrees70 degrees
9Do not use a torque wrench, turn 70 degrees.; Do not apply engine oil to the threads or under the heads of the cylinder head bolts.70 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 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 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 16,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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.

Owner complaints about the 2013 Ram C/V lead in one area — the power train, 1 of 4 reports (25%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train 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.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
173
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Power Train1
Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V528000Air BagsReported 04/09/2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram C/V Tradesman cargo vans, equipped with two front bucket seats and no rear seating, manufactured July 25, 2012, to August 20, 2014. In the… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the software in the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2014. Owners may…

13V283000Electrical SystemReported 02/07/2013

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and RAM C/V Tradesman vehicles manufactured May 10, 2012, through June 7, 2013. A software error may result in the opposite side airbags… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the occupant restraint control module, free of charge. The recall began during September 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 173 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91002292023-09-20SuspensionLIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the…
91002292023-09-20EquipmentLIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
930232023-08-30EquipmentWarranty Bulletin D-16-03 - "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC (Rev. B)

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
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific C/V. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 C/V take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 C/V have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the C/V get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.