1986 Dodge Ram 50 Oil Type & Capacity
The 1986 Dodge Ram 50 oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 2.0 D, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2.0 D, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2.6 E, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2.6 E, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Custom, 2.0 D, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Custom, 2.0 D, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Custom, 2.6 E, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Custom, 2.6 E, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter); the Sport, RWD, Standard takes 5W-20 (5.2 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 2.0 D, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Base, 2.0 D, Standard: 5W-20, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Base, 2.6 E, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Base, 2.6 E, Standard: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Custom, 2.0 D, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Custom, 2.0 D, Standard: 5W-20, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Custom, 2.6 E, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Custom, 2.6 E, Standard: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Sport, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Sport, 4WD, Standard: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Sport, RWD, Automatic: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
- Sport, RWD, Standard: 5W-20, 5.2 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2.0 D, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| Base, 2.0 D, Standard — 2.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| Base, 2.6 E, Automatic — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
| Base, 2.6 E, Standard — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
| Custom, 2.0 D, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| Custom, 2.0 D, Standard — 2.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | 3.70 QTS. | — |
| Custom, 2.6 E, Automatic — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
| Custom, 2.6 E, Standard — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
| Sport, 4WD, Automatic — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
| Sport, 4WD, Standard — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
| Sport, RWD, Automatic — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
| Sport, RWD, Standard — 2.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20/30/40 (Below 60Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (Above -10Deg.F), 20W-40/50/20 (Above 32Deg.F) | 5.20 QTS. | 4.80 QTS. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Ram 50
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Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1986 Dodge Ram 50 take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 2.0 D, Automatic uses 5W-20; Base, 2.0 D, Standard uses 5W-20; Base, 2.6 E, Automatic uses 5W-20; Base, 2.6 E, Standard uses 5W-20; Custom, 2.0 D, Automatic uses 5W-20; Custom, 2.0 D, Standard uses 5W-20; Custom, 2.6 E, Automatic uses 5W-20; Custom, 2.6 E, Standard uses 5W-20; Sport, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-20; Sport, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-20; Sport, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-20; Sport, RWD, Standard uses 5W-20.
What is the oil capacity of a 1986 Dodge Ram 50?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, 2.0 D, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Base, 2.0 D, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Base, 2.6 E, Automatic holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Base, 2.6 E, Standard holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Custom, 2.0 D, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Custom, 2.0 D, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Custom, 2.6 E, Automatic holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Custom, 2.6 E, Standard holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Sport, 4WD, Automatic holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Sport, 4WD, Standard holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Sport, RWD, Automatic holds 5.2 quarts with filter; Sport, RWD, Standard holds 5.2 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1986 Dodge Ram 50?
Most 1986 Dodge Ram 50 owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Dodge recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1986 Dodge Ram 50?
Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1986 Dodge Ram 50. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.