2012 Dodge Charger Oil Type & Capacity
The 2012 Dodge Charger oil type depends on the engine: the 3.6L takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the 5.7L takes 5W-20 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R/T, 4WD takes 5W-20 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the R/T, RWD takes 5W-20 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the SRT-8 takes 0W-40 (7.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT Plus, RWD, Gas takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT Plus, RWD, Gas/Ethanol takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT, 4WD, Gas takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT, RWD, Gas takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter); the SXT, RWD, Gas/Ethanol takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 3.6L: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- 3.6L: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- 3.6L: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- 3.6L: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- 3.6L: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- 3.6L: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- 5.7L: 5W-20, 7.0 quarts with filter
- 5.7L: 5W-20, 7.0 quarts with filter
- R/T, 4WD: 5W-20, 7.0 quarts with filter
- R/T, RWD: 5W-20, 7.0 quarts with filter
- SRT-8: 0W-40, 7.0 quarts with filter
- SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- SXT Plus, RWD, Gas: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- SXT Plus, RWD, Gas/Ethanol: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- SXT, 4WD, Gas: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- SXT, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- SXT, RWD, Gas: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- SXT, RWD, Gas/Ethanol: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L — Pursuit, 3.6L Eng VIN G, Gas, 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 3.6L — Pursuit, 3.6L Eng VIN G, Gas/Ethanol, 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 3.6L — SE, 3.6L Eng VIN G, Trans Mfr CD 8HP45, Gas, 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 3.6L — SE, 3.6L Eng VIN G, Trans Mfr CD NAG1-W5A580, Gas, 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 3.6L — SE, 3.6L Eng VIN G, Trans Mfr CD 8HP45, Gas/Ethanol, 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 3.6L — SE, 3.6L Eng VIN G, Trans Mfr CD NAG1-W5A580, Gas/Ethanol, 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 5.7L — Pursuit, 5.7L Eng VIN T, 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20 | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| 5.7L — SE, 5.7L Eng VIN T, 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20 | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| R/T, 4WD — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20 | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| R/T, RWD — 5.7L Eng | API - SAE 5W-20 | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SRT-8 — 6.4L Eng | API - SAE Full Synthetic 0W-40 engine oil | 7.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT Plus, RWD, Gas — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT Plus, RWD, Gas/Ethanol — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT, 4WD, Gas — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT, RWD, Gas — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
| SXT, RWD, Gas/Ethanol — 3.6L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | — | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Charger
🛞 2012 Dodge Charger Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2012 Dodge Charger Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2012 Dodge Charger Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2012 Dodge Charger Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
10.0 quarts (9.46 L) — MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) or equivalent. Includes: heater and coolant recovery tank filled to "max" level. DO NOT mix different types or colors of engine coolant.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2012 Dodge Charger take?
It depends on the engine: 3.6L uses 5W-30; 5.7L uses 5W-20; R/T, 4WD uses 5W-20; R/T, RWD uses 5W-20; SRT-8 uses 0W-40; SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas uses 5W-30; SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol uses 5W-30; SXT Plus, RWD, Gas uses 5W-30; SXT Plus, RWD, Gas/Ethanol uses 5W-30; SXT, 4WD, Gas uses 5W-30; SXT, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol uses 5W-30; SXT, RWD, Gas uses 5W-30; SXT, RWD, Gas/Ethanol uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 2012 Dodge Charger?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: 3.6L holds 6.0 quarts with filter; 5.7L holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R/T, 4WD holds 7.0 quarts with filter; R/T, RWD holds 7.0 quarts with filter; SRT-8 holds 7.0 quarts with filter; SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas holds 6.0 quarts with filter; SXT Plus, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol holds 6.0 quarts with filter; SXT Plus, RWD, Gas holds 6.0 quarts with filter; SXT Plus, RWD, Gas/Ethanol holds 6.0 quarts with filter; SXT, 4WD, Gas holds 6.0 quarts with filter; SXT, 4WD, Gas/Ethanol holds 6.0 quarts with filter; SXT, RWD, Gas holds 6.0 quarts with filter; SXT, RWD, Gas/Ethanol holds 6.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2012 Dodge Charger?
Most 2012 Dodge Charger 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 2012 Dodge Charger?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Dodge Charger. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.