How much oil does a 2016 Ram 2500 rear diff hold?

The rear differential in a typical 2016 Ram 2500 (with the common heavy‑duty Dana 60, 11.5-inch ring gear) holds about 2.6 quarts of gear oil when performing a full drain and refill. Expect a range of roughly 2.5 to 3.0 quarts depending on the exact axle configuration and service method.

Understanding the 2016 Ram 2500 rear axle configurations

The 2016 Ram 2500 lineup mostly uses a Dana 60 rear axle in the heavy‑duty segment. Some special configurations or factory options could vary, so it’s wise to confirm the exact axle code on the vehicle or consult the owner’s manual for your VIN.

In practical terms, the capacity reference below reflects the most common setup for this model year:

• Dana 60 rear axle (11.5" ring gear): approximately 2.6 quarts (about 2.5 liters) for a drain-and-refill. Some service scenarios may require up to around 3.0 quarts.

Always verify with the specific axle tag or official documentation for your exact truck configuration and follow the fill procedure to the correct level.

How to service and refill the rear differential

When performing a drain and refill, follow these general steps to ensure correct capacity and a proper seal:

1. Prepare the vehicle on a level surface, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels. Raise the rear if needed to access the drain and fill plugs.


2. Place a suitable drain pan under the differential. Remove the drain plug and allow all fluid to drain completely.


3. Remove the fill plug (on the differential housing) to check the capacity and to facilitate filling. If you remove the cover for a complete drain, inspect the gasket and clean the mating surfaces.


4. Install a new drain plug gasket if required and reinstall the drain plug. Then fill the differential with the recommended gear oil until it begins to seep out of the fill hole (or to the level specified in the manual).


5. Reinstall the fill plug securely. Clean up spills, lower the vehicle, and perform a brief test drive to check for leaks. Recheck the fill level if needed after the drive.

Note: Use the fill level as your guide. The exact amount poured will vary slightly based on whether you performed a simple drain/refill or a full cover removal; the typical full drain/refill for the common Dana 60 is around 2.6 quarts.

Oil specification and maintenance tips

Recommended gear oil types

Most owners and service manuals call for a synthetic gear oil that meets GL-5 specifications. Common choices include 75W-140 or 75W-90 viscosities, depending on climate and manual recommendations. Always cross-check with your owner’s manual or axle code to select the correct viscosity and specification.

In all cases, choose oil that meets the stamped specifications for the rear axle and avoid using gear oils that don’t meet GL-5 (or higher) standards. If you tow heavily or operate the truck in extreme temperatures, a higher-viscosity option (like 75W-140) is often preferred.

Summary

For a 2016 Ram 2500 with the common Dana 60 rear axle, plan for about 2.6 quarts of gear oil for a drain-and-refill, with a typical range of 2.5–3.0 quarts depending on the exact configuration and service method. Use a GL-5 synthetic gear oil, commonly 75W-140 or 75W-90, as specified by the manual. Follow proper draining and filling procedures, and verify the fill level at the fill hole to ensure a correct seal and performance.

What gear oil for 2016 Ram 2500?

Valvoline FlexFill SAE 75W-90 Full Synthetic Gear Oil is recommended for use in axle applications requiring factory-fill or drain-and-fill levels for limited slip performance.

How much fluid does a 2016 Ram 2500 differential hold?

The 2016 Ram 2500 differential fluid capacity is approximately 1.5 to 2.4 quarts for the front and 3 to 4 quarts for the rear. The exact capacity depends on the specific differential, but generally, the front is around 1.5–2.4 quarts and the rear is around 3–4 quarts. You should always check the owner's manual for the most accurate information for your specific vehicle, and use a synthetic gear oil that meets the correct specifications, like SAE 75W-90 or 75W-85 GL-5. 
Differential capacities

• Front: Approximately 1.51.51.5 to 2.42.42.4 quarts
• Rear: Approximately 333 to 444 quarts 

Important considerations

• Check your owner's manual: Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the exact capacity and fluid specification for your specific truck, as capacities can vary. 
• Fluid type: Use a synthetic gear oil that meets the required specifications. For example, SAE 75W-90 or 75W-85 GL-5 is common, and you can find specific part numbers like 68210057AA or 68210057AB on parts and fluid sites. 
• Limited-slip differentials: If your truck has an electronic limited-slip differential, the required capacity might be slightly different. These often require a friction modifier to be added to the gear oil. 
• Other fluids: For the transfer case on the 2016 Ram 2500, the capacity is approximately 222 quarts of the appropriate transfer case fluid. 

What kind of rear differential fluid does a 2016 Ram 3500 take?

The 2014-2018 Ram 3500 recommends the use of SAE 75W85 API GL-5 gear oil in both front and rear differentials.

What is the rear differential fluid for a 2017 Ram 2500?

For a 2017 Ram 2500's rear differential, you need a synthetic GL-5 SAE 75W-90 gear oil, with approximately 4.25 to 4.45 quarts needed depending on if you have a limited-slip differential (LSD). You will also need the appropriate tools, and be sure to clean the differential cover, check for metal shavings, and use a medium-strength Loctite on the bolts when reassembling. 
This video demonstrates how to change the rear differential fluid on a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500: 59sGetty's GarageYouTube · Mar 2, 2020
Fluid specifications

• Type: Synthetic GL-5 gear oil
• Weight: SAE 75W-90
• Note: You do not need any additives.
• Capacity: Approximately 4.25 to 4.45 quarts, depending on whether the vehicle has a limited-slip differential (LSD). 

Tools and materials

• Tools: Ratchet, 14mm hex socket, screwdrivers, towels/microfibers 
• Fluid: ~5 quarts of SAE 75W-90 synthetic gear oil 
• Optional: A torque wrench, Loctite, a catch can, and a creeper 

Step-by-step guide

1. Open the fill plug: Before draining, open the fill plug on the differential to ensure proper oil flow. 
2. Drain the old fluid: Remove the differential cover bolts and carefully remove the cover to drain the old fluid. 
3. Clean the components: Clean the cover and the inside of the differential, paying special attention to the magnetic drain plug to wipe off any metal shavings. 
4. Reassemble the cover: Re-apply a medium-strength Loctite to the bolts. Reinstall the reusable metal/rubber gasket and the cover, torquing the bolts to approximately 30 ft-lbs30 ft-lbs30 ft-lbs in a cross pattern. 
5. Refill the differential: Using a pump, fill the differential with new fluid until it starts to trickle out of the fill plug hole. 
6. Final steps: Wipe up any spills, reinsert the fill plug, and repeat the process for the front differential.