Ram 1500 Tune-Up & Maintenance Costs? (Complete Guide)

The Ram 1500 was launched in 1981 and is none of the best-selling pickup trucks in the US

It’s built up a loyal fanbase over the years thanks to its potent engine lineup, smooth ride and nice interior.

In this article we’ll give you the full breakdown of maintenance, tune-up and running costs.

Read on to find out…

Here is the short answer to are Ram 1500 expensive to maintain:

The Ram 1500 is not expensive to maintain. It costs around $700 to maintain a Ram 1500 truck per year, which is lower than the annual average of $936 for the full-size pickup class. A tune-up will cost in the region of $400, this includes changing of spark plugs.

Are Ram 1500 Expensive to Maintain?

Not only is a Ram 1500 reasonably affordable to buy brand new, but it’s also reasonably cheap to maintain, and that’s one of its main selling points.

When looking to buy a new vehicle it’s important to assess maintenance costs to ensure you’re able to properly look after it.

Failing to stay on top of routine servicing and repairs will lead to poor reliability and shorten the lifespan of your truck.

Below you’ll find a complete price breakdown for some of the most common costs for the Ram 1500, all data is from RepairPal:

How Much is a Tune-Up on a Ram 1500 ?

This will vary greatly depending on where you take your truck and you can expect to pay more at a Ram dealership than your local mechanic.

You can expect to pay in the region of $400 for a fairly comprehensive Ram 1500 tune-up that includes, but is not limited to:

• New spark plugs
• Filters changed
• Coolant flush
• Cleaning IAC valve (idle air control)
• Throttle body clean
• Transmission and differential fluid change

Whilst your truck is under warranty it is advised you get your truck serviced at a registered Ram dealership.

Regular tune-ups are highly recommended because:

• They can bring more power back to your engine.
• Helps your engine run efficiently and start smoothly, which equates to lower emissions and better fuel economy.
• Ensure long-term engine health and performance.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Ram 1500 Last?

Alternator Replacement Cost?

A new alternator on a Ram 1500 will set you back between $376 – $565 for a replacement which should last around 80,000 to 150,000 miles or 5 – 10 years

Labor costs are around $100 while parts are priced between $300 and $500.

While the battery is used for starting your truck when the engines off, the alternator keeps your truck alive when the engine is running.

The alternator powers most electronic components while you’re driving around or idling and is also responsible for charging the battery of your truck while driving.

Oil Change Cost?

An oil change should be performed on the Ram 1500 every 3,000 – 5,000 miles for conventional oil. Synthetic oil typically should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles.

The cost of an oil change should cost in the region of $125 to $133, this includes parts and labor, however does not include taxes and fees. An oil change is one of the most meaningful and vital services for your truck.

At most, oil change intervals should not exceed 10,000 miles, twelve months, or 350 hours of engine run time (whichever comes first)

Wiper Blade Replacement Cost?

Wiper blades for the Ram 1500 can be picked up for around $40, and installed by yourself for free. However, if you want a professional to fit them for you then you can expect to pay in the region of $100 for parts and labor with taxes and fees on top.

This is a relatively simple and quick fix, and you can easily save yourself a few dollars by purchasing your own wiper blades and fitting them yourself, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials on this one.

Most 1500s use either a 22″ or 24″ wiper blade on the passenger and driver side – this will be dependant on model year – be sure to double-check first.

Air Filter Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, air filter replacement cost on a Ram 1500 is between $69-$78, not including taxes and fees.

The good news is this task, which should be performed annually or whenever the filter is clogged or dirty, is another fairly straightforward DIY.

Simply open the hood, locate and open the air filter’s housing, remove the old one, insert the new one and replace the housing cover.

This will help both your car and your bank account breathe a little easier, lots of tutorials on YouTube for this one also.

Battery Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, the cost of a battery replacement for a Ram 1500 should cost about $200, not including fees and taxes.

Whilst there are no specific mileage recommendations for when a battery needs to be replaced, they do eventually die.

A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

In general, it’s a good idea to replace your battery once every 4-5 years.

New Brakes Cost?

Ram 1500 brake pads can last anywhere between 30,000 to 60,000 miles and necessary brake work isn’t a cost you can afford to skip.

The average cost to replace your Ram 1500 brake pads, according to RepairPal, is between $213 and $230.

Brake pads will diminish at different rates depending on factors such as where you use your truck and your personal driving style.

Pro tip: To prolong the life of your brakes – Give yourself plenty of following distance from the car in front of you so you can coast to a nice, easy stop.

Cost to Change Coolant?

If it’s just a top-up your truck requires then this is the most basic of maintenance tasks you can perform yourself, you can pick up coolant at any gas station for a few bucks and top up to the level required.

If on the other hand, you require a coolant change, which simply involves draining the coolant from the base of the radiator and then replenishing with fresh fluids, this is going to cost you a bit more.

According to RepairPal, the average cost of a Ram 1500 coolant change is between $51 and $64 (excluding taxes and fees).

The replacement of the coolant reservoir – the storage tank for excess coolant and allows coolant to flow in and out per the needs of the engine cooling system – will set you back between $219 and $228.

How Much Does a New Transmissions Cost?

Transmissions on the Ram 1500 typically last 10 – 14 years or around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, dependent on how much use and abuse they get.

The average cost for an aftermarket or rebuilt transmission for a Ram 1500 is anywhere from $2000 – $3500.

Tire & Wheel Assembly, Rotate & Balance Cost

Tire rotation ensures each tire gets worn evenly whilst balancing ensures they roll smoothly and there’s no vibration (this also helps improve your fuel economy).

According to RepairPal, The average cost for a Ram 1500 tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance is between $79 and $100 – this does not include taxes and fees.

How much Insurance Cost?

According to insuraviz.com the average cost of Ram 1500 insurance is $137 / month or $1,646 / year.

These figures can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your age, driving record and state requirements etc.

Ram 1500 Repair Costs Compared to Similar Trucks

In this section we’ll compare the maintenance costs of the Ram 1500 to some of its biggest rivals.

Ram 1500 Vs Chevy Silverado 1500

The Ram 1500 and Chevy Silverado 1500 are closely tied in terms of reliability and are also fairly similar in terms of annual repair costs.

The Ram is slightly cheaper though, with an average annual repairs total of $691 Vs the Silverado’s $714.

Deciding on which vehicle to choose will ultimately come down to whether you are a Chevy or Ram loyalist, however, we can confirm the repair costs are slightly less with the Silverado.

You may also be interested in our article: Chevy Silverado 1500 Maintenance Costs

Ram 1500 Vs Nissan Titan

The Nissan TITAN first came onto to scene in 2004 as an alternative full-size pickup truck.

The clear winner of the repair cost comparison here is the Titan, with an annual average repair cost of $555, that’s $136 less than the Ram.

To put that into perspective the average annual repair cost for all full-size trucks is $936 per year, and as you can see that is almost double what you might expect to pay with the Titan.

You can find a full price breakdown of Titan ownership costs here.

Ram 1500 Vs Ford F-150

In recent years there has been a fierce rivalry between the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150, both perennial favorites with American auto shoppers.

In terms of repair costs, the Ram is the cheaper option of the two with an average annual repair cost of $691, that’s approximately $100 less than the F-150.

You may also be interested in our article: Ford F-150 Maintenance and Repair Costs

How Long is the Ram 1500 Manufacturers Warranty?

When you drive your new 1500 off the dealership lot, you’ll be covered by Rams basic warranty of 36,000 miles / 3 years and a powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles / 5 years.

This length of protection is actually quite common among car manufacturers however it is on the shorter side of warranties.

You can check your warranty status by signing in to the Mopar Owners Site, If you cannot find the VIN number, the only real way to check your vehicle’s factory warranty is to call or visit your local dealership.

The Mopar Owners Site contains all relevant info for your truck including:

• Owners manuals
• warranty coverage
• video tutorials

You can find out what’s covered, for how long, and all the terms and conditions of your warranty coverage, all in one location.

Resources

https://repairpal.com/reliability/ram/1500

https://www.ramtrucks.com/warranty.html

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/vehicle-information.html