Here’s an old shop tale that won’t die: Heavy motor oil is better oil.
There was some value in that approach decades ago, when manufacturing processes weren’t very advanced and motor oils had lousy heat resistance. Racing engines often used high-viscosity, 50W and even 60W engine oils because they were the only lubricants that could handle the extreme pressures and temperatures. And consumers naturally followed along, assuming that what was good for race cars must be good for their road vehicles.
Today, nothing could be further from the truth.
Heavy, high-viscosity oils are not a wise choice for your current or late-model RAM Truck. Contemporary production engines are machined and assembled to extremely tight tolerances. Here, a heavy, slow-pouring oil is exactly what you don’t want for effective lubrication, especially on cold start-up.
This is one more case where you’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s advice to the letter. RAM Trucks recommends API-approved 5W-20 motor oil for all 2012 pickups with gasoline engines. That’s for all operating temperatures and weather conditions, too. Using the correct oil will help to ensure your RAM’s engine a long and happy life.
