The short answer
Every 2026 manual we checked says to change the oil when the vehicle's oil-life monitor or oil change indicator calls for it. The outer limits differ: 10,000 miles or 12 months on the Ram 1500 and Durango V6/V8, 8,000 miles on the Ram heavy-duty HEMI, 15,000 miles on the Cummins, up to a year or 10,000 miles on Ford gas models, at least once a year on the Silverado 1500, and 6,000 miles or six months on the Durango SRT.
Towing, short trips, extended idling and extreme cold bring the reminder on sooner on all of them. Use the calculator below with your manual's limit to see when the next change is due at the latest.
Outer limits, side by side
| Vehicle (2026) | What triggers the change | Outer limit (whichever first) | Tire rotation | Brake fluid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (gas) | Engine Oil Life System; within 600 mi of the message | At least once a year | Every 7,500 mi | Every 5 years |
| Ram 1500 | Oil change indicator; within 500 mi | 10,000 mi / 12 months / 350 hours | Every 10,000 mi | Every 24 months |
| Ram 2500/3500 6.4L HEMI | Oil change indicator | 8,000 mi / 12 months / 350 hours | Every 10,000 mi | See handbook |
| Ram 2500/3500 6.7L Cummins | Oil change indicator | 15,000 mi / 12 months / 500 hours | Every 7,500 mi | See handbook |
| Ford F-150 | Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor; within 2 weeks or 500 mi | 1 year / 10,000 mi (6 months / 5,000 mi if the monitor fails) | Every oil change | Every 3 years |
| Ford Super Duty | Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor; within 2 weeks or 500 mi | If the monitor fails: 1 year / 10,000 mi gas, 15,000 mi diesel | Every oil change | Every 3 years |
| Ford Ranger, Maverick, Bronco | Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor; within 2 weeks or 500 mi | Up to 1 year / 10,000 mi (hybrids could exceed) | Every oil change | Every 3 years |
| Ford Explorer, Expedition | Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor; within 2 weeks or 500 mi | Up to 1 year / 10,000 mi | Every oil change | Every 3 years |
| Dodge Durango V6 / 5.7L | Oil change indicator; within 500 mi | 10,000 mi / 12 months / 350 hours | At the first sign of irregular wear | Every 24 months |
| Dodge Durango SRT | Oil change indicator | 6,000 mi / 6 months | At the first sign of irregular wear | Every 24 months |
Calculator: next change at the latest
When is the next oil change due at the latest?
Enter the outer limit from your owner's manual (see the table on this page), how far and how long it has been since the last change, and how much you drive. Your oil-life monitor or oil change indicator may call for service sooner; follow it when it does.
Example: a 10,000-mile / 12-month limit, 4,000 miles and 5 months since the last change, and 1,200 miles a month means the mileage limit arrives first, in about 5 months.
Why the limits differ
Heavy-duty gas engines, high-output SRT engines and diesels run under different loads, and each manufacturer sets its own limits. The monitors calculate oil life from how the engine is actually used, so two identical trucks can come due thousands of miles apart. Ford notes that heavy-duty use can consume about a quart of oil per 500 miles on a Super Duty; check the level at fill-ups if you tow or plow.
Wisconsin winter driving
Every manual treats short trips and cold-weather operation as harder on oil. A truck that makes 3-mile trips in January, or idles at the ice-fishing access, will usually see its reminder sooner. For diesel trucks, see diesel trucks in a Wisconsin winter.
Booking it in Barron
Swant Graber Motors (Chevrolet, Ram, Dodge), 1690 E Division Ave, Barron, 715-537-5657. Service hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (no Saturday service). Service loaners are available; ask the service department when you book. You don't have to use a dealer to keep your warranty; keep receipts wherever the work is done. Swant Graber Ford, 1697 E Division Ave, Barron, 715-537-9500.
Questions
How often should I change my oil?
When your vehicle's oil-life monitor or oil change indicator says, and never past the outer limit in your owner's manual. For 2026 models we checked, that ranges from 6,000 miles or six months (Durango SRT) to 15,000 miles or 12 months (Ram Cummins).
Is the oil change interval time-based too?
Yes. Ram and Dodge set 12-month limits (six months on the Durango SRT), Ford says up to one year, and GM says at least once a year.
Does winter driving shorten oil intervals?
The manuals list short trips, extreme temperatures and extended idling as conditions that bring the oil change reminder sooner.
Next steps at Swant Graber
Swant Graber Motors (Chevrolet, Ram, Dodge): 1690 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812, 715-537-5657. Swant Graber Ford: 1697 E Division Ave, 715-537-9500. Search new or used inventory, or see shop near you for model-by-model answers.
