Oil-Dodge uses the Mopar MS-6395 oil specification for its Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8 engines. As a Stellantis brand focused on performance, correct oil choice is essential for protecting MDS cylinder deactivation lifters and high-output turbocharged engines.
Mopar MS-6395 — The Dodge Standard
Mopar MS-6395 is the current Stellantis oil specification covering all modern Dodge petrol engines. It exceeds API SP requirements with additional tests for LSPI prevention, turbo deposit control, and timing chain wear protection. Most Dodge engines require SAE 5W-20, while the latest Pentastar V6 and Hurricane inline-six specify SAE 0W-20 for improved fuel economy. Always check your owner's manual — the correct viscosity varies by engine and model year.
Pentastar V6 — Widely Used Across Dodge
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is found in the Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Grand Caravan. It requires SAE 5W-20 meeting MS-6395 in most applications, though some newer versions have moved to 0W-20. The Pentastar is known for being relatively robust, but early versions (2011-2013) had rocker arm and oil filtration issues. Regular oil changes with the correct spec help prevent the tick noise associated with worn rocker arm bearings.
HEMI V8 — MDS Lifter Protection
The 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI V8 engines use Multi-Displacement System (MDS) to deactivate four cylinders under light loads. The MDS hydraulic lifters require consistent oil pressure and quality to function reliably — inadequate oil leads to lifter tick, collapse, and potential camshaft damage. The 5.7L HEMI requires SAE 5W-20, while the 6.4L uses SAE 0W-40 in high-performance applications. Supercharged Hellcat engines (6.2L) require SAE 0W-40 meeting MS-12633.
Hurricane Twin-Turbo I6 — The New Era
Dodge's new 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six replaces both the Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8 in many applications. It requires SAE 0W-20 meeting MS-6395 and demands oil with excellent turbo deposit resistance due to the twin-turbocharger setup. This engine runs higher combustion pressures than the naturally aspirated HEMI, making oil film strength critical.