The 2018 Dodge Challenger equipped with the 5.7L HEMI V8 (Engine Code [T] EZC T) is a true American muscle car that demands high-quality lubrication to maintain its powerful performance and longevity. Proper fluid maintenance is critical for this vehicle, as the engine is designed to operate under significant thermal stress, and the transmission requires precise friction characteristics to ensure smooth shifts. Using the correct synthetic lubricants helps mitigate common wear issues, extends component life, and ensures the vehicle delivers the responsive driving experience owners expect.
Recommended AMSOIL Products
- AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-20 100% Synthetic Motor Oil – Provides unsurpassed protection against horsepower loss and wear, extending oil change intervals up to 25,000 miles.
- AMSOIL Extended-Life 5W-20 100% Synthetic Motor Oil – Offers extended protection for up to 20,000 miles with superior cleaning power to keep the engine running smoother.
- AMSOIL OE 5W-20 100% Synthetic Motor Oil – A budget-friendly synthetic option that fights sludge and deposits while meeting standard service intervals.
- AMSOIL 5W-20 100% Synthetic High-Mileage Motor Oil – Formulated for vehicles with over 75,000 miles, featuring enhanced detergents to clean sludge and reduce leaks.
- AMSOIL Oil Filter – Delivers 99% filtration efficiency at 20 microns with greater capacity for contaminants than competing filters.
- WIX Oil Filter – A premium aftermarket filter option featuring high-quality media for reliable engine protection.
- AMSOIL Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant – A ready-to-use 50/50 pre-mix that protects cooling system metals, gaskets, and hoses for up to 150,000 miles.
- AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant – A concentrated formulation that greatly surpasses standards for metallic corrosion and erosion control.
- AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid – Withstands heavy towing and elevated temperatures while remaining fluid in sub-zero conditions.
- AMSOIL OE Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid – Protects against wear and resists harmful sludge for reliable transmission performance.
- AMSOIL Signature Series Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid – Provides reserve protection during heavy use and challenging driving terrain.
- AMSOIL OE Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid – Promotes smooth, shudder-free shifts and guards against leaks.
- AMSOIL DOT 3 and DOT 4 100% Synthetic Brake Fluid – Ensures excellent ABS and traction-control responsiveness with stable viscosity across a wide temperature range.
- AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-85 100% Synthetic Gear Lube – Advanced protection for limited-slip differentials, controlling thermal runaway and operating temperatures.
- AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-90 100% Synthetic Gear Lube – Ideal for standard rear differentials, providing long oil and seal life with rust and corrosion protection.
When selecting motor oil for the 2018 Challenger 5.7L, the viscosity grade is a critical factor. The manufacturer specifies a 5W-20 viscosity for all operating temperatures. The engine capacity, when including the filter change, is 7.0 quarts. It is essential to check the oil level after refilling to ensure the proper amount is circulating. The drain plug requires a torque of 20 ft/lbs to prevent stripping or leaks. Among the options, AMSOIL Signature Series provides the highest level of protection, offering 75% more engine protection against horsepower loss compared to industry standards. This makes it an ideal choice for enthusiasts who push their vehicles hard or tow heavy loads. For those looking for a balance between cost and performance, the Extended-Life and OE options offer full synthetic protection with guaranteed intervals of up to 20,000 miles and standard OEM intervals, respectively. Vehicles with significant mileage can benefit from the High-Mileage formula, which contains specific additives to reduce sludge and handle minor leaks common in older engines.
Transmission maintenance is equally vital for this model. The 2018 Dodge Challenger with the 5.7L engine typically utilizes an 8HP70 automatic transmission. For automatic applications, the total fill capacity for an 8-speed transmission is 9 quarts. Using a high-performance synthetic fluid like the Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Automatic Transmission Fluid helps the transmission withstand the rigors of heavy towing and elevated temperatures, ensuring it remains fluid even in sub-zero conditions. For manual transmission applications, such as the TR6060, the capacity is 6.8 pints, and specific torque specifications (20 ft/lbs) apply to both the drain and fill plugs. For the differential, the standard 230RIA rear differential requires 2.3 pints of 75W-85 lubricant, while limited-slip differentials may require the 75W-90 grade to ensure proper friction modification for the clutch packs.
Coolant capacity for the 2018 Challenger is substantial at 14.7 quarts. The engine cooling system benefits significantly from AMSOIL’s Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant, which is a phosphate-, nitrate-, nitrite-, silicate-, borate-, and amine-free formulation. This ensures compatibility with all cooling system metals and prevents degradation of hoses and gaskets. Owners who prefer concentrated coolants can opt for the Propylene Glycol Antifreeze, which offers protection up to 150,000 miles or 5 years and is ideal for severe service conditions. Brake fluid is another often-overlooked fluid; the 2018 Challenger requires DOT 3 fluid meeting MS-4574 standards. AMSOIL’s Synthetic Brake Fluid meets this specification while providing a stable viscosity that ensures consistent pedal feel and ABS responsiveness.
Vehicle Background
The 2018 Dodge Challenger represents the culmination of decades of automotive evolution, blending retro styling with modern performance engineering. Part of the third generation that began in 2008, the Challenger is built on the LD platform, a unibody architecture shared with the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. This platform provides a unique combination of sports car handling characteristics with the comfort and space of a coupe. The 2018 model year is particularly notable for the refinement of the available powertrains, allowing owners to choose between efficiency-oriented V6 engines or the thunderous HEMI V8 options. The 5.7L HEMI, featured in this guide, is a workhorse engine known for its durability, high torque output, and versatility in various driving scenarios, from daily commuting to drag strips.
Owners of the 2018 Challenger appreciate the vehicle’s aggressive stance and classic American muscle car proportions. It sits low to the ground with a long hood and a short deck, evoking the design language of the 1970s while featuring contemporary safety and technology features. The interior is designed with the driver in mind, offering supportive seats, a clear instrument cluster, and an intuitive infotainment system. The 5.7L HEMI engine delivers robust power that is instantly available, characterized by its distinct intake rumble and rapid acceleration. This engine is a favorite among enthusiasts who want a balance of street legality, track capability, and everyday drivability without the complexity or fragility of a supercharged unit.
While the 2018 Challenger is a robust machine, like any vehicle with significant performance potential, it can face specific lubrication-related challenges that proper maintenance can mitigate. One common issue is oil consumption, particularly in higher-mileage examples where valve seals may harden and allow oil to burn, leading to smoke or a drop in oil levels between changes. Switching to a dedicated high-mileage synthetic oil can help condition these seals and restore proper oil levels. Another concern for owners who modify their vehicles or drive aggressively is engine sludge and varnish buildup. Short trips and frequent stop-and-go traffic can prevent the engine from reaching optimal operating temperature fully, leading to carbon deposits. High-quality synthetic oils with superior detergent packages help keep these internals clean and reduce the risk of oil starvation. Additionally, the 8-speed automatic transmission, while advanced, can experience shudder or delayed engagement if the fluid degrades or becomes contaminated. Using a premium synthetic transmission fluid helps maintain the precise friction characteristics required for smooth shifts and extends the life of the transmission’s internal clutches. Finally, differential wear is a potential issue for those who enjoy spirited driving or track days, as the limited-slip clutches can overheat. Synthetic gear lubes with high-performance additives protect these clutches from thermal runaway and wear, ensuring the rear axle continues to deliver power smoothly.
Maintenance extends beyond just the engine. Regular fluid changes ensure that the cooling system remains free of corrosion, which can be a problem in older cooling systems that have accumulated debris over time. Similarly, brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air over time, which lowers the boiling point and can lead to brake fade under hard braking. Periodic replacement with a high-temperature synthetic brake fluid ensures consistent pedal feel and safety. By addressing these specific areas with the recommended products, owners can keep their 2018 Dodge Challenger performing at its peak, regardless of whether they are enjoying a leisurely Sunday drive or pushing the car to its limits on a weekend track day.
In summary, the 2018 Dodge Challenger 5.7L is a versatile and powerful vehicle that rewards owners who treat it with respect through proper fluid maintenance. Whether you choose the ultimate protection of Signature Series or the value of OE fluid, using the correct viscosity and high-quality synthetic formulation will ensure your Challenger runs smoothly, shifts crisply, and continues to turn heads for years to come. From the first drop of oil to the final fill of gear lube, the right lubricants are the foundation of a reliable and enjoyable driving experience.