One of the most powerful truck engines is the one that Dodge RAM uses. This powerful truck is powered by a 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel, cranking 400 hp and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque. Cummins 6.7 oil capacity – how much does it take?
The Cummins 6.7-liter diesel engine takes up about 12 to 13 quarts or 12.3 liters of engine oil. Older versions of this engine hold slightly less than this amount. To be sure how much engine oil your vehicle requires, refer to your vehicle manual.
Remember that the oil capacity of an engine depends on how much it can hold. If you want to know the volume the engine can take up, look at its displacement given in liters. In the case of this Cummins engine, the displacement is 6.7 liters.
Read on to learn more about how much engine oil the Cummins 6.7 holds and what engine oils this engine can take.
Cummins 6.7 Oil Capacity – How Much Does It Take?
A Cummins 6.7 diesel engine requires about 12 to 13 quarts. Earlier versions of this engine require slightly less than this amount. If you have this engine on your vehicle, you can be sure about its engine oil capacity by referring to your owner’s manual.
An engine’s oil capacity is always related to how much volume its cylinders can hold. This is its engine displacement, which in this case is 6.7 liters.
Another thing that you need to consider is the oil weight that is required by the engine. Automotive engineers have their recommendations for the best oil weight for the engines that they design.
For the Cummins 6.7, the engine designers recommend two oil weights, the 15W-40 and the 5W-40. The 15W-40 is recommended for those who drive their engines above 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and the 5W-40 for extremely cold temperatures, such as those below 0°F.
This engine oil should also be changed periodically. The designers of this engine recommend that oil changes be done every 3,700 miles for those using the conventional 15W-40. This is a safe interval for city driving, including idling and stop-and-go traffic.
The equivalent of 12 to 13 quarts in gallons is around 3 to 3.25 gallons. So, the engine oil capacity of the Cummins 6.7 is about 3 to 3.25 gallons.
Cummins 6.7-Liter Engine Overview
The Cummins 6.7 is a diesel engine manufactured by Cummins Turbo Technologies. It is currently the most powerful engine in the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. This beast machine can crank up a massive 400 horsepower and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.
This powerful engine running a RAM 2500 or 3500 pickups can tow more than 31,000 pounds. Fuel economy is also one of the plusses of this engine. It has a relatively long period between oil change intervals of about 15,000 miles.
What Oil Does Cummins 6.7 Recommend for Their Engines?
Two types of engine oils are recommended for the Cummins 6.7, the 15W-40, and the 5W-40. You need to put in the 15W-40 oil grade if you drive your vehicle above zero degrees temperature and the 5W-40 if you drive it under zero-degree temperature.
As to the engine oil brands you can use for this diesel engine, here are the recommendations of the engineers that designed it.
1. Shell Rotella T5 Synthetic Blend 15W-40 for Diesel Engine
This engine oil is closely related to the Shell Rotella T6. However, it is not full synthetic oil but just a synthetic blend. There’s an added component in the Shell Rotella T5, the Shell Triple Protection Plus. This enables this engine oil to offer excellent engine protection and fuel economy.
Another unique feature of this engine oil is its compatibility with several engines. It does not just work well with the Cummins 6.7, but it also works well with tractors, ATVs, lawnmowers, and even small engines like chainsaws.
2. Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck Full Synthetic 5W-40
This motor oil is designed especially for heavy-duty diesel engines. It is synthetic oil formulated specifically for extreme weather conditions. If the places you usually drive to have snowstorms as normal, you need to use this engine oil.
Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Oil was explicitly formulated for engines utilized by trucks like the Cummins 6.7. Its unique formulation helps prevent sludge formation and helps reduce several kinds of harmful engine buildup.
It also helps to ease engine start-ups, especially in low-temperature conditions. This feature also helps in reducing engine wear and tear.
3. Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40
Shell Rotella T6 is fully synthetic. It can provide exceptional fuel economy to your Cummins 6.7. The Shell Rotella T6 comes with Triple Protection Plus technology. This unique formulation will work magic with your engine by keeping it safe from debris and contaminants.
Its TPP technology is formulated with reduced viscosity oils that will help it increase fuel efficiency while at the same time maintaining stability and, most often, reducing CO2 emissions as well.
This full synthetic motor oil is compatible with turbocharged engines such as the Cummins 6.7. It has a zinc component that reduces engine wear and protection. The Shell Rotella T6 has the highest zinc content of all motor oils designed for diesel engines.
4. Valvoline Premium Blue Full Synthetic Oil
This motor oil is also highly recommended for the 6.7 Cummins diesel engine. Knowing that many of their clients bought their Cummins use their pickups in different ranges of temperatures, Cummins recommends this motor oil because it offers lubricating efficiency in different kinds of weather.
Plus, it has a formulation that offers a sure start in freezing temperatures while simultaneously protecting the engine from engine wear. Another beneficial feature that this oil provides is its remarkable oxidation resistance.
This feature enables it to last longer inside the engine with a quality that does not considerably deteriorate. It also causes the engine to improve its performance.
What Is the Difference Between 15W-40 and 5W-40?
The main difference between these two engine oils is their viscosities. The “W” indicates the oil’s viscosity in cold conditions, and the number beside it stands for the engine oil expansion when it is subjected to hotter conditions.
If the consistency of a liquid is said to be viscous, it means it is sticky and thick. Each automotive engine is specifically designed to take a specific engine oil viscosity. That’s why different engines require different engine oils to work efficiently.
The specific internal engine parts call for this. They have different material specifications and, therefore, different lubrication requirements. So, the 15W-40 is more viscous than the 5W-40.
This means your engine will be easier to start when you use the 5W-40 engine oil than the 15W-40. That is why it is better to use the 5W-40 in colder climates. Additionally, additives are added to the engine oil to improve its lubricating abilities.
Again, how many gallons of oil does a Cummins 6.7 take? A Cummins 6.7-L diesel engine’s oil capacity is 12 quarts or 3 gallons.
Are There Issues with the Cummins 6.7?
While the Cummins 6.7 can crank a mighty 400 hp and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque, it needs the support of its internal parts to do that consistently and dependably.
The Cummins 6.7 is considered a reasonably dependable engine. Even then, it also has its share of engine problems. No engine is created perfectly, so that is just understandable. What are the issues of Cummins 6.7?
1. Clogged DPF
This is one of the most common plagues of Cummins 6.7 diesel engines. DPF means diesel particulate filter. This filter catches and restricts soot produced by the exhaust system so the emission level of the diesel engine will stay low.
However, this filter has a certain filtration threshold. So, the moment it has already reached this maximum filtration capacity, it will clog up and will not be able to filter any more of the soot that the exhaust system will produce.
You will notice that it is already clogged when your Cummins 6.7 engine starts to lose its power. This means a blocked DPF will cause your vehicle to run poorly.
2. Head Gasket Issues
Thankfully, this is not a common issue with Cummins 6.7 diesel engines. But it can happen, so you must be aware of it. Why? If your engine encounters this problem, you will have a costly repair bill.
This issue may arise because of the vast amount of power that the engine can produce. It causes much engine stress to its components, especially the head gasket. Some of the symptoms of this problem are overheating the engine and the presence of sweet-smelling white smoke.
3. Turbocharger Issues
Turbocharged engines often experience troubles because of how they are used. Most owners exact tremendous power from their engines, so their engine components take a lot of beating.
These kinds of problems could happen at any time. However, they usually appear when the engine has already clocked in thousands of mileage.
The oil seals of the engine leak, and its bearing will get worn. This is the start of the engine breakdown. And it is caused by running the Cummins 6.7 at very high RPMs.
Excessive smoke from the exhaust pipe is one symptom of such an issue.
Another sign is a whining noise that makes it appear that the engine is experiencing difficulty producing power. The best fix to this problem is to replace your turbo system.
4. EGR Cooler Issues
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system of your engine reduces your vehicle’s nitrogen oxide emission. This is a problem often experienced by diesel engines like the Cummins 6.7.
If you often rev your Cummins 6.7 at very RPMs, you will inevitably encounter this problem. You will know if your engine already has this problem if white smoke comes from your exhaust pipe.
This could mean that your car has a coolant leak. It could also mean that your coolant level has already dropped. You can clean the EGR valve, and you will fix this problem temporarily. Replace the EGR entirely if you want to put this problem behind your back.
How Often Does Cummins Recommend an Oil Change?
The Cummins 6.7 diesel engine can last for a long while. That is if you are conscientious in changing its engine oil at the recommended intervals. Generally, it is recommended that you have an oil change every 15,000 miles or about six months.
You should check the engine oil level regularly between oil changes. Oil leaks can occur, so checking the oil level regularly will alert you of an oil leak that may escape your attention. An oil leak can cause low oil pressure.
Symptoms of an oil leak:
- Low engine oil level on the dipstick
- Rough idling of the engine and the presence of engine noise
- The engine oil light on the dashboard turns on
In Closing
The amount of engine oil that the Cummins 6.7-liter diesel requires is about 13 quarts or 12.3 liters. Older versions of this engine need slightly less than this amount. To ensure that you put in the right amount of engine oil, consult your operator’s manual.
Remember that an engine’s capacity depends on how much engine oil it can hold. To know the amount of volume the engine can have, you need to refer to its displacement in liters. In this case, it is 6.7 liters.
![Read more about the article Mixing Oil Weights [Can You Mix Oils of Different Viscosity and Weight?]](https://roadsumo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mixing-oil-weights-300x200.jpeg)
