Truck owners and enthusiasts know the 6.7 Cummins engine has a lot of power. When it’s time for maintenance, you might wonder about the 6.7 Cummins oil capacity.
The answer isn’t always obvious, and if you’re trying to buy your oil or perform your oil change at home, you need an answer! Without the correct specifications, you can risk over or under-filling your engine, which can cause significant headaches and possibly lead to catastrophic breakdowns.
Don’t worry. You’re in the right place to find the 6.7 Cummins oil capacity. Keep reading for the definitive answer.
Contents
About the 6.7 Cummins Engine
The Cummins engine is one of the top performers in the light, medium, and heavy-duty truck world. The most recent example, the 2021 6.7L Cummins, is a turbo diesel engine that promises more torque and horsepower than any of its predecessors.
Depending on the exact specifications of the motor and which vehicle it’s in, it might offer up to 1,075 pound-feet of torque and more than 400 horsepower. If you’re interested in this high output you can only find it in the RAM 3500 which comes with the Aisin transmission.
The RAM 2500 version, although it increased in power, is not as consistent as the previously mentioned model.
This motor is available across much of the globe, including in
- United States
- Canada
- Russia
- Africa
- Middle East
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Brazil
- Bolivia
- Uruguay
- Paraguay
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Central America
- Europe
- Korea
- Japan
Even though the Cummins engine has a strong reputation, its efficiency and durability fly out the window if you don’t take good care of it. That’s why you need to know all you can about the 6.7 Cummins engine’s oil capacity.
How Many Gallons of Oil Does a 6.7 Take?
The bottom line is that performing an oil change on most modern 6.7 Cummins engines will require twelve quarts of oil. Since this engine comes in various configurations for different applications and with different service expectations, you should always check your owner’s manual for the proper oil capacity.
Additionally, it’s best to change your oil when it’s warm. Driving for a brief period and then parking your truck for its oil change is ideal.
Then, ensure you have a large oil change receptacle, as many store-bought containers lack the capacity for the relatively high amount of oil in a Cummins 6.7 engine.
After you have your container in place, remove the drain plug carefully, as it and the oil can be hot. Make sure to give the oil ample time to drain. It may take an hour for all of it to move from the engine into your receptacle.
Make sure to dispose of your used motor oil properly, as it can be damaging to the environment if you don’t take the proper steps.
6.7 Cummins Oil Capacity With Filter
The oil capacity of the 6.7 Cummins engine and its oil filter is greater than the capacity without the filter. Ideally, you want to provide the proper amount of oil to the crankcase. Then, you’ll add about one more quart to the filter before screwing it back into place.
If you can do so, consider buying your oil in gallon containers. Three gallons should be more than enough to do one oil change.
6.7 Cummins Oil Capacity Without Filter
The 6.7 Cummins engine alone requires a substantial amount of oil. Using the dipstick to check the level of oil in the engine’s crankcase is the best way to tell if you’ve added a sufficient amount of oil.
How Many Quarts of Oil Does the 2018 6.7 Cummins Take?
Keeping in mind that the oil capacity will change whether you include the filter capacity will help you understand how much oil you need for each oil change. After you complete an oil change, always check the level using the dipstick, and add or remove oil as needed.
With Filter
The oil capacity of the 6.7 Cummins engine and its oil filter is around 12 quarts of oil. You should have up to 13 quarts on hand if you need a bit extra.
Without Filter
If you want to estimate the capacity of the 2018 6.7 Cummins, consider that it should take about 12 quarts total. If you subtract approximately one quart from the filter capacity, you’ll need right around 11 quarts to fill the engine alone.
Best Types of Oil For a 6.7 Cummins
There are a variety of oils that might be appropriate for a 6.7 Cummins engine. Since there are a few different versions of this motor and it appears in different vehicles with different service demands, you should always check your owner’s manual for the best options.
Each vehicle should also have a label on the engine, explaining exactly which engine oil to use and in specific conditions. You might even see a label suggesting a particular brand and weight of oil.
In general, you will need to find an oil that meets Cummins CES 20081 specifications.
Type 1 Best For 2018 Cummins: API CJ-4/SL
The 2018 Cummins 6.7 engine often requires the use of API CJ-4/SLoil, in 15W40. For some other applications, you may want to use 5W-40 instead of the 15W formulation.
Type 2 Best for 2020 6.7 Cummins Engine: Castrol Edge
Castrol’s Edge motor oil is often the top recommendation for a 6.7 Cummins. The 2020 model of this engine carries a label recommending that all owners and mechanics use this specific oil in their engine, in a 5W-40 blend.
Type 3 Best for Operating in Non-Freezing Conditions: 15W-40
If you drive your truck in conditions that never go below freezing, the best oil is a formula of 15W-40. You should always try and use the brand and formula recommended by your manufacturer.
But if you are driving in warmer weather only, you want to use heavier-weight oil.
Type 4 Best for Warmer Weather and Light Duty Applications: 5W-30
If you are driving in warm weather, and you aren’t using your truck for heavy towing or hauling, you may want to consider using a 5W-30 formula. This is a lighter-weight oil with less viscosity, and it may be more appropriate for your application.
What Weight Oil Should Be Used in a 6.7 Cummins Engine?
The best oil to use in any 6.7 Cummins engine is the one you see on the engine label. There may be a range of options that appear there, depending on your driving style and the demands you place on your 6.7 Liter Cummins.
Consider that there are a few factors that might affect your choice of oil, including
- An activity like heavy towing
- Carrying large loads in the truck
- Operating in mountainous terrain
- Varying temperature conditions
Your owner manual may also offer a guide to the different weights and viscosities you need to consider for different temperature ranges. You may see a chart that looks similar to this one.
| Recommended Viscosity Rating | Temperature Range |
| 5W-40 | Below Freezing |
| 15W-40 | Not Freezing |
| 10W-40 | Moderate Temperatures |
| 5W-30 | Warm Weather |
Recommended 6.7 Cummins Oil Change Interval
The ideal oil change interval depends on a few factors. For instance, if your Cummins engine tends to burn or consume oil, you may want to shorten the interval between oil changes.
Other factors might affect the frequency of your oil changes, like
- Heavy hauling or towing may require more frequent changes
- The initial oil change (also known as a break-in interval) should be fairly short
- Changing weather
- Using synthetic oils with a longer service life
For a 2020 6.7 Cummins engine, using synthetic oil, the factory likely recommends an oil change interval of 15,000 miles.
If you drive your truck hard or the operating conditions in your area require doing so, you can shorten that interval as appropriate.
Older 6.7 Cummins with non-synthetic oil may have oil change intervals as short as 3,000 miles, especially when the truck gets a hard workout towing or hauling.
You should always look at your owner’s manual and the labeling on your engine for the best choice of oil and the interval for changing it.
6.7 Cummins Engine Oil Capacity: Wrap-Up
The Cummins engine is a powerful and durable workhorse, found at the heart of many trucks, and some other vehicles. To maintain its power, durability, and efficiency, it requires regular oil changes.
Before you can do an oil change, you need to have enough oil on hand to fill the crankcase and the oil filter. Typically, the crankcase itself will require 11 quarts of engine oil.
The filter will require another quart, and sometimes a bit more. So, in total, the 6.7 Cummins needs between 12 and 13 quarts of oil for a proper oil service.
Always dispose of your waste oil properly, so you don’t risk polluting the environment. In addition to the proper amount of oil and a new filter, don’t forget you’ll need a large receptacle to catch your waste oil. Get everything you need today and save yourself some money by doing your oil change!
