How Many Quarts Is The 5.9 Cummin Oil Capacity (12v And 24v Oil Capacity)

A 5.9-liter Cummin engine is one of the most reliable and durable diesel truck motors. If you oil this engine correctly, it will run efficiently and last longer. So, you need to know the amount of oil your 5.9L engine needs to perform optimally.  This article will answer you the 5.9 cummin oil capacity, transmission reliability and recommended oil types.

Like other engine types, the 5.9L motor will not use any motor oil. Additionally, you must read the dipstick correctly to determine when to change the oil. After changing the oil, check the dipstick marks to see if you have attained the correct oil level.

All versions of the 5.9L Cummin engine have an oil capacity of 12 quarts. Whether you have the 12-valve or the 24-valve Cummin engine, you need twelve quarts of oil and a new oil filter. 

How Reliable Is The 5.9L Cummins Transmission?

If reliability matters to you more than power, you can be right in choosing the 5.9L Cummin engine. Due to a fixed geometry turbo that lasts longer than any variable system, the 5.9L engine is more dependable.

Besides, you do not need to replace the head gasket many times because the 5.9-liter dodge Cummin engine produces less cylinder pressure.

What Is The 5.9 Cummin Oil Capacity?

“12 Quarts Is The Correct 5.9L dodge Cummins Oil Capacity” .

Motor oil lubricates and cools the engine and its moving mechanical parts. Without proper oiling, you can end up with engine sludge and friction between metal parts that must touch each other when moving. Engine sludge and friction can trigger different problems that can be expensive to repair.

When dealing with any engine, including the 5.9L Cummin, you can prevent sludge by changing the oil regularly. Old motor oil has already lost its mechanical and chemical properties and will only harm the engine.

A 12-valve or a 24-valve 5.9L Cummin Engine can last over 500,000miles if you maintain it regularly. Before we reveal the oil capacity for the 5.9L engine, we will feature short descriptions of 12v and 24v engines.

12-valve -Dodge Cummins Features

Cummin introduced the B-Series 12-valve engine in 1984. 12V describes a cylinder head design with one inlet valve and one exhaust valve. First generation 12-valve engines had the P-pump fuel pump.

The second generation 12v Cummins emerged in 1994, and their production stopped in 1998. They had a new body design but the same 12-valve engine offering. While the 1994 model produced 175hp and 420lb-ft of torque, the 1998 model offered 180hp and 420lb-ft torque.

24-valve-Dodge Cummins Features

 Dodge Cummin model with the 24-valve engine emerged in 1998. As the motor used the electronic fuel injection system (Bosch fuel injectors and high-pressure fuel pump), Dodge Cummin called it the Interact System, B-Series (ISB). As a 24-valve cylinder head, the new engine consisted of two inlet valves and two exhaust valves.

While the manual transmission engine offered 235hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, the automatic transmission provided 215hp and 420lb-ft torque.

Dodge then produced a High Output engine version with 245hp and 505lb-ft between 2001 and 2002. Also, it continued to offer the 235hp and 46olb-ft engine. In 2007, Dodge Cummin introduced the new 6.7Liter engine.

Either engine requires 12 quarts of oil. When doing an engine oil change, also replace the oil filter. Since the 12v and 24v engines use the same oil filter, you cannot get confused when shopping.

In any case, you can save money and time by buying many oil filters at once. Also, there is a proper oil change schedule that the manufacturer recommends.

What Is The 5.9L 24v and 12v Cummins Oil Type

As we have revealed above, a 12v or a 24v 5.9L Cummin engine needs twelve quarts of oil and a new filter each time. Drivers need not feel confused about when to change the oil and which type to choose. Dodge Cummin has an oil viscosity chart they can read and follow.

When changing the oil, ensure you do not overfill or underfill the crankcase. If you make this mistake, you can affect the oil pressure. Remove the dipstick to check the oil level after using your truck the entire day. Nevertheless, wait to check the dipstick after the engine has cooled for at least fifteen minutes.

When it comes to the best oil type, you must consider your climate and other factors. We will describe them below. Meanwhile, the following are the recommended oil viscosities for 12v and 24v engines.

2003 to 2007 –Model Oil Types

If your model emerged between 2003 and 2007, it is a 24V engine requiring SAE 5W-40 All-Temperatures oil. If your area’s temperature is above zero degrees F, use SAE 15W-40.

1998 to 2002 –Model Oil You Should Use

Here is another 5.9liter Cummin engine with a 24-valve cylinder head. You have more oil options here based on the temperatures of your area. Above zero degrees F, use SAE 15W-40. If your temperature range is ten to thirty degrees F, then SAE 10W-30 is okay.

Zero to negative ten degrees F with a block heater requires SAE 10W-30. Lastly, below zero degrees and no block heater require using the SAE 5W-30 Synthetic oil.

1989 to 1998 12v –Model Oil Types

A 5.9-liter 12v engine made between 1989 and 1998 can use a variation of oil viscosities. In truth, it uses the same oil types and the same temperature ranges as the 1998 – 2002 versions above. 

 Now you know the best oil type to use. Next, you need to do it at the correct time. Depending on your driving conditions and Cummin model year, you might need to change the oil after covering a certain number of miles.

• If you have a 2003-2007 model with an ISB 5.9L 24V engine, you need to change the oil every 15,000 miles or six months. But if you overwork your engine, change the oil every 7,500 miles.
• Drivers with a 1998 to 2002 ISB 5.9L 24v engine should change the oil every 7500 miles or six months under usual driving conditions. If you severely use your truck, you must change the oil every 3,750 miles.
• Lastly, a 1989 to 1998 6BT 5.9L 12v engine requires an oil change every 6000 miles or six months. However, if you put your engine under severe use, the engine requires new oil every 3,000 miles or three months.

How Frequently You Change the Oil will Depend on these Factors

01. Driving Conditions and Style

If you run the engine the entire day non-stop, it will stay hot. Due to higher temperatures, the oil will break down and run out faster. In contrast, highway driving does not deplete motor oil so quickly. Thus, you should do regular oil changes if you severely use your truck.

02. Oil Type

Drivers have the option to use either conventional oil or synthetic oil. If you want to avoid changing the oil regularly, the synthetic is the best choice as it breaks down slowly.

03. Weather Conditions

In a hot climate, the engines get hot faster and consume more oil. As a result, those living in hot areas need to do regular oil changes. Cold climatic conditions do not overheat the engine. So, you can change the oil less often.

What is the Recommended Oil for Cummins Engines?

If you want your 5.9liter 12v or 24v engine to last longer, choose the synthetic oil. As several brands make synthetic motor oil, select the highest quality product when buying.

Fill a new oil filter with one quart of fresh oil before doing the oil change. Besides raising the oil pressure faster after replacing the oil, this can also prevent a dry engine start.

While synthetic oil works best, our main recommendation is to check your owner’s manual. Then, buy the oil type that the manual states. Oil viscosity differs based on your climate. So, choose the correct oil viscosity according to the manual.

Can You Use Synthetic Oil in 5.9 Cummins?

Yes, the recommended diesel oil is the advanced synthetic type. No matter where you live, synthetic oil will provide the safest viscosity to ensure proper flow.

If you live in a hot area, synthetic oil will not break down fast and so it will save you money. On the other hand, synthetic oil improves the flow even when the temperatures are below zero degrees.

Also, it helps the engine start faster in a cold environment. Synthetic oil is superior to all traditional petroleum-based motor oils as it prevents chemical breakdown.

In short, it prevents contamination by exhaust soot and fuel dilution. In addition to the 5.9liter engine, synthetic oil suits all engine types running different models and makes.

Important Questions (FAQs)

How can I change the oil in my car?

An engine oil change process goes as follows:

• Park your vehicle on a level surface and apply the hand brake.
• Let the engine cool down for fifteen minutes or one hour if it is hot
• Locate the engine oil pan plug. Then, put a 12-quart container to help you collect the old oil
• Next, unplug the drain plug so that old oil can start draining. Wait until the last drop falls and restore the drain plug. Handle the drain plug carefully to avoid damage.
• Locate the oil filter on the passenger’s side of the engine block. Place the drain pan beneath it. Add about a quart of oil or a slightly less amount to the new filter.
• Apply a generous amount of oil to the o-ring gasket to lubricate it. Install the filter without tightening it too much. Apply slight force with your hand.
• After that, add the remaining eleven quarts of oil to the crankcase via the fuel tube near the timing cover
• Remove the dipstick to check if the new oil level is okay and start the car. Next, inspect the oil filter and oil pan drain plug carefully to see if they are leaking.
• Turn off the engine and let it cool down. Remove the dipstick once more to see if the oil level is okay.

Why should we change engine oil and is a DIY project safe to do? 

Any engine type relies on oil to run. If the oil is excess, less than necessary, or dirty, it will negatively affect the engine performance. Moreover, the type and viscosity of oil determine how reliable it can be.

Regular oil changes are necessary if you use your truck commercially on all types of roads. If the engine gets excessively hot, it will fail faster without consistent oil changes.

Hence, follow what your manual says about oil change duration. Avoid dirty oil, sludge, and friction by replacing motor oil often. You can do it yourself to avoid paying a mechanic. As long as you are careful, you can do an oil change project every time it is necessary.

Unless your engine also needs an urgent repair, you cannot do, save money by changing the oil yourself. Above all, choose the highest quality engine oil and replacement oil filter.

Can I get a Ram 2500 Cummin?

People have mixed opinions on this because this model is expensive to repair, but it also does not get faulty that fast. Approximately, you will spend $1000 or slightly more annually to repair your Ram 2500.

If we compare this cost to that of repairing other diesel engines, it is higher. Engine issues and fuel system failures plague this truck series a lot.

When the engine clogs up, its power reduces. Also, Ram 2500 engine blocks tend to crack under typical usage. Hence, we cannot recommend the Ram 2500 series if you need a more reliable truck with a Cummin engine.

Overall, the ram 2500 Cummins made with the 5.9L engine offers more reliability than the more Recent 2500 and 3500 models using the 6.7L engine.

Even if they have enormous power, they have had several recalls because of loose steering arms and poor engine oiling. Make sure the turbo and exhaust brakes are okay if you need to buy the current 6.7liter Cummin truck.

Final Words On 5.9 Cummins Oil Capacity

Now you know the recommended 5.9L Cummins oil capacity. Also, you know the correct oil viscosity for your Cummin model year. We also said that synthetic diesel-based oil works better than any conventional petroleum-based oil.

As your model is unique, we advise you to read the manual booklet to learn the best oil type and other things. Lastly, you need the same oil filter for a 12v or a 24v engine.