Hey guys (and maybe gals),

There has been a coupe of times I have not changed the oil on my truck myself and have taken it to someone else to do the deed.

They always claim my '03 5.9L HO takes 11 qts. so does the Cummins web site. My Dodge manual says 12 qts (1 in the filter + 11 in the crank case)...

Who is right??

 

11 quarts plus 1 for the filter puts my oil level right at the top of the hatch mark area on the dip stick. So for me the answer is 12 quarts!!

 

I have always run about 11.5 qts, which is about the middle of the line on my truck's dipstick. Kind of a PITA for filling and keeping track of the unused good oil, but it's where I'm comfortable with the actual reading. Just my $0.02...

 

Same here....and gig 'em!!

 

All my 2nd gen 12 valve trucks take 11, including the filter.

My 03 takes 12, including the filter.

 

The 03/04 use 12 qts. 11 in the engine and 1 in the filter.

Oh, yeah mine uses 14qts due to the AMSOIL By-Pass System.
No more oil changes for 1 year.

 

Just changed mine...12qts: 11 in the crank and 1 in the filter.

 

I use 3 gallons, pre fill the filter and dump the rest in and its right on the mark.

Note: Extreme care when pre filling a filter cuz that big hole is on the non filtered side so if you drop a piece of something in there like wrapping from the oil jug it could clog an oil passage in the engine and trash your Cummins

 

Some people have an oil smell if they put the full 12 in. I usually put in 11, let it sit overnight, and fill to half the hatch marks (11.5 or so) This has resulted in very little oil smell after an oil change, even using Rotella.

 

Spots..here is the fix for that odor problem rather than running 1/2 low.
http://www.rounsevell.com/blowby.pdf

 

Thanks for the link but I have no smell in my truck at all after the fresh oil has "cooked" for a while. And I only smell it when I get out of it in the garage after an oil change. At 11.5 the oil is in the safe zone, the truck does not use any oil, so this works best for me.

 

I like to be just a little under the MAX/TOP of the dipstick range. I find 11.5 to 11.8 quarts or so gets me right there. There is no real benefit to being on the full part of the dipstick vs halfway up. Overfilling will cause excessive CCV vapors/stinky smell. I wish I could just dump the 3 gals in but the one time I tried that it was over the max line by a tiny bit, despite letting the old oil drain/drip for an hour. Now that I've done it a few times, I fill the filter, dump 2 full gallons in, and then MOST of the third. I've gotten a feel for how heavy the third is with the appropriate amount still in it. Find your happy range. I dont think its really that critical either way, unless you're way over or underfilled.

 

I do not want to take a chance of over filling. I have done my last several changes....as apposed to my buddy at the quick lube. Out of 3 gallons of Rotella, I have just a little left in the last jug. I like to stay just below the max mark on the stick. I guess just over 11.5 quarts used. My truck burns no Rotella. FWIW - JKE

 

I pour in 3 gallons for the change, then toss the containers into the recycle box.

Then when it comes time to change it again, another 3 gallons, toss, etc.....

Why keep small portions of oil lying around on the shelf? Plus, I've never needed to add any "extra" oil between changes anyways.

I can't see any difference between 11.5, or 11.8 qts.

tryin' to keepin' it simple.

 

Ahhh but you have a .2 for your oil can to lube hinges, lawnmower parts, top up the other cars and trucks in the yard etc.