We all know how important oil is for an engine, but we rarely check oil levels in our vehicles. Today, we will find out the 6.7 Cummins oil capacity, and how much oil a 6.7 Cummins takes, and then we will find a little more information about this viscous liquid that is essential for your vehicle.
Every vehicle with an internal combustion engine needs oil. You could say that motor oil is the vehicle’s lifeblood. Without oil, an engine would not run for more than a few seconds before causing terminal damage.
How much oil does a 6.7 Cummins take?
If you’re wondering about your 6.7 Cummins oil capacity, you’ve come to the right place. The oil capacity for this engine is 11 quarts in the crankcase and 1 quart in the oil filter. That makes a total of 12 quarts for a complete oil change.
Ensure you only put 11 quarts in the crankcase when completing the oil change. If you were to put 12 quarts in the crankcase plus the quart in the filter, your oil level would be too high. Having too much oil in the engine can be almost as bad as having too little oil.
Too much oil causes a significant increase in pressure which can blow out seals, force oil into the combustion chamber, and force oil into the exhaust system.
Some of you have been asking, “how many gallons of oil does a 6.7 Cummins take?”. Well, the answer to that is 3 gallons in total. Four quarts make a gallon and 12 quarts in total; 12 divided by 4 makes 3 gallons.
What is a Cummins engine?
If you’re wondering, “What is a Cummins Engine?” you’re not alone. This American multinational company designs manufactures and distributes diesel engines and other related products.
The company began manufacturing diesel engines in 1919 in Columbus, Indiana. Cummins engines are used in medium and heavy-duty trucks and many other industries. Their diesel engines are known for high horsepower, torque, and durability. A Cummins engine can last up to 20 years or more.
There are two main types of Cummins engines, the 6.7L, and the 5.9L ISB. The 6.7L model comes with a variable-geometry turbocharger. This turbo is more responsive at higher RPMs but has a smaller size. This model is also more reliable and has fewer moving parts. This engine is perfect for truck owners who want a low-maintenance engine.
The 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel engine has an excellent towing capacity and incredible durability. This engine is widely used in Dodge trucks but is also available in different vehicles.
Symptoms that an engine needs an oil change
The dashboard of your vehicle has several warning lights that tell you when it’s time for an oil change. The most obvious is the oil change light, which is red and looks like an oil can.
When the oil level is too low, the light will illuminate, warning you that there’s a high risk that your engine will be damaged. The oil change light may also be accompanied by unusually dark exhaust smoke.
The color of your engine oil is another important sign that it needs a change. Clean engine oil is light and translucent, while dirty oil is dark and sometimes black.
It’s essential to check your engine oil color and consistency often. You can check this by removing the dipstick from the oil reservoir and wiping it before repeating.
Changing your car’s oil is a quick and easy process, and it’s crucial to the health of your engine. Having fresh oil in your engine will extend its life and keep it performing at peak levels. To help you save money on oil changes, find out below how to change your vehicle’s oil.
Another tell-tale sign that an engine needs an oil change is a loud rumbling or knocking sound coming from your engine. While the noise is not always the cause, it is a clear sign that the oil in your car’s engine is dirty. It’s time to change the oil and prevent the engine from long-term damage.
What Does Engine Oil Do?
Engine oil is one of the most important fluids in a car. It keeps the engine running smoothly and protects the parts from metal-on-metal contact. It also captures dirty combustion deposits (through the oil filter) that can be removed during an oil change.
Changing your oil is very important for your car, regardless of mileage. Cummins recommends changing the oil every 15000 miles/6 months/500 hours, whichever comes first. Although it sounds intimidating, an oil change is something most people can do at home.
Engine oil also helps protect the engine parts from corrosion. The engine oil additives help reduce the amount of oxidation, which can harm the engine. Most importantly, the oil lubricates the moving parts, reducing the force needed to move them.
How much oil does my car need?
You may be wondering how much oil your engine requires. This is a ubiquitous question but not a simple answer. The amount of oil needed varies from vehicle to vehicle. Most engines require around five to six quarts of oil, although smaller engines need less.
For instance, a four-cylinder engine needs about four quarts of oil, while an eight-cylinder engine needs between eight and nine quarts. The exact amount required will depend on your engine’s size and how frequently you change your oil filter.
If you are unsure of what amount your engine requires, check your owner’s manual, or check online. The owner’s manual should include the amount and type of oil needed for your engine type.
Check the oil level in your engine using a dipstick. Your owner’s manual will have instructions on how to use a dipstick. It’s best to check your oil level when your engine is cold, as oil expands when it’s hot, leading to unreliable readings.
Which engine oil does my vehicle need?
Choosing the right motor oil is essential for the health of your vehicle and its engine. Different manufacturers recommend different types of oil. You can refer to the owner’s manual to determine which oil is best for your car.
The manual will also tell you whether your vehicle should use synthetic or organic oils. Cummins recommends using synthetic motor oil with a viscosity of 15W-40 for average climates and 5W-40 for places with extremely cold temperatures.
Oil viscosity is an important consideration when choosing the right oil. It will tell you how well it flows at different temperatures. You should also consider how well it protects the engine parts.
Oils with higher viscosity are thicker, so they will provide more lubrication. However, they may be more challenging to move through the engine parts.
You should also remember that different oil types perform differently in other climates. Thicker oils are more effective in hotter temperatures, while thinner oils perform well in colder climates. More viscous oil will also help cover up engine noises, such as valve and ticking noises.
How to maintain vehicle oil levels
Before performing a complete oil change, it is essential to check your vehicle’s oil levels. To do this, ensure that your car is parked on level ground, as a slope can affect the accuracy of the oil reading. Always check the oil level before driving, and never test it with the engine running.
Next, locate the oil dipstick. Vehicle oil dipsticks always look very similar and are generally either yellow or orange in color. Check out the photo below and look for something similar under your hood.
When you locate the oil dipstick, pull it straight out. Towards the end, there should be a minimum and maximum mark. The oil should be somewhere between the two. You should add oil if it is towards the minimum or below the minimum.
If you need to add oil, locate the oil filler cap and ensure it says oil or has an outline of an oil can (as in the photo above). Then, remove the cap and, using a funnel, add the needed amount of oil.
Adding oil to your vehicle engine is not an exact science. Adding oil little by little is best, check the level regularly with the dipstick.
When removing or inserting the dipstick, it can be tempting to twist. The dipstick mustn’t be twisted, as this can cause it to snap. A snapped dipstick is very difficult to remove at home and will most likely cause an unwanted trip to your local mechanic.
Once you have determined the exact oil level in your vehicle, you can check the oil’s color. Typically, the oil in the engine is brown, black, or dark brown in color. As a rule, the longer oil has been in the engine, the darker it becomes. If the oil is milky or cream-colored or contains metal particles, you should immediately take your car to a mechanic.
Some modern cars have an oil level indicator light on the dashboard. These cars will usually let you know when the oil is low and when you are due for an oil change.
Can I change my engine oil at home?
Anybody can change their oil at home. In fact, in some cases, it is recommended. Remember, before changing your oil, you must also change your oil filter to ensure contaminants don’t pass into the new oil. Used motor oil must be disposed of properly in a registered recycling facility.
Before you start the process, make sure to gather the right tools. You will need an oil filter, funnel, and wrench. You will also need a jack or ramp and some safety wedges. It’s also a good idea to read the owner’s manual to know the type and proper amount of oil to use.
Before beginning your oil change, warm up the engine for about two minutes. This will help thin the oil, helping it to flow nicely from the vehicle. You will also need to locate the oil drain plug, which is located at the bottom of the engine.
You can crawl under the car or jack it up to get to this location. While under the car, you should keep a large container underneath the plug.
It will take a few minutes to drain the oil from the vehicle completely. As soon as there is no more oil dripping from the oil pan, you can remove the old oil filter. Before you fit the new filter, you must fill it with oil.
Now refit the drain plug and start filling the required amount of oil. When you are finished, give the oil a few minutes to settle, and then check the level to ensure you have not added too little or too much.
6.7 Cummins Oil Capacity – Wrapping Up
So now we no longer need to wonder, “how much oil does a 6.7 Cummins take?”. We know the Cummins 6.7 oil capacity for a complete oil change is 12 quarts. There are 11 quarts in the crankcase and 1 in the oil filter.
To keep the engine running at its peak performance levels, Cummins recommends changing the oil around twice a year. There is no need to take your vehicle to a mechanic as this job can quickly be done at home. The viscosity of oil required will vary from vehicle to vehicle, but this can always be found in the user manual.

My name is Lucas Williams, from Belmont, California. A retired auto technician, I have garnered an ample amount of proficiency and background in the vehicle industry. More about me here.