Engine oil capacity

[Gordon Maney]

I changed oil today... the owner's manual says 10 quarts, and it also says filter takes one quart. Is the filter's quart included in the 10, or not?



I put in the 10 quarts and an empty filter. After running, the stick said it was on the add line. I added one quart and it put it midway in the safe zone.



Do you go by the stick, or by the book, and what total capacity do you use if by the book?



Thanks for your thoughts...

 

[Joe G.]

11 quarts total. Check when it is cold and on a level place.

 

[barryg41]

It doesnt hurt to put one of the 11 quarts in the filter. It provides almost instant pressure after an oil change.

 

[Puffin Smoke]

I agree with 11

 

[Shooter]

Mine has read full at 12 since day one. Since day one it gets 12.

NEVER, NEVER put on a dry oil filter. Always fill the filter.



barryg41: " It doesnt hurt to put one of the 11 quarts in the filter. "



It does hurt not to.







11 or 12 is your call.

 

[Puffin Smoke]

I think do 11 and usually top it off if it needs it.

 

[EShaw]

Guys,

My vote is for 12... ... ... ... including the quart in the filter... ... . must do in my book.

Eric

 

[Goddard]

3 gallon total puts mine on the full mark every time. always prefill the filter!

 

[Joe G.]

If I check mine cold it's right on the full mark with 11. If it's hot it will show a quart low. Supposed to be checked cold.

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Some good info here:

http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1994/09-16-94.htm



Dave.

 

[hammersley]

12 qts??????

Honest folks, I don't know why 12 qts appears to be right for certain vehicles. 11 is what the documentation states, and is perfect for my rig. Something is wrong!

 

[The patriot]

I've been using 12. It was always a little high but now since I have the Frantz filter installed, it's perfect.

1 quart will hardly bake a difference in this big oil pan. If it's not being aireated (hitting the crankshaft) it's OK. Aireated oil wont lubercate.

My . 02

Eric

 

[redneckdr]

oil fill...............

is supposed to be 11 quarts total. dipsticks are not accurate. suggestion: change the oil, use 11 quarts total, check it cold later, on a level surface, and mark the stick where it is full for future reference.

 

[jwilliams3]

12 is overfilling in my opinion.

The oil pan holds 9. 46 quarts.

11 total in engine.

Cummins just doesnt make up a number!!

 

[EShaw]

I thought that ALL the big manufacturing companies used the DBT (Dart Board Theory) for generating all critical data... ...

I took my 3500 to the DEALER for it's 1st oil change... ... hehehe along with the useless fast idle reflash and torque management reflash and also to have the drivers heated seat repaired... ... ... ... Charged me for 12 qts. of oil??????? I asked about this and the service manager said there is enough room for it... ... ... ... I got the receipt... ... . and changed oil myself since and used 12 qts... ... ... ... I'm not shakin'

Eric

 

[BILLUA]

I agree with Shooter, it is critical to fill your filter with oil before install. . Just think about where the freshly cleaned oil goes too... The turbo!. Do you want it spinning for 5 seconds before new oil forces its way through the system and fills the filter???



My truck is full at 11 quarts.....

Bill

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Adding 12 quarts on a system with no bypass isn't a good idea, even if it doesn't go above the "full" mark on the dipstick (remember the threads some time ago about inaccurate dipsticks?). Bringing the level up to high increases probability of the oil coming in contact with the crank & rods and whipping air into the oil. . . not good! It may be OK on the level but the higher the oil level is above where it should be, the less of an incline that is needed for the oil to touch the rotating assemly.



My dipstick reads high. . . takes 10. 5 quarts counting what is in the filter for mine to read "FULL. " I usually run between 10 and 11 quarts total in my engine.



Vaughn

 

[CUMAPART]

10 quarts on the nose and she's full.

 

[redeye]

The dealer has completed all of my oil changes up utill now (purchase perk ). They show 2, 1gal. jugs plus 3qts on the invoice. Just hit 20k and did my own oil change (Delvac) 11qts. put it over by 1/2qt. Since the owners manual states "NEVER" run over full. I removed 1 mesured qt. to bring it a little below the top of the 2qt. safe zone.



With a block of this size I think it's easy to have a 1/2qt. or more hanging around after a drain.



I've always filled the filter on everything I owned before installing (very important)

 

[Gordon Maney]

I really had no idea this question would prompt so much comment...