Question for 6.7 CTD owners RE: Adding Oil

[Ron3rd]

At what point on the dipstick's "Safe Zone" do you add oil? I've got about 5,500 miles on my 2016 and the the oil level is a little below half way down in the "Safe Zone" on the stick.

Should I add a little oil, and about how much would you add at this point?

[Ron3rd]

fulltimedaniel wrote:
I would find this oil usage unusual for this engine. I have towed with mine from day one of purchase. I purchased it on the road. I have traveled more than 20 thousand miles since buying it in April. virtually most of it towing my 33 footer, including to Alaska.

In all of that time it has never used a drop of oil that I can detect. I did my first oil change at about at 13,600 miles a bit earlier than the 15000 called for.

I would definitely take this to a dealer and get the situation documented. ie have them look at it check for leaks and then put in writing they say this oil use is normal.

Good luck

Actually, I'm not sure it's used any oil and what I've learned is the oil level will vary greatly depending on how long the truck's been sitting. Check the oil when you first shut the engine off and you'll get one reading. Come back in about 1/2 an hour and will be quite a bit higher, so it does drain down a fair amount.

[fulltimedaniel]

I would find this oil usage unusual for this engine. I have towed with mine from day one of purchase. I purchased it on the road. I have traveled more than 20 thousand miles since buying it in April. virtually most of it towing my 33 footer, including to Alaska.

In all of that time it has never used a drop of oil that I can detect. I did my first oil change at about at 13,600 miles a bit earlier than the 15000 called for.

I would definitely take this to a dealer and get the situation documented. ie have them look at it check for leaks and then put in writing they say this oil use is normal.

Good luck

[Cummins12V98]

I drain my truck overnight to get the max old oil out. I add 11qts and 24oz to be on the full mark. If you look at the pan you will see that 8oz oil can easily be left in the pan plus the fact the bung is not slotted like the 2nd gen trucks were. Most people will have overfull condition if they take their truck to have the oil changed because those places pull the plug and put it right back in without letting all the oil drain.

Pic is of truck a day later sitting overnight on level ground.

[goducks10]

My 2012 Rams really sensative to slope. Depending on which way the trucks sloped it will either show overfull or under full. I don't have anywhere level to check so I gave up checking. Just change it when the EVIC says to.

[azrving]

.

[nevadanick]

Some engnes will use oil down to a certain level and pretty much stop at that point. Keep checking it and see if it keeps going lower or not. I wouldnt add oil until it was at the add mark.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Just a few degrees off of center side to side will make a big difference on the stick.

[FishOnOne]

transamz9 wrote:
Its much safer to run low in the safe zone than to accidentally put too much in trying to get it to the top line.

Well said...

[transamz9]

Its much safer to run low in the safe zone than to accidentally put too much in trying to get it to the top line.

[Me_Again]

The dip stick is more likely to vary vs the crank case size. Just saying.

On marine engines, you install the required number of quarts and calibrate the dip stick to that level.

Chris

[tinner12002]

I have an outfit change mine for me due to not having a place to do it but I supply the 3 gal of oil and a mopar filter. The last time I had them change it he asked if I had any more oil as it was still 2 qts low after putting in the required 12 qts with filter so it might be the same on the OPs truck maybe its just showing low even with the required oil in it.

[coolbreeze01]

I'd change the oil & filter and note the level. Oil consumption isn't normal with Cummins.

[The_real_wild1]

Don't need to add any. You are getting close to your first oil change. I did my cummins every 10,000km. Fuel filter I did every 20,000km. There should be an "add" mark on your dipstick. When it gets to that point then you can add.

[Grit_dog]

Ya no worries about that. 5500 mi, I'd dump the original oil anyway. It's time for an oil change.
Sometimes I need to add a qt. Not very good about checking the oil though. Usually only check it before long trips if I haven't changed it recently.
But with 3 gal of oil to start with it wont miss a qt or 2. I think the "safe" range on the dipstick is representative of 2 quarts

[Ron3rd]

Thanks for all the info folks.