Top 5 Best Oil for 5.9 Cummins
The 5.9 Cummins is a popular engine for both trucks and diesel engines that are used in construction and agriculture equipment. It can be challenging to find the best oil for your truck, but there are specific oils that will help you maintain your engine’s performance and longevity so it lasts longer!
In this blog post, we will discuss the five top-rated oils for the 5.9 Cummins and what makes them stand out from other brands of oil on the market today.
Click here to skip to our recommended pick!
- SAE: 15W-40
- API: CK-4/CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/CH-4/SP/SN
- Brand: Valvoline
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Valvoline Premium Blue SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil at Amazon!
- SAE: 15W-40
- API: CK-4/CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/CH-4/SN/SM/SL
- Brand: Triax
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Triax Fleet Supreme ESP 15W-40 API CK-4 Full Synthetic Diesel Engine Oil at Amazon!
- SAE: 15W-40
- API: CK-4/CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/CH-4/SN
- Brand: Royal Purple
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Royal Purple API-Licensed SAE 15W-40 High Performance Synthetic Motor Oil at Amazon!
- SAE: 15W-40
- API: CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/CF/SM, ACEA E7
- Brand: Lucas Oil
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Lucas Oil Synthetic 15W-40 CJ-4 Truck Oil at Amazon!
- SAE: 5W-40
- API: SK-4/CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/CN/SM
- Brand: Mobil
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Mobil Delvac 1 ESP 5W-40 Motor Oil at Amazon!
- SAE: 15W-40
- API: SK-4/CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CF/CH-4/SF-4
- Brand: Red Line
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Red Line 15W-40 Diesel Motor Oil at Amazon!
- SAE: 15W-40
- API: CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/SM
- Brand: Amsoil
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Amsoil OE 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil at Amazon!
- SAE: 15W-40
- API: SK-4/CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/CH-4
- Brand: Shell Rotella
- Value for money: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
- Purchase link: Buy your Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil at Amazon!
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Valvoline Premium Blue SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
If you’re looking for the best oil for your 5.9 Cummins engine, we recommend Valvoline Premium Blue SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil. This oil is designed to provide superior protection and performance in high-performance diesel engines like the 5.9 Cummins. It’s also backward compatible with previous versions of the Cummins engine, so you can use it even if your truck is a few years old.
Valvoline Premium Blue SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil is available at most auto parts stores and online retailers. It’s priced comparably to other high-quality synthetic oils, and it offers excellent value for the money. If you’re looking for the best oil for your 5.9 Cummins, this is the one we recommend.
Valvoline Premium Blue SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil offers:
- Superior protection and performance in high-performance diesel engines like the 5.9 Cummins engine.
- Backward compatibility with previous versions of the Cummins engine for improved longevity and durability.
- High shear stability to minimize wear from increased power output from higher horsepower engines.
- Improved additive technology provides enhanced oxidation resistance during extended oil drain intervals.
5.9 Cummins Engine Overview
The 5.9 Cummins engine is a five-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine. The production started in 1989 and from there it has been improved from time to time to meet the needs of its customers. It was originally used for medium-duty trucks but after a while, they were introduced into heavy-duty trucks as well due to their increased durability and efficiency.
Since then this type of motor became very popular among truck drivers because even though it’s almost 30 years old, it still provides reliable performance making them usable up until today without any problems or major repairs needed.
There are different types of oils that can be used for this engine, but the one that is most recommended and has the best results is the 15W-40 diesel oil. It’s important to use quality oil in order to keep your engine running smoothly and prevent any damage from happening.
So if you’re looking for the best oil to use in your 5.9 Cummins engine, the 15W-40 diesel oil is definitely the way to go. It’s a reliable and durable choice that will keep your engine running smoothly for many years to come.
Oil for 5.9 Cummins Recommended by Manufacturer
The best oil for a 5.9 Cummins diesel engine is the oil that is recommended by the manufacturer. The owner’s manual should be consulted to determine the correct weight and type of oil for your engine.
Oils are classified as light, medium, or heavy-duty, and most engines require a middleweight or heavyweight oil. The viscosity of the oil is also important and should be matched to the ambient temperature.
The 5.9 Cummins engine was designed for use with low-sulfur diesel fuel. The use of biodiesel or non-diesel fuels may void the warranty. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats, and it can be used in any diesel engine without modification. However, there have been some reports of shortened engine life when using biodiesel in a 5.9 Cummins engine.
Cummins recommends using an API Service CI-4 certified oil in their engines. The CI-4 classification includes both heavy-duty and racing oils. Many popular brands of motor oil are certified API, including Mobil Delvac, Royal Purple, Valvoline, and Castrol.
Viscosity Grade
The viscosity grade of the oil is also important. The 5.9 Cummins engine was designed for use with SAE 15W-40 or 5W-40 oil, and the viscosity should be matched to the ambient temperature.
The recommended SAE weight is printed on a sticker or decal located somewhere near the dipstick of your 5.9 Cummins engine. For example, if you find an “S” with 40 next to it on that label, then use 15W-40 oil in cold weather and 0W-30 oil in hot weather.
1989 – 1998 5.9L CUMMINS OIL VISCOSITY CHART (12 VALVE)
| Ambient Temperature Range | Oil Viscosity |
| Greater than 10° F | SAE 15W-40 |
| 0 – 30° F (w/ out using engine block heater) | SAE 10W-30 |
| Less than 0° F (must use engine block heater) | SAE 10W-30 |
| Less than 0° F (w/ out using engine block heater) | SAE 5W-30 |
1998.5 – 2002 5.9L CUMMINS ISB OIL VISCOSITY CHART (24 VALVE)
| Ambient Temperature Range | Oil Viscosity |
| Greater than 10° F | SAE 15W-40 |
| 0 to 30° F (w/ out using engine block heater) | SAE 10W-30 |
| -10° F to 30° F (must use engine block heater) | SAE 10W-30 |
| -10 to 0° F (must use engine block heater) | SAE 5W-30 |
2003 – 2007 5.9L CUMMINS ISB OIL VISCOSITY CHART (24 VALVE, COMMON RAIL)
| Ambient Temperature Range | Oil Viscosity |
| Greater than 0° F | SAE 15W-40 |
| All temperatures | SAE 5W-40 full synthetic |
Capacity
The oil capacity is also important. Most Cummins engines hold between 11 and 19 quarts of fresh oil, depending on the model year.
The oil capacity for the 5.9 Cummins engine is 12 quarts (11.4 L).
Specification of Oil
The 5.9 Cummins specification for oil is API CJ-Performance.
Many popular brands of motor oil are certified API, including Mobil Delvac, Royal Purple, Valvoline, and Castrol.
API CJ-Performance oils include both heavy-duty and racing oils. When looking for an oil that meets the Cummins specifications, it’s important to find one that falls into this classification.
You can usually find the API certification on the bottle or box of the oil you’re considering buying. Oils that are not API certified may still work in your engine, but they may void the warranty if something goes wrong.
Always consult your owner’s manual before making a decision about what type of oil to use in your 5.9 Cummins engine.
Oil for 5.9 Cummins by Mileage
The first thing to consider when looking for the best oil is mileage. If you do not drive much then it does not matter what kind of engine oil you use because your engine will barely be used and therefore there is no need to invest in expensive top-of-the-line oils.
However, if you are driving a lot then this becomes an important factor as certain types of engines require different kinds of oil depending on how many miles they have been driven. For example, some diesel trucks can go up to 500k miles before needing new motor oils while other only last about 150 k miles with the same type of motor oils so mileage plays a major role here.
Another factor to consider is the type of oil. Certain oils are better for high mileage engines while others are more suited for brand new motors. For example, if you have a truck that has seen a lot of miles, it is best to stick with a heavier weight oil like 15W-40 instead of using a lighter oil.
The reasoning behind this is that heavyweight oils will help reduce wear and tear on your engine while also providing some extra lubrication which can be beneficial if your truck has racked up a lot of miles. Conversely, if you have a brand new truck then you may want to use a lightweight oil since they flow easier at start-up.
When looking at engine oil there are many different factors involved including mileage and type of motor oil but another important factor includes climate changes since certain types of oils will perform better depending on whether or not they’re used in colder or warmer climates as well as how often these motors get driven:
- If you drive less than 500 miles a month, any quality synthetic oil will do.
- For drivers who cover more ground, we recommend using a heavier weight oil like Delo 400 SDE SAE 15W-40 Motor Oil for increased protection.
- If your Cummins is used for towing or other heavy loads, use 15W-40 diesel engine oil like Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection Conventional 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil or Mobil Super 15W-40 Delvac 1300 Motor Oil for the best performance.
- For climates with high humidity, use a motor oil that has additives to prevent corrosion.
No matter what type of oil you decide on, it’s always important to consult your owner’s manual first to make sure you are using the correct viscosity for your engine and climate. While there are many different types of oils available on the market, following these simple guidelines should help make the process a little easier.
Best Oil for 5.9 Cummins
The top best product [hide]
Valvoline Premium Blue SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
Triax Fleet Supreme ESP 15W-40 API CK-4 Full Synthetic Diesel Engine Oil
It meets or exceeds the requirements of API CK-14, CJ-IV, and SL.
Oil is designed to work with the latest diesel engines and provide protection against wear, deposits, and corrosion.
Royal Purple API-Licensed SAE 15W-40 High Performance Synthetic Motor Oil
It has a uniform thickness of the formula which allows it to flow easily, even at low temperatures. This helps reduce wear and tear on components throughout your vehicle's motor, pump, valves, and turbochargers.
The advanced technology in this oil also reduces emissions output by 90 percent compared to using conventional oils!
Lucas Oil Synthetic 15W-40 CJ-4 Truck Oil
It's also engineered to resist thermal breakdown, which means it will work even when it's under extreme strain. The formula can increase fuel economy and keep your engine clean by removing dirt particles that would otherwise damage components throughout the vehicle.
This product meets or exceeds requirements set forth by JASO T 2008 MA/MA II standards!
Mobil Delvac 1 ESP 5W-40 Motor Oil
This ESP formula is designed to protect your engine even in the most severe conditions, and it exceeds the requirements set by both Cummins CES 200801 and Mack EO-L PLUS.
It also has a low pour point which allows it to flow easily in cold temperatures, meaning you'll have less wear and tear on your engine no matter what the weather is like outside!
Red Line 15W-40 Diesel Motor Oil
It also meets or exceeds requirements set by both Cummins CES 200801 and Mack EO-L PLUS.
The synthetic blend in this oil prevents the formation of sludge and varnish, meaning your engine will stay clean even with heavy use!
Amsoil OE 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil
Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil
5.9 Cummins Oil Type By Year
The best type of oil for a 5.9 Cummins engine will vary depending on the year of the engine:
1990-1993 Cummins 5.9 Oil Type
- 1990-1993 model years use SAE 30 weight oil.
1994-1995 Cummins 5.9 Oil Type
- 1994 and 1995 5.9 Cummins engines can use 20W or 40W oils, but some owners prefer the lower viscosity of a lighter weight product.
1996-1998 Cummins 5.9 Oil Type
- 1996 to 1998 trucks are best suited with an API GL-rated engine oil – even if they call for another specification. Some earlier models may also benefit from this upgrade as well.
2003-2007 Cummins 5.9 Oil Type
- the best oil for 2003-2007 5.9 Cummins is a CJ-15W-40 diesel engine oil.
2008-2010 Cummins 5.9 Oil Type
- for a 2008-2010 5.9 Cummins, use a CI-11W-50 diesel engine oil.
2011+ Cummins 5.9 Oil Type
- a 2011 or newer 5.9 Cummins should use a CJ-16 diesel engine oil.
Owners should read their manual first before changing out their engine’s oil type without checking with a professional mechanic beforehand since not all diesel engines have compatible requirements when it comes to different types of motor oils that are available on the market today!
Oil for 5.9 Cummins – Buyer’s Guide
Today we are going over some basic information that any diesel owner needs to know when changing oils.
How Much Oil Does 5.9 Cummins Take?
All 5.9L Cummins turbodiesels (6BT and ISB) feature a 12-quart oil capacity (with filter change) and share the same oil filter.
Service Intervals
The Cummins Service intervals call for an oil change at 3750 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first. So if you’re doing a lot of short trips (less than five miles), consider changing your engine oil more frequently.
How to Change Oil 5.9 Cummins?
It is a good idea to change the oil and filter on your 5.9 Cummins at home. The job isn’t terribly difficult, but it can be messy if you’re not careful. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
– Warm up the engine for a few minutes to get the oil flowing (this is important). You don’t want to spill hot oil all over yourself.
-Jack up the truck and place it on jack stands or a lift. If you’re doing this by yourself, make sure you have enough room to work under the truck.
-Remove the skid plate (if applicable) and locate the drain plug on the bottom of the engine. Use a socket wrench to remove it and let the oil drain into a pan.
-Replace the drain plug and tighten it down. Now remove the oil filter (it’s located on top of the engine, near the front) using an oil filter wrench.
-Pour new oil into a funnel and slowly pour it into the filter until it is full. Replace the filter housing cover and tighten it down.
-Startup your truck and let it run for a few minutes to get the new oil circulated throughout the engine. Shut it off and check for leaks. If everything looks good, you’re done!
Here’s a great video that gives in-depth instructions along with information about oil, which we have already discussed at length in this post.
Tips
- Choose a quality, name-brand oil. There are a lot of cheap oils on the market, but they may not provide the same level of protection as a name-brand product.
- Check the viscosity rating. The correct viscosity is essential for providing adequate lubrication and protection in extreme conditions.
- Consider the climate. If you drive in a hot climate, you’ll need oil with a high viscosity.
