First time oil change

Fivesense · Apr 9, 2024

I'm changing the oil for the first time on my 2018 Cummins. I previously had it done at the dealer or another shop. But with as much as they are charging now, I figured I'd finally just do it myself.

I've got the filters (oil and fuel) coming from Geno's Garage.

What other tools do you recommend? I'd be grateful to learn what everyone has/uses, from the oil collection pan to wrenches, etc...

My list so far:
3/8 ratchet with 3 inch extension
Oil filter ratchet
5 gallon container
Oil filter plug
Rotella T6 5W-40

Thank you in advance.

internetdel · Apr 9, 2024

Ok-- get a large freezer ziplock baggie. Loosen the filter by reaching over the passenger side front wheel. Unscrew the filter inside the baggie and you won't spill a drop! While draining the pan, be sure you have a deep catch Pan, else the oil will splatter all over the driveway. That's it. Good luck!

SitKneelBend · Apr 9, 2024

internetdel said:
Ok-- get a large freezer ziplock baggie. Loosen the filter by reaching over the passenger side front wheel. Unscrew the filter inside the baggie and you won't spill a drop! While draining the pan, be sure you have a deep catch Pan, else the oil will splatter all over the driveway. That's it. Good luck!

How have I never heard and/or thought of this before...great advice!

Green_Manalishi · Apr 9, 2024

https://www.amazon.com/DEF-57180-Filter-Cummins-2013-2018/dp/B07GF7Y5F8?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Pretty handy...

Also, a 5 gallon bucket fits under my oil pan without jacking the truck up.

crash68 · Apr 9, 2024

SitKneelBend said:
How have I never heard and/or thought of this before...great advice!

The same technique works for changing the rear fuel filter on the diesel trucks.
The OP noted he bought an oil filter plug, also allows for pulling the filter with spilling the oil out of it.

PaleFlyer · Apr 10, 2024

This pops up periodically in the oil change threads.

SitKneelBend said:
How have I never heard and/or thought of this before...great advice!

it is handy, and works better than basically any other method, if you can somehow keep enough torque through the oil soaked bag to still unscrew the filter. (gas 4x4 5.7 here, with the stupid oil "cooler" thing that makes it hard to change the filter.)

I also got the "Oil Cow" I think is the name of the stupid funnel, which worked okay on the 10-48, but doesn't fit the 20-*** filters on my truck because of the clearance to the 4x4 system (Or power steering maybe). Keep meaning to try the old "punch a hole and drain it first" method, but never actually do.

Fivesense · Apr 10, 2024

Should I pick up some oil plug gaskets? If so, does anyone know the Mopar part number?

crash68 · Apr 11, 2024

Fivesense said:
Should I pick up some oil plug gaskets?

If you're referring to the oil pan plug gasket, no need to change it unless it leaks. I'm not sure if you can by just the gasket, would have to replace the whole plug. I've yet to change one.
You could to switch to a Fumoto oil drain valve.

runamuck · Apr 11, 2024

SitKneelBend said:
How have I never heard and/or thought of this before...great advice!

I bought 2 oil filter caps. just unscrew filter and lower..then add cap so oil wont spill out while you jockey the filter out. can prefill new filter with some oil and add cap for the install. I have also done the ziploc trick before. I bought an ez-valve oil pan plug to put on so the next time I change oil I can run a tube to a catch pan and eliminate some mess there.

PaleFlyer · Apr 12, 2024

runamuck said:
I bought 2 oil filter caps. just unscrew filter and lower..then add cap so oil wont spill out while you jockey the filter out. can prefill new filter with some oil and add cap for the install. I have also done the ziploc trick before. I bought an ez-valve oil pan plug to put on so the next time I change oil I can run a tube to a catch pan and eliminate some mess there.

Ziplock for the win! then I can just drop the filter into the bag, zip it up, and toss it, no fuss, no mess.

Pan plug valve things (I went Fumoto) are def a mess saver, but Amazon screwed up, and gave me the "swivel" instead of the straight, and it def takes longer to drain through the hose than it did when I just popped the OEM plug.

Just did a change, and forgot the ZipLock... that was a MESS. Felt like a REAL moron, as I had just commented on how much the Ziplock improves things a couple days ago... Also didn't use the ramps, so it was tight.

texcwa · Apr 15, 2024

Green_Manalishi said:
https://www.amazon.com/DEF-57180-Filter-Cummins-2013-2018/dp/B07GF7Y5F8?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Pretty handy...

Also, a 5 gallon bucket fits under my oil pan without jacking the truck up.

I second the oil filter plug tool. Change my oil every 5k - 7k miles and have never dripped a drop of oil using this tool. Also works great if you pre-fill your new filter prior to install.

Alweeja · Apr 15, 2024

Great tips on these Posts.

First time oil change

Fivesense

Junior Member

internetdel

Junior Member

SitKneelBend

Senior Member

Green_Manalishi

Senior Member

crash68

ACME product engineer

PaleFlyer

Senior Member

Fivesense

Junior Member

crash68

ACME product engineer

runamuck

Senior Member

PaleFlyer

Senior Member

texcwa

Junior Member

Alweeja

Member

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