Best oil for 2020 Ram 2500 6.7 L Cummins?

[Darron]

Please weigh in on which is the best oil for 5th gen 2500 with 6.7 L diesel. I'm in northern California and I might see temperature as low as 10 F on rare occasion in the mountains, but usually climate is more temperate.

Manual says to use SAE 10W-30. Internet says that Cummins specifically recommends Valvoline "Premium Blue" but I couldn't corroborate that on the Cummins site or with folks at Cummins specifically.

What do you use? Brand? Weight? And most importantly, why?

 

[mtnrider]

I've used Valvoline and Rotella, both meet the required specs and have been fine doing 15K changes. I run 15w-40 in my 2016 (what it calls for) but your 2020 went to 10w-30 so I'd run what they recommend. Don't over think it, if it meets the specs run it. Don't need any fancy snake oil IMO.


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[crash68]

It's interesting that they say to run 10W-30 >0°F and 5W-40 when the weather is expected <0°F
Personally I'd run 5W-40 full synthetic either Rotella T6 or Valvoline Blue year round as that been listed to for all temperatures even on the previous gen CTD.

 

[tjfdesmo]

I have been running 5W40 synthetic in my '19, as the choices in 10W30 are fairly slim. First change was Rotella T6, and last was Delo. The good thing with a Cummins is they are not fussy like a Hemi. I will run Rotella, Delo, Delvac, or Premium Blue, maybe others. Whatever is on sale, and rebates. Last batch netted down to about $12 per gallon. Remember they build them to withstand severe fleet/industrial service where they are NOT pampered and fussed over.

 

[Darron]

Ok, so a couple recommendations to use the 5W-40 year round. True, the options for 10W-30 are limited.

Any concern that lower viscosity oil (5W-40) would not be as good for the engine which runs in predominantly warmer conditions?

I kinda want to go with Valvoline Premium Blue 10W-30 which is a synthetic blend. It's got the Cummins recommendation, it meets the 10W-30 manufacturer recommendation, and it costs more so that means it must be special (tongue in cheek). Any real benefit of pure synthetic over synthetic blend?

 

[tjfdesmo]

To me semi-synthetic is like being "a little bit pregnant".

 

[crash68]

Technically the 5W-40 will be thinner when cold and actually thicker when up to temp than the 10W-30.
Here's an older article and doesn't get too in depth to 5W-40: https://team.valvoline.com/diy/diesel-engine-oil-lets-talk-viscosity
Being your in an area where cold weather is probably infrequent, it's probably no different running either the 10W-30 vs 5W-40. I have weather that drops below 0°F so I don't feel like doing a short oil change due to weather changes.

 

[chri5k]

I have been using Valvoline Premium Blue (Non-synthetic) 10w40 and Fleetguard Stratopore filters on my 2016 6.7 for the last 100K miles. Change every 7500 miles. No issue so far. Tractor Supply puts it on sale for $14 / gallon from time to time. When in the store I always swing by the oil isle and pick a few gallons when it is on sale.

The Valvoline endorsement is on Cummins site.

https://www.cummins.com/na/sales-and-service/lubricants

 

[Gr8bawana]

ANY brand oil that meets spec will do the job, even "house brand" oil. No need to waste your $$ on name brand oil or synthetic oil.

 

[Fuel35 67]

Just keep in mind, the synthetic oil will be better for the turbo after **** down. I run full synthetic 5-40, my climate in the Central Valley (CA) gets in the 100’s and low 30’s. I just moved to Shandon 2 weeks ago and basically the same climate, although it cools off a lot quicker here than the Valley.

 

[Gr8bawana]

The owners manual makes no mention of using synthetic oil in regards to warm or hot temps.
It says nothing about synthetic oil being "better" for the turbo.
The manual says 5w-40 synthetic can be used for all temps but is "required" for operation at below 0° F temps.

 

[Darron]

It's difficult to find a reputable synthetic oil that fully meets the specs recommended in the owner's manual. It turns out 10w-30 is not as common as 15w-40. It's hard to find a synthetic 10w-30 that meets MS-10902 and API CK-4 and/or Cummins CES 20081. Currently available oils seem to be more commonly rated CES 20086. Is that interchangeable?

See owner's manual excerpt here:


I also found this online indicating CES 20086 is comparable to API CK-4.

 

[Fuel35 67]

I use 5-40 full synthetic.

 

[Gr8bawana]

It's difficult to find a reputable synthetic oil that fully meets the specs recommended in the owner's manual. It turns out 10w-30 is not as common as 15w-40. It's hard to find a synthetic 10w-30 that meets MS-10902 and API CK-4 and/or Cummins CES 20081. Currently available oils seem to be more commonly rated CES 20086. Is that interchangeable?

You're overthinking it. it's just oil.
This Mobil Delvac Extreme 10W-30 meets the Cumins CES 20081 spec and is available at walmart.
It's $11.78 a gallon or $35.58 for a 3-pack.
Personally I'll be using the Kirkland 15w-40 which does meets Cumins spec from now on. It's only $26.99 for a 3-pk. I have no need for synthetic oil for use at below 0° temps.

 

[chri5k]

Amazon has the Valvoline Premium Blue 5w-40 Full Synthetic for $18.30 / gallon when you buy a case of 3 gallons for $55.00.

https://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-Premium-Extreme-Synthetic-Diesel/dp/B06XFS3GQS

 

[Gr8bawana]

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a Cummins engine oil, such as the use of exhaust gas after-treatment or recirculation systems and the quality of the fuel. A number of oil for cummins 6.7 may be approved for the same Cummins engine, but subject to shorter drain times. Aftertreatment engines require oils with lower sulfated ash content.

Really? Could you show us where in the owner's manual it mentions anything about shorter drain times with different oils? It says nothing of the sort.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Well, certainly with biodiesel fuel. These tend to produce more blowby deposits, so diesel makers want shorter OCI's. Here in the upper midwest, the farm lobby bought off politicians to mandate it.

 

[Walter Conrad]

my 2020 6.7 maintenance schedule specifically states
15,000 miles or
12 months or
500 hours
which ever comes first.
I run at above zero degree temps and use standard non synthetic 10x30 Rotella
and Baldwin oil and fuel filters every oil change interval

 

[Gr8bawana]

Well, certainly with biodiesel fuel. These tend to produce more blowby deposits, so diesel makers want shorter OCI's. Here in the upper midwest, the farm lobby bought off politicians to mandate it.

The OP made no mention of running bio-diesel so your post is inconsequential.

 

[HEMIMANN]

The OP made no mention of running bio-diesel so your post is inconsequential.

How do we know if (1) OP neglected to mention, (2) OP is unaware if state mandates, (3) OP travels in states that mandate?
I'd be a bit more inquisitive before calling out my post as inconsequential.