2019 Ram 2500 Oil Change — 6.7L Cummins Diesel, 12 Qt, CES-20081 Spec

I've done oil changes on the 6.7L Cummins in the Ram 2500 and everything about this job is big. Twelve quarts of oil. A massive Fleetguard filter. A drain plug you'll need a proper torque wrench for. And a Cummins-specific oil spec that not every shop knows. Here's exactly how I do it.

Overview

The 2019 Ram 2500 Cummins diesel uses the 6.7L Cummins ISB6.7 inline-6 turbodiesel:

• Capacity: 12 quarts (11.4L) with filter change
• Oil spec: 15W-40 or 5W-40 API CK-4 meeting Cummins CES-20081 specification
• Filter: Fleetguard LF9080 (OEM) or Mopar 68193036AA
• Drain plug torque: 44 ft-lb (60 Nm)
• Interval: 15,000 miles normal conditions (with CES-20081 oil)

The Cummins CES-20081 spec is more stringent than API CK-4 alone. Oils meeting this spec: Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40, Shell Rotella T4 15W-40, Mobil Delvac 15W-40. Don't use a generic CK-4 that hasn't been tested to CES-20081. For cold climates (below 0°F), use 5W-40 — Valvoline Premium Blue One Solution 5W-40 is CES-20081 rated.

Tools & Parts Needed

Item	Spec / Part Number
Oil capacity	12 qt (11.4L) with filter
Oil spec	15W-40 or 5W-40 CK-4 / CES-20081
Recommended oil	Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40
Cold climate oil	Valvoline Premium Blue One Solution 5W-40
Oil filter (OEM)	Fleetguard LF9080
Oil filter (Mopar)	Mopar 68193036AA
Drain plug size	24mm hex
Drain plug torque	44 ft-lb (60 Nm)
Filter wrench size	36mm cap or strap wrench

Tools needed: floor jack + stands or heavy-duty ramps, 24mm socket, torque wrench (50+ ft-lb capacity), 36mm cap oil filter wrench, large drain pan (14+ quart), funnel, 12 quarts CES-20081 oil (buy 3 gallons), nitrile gloves.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Warm the Engine

Run engine 5 minutes. Heavy-duty diesel oil is thicker — warming makes a significant difference in drain time and how much old oil comes out.

2. Position the Drain Pan

The Ram 2500 sits high — good clearance. Use a 14-quart or larger drain pan. A standard 6-quart pan will overflow. Position directly under the oil pan drain plug, centered under the engine.

3. Remove the Drain Plug

24mm hex head — larger than typical passenger car plugs. Use a breaker bar to break loose. Remove by hand with slight upward pressure. Drain fully — the 6.7L Cummins takes 10–15 minutes.

Drain plug washer: The 2019 Ram 2500 Cummins drain plug uses a rubber-sealed integrated washer. Inspect after each drain — replace plug assembly (Mopar 6104627AA) if the washer is cracked, hardened, or deformed.

4. Remove the Oil Filter

The Fleetguard LF9080 is a large spin-on filter on the driver's side engine block. Use a 36mm cap wrench or heavy-duty strap wrench — often tight from factory torque. Remove counterclockwise. Pre-oil new filter gasket. Confirm old gasket came off with old filter.

5. Install Drain Plug and Filter

Thread drain plug by hand — 24mm coarse threads, take your time. Once snug, torque to 44 ft-lb (60 Nm). Use your torque wrench. Install filter hand-tight until gasket contacts, then 3/4 turn.

6. Add Oil

Lower vehicle. Add 11 quarts first. Replace cap, start engine, watch oil pressure gauge — should come up within 5–10 seconds. Run 60 seconds, shut off, wait 3 minutes. Check dipstick. Add remaining ~0.5–1 qt to reach full mark.

Do not overfill. Overfilling a turbodiesel crankcase causes oil aeration and can produce white smoke or boost issues.

7. Reset Oil Life Monitor

Key to ON. Left arrow on steering wheel → Service menu → Oil Life → hold OK to reset. Or: Settings → Vehicle Info → Oil Life Remaining → Reset.

Common Mistakes

Using a 5 or 6-quart drain pan on a 12-quart engine. The 6.7L Cummins holds almost double the oil of a typical V8 pickup engine. Oil will overflow a standard-size pan and run across your driveway. Always verify drain pan capacity before removing the plug on this truck.

Pro Tips

• Buy oil by the gallon: three 1-gallon jugs of Valvoline Premium Blue = 12 quarts. Exactly right, significantly cheaper than individual quarts.
• The 15,000-mile interval is valid with CES-20081 oil. Generic API CK-4 without CES-20081 rating: shorten to 7,500 miles.
• The 6.7L Cummins has primary (Fleetguard FS43253) and secondary (Fleetguard FF63009) fuel filters — replace every 30,000 miles or when the water-in-fuel light comes on.
• Keep a 24mm socket, spare filter, and a gallon of oil in the truck if you haul or tow in remote areas.

Save Money with OwnerDrop

A shop oil change on the 6.7L Cummins with premium CES-20081 oil runs $120–$180. DIY with Valvoline Premium Blue (three 1-gallon jugs + filter) runs $70–$85. You're saving $50–$100 per interval on a truck you're servicing consistently.

For related heavy-duty truck maintenance, the 2016 Ram 1500 oil change guide covers the 5.7L HEMI gasoline procedure. The OwnerDrop guides library has complete step-by-step procedures for diesel and gasoline trucks across 28+ jobs.

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