Oil Change

Drain and replace engine oil and filter on the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine, restoring proper lubrication system capacity with fresh oil.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil filter cartridge × 1 — Mopar 68157291AA or equivalent diesel filter
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• 15W-40 diesel oil or 5W-40 synthetic — 12 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to warm slightly (not hot) to improve oil flow during draining
3. Raise front of vehicle with jack and secure on jack stands
4. Locate oil drain plug on bottom of oil pan and oil filter housing on driver's side of engine block
5. Position drain pan beneath oil drain plug

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain engine oil
   Using the correct socket or wrench for the drain plug (verify size — commonly 3/4 in / 19mm on the 5.9L Cummins pan), loosen the oil drain plug slowly. Once loose, quickly remove it by hand and allow oil to drain completely into the pan. This will take several minutes due to the approximately 12 quart oil capacity of the 5.9L Cummins. Inspect the drain plug threads and sealing surface for damage.
2. 2

   Install drain plug with new washer
   Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and discard. Install a new crush washer onto the drain plug. Once oil has fully drained, wipe the oil pan drain hole clean with a shop rag. Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten to specification using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove oil filter housing cap
   Reposition the drain pan beneath the oil filter housing on the driver's side of the engine. Using the oil filter wrench, loosen the oil filter housing cap by turning counterclockwise. Remove the cap slowly as residual oil will drain from the housing.
4. 4

   Remove old filter cartridge
   Pull the old oil filter cartridge straight out of the housing. Check that the rubber O-ring came out with the old filter. Wipe the inside of the filter housing clean with a shop rag, removing any debris or old oil residue.
5. 5

   Install new filter cartridge
   Inspect the new filter cartridge and verify it includes a new O-ring seal. Lightly oil the new O-ring with clean engine oil. Insert the new filter cartridge straight into the housing, ensuring it seats properly at the bottom.
6. 6

   Install filter housing cap
   Clean the housing cap threads and sealing surface. Thread the housing cap on by hand until it contacts the housing, then tighten to specification using the torque wrench. Do not overtighten as this can damage the housing or strip threads.
   Torque spec

   Oil Filter Housing Cap25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Add engine oil
   Lower the vehicle from jack stands. Remove the oil fill cap on top of the valve cover. Using a funnel, add approximately 11 quarts of the specified diesel engine oil, reserving the final quart for the level check. Install the oil fill cap temporarily.
8. 8

   Start engine and check for leaks
   Start the engine and allow it to idle for 30-60 seconds. Monitor the oil pressure gauge to confirm pressure builds quickly. Shut off the engine and immediately inspect the drain plug and filter housing for any signs of leakage. Address any leaks before proceeding.
9. 9

   Check and adjust oil level
   Wait 5 minutes for oil to settle into the pan. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then remove and check the oil level. The level should be between the MIN and MAX marks. Add the remaining oil gradually and recheck until the level is within the safe operating range near the MAX mark. Do not overfill.

Reassembly

1. Ensure oil fill cap is installed securely
2. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely
3. Properly dispose of used oil and filter at a recycling facility

Verification

• Verify oil level is at MAX mark on dipstick with engine off and oil settled
• Confirm no oil leaks visible at drain plug or filter housing
• Start engine and verify oil pressure gauge shows normal pressure within 2-3 seconds
• Check for warning lights on instrument cluster - oil pressure light should extinguish immediately after startup

More procedures for this vehicle