Best Oil For 12 Valve Cummins

Any cylinder with 2 valves, categorized as a “B” engine and capable of driving an SUV to turbo and many more, are known as 12 valve Cummins.

Characteristically, these engines require additional power to complete their tasks efficiently. In this case, any high-quality synthetic oil promises to provide benefits. Also, some other oil types that offer more than what an engine looks for are suitable for 12 valve Cummins.

Get optimum performance by providing the best oil for 12 valve Cummins. We enlisted a collection for this engine type; continue reading!

 

What is the Best Oil for 12 Valve Cummins?

Best Overall: Valvoline SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil

Best Full Synthetic Oil: Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30

Best for Cold Temperature: Schaeffer Manufacturing Co. 0700CK4-006S 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil

Best for High Mileage Vehicle: Royal Purple 04154 High-Performance Diesel Motor Oil

Best for Efficiency: Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil

Best for Hot Temperature: Mobil 1 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

 

Comparison Chart – Best Oil for 12 Valve Cummins

Product Name	It is Best for	Viscosity Rating	Flash Point	Miles Between Oil Changes
Valvoline SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil	Overall	15W 40	230° F	10,000
Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30	Full Synthetic Oil	5W 30	230° F	10,000
Schaeffer Manufacturing Co. 0700CK4-006S 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil	Cold Temperature	15W 40	230° F	10,000
Royal Purple 04154 High Performance Diesel Motor Oil	High Mileage Vehicle	15W 40	232° F	8,000 – 10,000
Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil	Efficiency	15W 40	399° F	8,000 – 10,000
Mobil 1 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil	Hot Temperature	0W 20	230° F	15,000

 

 

What Diesel Motor Oil Types Are Good for 12 Valve Cummins?

Vehicle performance, efficiency and fuel economy significantly rely on the oil type. Diesel motor oil is of 4 different types:

Full Synthetic: The most common type of motor oil is full synthetic oil or synthetic oil. Your vehicle will perform in tiptop condition due to this highly efficient oil regardless of the weather conditions.

It comes with a low viscosity rating, making it ideal for power-intense vehicles. The moving parts of an engine get protected from frequent wear and tear.

However, synthetic oil is expensive, which is the biggest disadvantage. You have to pay 30% extra bucks to buy synthetic oil compared to conventional diesel motor oil. But its performance outweighs the price.

Synthetic Blend Oil: Synthetic and mineral oil mixture is known as synthetic blend oil. This diesel motor oil is cheaper and goes roughly the same mileage of 15,000 miles as synthetic oil.

But the performance regarding temperature resistance and heat resistance is pretty low than synthetic oil.

Premium Conventional Oil: The prime responsibility of premium conventional oil is to prevent deposit buildup into the motor.

It consists of many additives that efficiently break down contamination and debris. At the same time, offering outstanding resistance to high temperatures. This oil type will be the ideal solution if your motor engine runs hot.

Higher Mileage Oil: From the name itself, you can understand that higher mileage oil is suitable for engines with high mileage on the meter.

Moreover, this diesel motor oil is suitable for those vehicles that suffer a lot from regular wear and tear and have more debris and contamination inside. This oil type requires additives and the right viscosity rating to extend the service life of those used motors.

 

7 Best Oil for 12 Valve Cummins Reviewed 2022

The different engine needs different types of engine oil depending on several factors. We enlisted and reviewed the best oil for 12 valve Cummins in this section and you can find exciting head gasket for 12 valve cummins from us.

1# Best Overall: Valvoline SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil

With one solution technology, the Valvoline SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil is suitable for diesel, gasoline, and natural gas engines. Although it is popular among diesel owners, its applications are diversified for various vehicles. It does 4 critical jobs efficiently: wear protection, soot dispersion, rust protection, and thermal protection.

The oil offers extremely high-temperature resistance with a 15W-40 viscosity rating. Moreover, it effectively withstands extremely high operating temperatures, making it ideal for turbocharged or heavy-duty engines. After using this oil type, the engine pressure will never reduce or be inconsistent due to the heat production.

It is made from crude oil, keeping the engine clean, cool and lubricated. The included additives of the oil offer soot control. Additionally, the oil protects the engine from oxidation and wear and tear. Moreover, the oil is formulated to improve the engine performance at its best. It comes with emission control features including DPF, DEF, and EGR and keeps the emission at a safe level.

This Cummins approved oil is compatible with US-made gasoline and diesel engines of hard-working cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. Its formulation keeps deposits within control to reduce oil thickening and maintains a consistent viscosity level. Overall, this oil provides proven protection from extreme heat, wear, rust, and deposits in diesel engines.

Thumbs Up:

• Outstanding protection from wear and tear
• Maintains consistent viscosity rating
• Keeps emissions at the safest level
• Stay clean for many days
• Incredibly high oxidation and heat resistance

Thumbs Down:

• It is not a synthetic oil

2# Best Full Synthetic Oil: Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30

Do you want to keep your engine looking like new even after driving for several miles? Don’t look further; buy the Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30. It is a full synthetic oil, providing superior protection to your engine from oxidation, sludge buildup, extreme temperature, and wear and tear. Your vehicle engine will deliver extreme performance for long days.

It is formulated with advanced synthetic protection that controls oil breakdown to help you go up to 10,000 miles in-between oil changes. Moreover, the oil delivers outstanding protection that helps increase the life of for vehicles of all ages. At the same time, it maintains excellent viscosity, ensuring superior engine protection for the road ahead.

It is made with a proprietary blend of active cleaning agents that can prevent and virtually clean up all engine sludge in just one oil change. Cleaning the sludge buildup means the engine parts move efficiently and maximize fuel economy. Moreover, the oil increases oil circulation throughout the engine, eliminating the need to repair or seize the car engine.

In addition, your vehicle engine will get extreme heat protection up to 500° F and low-temperature protection up to -30° F. The prime responsibility of this synthetic oil is to help clean, resist corrosion, improve the seal, reduce wear and tear, and keep other engine moving parts cool. All in all, this oil is suitable for use in a variety of temperature conditions.

Thumbs Up:

• Advanced engine cleansers formula
• Outstanding oxidation resistance
• Prevents sludge formation
• High-temperature protection
• Excellent wear and tear protection

Thumbs Down:

• No prominent cons are available

3# Best for Cold Temperature: Schaeffer Manufacturing Co. 0700CK4-006S 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil

The Schaeffer 0700CK4-006S 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil is promised to ensure the longer service life of your vehicle engine with its advanced anti-wear additives and antioxidants feature. This synthetic oil creates a durable film on the engine’s metal surfaces, protecting it from heat, wear and friction. Whether you move, plough, dig or lift, your engine will run efficiently on the road.

Its formula uses advanced detergency additives. Thus, the oil delivers optimum soot-busting performance. Moreover, it is capable of deposit-dispersing, which conforms to a longer filter life. At the same time, this oil clean engine. In addition, deposits and varnish can’t build up in the engine, potentially improving the engine’s performance.

Generally, every engine performs at its hottest, causing a breakdown. The good news is your engine will get supported by this oil because it resists breaking down when running at high temperatures. Also, each part of your engine will operate effectively and constantly. Your vehicle will never deliver inefficient performance in severe conditions as the oil fights against oxidation while ensuring service life.

More importantly, Micron Moly and Penetro are blended in the formula of this oil. As a result, when your engine is working under severe operating conditions, friction and wear get minimized. Less wear and friction means less operating cost, improving durability, and high engine efficiency. It has greater stability compared to other diesel engine oil in its price range.

Thumbs Up:

• Cost-efficient diesel engine oil
• It supports the engine to perform at its best
• Resistance to high temperature and heat
• It helps your engine achieve more mileage
• Prolongs engine life

Thumbs Down:

• After opening, the container leaks easily

4# Best for High Mileage Vehicle: Royal Purple 04154 High-Performance Diesel Motor Oil

The Royal Purple 04154 is a full synthetic base oil that helps improve your vehicle engine’s overall performance. In terms of protecting your car from wear and tear, it is a CHAMPION! Durable super formulations guarantee the highest performance while meeting or exceeding OEM requirements for high-performance engine oils.

Your vehicle engine will deliver superior performance in all weather and operating conditions without fail since the oil resists the build-up of deposits and sludge. Thus, consistent and efficient engine performance is promised. This synthetic base oil is suitable for vehicles with high mileage. After using this engine oil, you will surely see improved performance of your vehicle engine.

It ensures protection from piston ring wear, cylinder liner and valve train efficiently. No other engine oil will give much protection indeed. Moreover, the engine power loss will be reduced while maximizing the 12 valve Cummins efficiency. Additionally, it delivers great work in cold and hot weather conditions without a problem. In fact, it is excellent engine oil that helps your vehicle run smoother than before.

If you worry about oil degradation, this oil will give you peace of mind. Since it prevents sludge formation, oil degradation will be reduced tremendously. The oil reduces friction between different engine parts and cleans the whole engine, preventing the engine from clogging. It consists of many additives, promoting various parts inside your motor.

Thumbs Up:

• High-performance oil with many additives
• Excellent cold-flow
• Protects engine from all operating temperatures
• Extends oil drain intervals
• Confirms engine cleanliness

Thumbs Down:

• No markings to measure how much you put in

5# Best for Efficiency: Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil

If you are looking for an efficient diesel engine oil, rely on Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic 15W-40. Also, it provides excellent protection from harmful engine wear and sludge. This hard work engine oil is compatible with virtually all modern low-emission heavy-duty engines. Simultaneously, you can use it for heavy-duty older diesel engines too.

The oil is rigorously lab tested for ensuring protection from wear and tear. It showed 85% and 98% improvement in copper and lead corrosion protection, respectively. Also, the oil offers an average of 50% more wear protection than required. Moreover, its excellent tolerance against high pressure and temperature makes it exceptional among other diesel engine oils.

Another worth-mentioning feature of the oil is the impressive oil consumption control. In the Noack test, it provides lower volatility, reducing fuel economy and poor cold-temperature starting. Its cold cranking properties and low-temperature pumpability feature let you start your engine at -15° C without hassle. The oil reaches critical parts of the engines quickly to minimize wear.

You will also love to know that it reduces emissions effectively, keeping the environment pollution-free. The uniform-sized oil molecules decrease engine friction and less burning of the fuel. Less fuel burned means fewer emissions. Providing adequate lubrication promotes engine performance and protection. Use this in your diesel pickup trucks, agriculture and farming vehicles to improve your vehicle engine service life.

Thumbs Up:

• Lower oil consumption
• Promotes low-temperature flow
• Suitable for a wide range of heavy-duty engines
• It consists of Multi-functional dispersant additives
• Increases shear stability

Thumbs Down:

• The bottle design makes it difficult to pour

6# Best for Hot Temperature: Mobil 1 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

The Mobil 1 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil is formulated for vehicles with high mileage. Your vehicle engine will get protection from wear, rust and noise up to 15,000 miles between oil changes. This oil offers reliable performance in both hot and cold temperatures. It will keep your car engine happy by improving efficiency in all circumstances.

Engine parts move a lot when working. Thus, frequent wear and tear happen. Providing outstanding lubrication to the critical moving parts reduces friction and torque. For this reason, the engine delivers long-lasting, efficient service. Moreover, it promotes cold starting within a short time, and extending performance is guaranteed.

One of the best features of engine oil is fuel efficiency. It comes with fewer exhaust emissions, resisting excessive fuel economy. This means the oil helps you save valuable money. In addition, it prevents the breakdown of the motor oil under high pressure and high temperature. Furthermore, your vehicle engine will remain clean for many days due to the included additives of this oil.

Deposit of debris and sludge significantly affects the engine performance. These things are highly responsible for an engine’s poor performance. This oil eliminates sludge formation, helping your engine perform at its best efficiency. Additionally, the oil resists oil oxidation, stopping your engine from running hot. Due to its cutting edge formula, it is suitable for all types of modern vehicles, including supercharged and turbocharged gasoline, SUVs, light trucks, etc.

Thumbs Up:

• Provides ultra-fast protection to your engine
• Remove sludge buildup
• Cutting-edge formula
• Flexible, available in a variety of sizes
• Delivers excellent lubrication

Thumbs Down:

• Expensive motor oil

Buying Guide – Things to Consider When Buying the Best Oil for 12 Valve Cummins

Know your vehicle’s engine recommendation before buying the best oil for 12 valve Cummins. Some other factors also play a crucial role in selecting the best 12 Valve Cummins engine oil and if you want to tune the engine can also check KeepRTuned channel.

We shared key factors below.

Engine Oil Type

Without thinking about the engine oil type, you must not select an oil type. You will find 4 different types of engine oil for your 12 valve Cummins: full synthetic, synthetic blend, premium conventional and high mileage.

Each type comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. It would always be best to go with full synthetic engine oils for 12 valve Cummins. They have additives to keep your engine free from contamination and debris.

Oil Viscosity Level

This is another essential factor to consider. It is especially needed when the weather temperature falls to -20° F acutely.

Vehicle engines usually fail to start at cold temperatures. Motor oil with a good viscosity level will instantly flow through different engine parts and protect the parts from corrosion.

If you are wondering which viscosity rating is best for 12 valve Cummins, we recommend you to go with 10W30, 5W30 or 15W40.

Driving Terrain Type

The driving terrain type also impacts selecting the 12 v Cummins oil type. Consider whether you will be driving off-road or on-road before selecting an engine motor oil.

While driving off-road, maximum lubrication of the engine parts is necessary. In this case, choose full synthetic or synthetic engine oil.

Efficiency

The efficient performance of your vehicle engine depends a lot on the oil type.

Here oil efficiency means by using a particular oil type, your engine will be able to get more mileage with less fuel consumption.

Make sure that your selected oil type’s manufacturer mentions the efficiency of the oil on the label.

Protection from Wear and Tear

Every vehicle owner expects that the engine oil type will protect from regular wear and tear.

A good quality oil type will always protect your engine parts from regular wear and tear, improving your engine’s lifespan.

What are Motor Oil Grades?

Some of the internationally used common motor oil grades for 12 valve Cummins are,

• 0W 20:It is a relatively thinner engine oil type when the engine starts. Here 0W 20 means that the oil viscosity is 0 weight at starting temperature. When the engine reaches its normal temperature, the oil viscosity becomes 20.
• 0W 30:A motor engine oil with 0W 30 grade means, at the engine starting temperature, the oil viscosity is 0. When the engine comes at its normal temperature, the oil viscosity becomes 30.
• 0W 40:Oil viscosity level 0W 40 means, at starting temperature, the oil viscosity is 0. When the engine reaches its normal temperature, the oil viscosity becomes 40.
• 5W 30:Here, 5W 30 means, at starting temperature, the oil viscosity is 5. When the engine comes at its normal temperature, the oil viscosity becomes 30.
• 5W 40:An oil type with a viscosity rating of 5W 40 means, at starting temperature, the oil viscosity is 5. When the engine reaches its normal temperature, the oil viscosity becomes 40.
• 10W 40:Here, 1W 40 means, at starting temperature, the oil viscosity is 10. When the engine reaches its normal temperature, the oil viscosity becomes 40.

Frequently Asked Question

How many gallons of oil does a 12 valve Cummins hold?

Cummins has an oil capacity of 12 quarts and shares the same oil filter as their larger counterparts.

How often should you change the oil in a 12 valve Cummins?

You can travel 5,000 miles with 12 valve Cummins before changing oil. However, the mileage can be a little bit less in the case of a turbocharger. But the mileage will satisfy you for sure.

 

Final Words & Top Pick

 

Choosing the best oil for 12 valve Cummins is the first step to ensuring your vehicle engine is performing at its highest efficiency. Remember to choose a high-performance and heavy-duty oil for your 12 valve Cummins.

We recommend you buy the Valvoline SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil as it will give a new look to your engine by protecting it from wear and tear. Rust, corrosion, sludge and debris can’t build up in different engine parts because it ensures proper lubrication when the engine works. More importantly, it improves engine efficiency while maintaining a good viscosity level.