PACCAR MX-13 Engine Oil | Spec, Viscosity, OEM Approvals & Drain Intervals

PACCAR MX-13 ENGINE OIL

OEM SPEC, VISCOSITY GRADES & DRAIN INTERVALS

DIRECT ANSWER

The PACCAR MX-13 requires CK-4 oil. Primary viscosity: 15W-40. FA-4 is not approved for the MX-13. AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty 15W-40 (DME) and Heavy-Duty 15W-40 (ADP) both meet CK-4 requirements for the MX-13.

DISPLACEMENT

12.9L

HORSEPOWER

405–510 hp

TORQUE

1,450–1,850 lb-ft

OIL CAPACITY

~43 qt

with filter

OEM SPEC

API CK-4

PRIMARY GRADE

15W-40

OEM OIL SPECIFICATION

  • PACCAR MX-13 requires API CK-4 as its base specification
  • No proprietary PACCAR spec beyond CK-4 — unlike Cummins (CES 20086) or Volvo (VDS-4.5), PACCAR relies on the API CK-4 category directly
  • FA-4 not approved
  • Low-SAPS chemistry required for DPF/SCR compatibility
  • Viscosity grades: 15W-40 primary, 10W-30 or 5W-40 for cold climates

TIP

PACCAR’s reliance on API CK-4 without a proprietary overlay means any CK-4 approved product qualifies — but not all CK-4 oils perform equally. Quality of the additive package, TBN, and oxidation stability determine how long the oil actually lasts.

VISCOSITY GRADE BY TEMPERATURE

AMBIENT TEMP GRADE NOTES
Above 14°F (−10°C) 15W-40 Standard fleet grade
−4°F to 14°F 10W-30 Cold start improvement
Below −4°F (−20°C) 5W-40 Full synthetic required

DRAIN INTERVALS

OEM STANDARD

25,000 mi

Highway, CK-4 approved oil

EXTENDED (OIL ANALYSIS)

50,000+ mi

AMSOIL program, verified highway

SEVERE SERVICE

15,000–20,000 mi

Reduce interval

⚠ WARNING

PACCAR does not publish extended drain approvals the way Cummins or Detroit do. Extended intervals require oil analysis verification for every application.

RECOMMENDED OILS — AMSOIL

Both products meet API CK-4 requirements for the PACCAR MX-13.

AMSOIL SIGNATURE SERIES MAX-DUTY

15W-40 Diesel Oil (DME)

Full synthetic. Highest protection and extended drain capability. Meets API CK-4.

AMSOIL HEAVY-DUTY SYNTHETIC

15W-40 Diesel Oil (ADP)

Full synthetic at a competitive price point. Meets API CK-4. Solid baseline for fleet use.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What oil does the PACCAR MX-13 take? +
API CK-4. Primary grade 15W-40. PACCAR uses the API CK-4 category directly without a proprietary overlay spec.
Is FA-4 approved for the PACCAR MX-13? +
No. The MX-13 requires CK-4. FA-4 is not approved.
Does PACCAR have a proprietary oil spec like Cummins or Volvo? +
No. PACCAR specifies API CK-4 directly. This simplifies oil selection compared to engines requiring CES 20086 or VDS-4.5 — any genuine CK-4 product qualifies, though additive package quality still matters for drain interval extension.
What’s the oil capacity of the PACCAR MX-13? +
Approximately 43 US quarts with filter change. Verify against your specific Kenworth or Peterbilt service documentation.

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