Detroit DT12 vs Eaton Cummins Endurant
Specs, oil interval and warranty compared
Transmission comparison
The Detroit DT12 and the Eaton Cummins Endurant are both automated manual transmissions. The DT12 is Detroit's own, listed for Freightliner trucks. The Endurant comes as the 12-speed HD, the 18-speed XD and the 18-speed XD Pro, and Eaton Cummins's pages name no truck models. Torque ratings overlap: the DT12 runs from 1,650 to 2,250 lb-ft and the Endurant from 1,650 to 2,050. Eaton Cummins prints weights and a warranty for the HD. Detroit's pages we read print neither. There is no spec-sheet winner.
Figures for DT12 vs Endurant are taken from the makers' own published documents. Last reviewed November 3, 2026.
DT12 vs Endurant: side-by-side specs
| Spec | Detroit DT12 | Eaton Cummins Endurant |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Automated manual (AMT) | Automated manual (AMT) |
| Speeds | 12 forward, 4 reverse | HD: 12 forward (overdrive) or 11 (direct drive). XD and XD Pro: 18 forward |
| Torque | 2,250 lb-ft (HE), 2,050 lb-ft (middle), 1,650 lb-ft (HL) | HD: 1,850 lb-ft (1,750 direct drive). XD: 1,650 or 1,850. XD Pro: 1,650, 1,850 or 2,050 lb-ft |
| Gross combination weight | 160,000 lb (HE), 140,000 lb (middle), 80,000 lb (HL) | HD: 110,000 lb (80,000 direct drive). XD: 166,000 lb. XD Pro: unlimited |
| Weight | Not stated in pounds | HD: 657 lb. XD: 808 lb. XD Pro: 813 lb |
| Fluid | MB 235.16 (75W-85) on 2017 and newer; MB 235.11 (75W-90) on 2016 and older | Eaton PS-386 in the HD, XD and XD Pro |
| Fluid capacity | About 8.9 qt (2020 C-box); 8.5 or 12.7 qt (2017 B-box and A-box) | HD: 16 pints. XD and XD Pro: 25.4 pints (coolerless, no PTO) |
| Oil interval | From 180,000 miles or 3 years (severe) to 400,000 miles or 5 years (line haul up to 80,000 lb); up to 600,000 miles with the Maintenance System | HD: up to 750,000 miles. XD and XD Pro: 500,000 miles or 5 years on highway, 250,000 miles or 3 years vocational |
| Warranty as printed by the maker | Not stated on the pages we read | HD linehaul: transmission 5 years or 750,000 miles, clutch 3 years or 350,000 miles. XD and XD Pro: not stated |
| Engines the maker names | DD13, DD15, DD16 | XD Pro: pairs with powerful engines, naming the Cummins X15 series. No others named |
| Trucks | Freightliner Cascadia, M2 112 Plus, 114SD Plus | Not listed. Eaton Cummins says approval goes through the truck maker |
Full detail for each transmission: Detroit DT12 guide and Eaton Cummins Endurant guide.
What actually decides DT12 vs Endurant?
We do not name a winner in DT12 vs Endurant. There is no independent, like-for-like study of fuel economy or reliability for these transmissions. These are the facts that decide it for a given truck and duty cycle.
- Ask which trucks offer it
- Detroit lists the DT12 for Freightliner trucks. Eaton Cummins's Endurant pages list no truck models and say approval goes through the truck maker and Eaton Cummins. So before you shop for an Endurant, ask the truck maker whether it is offered on the model you want.
- Match the rating to the job
- The DT12-HE is listed at 2,250 lb-ft and 160,000 lb. The Endurant HD tops out at 1,850 lb-ft and 110,000 lb. The Endurant XD Pro lists 2,050 lb-ft and no combined weight limit. Pick the rating your engine and your heaviest loads need, not the family name.
- The oil intervals use different rules
- Detroit sets DT12 intervals by duty and weight. Eaton Cummins lists one HD interval, up to 750,000 miles, and three for the XD and XD Pro. A larger number on one page is not proof of a longer-lasting oil. Use the maker's table for your exact transmission.
- Warranty terms are printed for the HD only
- Eaton Cummins prints HD warranty terms: 5 years or 750,000 miles on the transmission for linehaul, and 3 years or 350,000 miles on the clutch. The XD and XD Pro pages and the Detroit pages we read give none. Get the written warranty for the exact truck.
Put your DT12 vs Endurant oil changes on a schedule with the maintenance scheduler. Decode warning lights with the fault code lookup. Before you buy a used truck, run the VIN decoder and the used truck inspection checklist.
More transmission comparisons and guides
DT12 vs Endurant frequently asked questions
Is the Detroit DT12 better than the Eaton Endurant?+
Neither maker publishes a failure rate, and no independent study compares the DT12 and the Endurant. So there is no honest way to name a winner. The facts that differ are the ratings, which trucks offer each one, and which warranty is printed. The Endurant is a family of three, so compare the DT12 rating with the Endurant model that fits your engine.
Does the DT12 or the Endurant weigh more?+
Eaton Cummins lists 657 lb for the Endurant HD, 808 lb for the XD and 813 lb for the XD Pro. Detroit gives no weight in pounds for the DT12. It only says the DT12-HL is up to 125 lb lighter than the other DT12 models.
Do the DT12 and the Endurant use the same oil?+
No. The DT12 uses MB 235.16 (75W-85) on 2017 and newer trucks and MB 235.11 (75W-90) on 2016 and older ones. The Endurant HD, XD and XD Pro use Eaton PS-386.
Which has the longer oil change interval, the DT12 or the Endurant?+
Eaton Cummins lists up to 750,000 miles for the Endurant HD. For the XD and XD Pro it lists 500,000 miles or 5 years on the highway. Detroit lists up to 400,000 miles or 5 years for DT12 line haul, and up to 600,000 miles with the Maintenance System. The rules are different, so use the table for your own truck.
What is the difference between the Endurant HD, XD and XD Pro?+
The HD has 12 or 11 forward gears and a 110,000 lb or 80,000 lb weight limit. The XD and XD Pro have 18 forward gears. The XD lists 166,000 lb, and the XD Pro lists unlimited weight, 6 reverse gears and an extreme-duty clutch.
Sources for DT12 vs Endurant
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Ratings, intervals and warranty terms for DT12 vs Endurant change by model year and configuration. Confirm exact figures for a specific truck against the makers' current documents and your written warranty before you buy or set a service schedule.
Free tools for a DT12 vs Endurant decision
Keep a DT12 vs Endurant truck serviced on time, decode its fault codes and check a truck before you buy.
- Preventive Maintenance SchedulerTrack oil changes for a DT12 vs Endurant truck by odometer and duty cycle.
- Diesel Fault Code Lookup (SPN/FMI)Decode the SPN/FMI fault codes either DT12 vs Endurant transmission reports.
- Breakdown Cost EstimatorEstimate what a breakdown costs in repairs and lost revenue on a DT12 vs Endurant truck.
- Used Truck Inspection ChecklistCheck the transmission and clutch on a DT12 vs Endurant truck before you buy it used.