Changing your Jeep Wrangler’s oil is an important part of car maintenance. Automotives require more than an occasional gas refill to remain in good working order.
Oil changes can save your Jeep’s engine from long-term damage and even help your mileage. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about changing your Jeep Wrangler’s oil.
How to Change the Oil in a Jeep Wrangler
Changing the oil in a Jeep Wrangler is relatively simple compared to changing the oil in some other models of car. These are the basic steps you should follow to change a Wrangler’s oil:
- Gather tools and supplies
- Remove the engine cover in the engine compartment
- Drain the oil pan
- Replace the oil filter
- Tighten and replace the drain plug
- Mark oil change mileage and clean tools
Before you do anything to your Jeep Wrangler, you’ll need to get your tools and supplies together.
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Gather Oil Change Tools and Supplies
To do an oil change on your Jeep Wrangler, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:
- Car jack and jack stands
- Trim tool, plier, and screwdriver (for engine cover)
- Container to collect old oil
- Drip pan
- Oil funnel
- Shop light
- Set of combination wrenches
- Fresh oil (check your Wrangler year and model for quarts necessary)
On top of these supplies, you might also want to grab some shop rags in case you get drips or spills of oil on anything. Gloves will also protect your hands from oil and accidental injury.
Once you have your supplies and tools together, you’re ready to begin the oil change.
Here’s a video walk-through of the process, with a lot more info below:
Remove the Engine Cover to Begin an Oil Change
Before you do an oil change, you’ll want to jack the car up on the jack stands and jack, then remove the engine cover on your Jeep.
Depending on the make and model of your Wrangler, the engine cover will be held on by rubber plugs, screws, nuts, or plastic clips. (Source: Despair Repair)
Open the hood of the car and inspect the engine cover to see how it’s held in place. Check online with your specific year, make and model to tell how the engine cover is attached.
Use the screwdriver, pliers, or trim tool to remove the components securing the engine cover over the engine.
Drain the Jeep Wrangler Oil Pan
After the engine cover is removed, you should be able to access the oil pan. After the Jeep Wrangler has been allowed to completely cool off, remove the cap on the oil pan.
Next, you’ll want to get underneath the car and place the drain oil collection container underneath the oil pan.
The oil is drained by removing the oil drain plug and allowing the dirty oil to drain into the collection container below. Place the container directly under the oil drain to avoid spills. (Source: Quadratec)
Here are some other tips for draining the Jeep oil pan:
- Place a drip tray under your oil collection container. This will help prevent any drips or spills from hitting your garage floor or concrete driveway and staining them.
- Stick the oil cap somewhere you won’t lose it. Put it in your pocket or place it in your tool box since it’s necessary to put it back when the oil change is over.
- Remove the oil filter. After the oil is drained, loosen the oil filter by wrenching it counter-clockwise.
After the old oil and old oil filter are removed, put the old oil filter in the oil collection container and set it aside.
Replace the Jeep Wrangler Oil Filter
Once the old oil filter is removed, the next step in an oil change for the Jeep Wrangler is to replace the old oil filter with a new filter.
Place the new filter in the old filter’s spot and screw it on in a clockwise direction to tighten it into place.
Replace the Drain Plug and Add Oil
After the new oil filter is fitted to the oil pan, tighten and replace the drain plug.
Using the funnel, add the recommended amount of oil to the oil pan. Once the oil has been replaced in the oil pan, take the cap to the oil pan and put it back on, twisting to tighten it.
Mark the Oil Change Mileage and Clean Tools
Congratulations! At this point, your Jeep Wrangler oil change is complete.
Before you clean up your workspace and take your car down off the jack, note the mileage so that you know when your next oil change should be performed.
You’ll also want to clean your tools before putting them away and cleaning your workspace.
Keep in mind that oil-stained rags can be combustible, so they should be safely stored to prevent fires.
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What Type of Oil Does a Jeep Wrangler Take?
A Jeep Wrangler should be treated with 5W-20 or 5W-30 motor oil. Jeep Wranglers can run on either conventional motor oil, a synthetic blend, or full synthetic motor oil.
How Many Quarts of Oil Does a Jeep Wrangler Take?
A Jeep Wrangler needs four to six quarts of oil to do a full oil change. The 6 cylinder will typically take a little under 4 quarts and the v8 5 liters will usually take around 5 quarts. Always fill the oil until the oil level is between the min and max markings on the dip-stick.
Do Jeep Wranglers Tell You When You Need an Oil Change?
The Jeep Wrangler has an oil change indicator light that will let you know when it’s time to change your oil. A mechanic shop or oil change shop will be able to reset the oil change light after they change the oil which is recommended every 5000 miles.
If you plan on changing your Jeep’s oil at home each time, it’s practical to mark down the mileage each time so you know when your next expected oil change is due.
Is It Hard to Change a Jeep’s Oil?
It is not difficult at all to change the oil on a Jeep Wrangler at home as long as you’re detail-oriented and have the proper supplies available to you.
An oil change can generally be performed on a Jeep Wrangler in around ten minutes and with only minimal tools necessary to complete it.
When Should I Change the Oil in My Jeep Wrangler?
Mechanics recommend that you change the conventional motor oil on your Jeep Wrangler every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Synthetic oil allows Jeeps to go up to 10,000 miles between oil changes. (Source: Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge)
Changing Your Wrangler’s Oil at Home Is a Useful Skill
While you might feel intimidated at the idea of changing your Jeep Wrangler’s oil yourself, this process is one of the simplest maintenance you can perform on your vehicle.
By investing in a few minimal tools and supplies, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars on oil changes a year.