🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This repair replaces the old engine oil and oil filter so your Grand Cherokee’s 5.7L HEMI gets clean lubrication. Fresh oil helps protect the timing components, camshaft, lifters, bearings, and MDS system from wear.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Never crawl under your Grand Cherokee supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Used engine oil can irritate skin. Wear gloves and avoid spills.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an approved recycling center or parts store.
• ⚠️ Do not overtighten the drain plug or oil filter. Overtightening can damage threads or cause leaks.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 13mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench 93mm 15-flute
• Oil drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Automotive funnel
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil SAE 5W-20 synthetic or conventional meeting Chrysler MS-6395 - Qty: 7 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🛞 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster, but it should not be hot.
• 🔍 Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• 📘 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to a measured tightness so you do not damage threads.
• 📘 Jack stands are solid supports that hold the vehicle safely after it is lifted with a floor jack.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Secure the Front

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your Grand Cherokee at the front crossmember.
• Place the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the front frame support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and gently shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Never trust the jack alone.

Step 2: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Slide the oil drain pan 8-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan.
• Keep shop towels nearby for spills.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Drain Plug

• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing inward slightly, then pull it away quickly so oil drains into the pan.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Inspect the drain plug threads. Replace the oil drain plug gasket.
• Oil may splash at first.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Use a shop towel to wipe the drain plug area clean.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means the plug starts crooked and damages the threads.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the oil drain pan 8-quart minimum under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench 93mm 15-flute with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand and keep it upright as much as possible to reduce spills.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter. A gasket is the rubber sealing ring on the filter.
• Double gaskets cause big leaks.

Step 6: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use a clean gloved finger to spread a light film of fresh engine oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the filter mount by hand.
• Tighten the filter until the gasket touches the mounting surface, then turn it another 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using the oil filter wrench 93mm 15-flute, use only very light force.
• Do not crush or overtighten the filter.

Step 7: Add New Engine Oil

• Lower your Grand Cherokee carefully if needed so it sits level before filling.
• Place the automotive funnel in the oil fill opening on top of the engine.
• Pour in 6.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20 engine oil meeting Chrysler MS-6395 first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.
• Use the dipstick to check the level, then add oil slowly until it is near the full mark.
• Total capacity with filter is approximately 7 quarts.
• Add slowly near full.

Step 8: Start and Leak Check

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use a flashlight if available and look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so oil drains back into the pan.
• Use a shop towel to wipe the dipstick, reinsert it fully, then check the oil level again.
• Add oil through the automotive funnel if needed to bring the level to the full mark.

Step 9: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Sit in the driver seat and press the ignition button to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel buttons to go to Vehicle Info > Oil Life in the instrument cluster display.
• Press and hold the OK button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• If the menu method does not reset it, turn ignition to RUN, fully press and release the accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds, then turn ignition off.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the oil level is at the full mark after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• ✅ Check underneath again after your first short drive.
• ✅ Recheck the oil level the next morning on level ground.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and old filter properly.
• ✅ Record the mileage and date for your next service.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$75 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.