🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the spin-on oil filter, refill with fresh oil, and reset the oil life monitor. This keeps your Grand Cherokee’s 5.7L HEMI properly lubricated and helps prevent engine wear.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground with the transmission in Park and the parking brake applied.
• ⚠️ Never crawl under your Grand Cherokee supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Warm oil drains faster, but hot oil and exhaust parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• Drain pan 10-quart minimum
• Automotive funnel
• Plastic trim clip tool
• 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 full synthetic - Qty: 7 quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground, shift to Park, and apply the parking brake.
• 📋 Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires before lifting the vehicle.
• 📋 Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. This warms the oil so it drains more easily.
• 📋 A torque wrench tightens bolts to a measured amount so you do not leave them loose or overtighten them.
• 📋 An oil filter wrench grips the round oil filter so you can loosen it if it is too tight by hand.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Support the Front

• Use wheel chocks behind both rear tires.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your Grand Cherokee at a proper front lift point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under strong front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a small shake to confirm it is stable before going underneath.
• Jack stands save lives.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Shield if Equipped

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• If a lower splash shield blocks access to the drain plug or oil filter, use a plastic trim clip tool to remove the plastic retainers.
• Set the shield and retainers aside.

Step 3: Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Open the hood.
• Remove the engine oil fill cap by hand.
• This helps the old oil drain more smoothly.

Step 4: Drain the Old Oil

• Place the drain pan 10-quart minimum directly under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Remove the plug by hand while keeping inward pressure on it, then pull it away quickly.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a light drip.
• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug and the sealing area on the oil pan.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install the new engine oil drain plug gasket onto the drain plug.
• Start the drain plug by hand first so it does not cross-thread. Cross-threading 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)
• Hand-start every threaded part.

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan 10-quart minimum under the oil filter.
• Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• Spin the filter off by hand once it is loose.
• Keep the open end upward as much as possible to reduce spills.
• Use shop towels to wipe the filter mounting surface clean.
• Make sure the old rubber filter gasket came off with the old filter.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use a gloved finger to spread a thin film of clean new oil on the rubber gasket of the new spin-on engine oil filter.
• Thread the new oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• When the gasket first touches the engine, tighten the filter an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using a torque method, use the oil filter wrench carefully.
• Torque to 19 Nm (14 ft-lbs)
• Do not overtighten the filter.

Step 8: Reinstall the Lower Shield if Removed

• Position the lower splash shield back into place.
• Use the plastic trim clip tool to help align the holes if needed.
• Push the retainers back in by hand.
• Confirm the shield is secure.

Step 9: Add New Oil

• Place the automotive funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 6.5 quarts of engine oil SAE 5W-20 full synthetic.
• Wait 1 minute.
• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick, insert it fully, then remove it again to check the oil level.
• Add oil slowly until the level reaches the safe/full range.
• Total capacity with filter is about 7 quarts.
• Install the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 10: Start and Leak Check

• Make sure all tools are away from the engine bay.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use safety glasses and look underneath for leaks at the oil drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off.
• Wait 5 minutes before checking the oil level again.

Step 11: Final Oil Level Check

• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean.
• Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it and read the oil level.
• If needed, add oil through the automotive funnel in small amounts.
• Keep the level within the safe range. Do not overfill.

Step 12: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Grand Cherokee slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 13: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Press the Start/Stop button to ON/RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel buttons to open the instrument cluster menu.
• Select Vehicle Info > Oil Life.
• Press and hold OK until the display resets to 100%.
• If that does not reset it, turn ignition to ON/RUN without starting, fully press and release the accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds, then turn ignition OFF.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Grand Cherokee for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground.
• ✅ Recheck the oil level after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• ✅ Look underneath again for any oil leaks.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and old filter at an approved oil recycling location.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date for your next oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $55-$95 (parts only)

You Save: $65-$125 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?

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