🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Grand Cherokee with fresh oil. Regular oil changes protect the 5.7L HEMI V8 from wear, sludge, and oil pressure problems.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin badly.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the vehicle with jack stands if you raise it. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts, exhaust parts, and the driveway. Wipe spills right away.
• ⚠️ Do not over-tighten the drain plug or oil filter. The oil pan and filter threads can be damaged.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.

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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 10-quart minimum
• Wide-mouth 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 5W-20 synthetic or synthetic blend meeting MS-6395 - Qty: 7 quarts
• 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 set the parking brake.
• 📋 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before raising the front.
• 📋 Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 📋 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens a bolt to the correct tightness, so you do not strip threads.
• 📋 An oil filter wrench grips the round oil filter so you can loosen it without crushing it.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Secure the Front

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front jacking point to lift the front of your Grand Cherokee.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Never crawl under jack-only support.

Step 2: Open the Hood and Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Use your hand to remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Use shop towels to wipe around the fill area if it is dirty.
• This lets air enter the engine so the old oil drains more smoothly.

Step 3: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Slide the oil drain pan 10-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug at the bottom of the oil pan.
• Place the pan slightly toward the rear of the drain plug because oil may shoot outward at first.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while keeping inward pressure on it, then pull it away quickly.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip.
• Inspect the drain plug and replace the engine oil drain plug gasket.
• Do not drop the plug into hot oil.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Use shop towels 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 a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the oil drain pan 10-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.
• Once loose, spin the filter off by hand.
• Keep the open end of the filter facing upward as much as possible to reduce spills.
• Make sure the old rubber filter gasket came off with the old filter.
• A stuck old gasket causes leaks.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use your gloved finger to spread a thin coat of fresh engine oil on the new oil filter gasket.
• Thread the new engine oil filter onto the filter mount by hand.
• Tighten the filter by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten about 3/4 turn more by hand.
• If using the oil filter wrench 93mm 15-flute, do not overtighten.
• Torque to 16 Nm (12 ft-lbs) if using a torque wrench-compatible filter cap tool.

Step 8: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Place the wide-mouth funnel into the engine oil fill opening.
• Pour in 6 quarts of engine oil 5W-20 synthetic or synthetic blend meeting MS-6395.
• Wait 1 minute, then use the dipstick to check the level.
• Add oil slowly until the level reaches the safe/full range.
• Total refill capacity with filter is about 7 quarts.
• Install the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 9: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Use your hand to confirm the oil fill cap is tight and the dipstick is seated.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use a flashlight if available, or inspect carefully with safety glasses, around the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off if you see any leaking.
• Use shop towels to wipe and recheck any wet area.

Step 10: Recheck Oil Level

• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean.
• Insert the dipstick fully, remove it again, and read the level.
• Add oil with the wide-mouth funnel in small amounts until it is at the full mark.
• Do not overfill. Too much oil can cause foaming and engine damage.

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift 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 12: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Without pressing the brake pedal, press the START button twice to switch ignition to RUN.
• Use the steering wheel arrow buttons to select 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, use this pedal method: ignition in RUN, press the accelerator pedal slowly all the way down 3 times within 10 seconds, then switch ignition OFF.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground and recheck the oil level after 5 minutes.
• ✅ Look under the engine for any fresh drips from the drain plug or filter.
• ✅ Confirm the oil life monitor shows 100%.
• ✅ Pour the used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old filter at an auto parts store or approved oil recycling center.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the 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 0.5-1.0 hours.

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