🔧 Wrangler - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with the correct oil. Fresh oil protects your engine from wear and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.75-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the wheels.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn you; let the engine cool 15-30 minutes before draining.
• ⚠️ Support with jack stands if you lift it—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and away from belts/fans.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Socket extension (3/8" drive, 6")
• 13mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20, full synthetic recommended) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter (cartridge type) - Qty: 1
• Oil filter cap O-ring (usually included with filter) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug seal/washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off and let it cool 15-30 minutes.
• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• If you raise the front, lift with a floor jack and support with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap and prep the drain area

• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand.
• Set a drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Removing the cap helps oil drain faster.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Use a 13mm socket with a ratchet (3/8" drive) to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the drain plug by hand and let the oil fully drain into the pan.
• Clean the drain plug and install a new oil drain plug seal/washer if equipped.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (3/8" drive) with a 13mm socket to tighten it.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Stop if it doesn’t turn easily by hand.

Step 4: Remove the oil filter housing cap

• Locate the oil filter housing at the top of the engine.
• Use a 24mm socket with a ratchet (3/8" drive) and a socket extension (3/8" drive, 6") to loosen the cap.
• Lift the cap straight up carefully (the old filter will usually come up attached).
• Put shop towels around it for spills.

Step 5: Replace the cartridge filter and O-ring

• Pull the old cartridge filter off the cap by hand and discard it.
• Remove the old cap O-ring (a rubber seal) and install the new O-ring in the same groove.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh oil using a finger (no tools needed).
• Push the new cartridge filter onto the cap until it snaps/fully seats.

Step 6: Reinstall and torque the oil filter cap

• Thread the cap back into the housing by hand.
• Use a torque wrench (3/8" drive) with a 24mm socket to tighten the cap.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Refill with fresh oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in SAE 5W-20 slowly (start with about 5.5 quarts).
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, then set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut it off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing.
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop towels, reinsert, then re-check.
• Add oil in small amounts until it reaches the safe/full range (don’t overfill).

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Verify the oil level one more time after a short test drive.
• Check again for seepage around the drain plug and filter cap.
• Reset the “oil change” reminder using one of these methods:
• If your Wrangler has steering-wheel menu controls:
  • Turn ignition to ON/RUN (engine off).
  • Use the steering wheel buttons to find Vehicle Info > Oil Life, then hold OK/Reset to reset.
• If it does not have that menu reset:
  • Turn ignition to ON/RUN (engine off).
  • Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly 3 times within 10 seconds.
  • Turn ignition OFF, then start and confirm the message is gone.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center/parts store that accepts waste oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$85 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 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.