🔧 Durango - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct oil. This keeps your 6.4L lubricated, reduces wear, and helps the engine run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels before lifting.
• 🔥 Let the engine cool 20–30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⬆️ Always support with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil can irritate skin and eyes.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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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 (10-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Ratchet
• 13mm socket
• Torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter cap wrench 76mm 14-flute
• Trim clip tool
• 8mm socket
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-40 full synthetic) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Gather your oil and filter so the engine isn’t left empty for long.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the front safely

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the approved front lift point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use an 8mm socket and ratchet to remove the splash shield screws.
• If there are plastic clips, pop them out using a trim clip tool (a small pry tool made for plastic fasteners).
• Set the shield and fasteners aside where they won’t get lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place your drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug area with shop towels.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug with a new washer

• Install the new oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range) and 13mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil filter area.
• Use an oil filter cap wrench 76mm 14-flute with a ratchet to loosen the oil filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand and keep it upright as you remove it (it will be full of oil).
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (don’t leave it stuck to the engine).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Wipe the filter sealing surface with shop towels.
• Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten it an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• Hand-tight is correct—don’t over-tighten.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield and start all fasteners by hand.
• Use an 8mm socket and ratchet to snug the screws.
• Reinstall any clips using the trim clip tool to align them, then press them in.

Step 8: Refill with oil

• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
• Insert a funnel and add 6.5 quarts of 0W-40 full synthetic first.
• Wait 1 minute, then check the dipstick and top off as needed (typically ends up near about 7 quarts total with filter).

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and recheck the level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick and adjust oil level to the safe range.

Step 10: Reset the Oil Life reminder

• Turn ignition to ON (engine off).
• Use the steering wheel buttons to navigate the instrument cluster to the oil life screen.
• Press and hold OK to reset when prompted.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧾 Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling location or auto parts store that accepts waste oil.
• 🔎 Recheck for drips after your first short drive.
• 🧪 Verify the oil level again the next morning on a cold engine.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $140-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $65-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$110 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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.