🔧 Wrangler - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

On your Wrangler, the engine oil lubricates and cools internal engine parts, and the oil filter traps dirt and debris. Replacing both on schedule helps prevent engine wear and keeps oil pressure healthy.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the wheels before lifting.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15-30 minutes; hot oil can burn.
• ⚠️ Support with jack stands if you lift it; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Oil drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• Ratchet
• Socket extension (3-inch)
• 13mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter (cartridge style) - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug washer/seal - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, leave the transmission in gear, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• If lifting the front, raise with a floor jack and support with jack stands under the frame.
• Warm oil drains faster: idle 2-3 minutes, then shut off and wait 10-15 minutes.
• Lay rags under the filter area first.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap

• Open the hood.
• Twist off the oil fill cap by hand to help the crankcase vent while draining.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Position the oil drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 13mm socket with a ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (typically 5-10 minutes).
• Replace the drain plug washer/seal.
• Reinstall the drain plug by hand first (to avoid cross-threading), then tighten with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 3: Remove and replace the oil filter (cartridge)

• Locate the oil filter housing cap on top of the engine (this is a plastic cap that holds the cartridge filter).
• Use a 24mm socket with a ratchet (and 3-inch extension if needed) to loosen the cap.
• Lift the cap straight up; the old cartridge filter will come out with it.
• Pull the old filter off the cap by hand.
• Remove the old O-ring from the cap and install the new O-ring. Don’t twist the O-ring.
• Push the new cartridge filter onto the cap until it seats.
• Thread the cap back into the housing by hand first, then tighten with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)
• Wipe any oil from the housing area using shop rags.

Step 4: Refill with new engine oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 5.5 quarts first, then wait 1 minute.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 5: Start, check for leaks, and set 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 area.
• Open the hood and check around the oil filter housing for leaks.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick and add oil as needed to reach the safe/full range.

Step 6: Reset the oil change indicator

• Turn the ignition to ON (do not start the engine).
• Press the accelerator pedal to the floor slowly 3 times within 10 seconds.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Start the engine and verify the “change oil” message is cleared.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the oil level the next day (cold engine, level ground) and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts waste oil.
• If you notice drips, recheck the drain plug washer and the filter cap O-ring seating.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $80-$120 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.2 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.