1500 - Engine Oil & Filter Change 🛢️

Nice project for a first DIY. I’ll walk you through it step by step, exactly for your 2015 1500 3.6L.

Safety First ⚠️

• 🧯 Work on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧤 Let the engine cool 15–30 minutes so the oil is warm, not hot.
• 🧱 If you lift the truck, always use jack stands (metal supports that hold the vehicle safely) under the frame, never rely only on a jack.

Specs for Your 3.6L Pentastar 📋

• 🛢 Oil type: SAE 5W‑20, API certified, full synthetic or synthetic blend (meets Chrysler MS‑6395).
• 🛢 Oil capacity (with filter): ~ 6.0 quarts (5.7 L).
• ⚙️ Oil filter: Cartridge type in a plastic housing on top of the engine (not a spin‑on under the truck).
• 🔩 Drain plug torque: ~ 20–25 ft‑lb (27–34 N·m).
• 🔧 Oil filter cap torque: ~ 18–22 ft‑lb (24–30 N·m).

Tools & Parts You’ll Need 🧰

• 🧰 Tools
  • Floor jack and jack stands (if you want more room under the truck).
  • Wheel chocks (blocks behind wheels so the truck can’t roll).
  • Socket set with ratchet:
    • 13 mm socket for the oil drain plug (common size on this engine).
    • 24 mm socket (or 15/16") for the oil filter housing cap on top of the engine.
  • Torque wrench (tool that lets you tighten bolts to a specific torque).
  • Oil drain pan (big enough for at least 8 quarts).
  • Funnel for clean pouring.
  • Shop rags/paper towels.
  • Latex or nitrile gloves.
• 🧩 Parts & supplies
  • 6 quarts of 5W‑20 engine oil (meeting Chrysler MS‑6395).
  • Cartridge oil filter for 3.6L Pentastar (includes new O‑ring for the cap).
  • New drain plug washer if your plug uses a crush washer (many do).
  • Brake cleaner or similar to clean any spilled oil (optional).

Step 1 – Get the Truck Ready 🚙

• 🧱 Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• 🔑 Start the engine and let it run 3–5 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster and more completely.
• 🧊 Wait a few minutes so it’s warm, not burning hot.
• 📦 If you want more space, lift the front with a floor jack under the frame crossmember and place jack stands under the frame rails.

Step 2 – Remove the Oil Filler Cap & Dipstick 🧵

• 🧰 Open the hood.
• 🛢 On top of the engine, twist off the oil filler cap (marked “Engine Oil”).
• 📏 Pull the dipstick up a bit. This lets air in so the oil drains faster.

Step 3 – Drain the Old Oil (Under the Truck) 💧

• 🛢 Slide the drain pan under the oil pan (bottom of the engine, roughly center/front of the truck).
• 🔧 Locate the drain plug on the rear or side of the oil pan.
• 🧤 With gloves on, use the 13 mm socket and ratchet to loosen the drain plug. Finish unscrewing it by hand while pushing it inward until the last thread, then pull it away quickly so you don’t get splashed.
• 💧 Let the oil drain completely. This can take 5–10 minutes. Be patient; more old oil out = cleaner new oil.
• 🔍 Inspect the drain plug threads and washer. Replace the washer if it’s crushed or damaged.

Step 4 – Reinstall the Drain Plug 🔩

• 🧽 Wipe the area around the drain hole with a rag.
• 🔩 Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross‑threading (damaging threads by forcing it in crooked).
• 🔧 Tighten with the ratchet, then use the torque wrench to tighten to 20–25 ft‑lb.
• 🧼 Wipe off any oil around the plug so you can spot leaks later.

Step 5 – Replace the Cartridge Oil Filter (Top of Engine) 🧊

• 📍 On the 3.6L, the oil filter housing is on top of the engine, usually toward the front, with a black plastic cap and a hex on top (24 mm).
• 🔧 Place some rags around the housing to catch drips.
• 🔩 Use the 24 mm socket and ratchet to loosen the plastic cap. Turn slowly; some oil will drain back into the engine.
• 🧰 Lift the cap straight up. The old cartridge filter will come out attached to the cap.
• 🗑 Pull the old filter off the cap (it may need a firm tug) and discard it in the drain pan.
• 🔍 On the cap, remove the old O‑ring (rubber seal) using your fingers or a small plastic pick. Do not scratch the plastic cap.
• 🧴 Lightly coat the new O‑ring with a bit of fresh engine oil (this helps it seal and not twist).
• 🧩 Install the new O‑ring in the same groove on the cap. Make sure it’s not twisted.
• 🧊 Push the new cartridge filter onto the cap until it clicks or seats firmly.
• ⬇️ Carefully lower the cap and new filter straight into the housing. Thread the cap by hand first to avoid cross‑threading.
• 🔧 Tighten the cap with the torque wrench to 18–22 ft‑lb. Do not overtighten; it’s plastic.

Step 6 – Add New Oil 🛢️

• 🧴 Place the funnel in the oil filler opening.
• 🛢 Pour in about 5.5 quarts of 5W‑20 to start (a little under full capacity so we can fine‑tune).
• 🧢 Reinstall the oil filler cap.
• 📏 Reinsert the dipstick fully.

Step 7 – Start the Engine & Check for Leaks 👀

• 🔑 Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• 🧭 Watch the oil pressure light on the dash. It should go out within a couple of seconds. If it stays on, shut off immediately.
• 🕵️‍♂️ With the engine running, look under the truck at the drain plug and around the oil filter housing on top. Check for any drips.
• 🛑 If you see leaks, shut off the engine and gently snug the leaking part, then recheck.
• 🔑 After 1–2 minutes, shut off the engine and wait 5 minutes for the oil to drain back to the pan.

Step 8 – Final Oil Level Check 📏

• 📏 Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then pull it again.
• 🛢 The oil level should be between the MIN and MAX marks, ideally near the top mark.
• ➕ If it’s low, add oil in small amounts (about 0.25 quart at a time), rechecking until it’s right. You’ll likely end up at about 6.0 quarts total.
• 🧽 Wipe any spilled oil, close the hood, and remove jack stands and chocks if used.

Step 9 – Reset the Oil Change Reminder (EVIC) 📱

• 🔑 Turn the ignition to RUN (engine off) or press the Start button twice without pressing the brake.
• 📜 Use the steering wheel buttons to go to the “Vehicle Info” or “Oil Life” screen in the instrument cluster.
• 🔁 When “Oil Life” is displayed, press and hold the OK button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• 🔑 Turn the ignition off.

Disposal of Old Oil & Filter 🌍

• 🛢 Pour the used oil from the drain pan into a sealed container (old oil jug works well).
• ♻️ Take the used oil and filter to a local recycling center or parts store that accepts waste oil. Never dump oil on the ground or in drains.

HowToo Parts & Tools 🛒

You’ll see recommended oil, filter, drain plug washer, funnel, drain pan, and torque wrench from HowToo below this answer. You can add them to your cart directly from the parts section.

If you tell me what tools you already have (for example: only a basic wrench set, no jack stands), I can simplify the steps even more for your setup.