🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll drain the old oil, replace the oil filter, and refill with fresh oil that meets Jeep specs. This keeps the 5.7L engine lubricated, cool, and protected from wear.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always work on a cool engine; hot oil can cause serious burns.
• ⚠️ Park on level ground and use the parking brake so the Grand Cherokee cannot roll.
• ⚠️ If you lift the front, always support it with jack stands, never rely only on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin from oil.
• ⚠️ Clean up spills immediately; oil on the floor is very slippery.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a proper recycling center or mechanic shop.
• 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) - Qty: 2
• 🛠️ Wheel chocks
• 🛠️ 13mm socket
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🛠️ 3/8" drive torque wrench (5–75 ft-lbs range)
• 🛠️ Oil filter wrench (strap or cap type) (specialty)
• 🛠️ Oil drain pan (at least 10-quart capacity)
• 🛠️ Funnel (medium size)
• 🛠️ Shop rags or paper towels
• 🛠️ Flathead screwdriver (for removing any plastic splash shield clips if needed)
• 🛠️ Latex or nitrile gloves
• 🛠️ Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 Engine oil (5W-20, full synthetic, meeting FCA MS-6395) - Qty: 7 quarts (approx. 6.6 liters)
• 🔩 Oil filter (for 5.7L V8) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Oil drain plug crush washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Brake cleaner or degreaser spray - Qty: 1 can (for cleaning any oil mess)
• 🔩 Shop towels / absorbent pads - Qty: as needed

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the Grand Cherokee on level ground, set the parking brake, and put the transmission in PARK.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks so the vehicle cannot roll.
• If the engine was running, let it cool for at least 20–30 minutes so the exhaust and oil are warm, not hot. Warm oil drains faster.
• Gather all tools and parts before you start so you don’t have to crawl out mid-job.
• For better access, you may raise the front and support it with jack stands under the front frame lift points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise and support the front (if needed)

• Position the floor jack under the front center jacking point or sturdy crossmember (front frame area) and lift the front of the Grand Cherokee.
• Place jack stands under the manufacturer-recommended front support points and slowly lower the vehicle onto them using the floor jack.
• Gently rock the vehicle by hand to confirm it’s stable on the jack stands.

Step 2: Locate the oil pan and drain plug

• Slide under the front of the Grand Cherokee with your safety glasses on.
• Find the engine oil pan at the bottom of the engine (toward the front). It’s a metal pan with a single bolt on the bottom or side; that bolt is the drain plug.
• If there is a plastic splash shield in the way, remove needed fasteners using a flathead screwdriver and set the shield aside. Only remove what you must.

Step 3: Position the drain pan

• Place the oil drain pan under the drain plug. Position it slightly toward the direction the oil will stream (usually towards the rear when you remove the plug).
• Have shop rags ready to catch any drips.

Step 4: Remove the drain plug and drain the oil

• Using a 13mm socket and 3/8" ratchet, carefully loosen the drain plug.
• Once loose, spin it out by hand while pressing it lightly inward so oil doesn’t leak until you’re ready.
• Quickly pull the plug away and let the oil flow into the drain pan.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a very small drip (this can take 5–10 minutes). More time = more old oil out.

Step 5: Inspect and reinstall the drain plug

• Clean the drain plug with a shop rag.
• If your plug uses a crush washer, replace it with the new one from the parts list.
• Thread the drain plug back into the oil pan by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten the plug with a 13mm socket and torque wrench to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs). Do not overtighten; the pan can crack or strip.

Step 6: Locate and remove the oil filter

• Find the oil filter on the engine block (on the 5.7L in this Jeep, it’s usually accessible from below near the front of the engine).
• Move the drain pan under the filter area; some oil will spill when it comes off.
• Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the filter by turning it counterclockwise.
• Once loose, spin it off by hand and keep it upright as much as possible to minimize spilled oil. Let remaining oil drain into the pan.

Step 7: Prepare and install the new oil filter

• Take the new oil filter from the box.
• Dip a clean finger into fresh engine oil and lightly coat the rubber gasket (seal) on top of the new filter. This helps seal and removal later.
• Wipe the mounting surface on the engine with a shop rag to remove old oil and make sure the old gasket is not stuck there. Only one gasket should be present.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket just contacts the mounting surface.
• Then tighten the filter by hand an additional 3/4 turn. If you must, lightly snug with the oil filter wrench, but do not overtighten. No torque spec is used here; it is hand-tight plus a bit.

Step 8: Clean up underneath and reinstall splash shield

• Spray any oily areas with brake cleaner and wipe with shop rags so you can later see if any new leaks appear.
• If you removed a splash shield, reinstall it now using the flathead screwdriver for the clips or screws.

Step 9: Lower the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands and slowly lower the Grand Cherokee back to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks from the rear wheels.

Step 10: Add fresh engine oil

• Open the hood using the interior release, then the safety catch.
• Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine (marked “OIL” or with an oil can symbol) and remove it by hand.
• Place the funnel in the filler opening.
• Pour in about 6 quarts of the new 5W-20 oil first (slightly less than total capacity to avoid overfill).
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand for now.

Step 11: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for about 30–60 seconds.
• Look under the Grand Cherokee with your safety glasses on and a shop light (if you have one) to check around the drain plug and oil filter for any leaks.
• If you see drips, shut off the engine and gently snug that connection (drain plug with torque wrench, filter by hand).
• Turn off the engine and wait 3–5 minutes for the oil to settle back to the pan.

Step 12: Check and top off the oil level

• Pull out the engine oil dipstick, wipe it clean with a shop rag, then reinsert it fully and pull it out again to read.
• The oil level should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks, ideally close to “MAX.”
• If it’s low, remove the filler cap, add oil through the funnel 0.25–0.5 quart at a time, then recheck with the dipstick.
• For the 5.7L, the total capacity with filter is about 7 quarts (6.6 liters), but always go by the dipstick reading, not just the number.
• Once level is correct, fully seat the dipstick and reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 13: Reset oil change reminder (if displayed)

• Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position without starting the engine (or use the Start button without pressing the brake).
• Using the steering wheel buttons, navigate the dash menu: Vehicle Info > Oil Life (wording may vary slightly).
• Hold the OK or Reset button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• Turn the ignition off.

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✅ After Repair

• Take a short test drive (5–10 minutes), then park on level ground and recheck the oil level with the dipstick. Top off if needed.
• Look under the Grand Cherokee again for any fresh oil drips around the drain plug and filter.
• Make sure the oil pressure warning light on the dash goes off within a few seconds of starting.
• Record the mileage and date so you know when the next oil change is due.
• Properly dispose of the used oil and old filter at a recycling center or mechanic shop—never dump oil on the ground or in drains.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120–$180 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $50–$90 (oil + filter + supplies)

You Save: $70–$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7–1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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