🔧 Grand Cherokee WK - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with fresh oil and reset the oil life reminder. This keeps your 3.6L V6 protected and running smoothly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool 20–30 minutes after driving.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes from hot oil.
• ⚠️ Keep tools and body parts away from the exhaust and rotating parts.
• ⚠️ Used oil is hazardous waste—dispose of it properly at a recycling center or 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 (7–80 ft-lbs range)
• 🛠️ 24mm socket
• 🛠️ Oil filter cap socket (24mm, if separate) (specialty)
• 🛠️ Oil drain pan (at least 8-liter capacity)
• 🛠️ Funnel with medium spout
• 🛠️ Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• 🛠️ Shop rags or paper towels
• 🛠️ Nitrile gloves
• 🛠️ Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic, API SN+ or better) - Qty: 6 quarts
• 🔩 Engine oil filter (cartridge type, 3.6L) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Oil filter cap O-ring - Qty: 1 (usually included with filter)
• 🔩 Drain plug washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Shop towels - Qty: as needed

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the Grand Cherokee on level ground, engage the parking brake, and put the transmission in PARK.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• Let the engine cool for at least 20–30 minutes so the oil is warm, not hot. Warm oil drains faster.
• Gather all tools and parts so you don’t need to crawl under the vehicle repeatedly.
• Plan where you will take the used oil and filter for recycling (local mechanic, parts store, or recycling center).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise and support the front

• Position the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front center jacking point or crossmember (behind the front bumper, solid metal area).
• Jack the vehicle up until you have enough room to slide under comfortably.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the left and right frame or pinch weld points, then slowly lower the vehicle onto the stands using the floor jack.
• Give the Grand Cherokee a firm push to make sure it is stable on the stands.

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

• Slide the oil drain pan nearby but not directly under the engine yet.
• Look under the front bumper for any plastic splash shield or cover under the engine.
• If clips or screws are present, use the flathead screwdriver (medium) to pop out plastic clips and the 13mm socket with 3/8" drive ratchet if there are bolts.
• Set all clips and bolts aside in a safe place so you don’t lose them.

Step 3: Open the oil fill cap

• Open the hood and locate the oil fill cap on top of the engine cover (usually labeled “0W-20”).
• Turn the cap counterclockwise by hand and remove it. This lets air in so oil drains faster.
• Place the cap where it won’t get dirty, like on a clean rag.

Step 4: Drain the old engine oil

• Position the oil drain pan under the oil pan drain plug (bottom of the engine, usually slightly toward the rear).
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to crack the drain plug loose, then unscrew it by hand while pressing it inward until you’re ready to let it go.
• Quickly pull the plug away so oil drains straight into the pan. Adjust the pan position as needed.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a slow drip—this may take 5–10 minutes. Be patient for a cleaner job.

Step 5: Inspect and reinstall the drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug with shop rags or paper towels and inspect the threads and washer.
• If you have a new drain plug washer, remove the old one and install the new one on the plug.
• Clean around the drain hole on the oil pan with a rag.
• Thread the plug back in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8" drive torque wrench to tighten the plug to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the old oil filter cartridge

• The 3.6L V6 uses a cartridge oil filter, located in a black plastic housing on top of the engine (toward the front, often with a 24mm hex on top).
• Place some shop rags or paper towels around the filter housing to catch any drips.
• Use the 24mm socket (or oil filter cap socket (24mm, if separate) (specialty)) with the 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the filter cap counterclockwise.
• Carefully lift the cap straight up; the old filter element will come up with it.
• Hold it over the oil drain pan for a moment to let excess oil drain off.

Step 7: Replace the filter and O-ring

• Pull the old filter cartridge off the cap; it should snap off by hand.
• Use a flathead screwdriver (medium) gently, if needed, to remove the old O-ring from the cap groove—do not scratch the plastic.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh engine oil (0W-20) using your finger; this helps it seal and not twist.
• Install the new O-ring into the same groove on the cap, making sure it is not twisted.
• Push the new filter cartridge onto the cap until it clicks or feels firmly seated.

Step 8: Reinstall the oil filter cap

• Wipe the filter housing opening on the engine to remove any dirt or old oil.
• Carefully slide the new filter and cap assembly straight down into the housing, making sure it is centered.
• Start threading the cap by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 24mm socket and 3/8" drive torque wrench to tighten the cap to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs). Do not overtighten—the cap is plastic.

Step 9: Refill the engine with fresh oil

• Insert the funnel with medium spout into the oil fill opening on top of the engine.
• Pour in about 5.5 quarts of new 0W-20 synthetic oil to start.
• Remove the funnel and reinstall the oil fill cap by hand, turning clockwise until snug.
• Wipe any spilled oil from the engine area with shop rags or paper towels.

Step 10: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Get out from under the vehicle first. Make sure tools are clear of moving parts.
• Start the engine and let it idle for about 30–60 seconds.
• While it’s idling, look under the vehicle at the drain plug area and around the oil filter housing.
• Use a flashlight if needed to check for any drips or leaks.
• If you see leaks, shut the engine off and carefully tighten the leaking part slightly with the appropriate tool.

Step 11: Lower the vehicle and check oil level

• Turn the engine off and wait 3–5 minutes to let the oil drain back into the pan.
• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise the front slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Reinstall the splash shield with the 13mm socket and flathead screwdriver (medium) if you removed it earlier.
• Pull out the engine oil dipstick, wipe it clean with a rag, reinsert it fully, then pull it out again.
• The oil level should be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks, ideally closer to “MAX”.
• If needed, use the funnel with medium spout to add oil in small amounts (0.2–0.3 quarts), rechecking the dipstick each time until the level is correct. Total capacity is about 5.9 quarts with filter.

Step 12: Reset the oil life reminder

• Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position without starting the engine (foot off the brake, press START button twice if needed).
• Use the steering wheel buttons to navigate the instrument cluster menus.
• Go to Vehicle Info > Oil Life using the arrow buttons.
• Press and hold the OK button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• If it doesn’t reset, repeat once more, making sure you are on the Oil Life screen.

Step 13: Clean up and dispose of old oil

• Carefully pour the used oil from the oil drain pan into the empty oil containers using the funnel with medium spout.
• Place the used oil filter in a plastic bag to avoid leaks.
• Take the used oil and filter to a recycling center, parts store, or workshop that accepts waste oil.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle for a couple of minutes, then check again under the vehicle for any fresh oil leaks.
• Verify the oil level once more with the dipstick after a short drive and top off if needed.
• Confirm the oil life display now shows 100% in the cluster.
• Make a note of the date and mileage so you know when the next oil change is due.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $110–$170 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45–$75 (parts only)

You Save: $65–$95 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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