🔧 Wrangler - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with fresh oil. This keeps your Wrangler’s engine properly lubricated and helps prevent wear and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the wheels.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn you; let the engine cool 10-15 minutes.
• ⚠️ Always support the Wrangler with jack stands if lifted.
• ⚠️ 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:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) x2
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• 13mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
• Oil filter wrench (cap or band style)
• Rags or shop towels

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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 - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• 🔥 Warm the engine 2-3 minutes, then shut it off and let it cool 10-15 minutes so oil drains well but isn’t dangerously hot.
• ⬆️ If you need more room, lift the front with a floor jack and set it securely on jack stands under the frame.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap and prep the drain pan

• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand.
• Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Removing the cap helps oil drain faster.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug and wipe the area around the drain hole with rags or shop towels.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading (damaging the threads).
• Use a torque wrench (3/8" drive) to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (oil will spill when the filter comes off).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or band style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket (seal) is not stuck to the engine surface. If it is, peel it off and wipe the surface clean with rags or shop towels.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• 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 an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• Don’t use a wrench to tighten the new filter.

Step 6: Refill with fresh oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in 5.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20 first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 7: Start, check for leaks, then set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and inspect underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick and add oil as needed to reach the “SAFE”/full mark (usually ends up close to 6 quarts total with the filter).

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Recheck for leaks after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• 🧻 Wipe any oil residue off the skid area and filter area so you can spot future leaks easily.
• 🔄 Reset the oil change message (if displayed): turn key to ON (do not start) → press the accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds → turn key OFF.
• ♻️ Take used oil and the old filter to a recycling center/auto parts store that accepts used oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 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.