🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil to protect your engine from wear. On your Grand Cherokee, the oil filter is a cartridge style located on top of the engine, which makes the filter portion cleaner and easier.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and let the engine cool 20-30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Always support the SUV with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; hot oil can splash when the drain plug comes out.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust components.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

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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)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• 13mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• 24mm socket
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Trim clip tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20 full synthetic, MS-6395 equivalent) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter (cartridge style) - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring(s) (included with most filters) - Qty: 1 set
• Drain plug crush washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Warm oil drains faster, but don’t work on a fully hot engine—wait 20-30 minutes.
• Lay cardboard down to catch drips.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the front jacking point.
• Set the SUV down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the vehicle a small shake to confirm it’s stable.

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

• Use a trim clip tool to pop out any plastic push-clips.
• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove any bolts holding the shield.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Position the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish unthreading by hand and pull the plug away quickly to reduce splashing.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (typically 5-10 minutes).

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug and the sealing surface with shop towels.
• If your plug uses a washer, install a new drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) with a 13mm socket and Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Replace the oil filter (cartridge on top of engine)

• Open the hood and locate the oil filter housing cap on top of the engine.
• Use a 24mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the cap slowly.
• Pull the cap up; the old cartridge filter will usually come up with it.
• Remove the old filter from the cap (pull it straight off).
• Replace the O-ring(s) on the cap with the new ones from the filter box.
• An O-ring is a rubber sealing ring.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring(s) with fresh oil (use a finger) so they don’t pinch.
• Push the new cartridge filter onto the cap until it clicks/seats.
• Install the cap back into the housing by hand first.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) with a 24mm socket and Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Reposition the shield.
• Install bolts using a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Reinstall push-clips using a trim clip tool.

Step 7: Refill with oil

• Lower the SUV off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the oil fill cap on the engine.
• Use a funnel and add Engine oil (SAE 5W-20 full synthetic) starting with about 5.5 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle 30-60 seconds.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug area.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to settle.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil as needed to reach the safe/full range (usually near 6 quarts total with filter).
• Wipe any spilled oil with shop towels.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck for leaks after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the filter properly (most auto parts stores accept used oil).
• Reset the oil life indicator using one of these methods:
• • Method A (cluster menu): With ignition ON, use steering wheel controls to navigate to Vehicle Info > Oil Life, then press and hold OK to reset.
• • Method B (pedal): With ignition ON (engine OFF), press the accelerator pedal fully 3 times within 10 seconds, then turn ignition OFF.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$180 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 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.