🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil and replaces the oil filter, which removes contaminants and keeps your A4’s diesel engine properly lubricated. On your Grand Cherokee, the oil filter is a top-mounted cartridge style, so you’ll drain from below and replace the filter from the engine bay.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool 15–30 minutes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and hoses; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses to prevent burns and skin contact.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

---

🔧 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 (12-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension (6")
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Torque wrench (10–100 ft-lb range)
• Trim clip tool

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-40 full synthetic, diesel-rated, MS-11106 equivalent) - Qty: 11 quarts
• Oil filter cartridge - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing cap O-ring - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug seal - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap to help the crankcase vent while draining.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the SUV

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the approved front lift point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and gently shake the vehicle to confirm it’s stable.

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

• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the fasteners.
• If there are plastic push-clips, pop them out using a trim clip tool (a small pry tool that removes plastic clips without breaking them).
• Set the shield and hardware aside in order.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan (12-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it’s reduced to a slow drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug and replace the oil drain plug seal.
• Reinstall the drain plug and tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Replace the oil filter cartridge (top of engine)

• Move the drain pan (12-quart minimum) under the oil filter housing area in case of drips.
• Use a 24mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet and 3/8" drive extension (6") to loosen the oil filter cap (turn counterclockwise).
• Lift the cap and old filter cartridge out together, then pull the old cartridge off the cap by hand.
• Remove the old cap O-ring and install the new oil filter housing cap O-ring. Use a little fresh oil on your gloved finger to lightly coat the O-ring.
• Push the new oil filter cartridge onto the cap until it seats.
• Reinstall the cap and tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reposition the shield and start all fasteners by hand first.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to snug the fasteners.
• Reinstall any push-clips using the trim clip tool to align them, then press them in.

Step 6: Refill with new oil

• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole and add 10 quarts of 5W-40 full synthetic diesel-rated oil.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds, then shut it off.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick and add oil as needed to reach the safe/full range (typically about 10.5 quarts total with filter change). Add slowly—easy to overfill.

Step 7: Check for leaks

• With the engine off, look underneath for drain plug leaks (use safety glasses).
• Check around the oil filter housing for seepage (wipe with shop rags, then recheck).

Step 8: Reset the oil life reminder

• Cluster menu method: Use the steering wheel buttons to find Oil Life, then press and hold OK to reset to 100%.
• If your cluster doesn’t show an Oil Life menu: Turn ignition to RUN (engine off) and fully press/release the accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds, then turn ignition off.

---

✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick the next morning (cold engine) and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the filter properly (most auto parts stores accept used oil for free).
• If the oil light comes on or you see leaks, shut the engine off and recheck the drain plug and filter cap.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $200-$350 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$190 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

---

🎯 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.