🔧 Renegade - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil at the correct level. Fresh oil protects your engine from wear and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the Renegade with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 20-30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust components to prevent smoke/odors.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; used oil is a skin irritant.

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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 (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• 13mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)
• Oil filter cap socket 27mm
• Trim clip removal tool
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic, MS-6395 compatible) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter (cartridge type) - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring set - Qty: 1
• Drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off and let it cool 20-30 minutes so oil drains well but isn’t scalding.
• A “cartridge filter” sits in a reusable housing.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Assumption: Your 2.4L uses a top-mounted cartridge oil filter with a 27mm cap (common on this engine).

Step 1: Raise and support the Renegade

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Lift the front with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set it down securely on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).

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

• Use a trim clip removal tool to pop out plastic push-clips.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet for any bolts holding the panel.
• Set the panel and clips aside so you don’t lose them.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 13mm socket and 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).
• Wipe the drain plug area clean with shop rags.
• Install a new drain plug gasket/washer if your plug uses one.
• Reinstall the drain plug and Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove and replace the oil filter (cartridge)

• Open the hood and locate the oil filter housing cap on top of the engine.
• Place shop rags around the housing to catch drips.
• Use an oil filter cap socket 27mm with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the cap.
• Lift the cap and old filter element out together.
• Pull the old filter off the cap (it snaps on).
• Replace the O-ring(s) on the cap using the new oil filter housing O-ring set.
• Lightly oil the new O-ring first. Pour a little fresh oil onto your fingertip and wipe it around the O-ring.
• Snap the new engine oil filter (cartridge type) onto the cap.
• Thread the cap back in by hand first (to avoid cross-threading), then tighten with the oil filter cap socket 27mm.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reposition the shield and reinstall bolts using a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Reinstall push-clips using a trim clip removal tool (press them in until fully seated).

Step 6: Refill with fresh oil

• Lower the Renegade off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Remove the oil fill cap and insert a funnel.
• Pour in 5.0 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-45 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
• Check under the vehicle for leaks at the drain plug and around the filter housing.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil in small amounts.
• Typical fill is about 5.5 quarts total with filter, but always use the dipstick as final authority.

Step 8: Reset the oil life reminder

• Keyless start: Press the Start/Stop button twice (do not press brake) to get ignition to ON, then fully press and release the accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds, then press Start/Stop once to turn OFF.
• Key ignition (if equipped): Turn key to ON (do not start), fully press and release accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds, then turn key OFF.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick after your first short drive and top off if needed.
• Confirm the oil life percentage reset worked on the dash.
• Pour used oil into sealed containers and take it (and the old filter) to a recycling center or 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 0.7-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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