🔧 1500 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old oil, replace the oil filter element, then refill with the correct oil and reset the oil life monitor. Fresh oil protects the engine from wear and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-90 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the truck with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn you; let the engine cool 10-20 minutes before draining.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Do not rely on a floor jack alone—always use jack stands.

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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
• Shop rags
• 13mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range)
• 24mm socket
• Flat trim tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20, Chrysler MS-6395 spec) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter cartridge kit (includes new O-rings) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine 3–5 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap to help the crankcase vent while draining.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and safely support the truck

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your 1500 at the front jacking point.
• Set it down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and give the truck a firm shake test.

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

• If a shield blocks access to the oil pan, use a flat trim tool to pop out clips.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove any bolts holding the panel.

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 (typically 5–10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug and sealing surface with shop rags.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• If your drain plug uses a replaceable gasket/washer, install the new one now.
• Thread the plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range) with a 13mm socket and Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Replace the oil filter (cartridge style)

• From the top of the engine bay, locate the oil filter housing cap (it uses a hex-shaped cap).
• Place shop rags around the housing to catch drips.
• Use a 24mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the filter cap slowly.
• Pull the cap up; the old filter element will usually come out attached to the cap.
• Remove the old filter from the cap by pulling it straight off.
• Replace the O-ring(s) from the filter kit. Use a finger with a bit of fresh oil to lightly coat the new O-ring(s) so they don’t pinch. O-ring = rubber seal ring.
• Push the new filter element onto the cap until it fully seats.
• Reinstall the cap by hand first, then use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range) and 24mm socket and Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Refill with new oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in engine oil (SAE 5W-20, Chrysler MS-6395 spec), starting with about 5.5 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle 30–60 seconds.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug area, and look up top around the oil filter cap.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
• Check the dipstick, then top off as needed to reach the safe/full range (usually ends up near 6 quarts total with a filter change).

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield and lower the truck

• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to reinstall any bolts.
• Reinstall clips using the flat trim tool as needed.
• Raise slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum), remove jack stands, then lower the truck.

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✅ After Repair

• Reset the oil life monitor: key to ON/RUN (engine off), then press the accelerator pedal to the floor 3 times within 10 seconds. Turn key off, then start and verify the message is cleared.
• Recheck for leaks after your first short drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most parts stores accept used oil).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $55-$85 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?

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.