🔧 Town & Country - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the cartridge-style oil filter, then refill with fresh oil. This keeps your engine lubricated, helps it run cooler, and prevents premature wear.

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

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⚠️ 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 before draining.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust parts to avoid smoke and smells.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; used oil is a skin irritant.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is 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)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Socket wrench 3/8" drive
• 13mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-100 Nm range)
• Trim clip remover
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter (cartridge type) with O-rings - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 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.
• If your A/C lines or shields block access underneath, plan to remove the small lower access cover using a trim clip remover and flathead screwdriver.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front of the van

• Place wheel chocks at the rear wheels.
• Lift the front with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the front jacking point.
• Set the van onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the van a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower access cover (if equipped)

• Position your drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan area.
• Remove any plastic push-pins using a trim clip remover.
• Loosen any small screws using a flathead screwdriver.
• Set hardware aside so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan (at least 8-quart) directly under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 13mm socket and socket wrench 3/8" drive 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 using shop rags.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Install a new oil drain plug gasket/washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10-100 Nm range) with a 13mm socket to tighten: Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).
• Hand-starting threads prevents expensive damage.

Step 5: Replace the oil filter (cartridge style)

• From the top of the engine, locate the oil filter housing cap.
• Use a 24mm socket with a socket wrench 3/8" drive to loosen the cap slowly.
• Lift the cap and filter element out as an assembly, keeping shop rags handy for drips.
• Remove the old cartridge filter from the cap (it pulls off).
• Replace the O-ring(s) on the cap using the new ones supplied with the filter.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring(s) with fresh oil (use a fingertip) so they don’t pinch.
• Install the new cartridge filter onto the cap until it fully seats.
• Reinstall the cap by hand first, then tighten using a torque wrench (10-100 Nm range) and 24mm socket: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• O-ring = rubber seal that prevents leaks.

Step 6: Reinstall the lower access cover (if removed)

• Reinstall the cover and clips using the trim clip remover and flathead screwdriver.
• Make sure nothing is hanging down near the ground.

Step 7: Refill with fresh oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill port.
• Pour in SAE 5W-20 full synthetic (start with about 5.5 quarts).
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds, then shut it off.
• Wait 3-5 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed (typically ends up around ~6 quarts total with filter).
• Clean any spills with shop rags.

Step 8: Lower the van

• Lift slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum), remove jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum), then lower to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing cap.
• Recheck the oil level on the dipstick after a short drive and top off if needed.
• Reset the oil life monitor:
  • Use the steering wheel buttons to navigate to Vehicle Info > Oil Life, then press and hold OK to reset to 100%.
• Pour used oil into a sealed container and take it (and the old filter) to a recycling drop-off.

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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 0.8-1.2 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.