🔧 Wrangler - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains old engine oil, replaces the cartridge-style oil filter, and refills with fresh oil to protect your engine from wear. On your Wrangler’s 3.6L, the oil filter is on top of the engine in a plastic cap housing, so you’ll service it from under the hood.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 20–30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels.
• ⚠️ If you lift the Wrangler, support it with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and drive belt areas; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks (pair)
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension (3"-6")
• Socket set 8mm-19mm
• 13mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-60 Nm range)
• Oil filter cap socket 24mm (specialty)
• Trim clip tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20, API certified) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter (cartridge style) - Qty: 1
• Oil filter housing O-ring (included with most filters) - Qty: 1
• Drain plug gasket (if equipped) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Drive 5–10 minutes to warm the oil slightly, then shut off and let it cool a bit.
• Place the Wrangler on level ground, set the parking brake, and open the hood.
• If you need more room underneath, lift the front and set it on jack stands.
• Locate the oil fill cap and dipstick so you know where you’ll refill and check level.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap

• Under the hood, remove the oil fill cap by hand.
• This helps the crankcase vent so the oil drains faster.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Position the drain pan (10-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 slows to an occasional drip (usually 10–15 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug threads with shop towels.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Install the drain plug by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10-60 Nm range) and tighten the drain plug: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Hand-starting prevents expensive thread damage.

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

• Locate the oil filter cap on top of the engine (black plastic cap with a hex shape).
• Use a 24mm socket (or oil filter cap socket 24mm (specialty)) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the cap slowly.
• Lift the cap and filter element straight up and out.
• Remove the old O-ring from the cap using a trim clip tool (carefully).
• Install the new O-ring (lightly coat it with fresh oil using a gloved finger).
• Push the new cartridge filter onto the cap until it seats.

Step 5: Reinstall and torque the oil filter cap

• Thread the cap in by hand until it seats.
• Use a torque wrench (10-60 Nm range) with a 24mm socket to tighten: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Don’t overtighten; the cap is plastic.

Step 6: Refill with new oil

• Place a funnel in the oil fill hole.
• Pour in Engine oil (SAE 5W-20), starting with about 5.5 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and inspect underneath for leaks at the drain plug area, and up top around the filter cap.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert, and re-check.
• Add oil as needed to reach the safe range on the dipstick (small amounts at a time).
• Wipe any spilled oil with shop towels.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Recheck for leaks after your first short drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the filter at an approved recycling center or parts store.
• Reset the “Oil Change Required” message (key ignition): turn key to RUN (do not start), fully press the accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds, then turn key OFF.
• If the message stays on, repeat the reset once more.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$200 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $45-$165 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.