🔧 1500 - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service replaces the old engine oil and oil filter in your 1500 to protect the 3.6L mild-hybrid V6 from wear, sludge, and overheating damage. You’ll drain the oil, replace the filter cartridge, refill with the correct oil, then verify the oil level and reset the oil life monitor.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands if lifting the front. Never work under a truck supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Keep oil away from the serpentine belt, exhaust, and electrical connectors.
• ⚠️ The 48V mild-hybrid system does not require disconnecting for a basic oil change, but do not touch orange high-voltage wiring or hybrid components.
• ⚠️ Do not overtighten the oil filter cap or drain plug. The filter cap is plastic and can crack.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 13mm socket
• 24mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 6-inch socket extension
• Oil drain pan, 10-quart minimum
• Plastic trim clip removal tool
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil, SAE 0W-20 full synthetic meeting Chrysler MS-6395 - Qty: 5 quarts
• Engine oil filter cartridge with new O-ring - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug gasket or replacement drain plug - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 1500 on level ground.
• Apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• If you need more room, lift the front with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to an exact tightness so parts are not damaged.
• An O-ring is a rubber sealing ring. Always replace it when it comes with the new filter.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the Hood and Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Use your hand to open the hood and secure it.
• Use a shop towel to clean around the oil fill cap.
• Remove the oil fill cap by hand. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• Keep dirt out of the engine.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front if Needed

• Use the floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your 1500 only if you need more working space.
• Place the jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum under proper frame support points.
• Gently lower the truck onto the jack stands with the floor jack.
• Shake the truck lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before going underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Lower Access Panel if Equipped

• Use the plastic trim clip removal tool to remove any plastic retainers from the lower access panel if it blocks the drain plug.
• Set the clips and panel aside in a safe place.
• Take a quick photo first.

Step 4: Drain the Engine Oil

• Put the oil drain pan, 10-quart minimum under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Remove the plug slowly by hand while wearing nitrile gloves.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Inspect the drain plug and gasket. Replace the gasket or drain plug if damaged.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Wipe the drain plug area clean with shop towels.
• Install the drain plug by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Cross-threading means the threads are started crooked and can damage the oil pan.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the Oil Filter Cap

• The oil filter is a cartridge-style filter located on top of the engine.
• Place shop towels around the oil filter housing to catch small spills.
• Use the 24mm socket, 6-inch socket extension, and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter cap.
• Lift the cap and filter straight up slowly.
• Pull the old filter cartridge off the cap by hand.

Step 7: Replace the Filter Cap O-Ring

• Use your fingers or the plastic trim clip removal tool to remove the old O-ring from the oil filter cap.
• Wipe the cap clean with shop towels.
• Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh 0W-20 full synthetic oil.
• Install the new O-ring into the correct groove on the cap.
• Do not reuse the old O-ring.

Step 8: Install the New Oil Filter

• Push the new engine oil filter cartridge onto the filter cap until it seats fully.
• Lower the filter and cap into the housing by hand.
• Thread the cap by hand first to avoid damaging the plastic housing.
• Use the 24mm socket, 6-inch socket extension, and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the filter cap.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Step 9: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place the funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 5 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic oil meeting Chrysler MS-6395.
• Remove the funnel and install the oil fill cap by hand.
• Wipe spilled oil with shop towels.

Step 10: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Make sure tools are clear of the engine bay.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use safety glasses and look under the truck for leaks at the drain plug.
• Look around the oil filter cap for leaks.
• Shut the engine off.

Step 11: Check the Oil Level

• Wait 5 minutes so oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Pull the dipstick by hand and wipe it clean with shop towels.
• Reinsert the dipstick fully, then pull it out again.
• The oil level should be between the safe marks, near the full mark.
• Add a small amount of oil with the funnel only if needed.
• Do not overfill the engine.

Step 12: Reinstall the Lower Access Panel

• Use your hands to position the lower access panel if removed.
• Use the plastic trim clip removal tool to help seat any plastic retainers.
• Confirm the panel is secure and not hanging loose.

Step 13: Lower the Truck

• Use the floor jack, rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your 1500 slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 14: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel arrow buttons to open Vehicle Info > Oil Life in the instrument cluster.
• Press and hold the OK button until the oil life resets to 100%.
• If that path is not shown, use the accelerator pedal method: turn ignition to RUN, slowly press the accelerator pedal fully 3 times within 10 seconds, then turn ignition OFF.

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✅ After Repair

• Drive your 1500 for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground and recheck the oil level.
• Check under the truck again for any oil drips.
• Recheck the oil filter cap area for seepage.
• Recycle the used oil and filter at an approved oil recycling location.
• Record the mileage and date of the oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$80 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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