by Rob Jarrell
Torque Staff Writer
A routine oil change for your 2018 or newer Jeep Wrangler JL with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 will keep your engine in top shape and prolong its life. It's an easy maintenance job that you can do right at home in a short amount of time with only a few hand tools needed. If you've been wondering how, follow along as we walk you through the steps needed to change the oil in this Jeep Wrangler JL as well as how to reset the oil change reminder.
What You Will Need
- 5 Quarts of Oil - Mopar 0W-20 (68523994AA) or equivalent SAE 0W-20 that meets FCA Material Standard MS-6395
- New Oil Filter - Mopar Filter M0-349 (68191349AA)
- Socket Wrench
- 13mm Socket
- 24mm socket
- Extension
- Pick or Small Flathead Screwdriver
- Drain Pan
- Shop Towels / Paper Towels --- not necessary - but helpful ---
- Rubber Gloves
- Funnel
Instructions
Before working on your Jeep, always park on a level surface, put it in park and set the parking break. It's always a good idea to chock the wheels to be extra safe whenever working under your Jeep.
Before starting to change the oil, run the engine for a few minutes to warm the engine oil. This will help the oil flow easier and quicker.
There are NEW oil specs for the 3.6L Pentastar V6 found in the 2018 and newer Jeep Wrangler JL. Always reference your owners manual that came with your Wrangler to be sure you're using the correct oil for your engine.
1. Using a 13mm socket, remove the drain bolt from the bottom of the oil pan.
2. Allow the oil to drain into a pan. Keep some shop towels close by to clean up any spills or drips. Leave the drain bolt out while completing the next steps to completely allow all the oil to drain.
3. Moving under the hood, use a 24mm socket and extension to loosen the oil filter cap. Be sure to have some shop towels ready to catch any oil that drips off the filter.
4. Lift the oil cap off the engine. The oil filter will remain attached to the inside of the cap. Be sure to have some shop towels ready to catch any oil that drips off the filter.
5. Separate the old oil filter from the cap by simply pulling straight out.
6. Remove the old O-ring from the filter cap using a pick or small flathead screwdriver.
7. Using a little bit of oil from the used filter, lubricate the new O-ring.
8. Install the new O-ring on to the filter cap.
9. Install the new filter in to the oil filter cap by simply snapping it in place.
10. Lubricate the o-ring on the bottom of the new filter with a small amount of oil.
11. Re-install the filter and cap in your engine.
12. Using a 24mm socket, tighten the oil filter cap to 18 ft lbs. If you don't have a torque wrench, you can simply snug the cap in place. Be care not to over tighten the cap.
13. By now, all the oil should have finished draining from the engine. Crawl back under your Jeep and re-install the drain bolt using a 13mm socket. Tighten to 20 ft lbs. Just like with the cap, if you don't have a torque wrench, simply snug down the bolt nice and tight.
14. Moving back up under the hood, remove the oil filler cap.
15. Insert a funnel, and fill up the engine with 5 quarts of 0W-20 oil. Don't forget to re-install the oil filler cap afterwards.
16. The last thing to do is reset the oil life reminder system, follow the simple steps below to reset the Oil Life Gauge to 100%.
- Push the ENGINE START/STOP button without pushing the brake, putting the ignition into the ON/RUN mode.
- Using the up or down arrow keys on the steering wheel, navigate to the Vehicle Info Menu.
- Then using the left or right arrow keys, navigate to the Oil Life display.
- Push and hold the OK button until the gauge resets to 100%
Or follow these instructions for a secondary reset method:
- Push the ENGINE START/STOP button without pushing the brake, putting the ignition into the ON/RUN mode.
- Fully press the accelerator pedal 3 times within 10 seconds.
- Again, push the ENGINE START/STOP button without pushing the brake, to turn the ignition off.
With the oil reminder reset, you're all finished up! Be sure to dispose of old oil responsibly by taking it to a recycle center. Most auto parts stores will also take used oil free of charge!
