2012-2017 Jeep Wrangler — Oil and Filter Change

1

Warm up and secure the Wrangler

Drive your 2012-2017 Jeep Wrangler (JK) with the 3.6L Pentastar onto level ground and warm the engine for 2-3 minutes. Shut it off, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels. Completion looks like a warm engine parked safely on flat ground.

2

Locate the top-side filter housing

Open the hood and locate the black plastic oil filter housing cap on top of the engine, toward the front driver's side of the 3.6L Pentastar. Place a rag around its base to catch drips. Completion looks like the filter cap identified with a rag positioned.

3

Remove the filter cap and cartridge

Fit a 24mm socket (or the correct cap wrench) onto the oil filter housing cap and turn it counterclockwise to loosen. Lift the cap out with the old cartridge filter attached and let it drain into the housing. Completion looks like the cap and old cartridge removed.

4

Replace the cartridge and O-ring

Slide the old paper cartridge off the cap's central post and discard it. Remove the old rubber O-ring from the cap groove and fit the new O-ring from the filter kit, lightly oiled. Completion looks like a clean cap with a fresh O-ring seated in its groove.

5

Reinstall the filter cap

Push the new filter cartridge onto the cap post until it clicks, then thread the cap back into the housing by hand. Tighten it snugly with the 24mm socket, but do not overtighten the plastic threads. Completion looks like the cap secure with the new O-ring sealing.

6

Drain the engine oil

Crawl under the front of the Wrangler (no lift needed thanks to ground clearance) and place a drain pan under the oil pan. Remove the drain plug with a 13mm wrench and let the oil drain completely. Completion looks like a steady stream of oil flowing into the pan.

7

Reinstall the drain plug

Once the oil has finished draining to a drip, clean the drain plug and thread it back in by hand. Tighten it with the 13mm wrench to a firm snug; the steel plug threads into an aluminum pan. Completion looks like the plug secure with no seepage.

8

Add the new oil

Remove the oil filler cap on the passenger-side valve cover and pour in 6 quarts of the correct viscosity (5W-30 for 2012, 5W-20 for 2013-2017; confirm on your filler cap). Use a funnel to keep the valve cover clean. Completion looks like 6 quarts added and the cap reinstalled.

9

Check for leaks and verify level

Start the engine and let it idle for a minute while you check the filter housing and drain plug for leaks. Shut it off, wait two minutes, then verify the dipstick reads at the full mark. Completion looks like no leaks and the oil at the correct level.

10

Reset the oil change indicator

Sit in the driver's seat, turn the ignition to ON (engine off), and use the steering wheel buttons to find the oil life display. Hold the reset button until it returns to 100%, per the owner's manual procedure. Completion looks like the oil change indicator reset.