Jeep® WJ Oil Changing Procedures

Changing the oil in your Jeep® is a critical step in maintaining your vehicles overall health and performance. While it is recommended to change the oil every 3000 miles or every 3 months depending on which comes first, use your best judgement. If you live is a dryer climate or a mountainous climate, more frequest oil changes might be needed as the engine has to work harder to produce more power. As stated before, use your best judgement here as not all of us live in the same regional climates.

My 99 Grand Cherokee was about 200 miles overdue when I decided to change its oil. I usually have the oil changed by a local automotive shop due to time constraints and working multiple jobs. This time around, I was bound and determined to actually spend some time and do it myself, not to mention I like to use Lucas Oil Stabilizer as a viscosity enhancer. If you all do not know about Lucas Oil Stabilizer, make sure and check out the product reviewz for a detailed write up. Lets get on to the actual oil change....

• 4 quarts of your choice of oil.
• 1 quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer
• 1 replacement oil filter
• 1 drain pan
• Funnel
• Floor jack or jackstands
• Plenty of rags or newspaper (to clean spills or drips)
• Standard set of sockets or wrenches
• Optional: 1 six pack of beer

Begin by warming the vehicle to normal operating temperatures. You can do this by simply starting the Jeep® and taking it for a spin around the block if you choose. (By warming the Jeep® to operating temps, the oil will drain more easily). Once the oil has been warmed, start by raising the vehicle on a flat level surface. Make sure the underside is free of debris or anything that would cause harm to you or anyone around or under the vehicle with you. Once raised, support the vehicle with jackstands or proper placement of ramps. I raised only one side (the drivers side closest to the oil filter) of the Jeep® and that seemed to work just fine. After being properly supported, crawl beneath the vehicle and locate the oil pan drain plug. Take note of where this is and place several newspapers underneath the vehicle. Once the newspapers are in place, try and estimate where you need to put your drain pan for your old oil. Keep in mind that when you release the oil pan plug the oil will be traveling with gravity and will be somewhat forceful on exiting the vehicle. You might have to move the drain pan as the pressure of the oil begins to slow but that is rather common sense then anything. Remove the oil pan plug and let the oil drain all the way empty. Once drained, take a dry rag and remove any excess oil that could be dripping out of the oil pan drain hole. Replace the plug and tighten to the proper specs. If you have the optional 6-pack of beer, make sure and stop and stand up for the removal of 1 beer. Pop the top and enjoy the nice cold beverage.

Next, we move on to the oil filter replacement. This is a tricky and yet simple way to make a mess if you are not careful. On 99 and up Grand Cherokees, the oil filter is reached via the underbelly of the Jeep® while most 98 and previous can be reached via the top down method. Place your oil filter wrench or strap onto the oil filter and turn slowly until it releases. Next, remove the wrench and hand turn the oil filter out from its location. Be very careful not to tip the filter as it is full of hot oil and may cause burns. Place the old oil filter on the drain pan and let it drain its old nasty oil from the filter. Throw the filter away and grab another beer if needed (optional).

Remove the new oil filter from its box and crack open a quart of the new oil. I chose a 5w-30, as it seems perfect for my climate and driving style. Run a thin layer of oil on the oil filter gasket for good measure and then tighten down the new filter via using the hand tighten method. Do not overtighten the new oil filter as overtightening could cause damage to the threads on the filter and thus leaks could occur. Once the new filter is hand tightened down as much as it can be, lower the vehicle and crack another beer if you need to. If you dont have a beer, have a nice cold soda or water.... the hard part is now complete.

Open the hood of the Jeep® and locate the oil filler cap. Remove the oil filler cap and place your funnel inside the open space. Pour all 4 quarts of oil into the compartment and then sit back and enjoy another beverage. After all the oil has been put into the vehicle, pour in the Lucas Oil Stabilizer as technically your 5th quart of oil. Remove the funnel and replace the oil filler cap as needed. Lower the hood, and reset any service chimes inside the vehicle. My Grand Cherokee's overhead maintenance system tells me when I need to change my oil based on 3500 miles. A simple reset and the chime will be silenced for another 3500. Thank goodness! Time for another beverage.... but wait, a quick drive around the block to run the oil through and then we will get back to that. After warming the engine back to temp, make sure to check for any leaks around the area of the oil pan plug or the oil filter. You might notice a burning smell or a slight drip coming from another area not directly in relation to the plug or filter, this is more then likely an old oil drip from when you were performing the oil change itself. This will subside within a day or upon burning off or drying. If you notice any leaks or drips past a day, then you need to double check your filter tightening. You might have to tighten it down a tad more, but that should be a simple twist of the wrist and you are off again.

Changing your oil can be a simple and easy way to get to know your Jeep® vehicle...not to mention it saves time and money. As for what to do with your old nasty oil, make sure and take it to your local automotive store for proper removal. They will dispose of the oil free of charge and better yet it helps keep our environment clean.

NOTICE: All readers should drink responsibly and never drive under the influence of alcohol. All reference to beer in this story is simply for entertainment purposes only.

Submitted by: scuba