Short Answer
Jeep Wrangler requires different engine oils, such as 10W-40, 5W-20, 0W-30, etc., depending on the engine options and weather conditions. The same applies to oil capacity, which can be 4-9 quarts depending on the engine.
You’re sitting in your Jeep Wrangler, ready to embark on an off-road trip with friends, but suddenly notice a message on the instrument cluster.
And it says, “Oil Change Required.”
While this message can appear due to some glitch, it’s usually an indication of the inadequate level of engine oil.
To confirm whether that’s the case or not, you’ll need to check the engine oil level with the dipstick. There are good chances that the oil level is indeed low.
It’s a common issue and can happen due to heat exposure, aging, or leakages.
As for the fix, you’ll need to add new oil so that it can reach a healthy level again.
But this is where most car owners get overwhelmed as they don’t know what type of engine oil their vehicle needs.
The market is flooded with different engine oils, and they all look essentially the same.
What’s worse is that the oil type is determined by the engine, which means multiple variants of a single vehicle will require different engine oils based on their engines.
This also holds true for oil capacity.
For example, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler with 2.0L and 3.6L engines is 5 quarts. But the 3.0L V6 and 6.4L V8 variants of the same vehicle require 9 and 6.7 quarts of engine oil.
To fix this issue, I have made tables regarding the engine oil types and capacities for Jeep Wrangler vehicles from 1987 to 2023.
Jeep Wrangler YJ (1987-1995) Engine Oil Capacity And Type
Best Oil for Jeep Wrangler YJ
- Pennzoil Platinum Fully Synthetic Oil – Best 5W-30 Oil for Jeep Wrangler YJ
- Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic Oil – Best 10W-30 Oil for Jeep Wrangler YJ
- Valvoline High Mileage Synthetic Blend – Best 10W-40 Oil for Jeep Grand Cherokee
| Year | Engine Options | Oil Capacity (with filter) | Oil Type (Viscosity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30, 10W-40 (Above -18) 20W-40, 20W-50 (Above -1) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1987 | 4.2L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30, 10W-40 (Above -18) 20W-40, 20W-50 (Above -1) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1988 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 4.5 quarts | 10W-30, 10W-40 (Above -18) 20W-40, 20W-50 (Above -1) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1988 | 4.2L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30, 10W-40 (Above -18) 20W-40, 20W-50 (Above -1) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1989 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30, 10W-40 (Above -18) 20W-40, 20W-50 (Above -1) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1989 | 4.2L AMC Straight-6 | 5.8/6 quarts | 10W-30, 10W-40 (Above -18) 20W-40, 20W-50 (Above -1) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1990 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1990 | 4.2L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1991 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 3.8 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1991 | 4.0 L AMC straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1992 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 3.8 litres | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1992 | 4.0 L AMC straight-6 | 5.7 litres | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1993 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1994 | 4.0 L AMC straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1994 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1994 | 4.0 L AMC straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1995 | 2.5L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1995 | 4.0 L AMC straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997-2006) Engine Oil Capacity And Type
Best Oil for Jeep Wrangler TJ
- Pennzoil Platinum Fully Synthetic Oil – Best 5W-30 Oil for Jeep Wrangler TJ
- Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic Oil – Best 10W-30 Oil for Jeep Wrangler TJ
| Year | Engine Options | Oil Capacity (with filter) | Oil Type (Viscosity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2.5 L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1997 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1998 | 2.5 L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1998 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1999 | 2.5 L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 1999 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 2000 | 2.5 L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 2000 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 2001 | 2.5 L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 2001 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 2002 | 2.5 L AMC Straight-4 | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 2002 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 16) |
| 2003 | 2.4 L PowerTech | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 0) |
| 2003 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 0) |
| 2004 | 2.4 L PowerTech | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 38) |
| 2004 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 0) |
| 2005 | 2.4 L PowerTech | 4 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 38) |
| 2005 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 0) |
| 2006 | 2.4 L PowerTech | 5 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 38) |
| 2006 | 4.0 L AMC Straight-6 | 6 quarts | 10W-30 (Above -18) 5W-30 (Below 0) |
Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2018) Engine Oil Capacity And Type
Best Oil for Jeep Wrangler JK
- Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Oil – Best 5W-20 Oil for Jeep Wrangler JK
- Pennzoil Platinum Fully Synthetic Oil – Best 5W-30 Oil for Jeep Wrangler JK
| Year | Engine Options | Oil Capacity (with filter) | Oil Type (Viscosity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3.8 L EGH | 6 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2008 | 3.8 L EGH | 6 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2009 | 3.8 L EGH | 6 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2010 | 3.8 L EGH | 6 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2011 | 3.8 L EGH | 6 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2012 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 5.9 quarts | 5W-30 (All TEMPS) |
| 2013 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 5.9 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2014 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 6 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2015 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 6 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2016 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 5.9 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2017 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 5.9 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2018 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 5.9 quarts | 5W-20 (All TEMPS) |
Jeep Wrangler JL (2019-2023) Engine Oil Capacity and Type
Best Oil for Jeep Wrangler JL
- Mobil 1 High-Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil – Best 0W-40 Oil for Jeep Wrangler JL
- Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic Oil – Best 5W-20 Oil for Jeep Wrangler JL
- Pennzoil Platinum Fully Synthetic Oil – Best 5W-30 Oil for Jeep Wrangler JL
- Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-40 A3/B4 – Best 5W-40 Oil for Jeep Wrangler JL
| Year | Engine Options | Oil Capacity (with filter) | Oil Type (Viscosity) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2.0 L Turbo | 5 quarts | 5W-30 (All TEMPS) |
| 2019 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 5 quarts | 0W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2020 | 2.0 L Turbo | 5 quarts | 5W-30 (All TEMPS) |
| 2020 | 3.6 L Pentastar | 5 quarts | 0W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2020 | 3.0 L Ecodiesel | 9 quarts | 5W-40 (All TEMPS) |
| 2021 | 2.0 L Turbo | 5 quarts | 5W-30 (All TEMPS) |
| 2021 | 3.6L Pentastar | 5 quarts | 0W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2021 | 3.0 L Ecodiesel | 9 quarts | 5W-40 (All TEMPS) |
| 2021 | 6.4 L | 6.7 quarts | 0W-40 (All TEMPS) |
| 2022 | 2.0 L Turbo | 5 quarts | 5W-30 (All TEMPS) |
| 2022 | 3.6L Pentastar | 5 quarts | 0W-20 (All TEMPS) |
| 2022 | 3.0 L Ecodiesel | 9 quarts | 5W-40 (All TEMPS) |
| 2022 | 6.4 L Hemi | 7.5 quarts | 0W-40 (All TEMPS) |
| 2023 | 2.0 L Turbo | 5 quarts | 5W-30 (All TEMPS) |
| 2023 | 3.6L Pentastar | 5 quarts | 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, 5W-40, 0W-40 (All TEMPS) |
| 2023 | 3.0 L Ecodiesel | 9 quarts | 5W-40 (All TEMPS) |
| 2023 | 6.4 L Hemi | 7.5 quarts | 0W-40 (All TEMPS) |
Understanding Engine Oil Type
Before you put new engine oil in the Jeep Wrangler, it’s important to know about their viscosity and the reason behind listing multiple engine oils for many single engines.
If you read the engine oil types, such as 5W-30 and 0W-40, you’ll realize that they consist of two parts: a number before the letter ‘W’ and a number after it.
The first number represents the oil’s viscosity at start-up temperature. A higher number means a higher viscosity, which results in that oil not being able to flow easily inside the engine.
As the engines need proper lubrication in the start-up period, you should always for low-viscosity oils, such as 0W-30, especially in cold weather conditions.
The second number represents the oil’s viscosity when the engine is working under normal/hot conditions.
Under these conditions, high-viscosity oils perform better, especially in older engines, as they’re more resistant to thinning.
Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil
The other thing you need to decide is whether you need synthetic or conventional engine oil.
Conventional oil is derived from refining crude oil, resulting in a simpler chemical composition and a lower cost compared to synthetic oil.
On the other hand, synthetic oil is produced from artificial base oils, resulting in a more uniform molecular structure and greater resistance to breakdown.
Moreover, it has several additives to enhance performance against engine wear, deposit formation, and sludge buildup.
The main downside of synthetic oil is the extra cost, but this can also be subjective since it doesn’t need oil changes as frequently as conventional oil.
Conclusion
Having the correct information about the compatible engine oil capacity and type for your vehicle is crucial.
Doing any of these things incorrectly can give you issues like premature engine wear, poor lubrication, and decreased fuel efficiency.
Fortunately, now you can use this blog post as a guiding reference for oil type/capacity regarding your Jeep Wrangler – regardless of its year and engine option.
On the other hand, if you’re more interested in specific engines, check out our blog post on Jeep 4.0L’s engine oil type and capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Oil Does a Jeep Wrangler 3.6L Take?
The type of oil a Jeep Wrangler 3.6L takes depends on the year of that model. For example, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L takes 5W-30 oil, while the 2013-18 models require 5W-20.
Can A Jeep Wrangler Use 5W-30?
While there are many Jeep Wrangler models that use 5W-30 oil, some older models with 4.0L engines work better with OW-30 or 0W-40 oil – especially in cold weather conditions. In short, it varies from model to model.
Can I Use Full Synthetic Oil in Jeep Wrangler?
Yes, you can use full synthetic oil in Jeep Wrangler vehicles. In fact, many of these models require 0W-30 or 0W-40 oils, which only come as synthetic.
Is 5W-30 Always Synthetic?
No, the 5W-30 is available as synthetic, conventional, and semi-synthetic oil.
How Much Oil Goes in a 3.6L Jeep Wrangler?
The 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L takes 5.9/6 quarts of engine oil, whereas the models after 2019 take 5 quarts.
