How to Change the Oil on a Jeep Grand Cherokee XJ and ZJ 1992 - 1996 Models

Changing one's own oil is an excellent way to save money. A company may charge $25 - $35 to change your oil, even though they are getting discounted rates on filters and motor oil due to the amount they purchase. The total cost of changing your own oil depends on the filter and oil you choose to purchase, as well as how efficiently you can perform the tune-up. An oil change is simple, and should only take about 20 minutes to change. Five-quarts of motor oil can be purchase for $10, while a good filter will run $6 - $8.

If you want to change the oil and filter in your Jeep Grand Cherokee, read on to find out how.

Step 1

Turn off the car and allow it to cool down. Do not attempt to change the oil when the car has been running, because the oil will be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the car to cool for a minimum of one hour (depending on the temperature of your garage or outside).

Step 2

Prepare five quarts of new motor oil, a funnel, the new oil filter, an empty dish to collect the used motor oil, an oil filter wrench, and the manual for your Grand Cherokee. You should also have some water-less soap, paper towels, or old (but clean) rags available for cleanup.

Step 3

Open the hood, then remove the oil cap (it is located on the left side of the engine). Crawl under the car (put it on ramps if you can't fit, though the Jeep sits fairly high off the ground), and use a ½" wrench to remove the nut from the oil pan. Allow the used oil to run into the empty dish, bucket, or pan until nothing else comes out.

Step 4

Use a step stool (depending on height) to reach the oil filter. In the Grand Cherokee, the filter is located on the left side of the engine, and is fairly easy to get to; it is easier to access the filter from above, but some people prefer to remove it while they're under the car. Be careful not to spill any oil out of the filter onto the car components, especially the belts, as it could cause them to slip and burn out.

Step 5

The used oil should be completely drained from the Jeep by now. If it is, remove the oil dish from under the Cherokee and put it to the side. Replace the bolt in the oil pan (don't over tighten!).

Step 6

Open the bottle of new motor oil and rub a little on the gasket (O-Ring) on the new filter to ensure that it seals properly. Hand screw the filter into place, then use the oil wrench to tighten it. Do not cross-thread the filter, or it will leak.

Step 7

Place a funnel into the oil spout under the hood and pour in new oil. Do not overfill the tank (five quarts is generally adequate, but depends on engine size). Check the levels with the dipstick and add more if necessary. If you overfill, remove the bolt from the oil pan and drain a little. When the levels are correct, start the car and let it run for a little while, monitoring for any leaks from the pan or filter.