The 2009 Jeep Wrangler has an engine oil capacity of 6 quarts—but to change the oil properly, you’ll need to know what kind to use and what steps to take. That’s where Jerry comes in.

Jeep owners know that performing simple oil changes at home can save you a ton of time and money on your car’s maintenance. But not all Jeep engines are the same, especially when it comes to Jeep Wranglers, so how do you know if you’re doing what’s best for yours?

One way is by checking your owner’s manual—but if you can’t find yours, or you’re just looking for some extra information on your 2009 Jeep Wrangler’s engine oil capacity, you’ve come to the right place.

Jerry

, the super app that saves drivers time and money on

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shopping, is here with all the information you need to make changing your Wrangler’s engine oil easier than ever. Plus we've got some tips that could help lower your

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2009 Jeep Wrangler engine oil capacity

The burning question remains: just how much oil does a 2009 Jeep Wrangler need?

The answer is 6 quarts or 5.7 liters. Be sure not to confuse your engine oil capacity with your engine’s displacement—the 3.8 liters of space your engine takes up underneath the hood isn’t the same as how much oil it actually takes, so you should never assume those numbers are interchangeable!

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

What kind of oil does a 2009 Jeep Wrangler need?

So you need 6 quarts of engine oil for your Jeep Wrangler—but what kind should you buy? Believe it or not, not all engines are made the same, and neither are engine oils. If you’re looking to follow the manufacturer's recommendation to the letter, you’ll want 6 quarts of SAE 5W-20 synthetic motor oil.

What, exactly, do those numbers mean? Well, the numbers in your Jeep’s oil grade represent the oil’s viscosity—i.e. how thick it is—under cold weather and normal operating temperatures, while the “W” stands for “winter.” The first number in your oil grade represents oil viscosity from a cold start, while the second denotes its viscosity at your engine’s typical operating temp.

In other words, an SAE 5W-20 motor oil will perform well under cold weather conditions, without causing added wear and tear to your vehicle. And what about the “synthetic” part? Synthetic simply means that the oil has been enhanced with additives that improve its overall longevity and performance.

MORE:

How to remove grease and oil from a car interior

How often to change the oil on a 2009 Jeep Wrangler

You know your engine oil capacity, you’ve got the right oil—all that’s left to do is change it! But before you get ahead of yourself, make sure your Wrangler actually needs an oil change. You may be asking yourself: how do I tell?

As a general rule of thumb, you should change your Jeep Wrangler’s engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or so. If it’s a car you’re using less often, once every six months may be a better benchmark for oil maintenance.

However, since Jeep recommends using fully synthetic engine oil in your 2009 Wrangler, you may be able to last even longer between oil changes! Synthetic oils are boosted with additives that improve their performance—and also help it last longer with less wear and tear on your engine. For synthetic oils, you’ll only have to change them once every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

Of course, those are pretty big ranges—so checking your Jeep’s oil levels on the regular can help you get a better feel for when (and how often) your engine oil needs to be changed. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms that it’s time to change your oil:

Unfamiliar engine noise

Unusual odors, such as oil, smoke, or burning smells

A change in oil color from dark brown to black (as opposed to its normal amber color)

Oil that looks or feels coarse or gritty

Changes in your vehicle’s performance

MORE:

How to test an oil pump

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you’re an expert on engine oil for your Jeep Wrangler, it’s time to tackle the actual task itself: changing your engine oil. Before you get started, make sure you have the following

car tools and supplies

on hand: a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, and a new oil filter. If you want to go the extra mile, a funnel and some old rags can help with pouring and cleaning, and make your garage feel like a real repair shop!

It helps to start things off by running the engine first. We’d recommend running it for about 5 minutes or so until it’s reached normal operating temperature. Warming up your car’s engine also warms up the oil, which makes draining and replacing it a lot easier.

Once your Jeep’s warmed up, shut the engine back off, open the hood, and follow these next steps:

Remove your oil fill cap

Get underneath the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer using your socket wrench

Let the old engine oil empty into your drain pan (this may take several minutes)

Remove the old oil filter using your filter wrench

Install the new oil filter

Replace the oil drain bolt and use a new washer

Refill the engine oil tank with 6 quarts of SAE 5W-20 (this is where a funnel comes in handy!)

Replace the oil fill cap

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully changed the oil in your 2009 Jeep Wrangler. Once you’ve finished, you’re not entirely done—make sure to check the oil level using your dipstick, and run your car for a few minutes afterward to ensure there aren’t any leaks. You’ll know you’ve done things right if

your car's oil pressure light

on your dashboard has turned off.

Last but not least: clean up! Never dump dirty engine oil on your lawn or throw it in the garbage! Instead, dispose of it in a sealed bag or container, then bring it to a recycling center for proper disposal.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Changing your car’s engine oil is only one piece to holistic car maintenance—and another piece is having a reliable

Jeep Wrangler car insurance

policy!

If you’re looking for coverage that’s customized to you, let

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