Visits to the mechanic can be pricey. From the cost of labor to extra services you’re told your car “needs,” the bill may be more than you anticipated. That’s why it’s nice to save money where you can—like on oil changes!

If you’re looking to service your 2012 Chrysler 200’s engine oil yourself, you’ll need to know its oil capacity, recommended oil type, and the steps to get the job done. Let’s get into it!

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2012 Chrysler 200 engine oil capacity

The 2012 Chrysler 200 comes in four trims with two different engines and oil capacities. The first three trims—the

Touring

, and

Limited

—all have a 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engine and an oil capacity of 4.5 quarts. The S trim comes with a bigger 3.6-liter V6 engine and, therefore, a larger oil capacity of 6 quarts.

Let’s make sense of the numbers! The liter measurement attached to each type of engine refers to engine displacement—or the total volume taken up by the engine’s cylinders. It’s also a rough indicator of how powerful the engine is, so a higher volume will typically equate to more horsepower.

The oil capacity, which is measured in quarts, lubricates the engine and is the magic number you need for oil changes. Easy, right?

What kind of oil does a 2012 Chrysler 200 need?

Now that you know how much oil your

Chrysler

needs, it’s time to pick up a bottle (or several)—but not just any ol’ bottle!

Each engine will require different oils. If you’re driving a Chrysler 200 with a 2.4-liter engine, you’ll need SAE 5W-20 engine oil. If you’ve got the mightier 3.6-liter V6, SAE 5W-30 engine oil is what you’re looking for. You may use either conventional or synthetic oil as long as you meet the above specifications.

But what does the jumble of letters and numbers even mean? No worries, you can decipher engine oil like an expert with this cheat sheet:

SAE: This is the acronym for the Society of Automotive Engineers, which is the organization that grades engine oil.

W: This stands for “winter.” The numbers to the left of the W pertain to the oil’s cold weather viscosity rating.

The first single-digit number: This is the cold weather viscosity rating. In our case, it’s the “5” preceding the “W.” Zero is the lowest and thinnest viscosity rating, while 20 is the highest, which means a rating of 5 is thin.

The final double-digit number: This is the viscosity rating when the engine is in operation. In our case, they are “20” and “30,” which are moderate ratings.

For the best results, Chrysler recommends oil that is American Petroleum Institute (API) certified and meets the Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.

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How often to change the oil in a 2012 Chrysler 200

You should perform an oil change on your 2012 Chrysler 200 every 3,500 to 5,000 miles if you’re using conventional oil and every 7,500 to 8,000 miles for synthetic oil. It is crucial that you do not go without an oil change beyond 8,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Too long of a gap between oil changes may lead to engine damage.

Fortunately, your vehicle will notify you when your engine oil is running low via the instrument cluster. This message may be displayed as “Oil Change Required” or “Change Oil” and can appear as early as 3,500 miles. When you receive this notification, make sure to have your oil changed within the next 500 miles.

When it comes to checking your engine oil, the following signs mean you need an oil change:

Gritty, coarse, or grainy consistency

Unfamiliar smells, including burning or smoky oil smell

Dark brown, soda-colored oil (clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea)

An abnormally noisy engine

Underperforming vehicle

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How to change your oil and oil filter

The time has finally come—it’s time to change your oil and oil filter! Like any project, having the right materials before you start is the key. Here are the tools you need to perform an oil change on your 2012 Chrysler 200:

Socket wrench

Oil filter wrench

Drain pan

Replacement filter

13-mm drain plug gasket

5 or 6 quarts of SAE 5W-20 or SAE 5W-30 oil, depending on your engine size

Dipstick

Now we can start! Turn on your vehicle and allow the engine to run for 5 minutes. Warming up the engine allows the oil to flow out much more easily. After your engine is warmed up, turn your car off, pop the hood open, and follow these steps:

Get under your vehicle, position your drain pan, and twist open the drain plug. Allow the old oil to drain completely.

Using an oil filter wrench, loosen the old oil filter until the oil starts draining out.

When the oil has emptied, completely remove the old oil filter and pour out the remaining oil inside the filter onto the drain pan.

Return to the drain, replace the plug with the new gasket, and tighten it.

Install your new oil filter and tighten it.

Go to the hood and pour in 4.5 or 6 quarts of new oil, depending on your engine size.

Check oil levels with the dipstick to ensure you have put enough and you’re done!

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