The Liberty is a compact, bush-whacking SUV that’s comfortable tackling the city streets and even better suited for rampaging through all sorts of difficult terrain. But you’ll need more than just a good

car insurance

policy to keep your 2012 Liberty in peak off-roading condition—you’ll also need to stay on top of your car’s maintenance!

Rugged off-roaders come with certain costs, but you can avoid extra

Jeep oil change costs

by performing your oil change at home. All you need to know is your 2012 Jeep Liberty engine oil capacity and the oil type needed. Keep reading for this information and more to change your Jeep’s oil at home!

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2012 Jeep Liberty engine oil capacity

A 2012 Jeep Liberty engine requires 5 quarts (or 4.7 liters) of oil to properly function.

Don’t confuse your Liberty’s engine oil capacity and its engine displacement—these are two different things. Your engine displacement refers to the 3.7 liters the Liberty’s cylinders take up, not how much oil the engine requires (which is 5 quarts).

What kind of oil does a 2012 Jeep Liberty need?

You can’t just add any old engine oil to your Jeep Liberty! The 2012 Jeep Liberty requires SAE 5W-20 motor oil that is API Certified (there will be an API Certified sticker on the bottle). This is the oil the Liberty owner’s manual suggests using, and it's important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Now we’ll explain what those numbers and terms mean. The oil grade’s numbers refer to how thick the oil is (its viscosity) and the W stands for winter. The number 5 means the oil has a low thickness at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, while the 20 means it stays decently thin at the ultra-hot temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. SAE refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, which is the organization that codes motor oil.

The recommended oil works well in very cold temperatures, and its low viscosity means the wear and tear on your engine will be minimal.

Jeep’s manual says you can use synthetic oil over conventional oil in your 2012 Jeep Liberty, but it must meet the same requirements as the recommended oil.

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How often to change the oil on a 2012 Jeep Liberty

Considering you know your Jeep Liberty’s oil capacity and type, it’s time to get your hands dirty and

change your oil

According to Jeep, you should change your oil every 8,000 miles, or every six months when using conventional oil. If you don’t drive a ton, six months might be a better benchmark as to when you swap out your oil. Jeep recommends the same oil change time frame when using synthetic oil, so make sure you stay on top of your oil whether using conventional or synthetic oil.

That said, you should get into the habit of checking your oil regularly as part of your

basic car maintenance schedule

. Check your oil level about once a month, or every other fill-up. Look for these signs to inform your decision about whether your Jeep needs its oil changed:

Motor oil that needs changing is usually dark brown or black (clean oil resembles honey or amber, or light brown color)

Oil in need of a change will feel gritty or coarse

Unfamiliar engine noises can tip you off that an oil change is needed

If you smell oil, smoke, or burning while driving

Decrease in your Jeep’s performance

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How to change your oil and oil filter

When it's oil change time, you’ll need to make sure you have the right materials to get the job done correctly. Gather a socket, drain pan, wrench, and filter wrench (which is designed to remove your oil filter). Don’t forget to buy a replacement filter and a bottle of SAE 5W-20 API Certified motor oil.

First, you’ll want to run your engine for a few minutes until it reaches its normal operating temperature. This shouldn’t take more than five minutes in normal weather. Once the engine has reached normal operating temperature, turn it off, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Remove the Jeep’s oil fill cap

Slide underneath the engine and remove the Jeep’s oil drain and washer—drain the old oil into the drain pan

Remove the old filter and let the old oil continue to drain into the drain pan

Install your new filter

With a new washer, replace the oil drain bolt, and tighten it to 29 pound-feet

Refill the engine with your new oil, and replace the fill cap

Run your Jeep for a few minutes to ensure there are no oil leaks. If everything has gone to plan, your Jeep’s engine

oil pressure light

should be off.

The last step is the most fun step (kidding)—clean up! Place dirty oil in a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center—don’t dump it in the trash or onto the ground.

The bottom line

Making sure you have the right engine oil for your 2012 Jeep Liberty is like making sure you’re feeding your child the nutrients they need—you wouldn’t want to misfeed your child, would you?

We didn’t think so! Stick to the motor oil as recommended by your Jeep Liberty’s owner’s manual, check your oil regularly to make sure it's as delicious-looking as honey (please don’t lick it though, that’s not safe), and get your oil changed as per Jeep’s recommendation. If you change your oil and filter yourself, follow the instructions above to ensure peak Jeep performance!