offers drivers a more affordable way to get off-road, but unless you keep the right amount of the right oil in the engine—4.5 quarts or 4.3 liters—it may end up off-road for repairs rather than fun.

Owning an older vehicle can come with added maintenance and repair expenses, but keeping up with oil levels and oil changes is one of the best ways to avoid unplanned-for maintenance costs and keep your car running in top form.

Whether you’ve lost your owner’s manual, or you just want a bit more information about how proper engine oil maintenance can extend your Patriot’s life,

Jerry

, the

super app

that saves drivers time and money on

car insurance

, has all the information you need to make your 2012 Jeep Patriot oil change a breeze.

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

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Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2012 Jeep Patriot engine oil capacity

If you want to know how to keep your oil at the right level, first, you need to know what your engine’s oil capacity is.

Whether your Jeep Patriot has a 2.0L or a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, your oil capacity is the same: 4.5 quarts or 4.3 liters.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Jeep Patriot need?

Using the right type of oil is equally as important as keeping proper oil levels. Luckily,

Jeep

recommends the same type of oil regardless of which engine your 2012 Patriot is equipped with: 5W-20 Engine Oil.

Since synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional, you may be tempted to opt for the more affordable option, but when the manufacturer recommends a particular oil type, that means the engine has been developed, tested, and certified using that oil type, so you should stick with it if you want to ensure a long life for your Patriot’s engine.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2012 Jeep Patriot

Knowing when to

change your oil

is just as important as knowing what type of oil to put in your vehicle and how much.

Jeep recommends you change your Patriot’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Since your Patriot is a bit on the older side, you might look for full synthetic with a “high mileage” rating, such as Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5W-20 Motor Oil, which includes additives suited to engines with more wear and tear than new cars.

As you’re driving between oil change intervals, be sure to check your engine oil levels regularly—at least once a month—and top off if you see your Patriot is running low.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

How to change your oil and filter

A great way to save money on vehicle maintenance is to do it yourself, and changing the oil on a 2012 Jeep Patriot is actually pretty easy. Before you get started, be sure to gather the following:

5 quarts of 5W-20 oil and replacement filter

A drain pan

A socket wrench

A filter wrench

A rag

When you change your oil, you’ll want to ensure your engine is warm. If you’ve been out driving, let it cool just to a temperature that allows you to handle things without burning yourself. If the car has been sitting, let it run for about 5 minutes to warm up.

Once your car is warm, it’s time to get to work:

Remove the oil fill cap

Get underneath the engine and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, draining the old oil into the drain pan

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

Install the new filter

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft

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

When you’re finished with your oil change, clean up the used oil by pouring it into a plastic or metal container with a tightly-sealed lid and taking it to a recycling center. If you’re not sure where to take your used oil, head to

Earth 911

to search local recycling centers.

DO NOT dump the oil on the ground or put it in the garbage. This is terrible for the environment and illegal in most states.

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.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Knowing how much and what type of oil your car needs as well as when to change it doesn’t have to be confusing. Neither does knowing how much and what type of coverage your car needs or when it needs some maintenance of its own—at least not when you use

Jerry

When you use Jerry to shop for insurance, our team of

licensed insurance brokers

doesn’t just find you the best rates that could save you over $800 a year on car insurance now, they keep doing it, so you’ll never pay more for insurance than you have to.

That’s right, with Jerry, you get a broker for life that not only shops rates from over 55 top providers to find you the best affordable coverage when you first sign up but they do it every time your policy comes up for renewal to make sure you always have the best coverage at the best price—no need to set a reminder or call your agent, we do it automatically!

“I just had to buy a new car, and I needed quick help to get insurance before I could get my plates. Because I work so many hours,
Jerry
was the ideal choice for getting things done without long phone calls and waiting periods.” —Rosa G.

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