received a newly-designed 285-hp 3.6-liter V6 in 2012. When it comes to changing your oil, the engine oil capacity for a 2012 Jeep Wrangler is 6 quarts.

Many Wrangler owners like to think of themselves as independent do-it-yourselfers. But whether you want to change your oil yourself or have it professionally done, it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of what an oil change entails.

If you’re looking for information on a 2012 Jeep Wrangler’s oil capacity, you’ve landed on the right site.

Jerry

, the

super app

that saves drivers time and money on

car insurance

, has put together this brief guide to a 2012 Wrangler oil change to help you out.

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

2012 Jeep Wrangler engine oil capacity

In 2012, Jeep happily surprised Wrangler fans by upgrading its engine to a Pentastar 3.6-liter V6, which has proved to be a long-lasting and reliable engine.

The 3.6L V6 in your 2012 Wrangler has an oil capacity of 6 quarts, which means you need to purchase at least 6 quarts of the right motor oil if you’re going to change your oil yourself.

When buying motor oil, you may see oil sold in liters and not quarts. Keep in mind that a liter is slightly more than a quart.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Jeep Wrangler need?

The original 2012 Wrangler owner’s manual recommends that owners use 5W-30 synthetic oil that is American Petroleum Institute (API) certified, Standard MS-6395. However, some motor oil retailers—and Jeep discussion boards—report that 5W-20 synthetic oil is also acceptable.

In fact, by 2014, Jeep began recommending 5W-20, leaving some Wrangler owners scratching their heads.

What’s the difference between 5W-30 and 5W-20? Both are common engine oil types, but they do have a slight difference. Let’s break down each component of the oil rating:

W stands for winter. The number after the W refers to the oil’s viscosity rating in the cooler winter months. A 20-weight oil is thinner than a 30-weight oil. The lower the number, the better the oil may perform during winter months. This is because the thinner oil can more easily lubricate the engine parts in freezing temperatures.

You may want to consult with the mechanics at your local Jeep dealership for their recommendations. Even if you are changing the oil yourself, most dealerships are happy to give advice.

And when you change your oil, don’t forget to change your Wrangler’s oil filter also!

Important: The 2012 Wrangler takes a different oil filter than years 2014 on, so be sure that you select the correct old filter type for your 2012 Wrangler. Recommended brands include (but are not limited to) MOPAR and Fram.

MORE:

Jeep Wrangler towing capacity

How often to change the oil on a 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Let’s start with the basics. The rule of thumb for changing oil is every 3,000 to 5,000 miles with conventional oil and between 7,500-10,000 miles with synthetic oil. Never go more than 8,000-10,000 miles or more than 6 months without an oil change.

In fact, many Wrangler owners using the recommended synthetic oil change their oil every 5,000 miles just to be on the safe side, especially if their Jeep has 75,000+ miles.

Don’t wait for the

indicator light

. Your 2012 Jeep Wrangler came equipped with an engine oil change indicator, which will flash an “Oil Change Required” message. However, don’t wait until you see the flashing lights on your dashboard. Be proactive about changing your oil.

Check your oil and oil levels. Many Wrangler owners check their oil levels once or twice a month. Here are some things to look for:

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

Coarse or gritty feeling oil

A burning smell

Changes in your vehicle’s performance or

unfamiliar noises

MORE:

Jeep lug pattern guide

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you’ve decided to change the oil in your Wrangler yourself, begin by collecting the following: a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter. And, of course, don’t forget to buy a replacement filter and 6 quarts of API certified 5W-30 synthetic oil (or 5W-20 if your Jeep dealer recommends it).

Make sure that your Jeep is secured (parking brake on and wheel chocks behind wheels) and parked in a level area.

Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature (this may take about 5 minutes unless it’s really cold outside). This will help the old oil to flow more easily out into your drain pan.

Shut off the engine. Next, open the hood, and follow these steps:

Take off the oil fill cap.

Go underneath the Wrangler and place the drain pan underneath the oil drain bolt.

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer so that the old oil begins to drain into your drain pan.

While the oil is draining, remove the old

oil filter

Install the new filter.

Replace the oil drain bolt using a new washer. Tighten according to the recommended torque (likely 25 ft-lb).

Put in the new oil and don’t forget to replace the fill cap.

Using your dipstick, measure to make sure you have enough oil. Then, start your engine, checking for any leaks.

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.

Dispose of the old oil properly. You can take used motor oil to any retailer that sells oil, such as AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Jeeps are tough, reliable vehicles, which helps them

hold their value

. So if you treat your Wrangler well, chances are you’ll be well rewarded.

Scheduled maintenance

like oil changes will keep your 2012 Jeep Wrangler running smoothly and help prevent expensive problems in the future.

Similarly, schedule a bit of insurance maintenance when your car insurance policy is up for renewal (or even before). Comparison shopping across insurers can wind up saving you a lot of money.

The

Jerry

app makes the process of comparison shopping simple. As

a licensed insurance broker

and the world’s first super app for car owners, Jerry can search 50+ top insurers within seconds. The result? The average Jerry user winds up saving $800+ a year by comparing and switching!

Then, once you’ve selected a policy, you can count on Jerry to perform regular reviews, so you’ll always know you are getting the best deal on insurance for your 2012 Jeep Wrangler.

“I was looking for a liability insurance plan for my truck until I can afford more coverage.
Jerry
made it simple to shop around for the best deal for me. Thank you!” —Jake L.

RECOMMENDED