Known for their powerful engines, off-road durability, and reputation for customization, Wranglers are one of the most iconic Jeep makes on the market. But they’re also known for costly maintenance problems.

One easy way to skirt unnecessary mechanic bills is to change your car’s engine oil at home. Whether you’re new to doing so, lost your manual, or are just interested in getting to know your Wrangler a little better,

car insurance

super app

Jerry

is here with all the specs on your 2013 Jeep Wrangler’s engine oil capacity. Read on for tips and tricks on changing your oil, plus

saving money

on your insurance.

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

2013 Jeep Wrangler engine oil capacity

What, exactly, is the engine oil capacity of a 2013 Jeep Wrangler?

The answer is 5.9 quarts.

That’s about 5.5 metric liters, or 1.5 gallons. To keep your Wrangler running like new, you’ll want to use that much—but make sure you don’t confuse your oil tank capacity with the engine displacement. The 3.6 liters of space your engine takes up under the hood is not the same as the amount of oil it can hold.

What kind of oil does a 2013 Jeep Wrangler need?

So, you need 5.9 quarts of oil to power your Wrangler—but don’t just run out and grab the first bottle you see. Believe it or not, not all engine oils are made the same, and the kind you use could make or break your car’s performance. Luckily, knowing the kind you need is as easy as checking your manufacturer’s recommendation.

For a 2013 Jeep Wrangler, that’s SAE 5W-20 synthetic motor oil.

What does that mean? The letters and numbers in the oil grade tell us a couple of things about the oil’s performance: we can tell that a 5W-20, for example, is a thinner oil based on the number 5, and the “W” standing for winter lets us know it’ll flow easily even in below-freezing temperatures. The 20 at the end indicates it’ll also perform well in blazing summertime temps, too—up to 212°F.

Basically, your 5W-20 motor oil is a low-viscosity, low-friction oil that will work well under cold weather conditions, without causing unnecessary wear and tear on your engine. A synthetic oil (like the kind Jeep recommends) simply means it includes artificial compounds that increase the durability of the oil.

Knowing your manufacturer’s recommendation is important—but that doesn’t mean you have to follow it. If you’re looking for high-quality alternatives, here’s what we’d recommend:

The genuine article:

SAE 5W-20 synthetic motor oil

High-quality alternative:

Valvoline 5W-30

For high-mileage engines:

Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil

MORE:

Jeep Wrangler Sport towing capacity

How often to change the oil on a 2013 Jeep Wrangler

As a rule of thumb, you should change the oil in your 2013 Jeep Wrangler every 3,000 to 5,000 miles—and if you’re not already incorporating oil level checks into your car’s

regular maintenance routine

, doing so is a great way to stay on top of your engine oil between changes.

Of course, when it comes to changing the oil, your car has a few ways of letting you know if you’re not doing it enough. Aside from the oil pressure or check engine light suddenly appearing on your dashboard, here are some other symptoms to watch out for:

Loud

or unfamiliar engine noise

Unusual odors, particularly oil, smoke, or burning smells

Dark or gritty motor oil (as opposed to smooth amber-colored oil)

Changes in the overall performance of your vehicle

MORE:

Jeep resale value

How to change your oil and oil filter

Think your 2013 Jeep Wrangler could use an oil change? Now that you know the kind and amount of oil to use, you’re ready to get started!

It’s best to let your car run for about five minutes before you attempt an oil change, since warm oil will drain more quickly. While you’ve got it idling, gather the following materials:

Socket wrench (13mm)

Oil drain pan

New oil filter and filter wrench

Five quarts of SAE 5W-20 synthetic motor oil

Funnel and some old rags (optional)

Once you’ve got everything on hand, shut off your engine, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Locate and remove the oil fill cap

Get under your car and locate the oil drain bolt, then set your drain pan underneath

Use your 13mm socket wrench to loosen and remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Once you do, the old oil will begin flowing immediately—let it drain completely (and avoid getting splashed!)

Remove the old oil filter and install the new one using your filter wrench

Replace the oil drain bolt (and make sure to use a new washer!)

Use your funnel (if you have it) to pour 5.9 quarts of fresh oil into your oil tank

Make sure to clean up any other parts the oil may have spilled on while you worked, then double-check the oil level using your dipstick. Once you’re done, start your car again and let it run for a couple of minutes, watching for any drips or leaks.

You’re almost done! Last but not least, make sure you’re properly disposing of your old engine oil by pouring what’s left in the drain pan into a bag or sealed container and taking it to a

local recycling center

. You should never dump old engine oil on the ground or throw it in the garbage!

How to find the best car insurance for your 2013 Jeep Wrangler

Now that you’re ready to save money on car maintenance, why not go the extra mile with savings on your

car insurance

? With

Jerry

—the first-ever

super app

for car owners—you can find a policy that’s customized to you in under a minute. Just download the app, enter your basic insurance information, and set your insurance to autopilot!

As a licensed broker and the no. #1 rated insurance app, Jerry can find you competitive quotes from the top name-brand providers in under a minute. Compare rates, manage your policy, and even swap plans, all from the convenience of your phone. Jerry will contact your insurer to gather the details of your current plan, help you purchase new insurance, and even take care of all that pesky paperwork.

Basically, it’s all of the savings with none of the hassles.

“I can’t thank the
Jerry
app enough! They saved me $160 a month, and I didn’t even have to talk over the phone. They took care of everything through text.” —Travis Y., Jerry user.