Whether your Jeep Cherokee is your everyday commuter vehicle or your beloved adventure companion, it needs proper maintenance to perform to your expectations. This means changing your oil regularly.

Don’t know how to give your Cherokee the attention it needs? We got you covered. Follow along as we break down the 2014 Jeep Cherokee’s engine oil capacity, what oil to use, and even how you can save money at the mechanic by changing your oil!

MORE:

2019 Jeep Cherokee engine oil capacity

2014 Jeep Cherokee engine oil capacity

The engine oil capacity for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee depends on your powertrain.

If you stick with the standard 2.4L four-cylinder engine, you’ll need 5.5 quarts. But if you upgrade to the 3.2L V6 engine, you’ll need to bump your engine oil capacity up to 5.9 quarts.

And to be clear, engine displacement (the number in front of the engine type) is different than oil capacity. Engine displacement refers to the total volume of the cylinders in the engine, while engine oil capacity is the amount of oil required for each oil change.

What kind of oil does a 2014 Jeep Cherokee need?

The

owner’s manual

for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee recommends using 0W-20 engine oil for the 2.4L four-cylinder and 5W-20 engine oil for the 3.2L V6.

Now, what the heck do those numbers and letters mean? They indicate your oil’s viscosity, which defines its thinness or thickness. The front number stands for viscosity rating when the oil is 0°F, and the second at 212°F. The “W” stands for winter, indicating that the oil will perform well in cold weather conditions.

For reference, both of these oils remain thin at a wide range of temperatures—which is a good thing! Low-viscosity oil tends to cause less wear and tear on your engine, helping keep your Cherokee in tip-top condition!

What about synthetic motor oil? Jeep’s manual states that you are more than welcome to use synthetic oil as long as it meets the same viscosity ratings and the recommended quality requirements.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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 often to change the oil on a 2014 Jeep Cherokee

Oil is the essential lubrication your vehicle needs for the engine's moving parts to function correctly. If your oil drops below the recommended capacity or gets too old/dirty, your 2014 Jeep Cherokee could experience decreased fuel efficiency or even risk complete engine failure.

So if you want your Cherokee’s adventures to continue, following a strict

oil change

schedule is essential. Jeep recommends changing your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you use conventional oil or every 7,500 to 10,00 miles with synthetic oil. These are relatively large ranges, so it’s a good idea to check your oil once a month to stay on top of things.

However, you’ll want to ditch your schedule altogether if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Strange smells, smoke, odd noises, or performance deviations can all indicate that it may be time for an oil change.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

How to change your oil and oil filter

Depending on how quickly you hit the mileage markers we just discussed, you may have to change your oil anywhere from one to three times per year (or more if you drive a lot). Going to the mechanic every time is certainly more convenient, but it will undoubtedly leave quite a dent in your budget.

Luckily, it doesn’t take a technical degree to learn how to change your oil right in your garage. It may take a couple of tries to master, but learning this reusable skill can save you $25 to $75 per oil change. So follow along as we explain the easy step-by-step instructions for changing your 2014 Jeep Cherokee’s oil and oil filter:

Gather materials: A socket wrench, drain pan, filter wrench, replacement filter, and Jeep’s recommended oil for your engine.

Prepare the car: Turn on the engine and let the vehicle run until it reaches operating temperature. Then, turn off the engine and prop open the hood.

Changing the oil: Follow these instructions.

Remove the oil fill cap.

You’ll want to remove the oil drain bolt and washer from underneath the engine, which will drain the old oil into a pan below.

Remove the old oil filter and let the oil drain until the drip stops.

Install the new oil filter.

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

Refill the engine with your oil of choice and replace the fill cap.

Testing and disposal: The final touches!

Run the vehicle’s engine for a minute or two and observe for any leaks.

Use your dipstick to ensure you’ve added enough oil to the engine.

Go to your local recycling center to dispose of the old oil.

MORE: