The Patriot is a rugged compact crossover and capable off-roading machine, more comfortable cutting through brush than mere pavement. You’ll need more than just a good

car insurance

policy to embark on an adventure in your Patriot, though; you’ll also need to keep up on your Patriot’s maintenance—like regular oil changes—to get the best performance.

Any vehicle that takes you over all sorts of terrain needs to be in peak operating condition. Keeping a Jeep Patriot in tip-top shape won’t come cheap, but you can cut out some extra

Jeep oil change costs

with your own two hands. Doing this routine maintenance yourself can help lower your overall SUV costs and keep your Jeep humming toward its next adventure.

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How to save on Jeep Patriot car insurance costs

2014 Jeep Patriot engine oil capacity

To function properly, the 2014 Jeep Patriot needs 4.5 quarts (or 4.26 liters) of motor oil.

One thing to keep in mind though—your 2014 Patriot’s engine oil capacity is different from its engine displacement. This latter term refers to the Patriot’s 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter volume that its cylinders take up (depending on the engine).

What kind of oil does a 2014 Jeep Patriot need?

You can’t add any old motor oil lying around your garage when you

change the oil and filter

in your 2014 Jeep Patriot. Follow your owner’s manual and add MOPAR® SAE 5W-20 or equivalent Pennzoil® or Shell Helix® motor oil only that is API Certified (there will be an API Certified sticker on the bottle).

If you’re wondering what the numbers and letters mean, we’ll explain—the numbers refer to the oil’s thickness (or viscosity), and the W stands for winter. The 5 refers to this oil’s low thickness at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The 20 refers to this oil’s ability to stay relatively thin at the ultra-high temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. SAE just refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the body that codes motor oils.

The above-mentioned recommended oils will all work well at low temperatures. Their low viscosity (or thickness) means these oils will inflict less wear and tear on your Patriot’s engine.

The 2014 Jeep Liberty manual says you can use synthetic motor oil over conventional oil, but it should meet the same quality recommendations.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change the oil on a 2014 Jeep Patriot

With knowledge of the Jeep Patriot’s oil capacity and type seared onto your brain, you’re now able to change your oil!

Jeep recommends changing the Patriot’s oil as part of your

basic car maintenance schedule

every 10,000 miles or every twelve months, whichever comes first. If you don’t drive much, the latter benchmark will likely be more realistic as to when to change your 2014 Patriot’s oil. Jeep recommends staying on the same oil change timeline if you use either conventional or synthetic oil.

Still, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of regularly checking your oil (i.e. once a month, every second refill), to ensure you know when it needs to be changed. Keep an eye out for these indicators that an oil change should be top of your agenda:

Motor oil color is dark brown or black (clean oil will be amber, honey, or light brown)

Motor oil is gritty or coarse to the touch

You hear unfamiliar noises coming from your engine while driving

As you drive you can smell smoke, oil, or burning

You notice a decrease in your Jeep’s performance

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Jeep tune up cost

How to change your oil and oil filter

oil change shouldn’t take too long

to finish and it’s probably easier than you think—you’ll just need a bit of know-how, some elbow grease, and the following tools:

A socket wrench

A drain pan

A wrench

A filter wrench.

The filter wrench is designed to remove your oil filter. Of course, you’ll also need a bottle of MOPAR® SAE 5W-20 or equivalent Pennzoil® or Shell Helix® motor oil.

First, you’ll want to run the engine for about five minutes, or roughly the amount of time it will take the Patriot to reach its normal operating temperature. Once the engine gets to that temperature, turn odd, pop the hood, and follow these steps to change your 2014 Jeep Patriot’s oil & filter:

Unscrew and remove the oil fill cap

Slide underneath the engine and remove the oil drain and washer—use the drain pan to catch the old oil

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

Install the new filter

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

With your new motor oil, refill the engine, and replace the fill cap

Next, you’ll want to turn the Patriot’s engine on for about 30 seconds, or about the amount of time it will take for the new filter to fill up. Using the dipstick, make sure there is enough oil in the engine. If not, you can top it up.

Run your Patriot for a few minutes to ensure there are no engine leaks. If everything has gone smoothly and there are no leaks, your

oil pressure light

on the dashboard should be off.

For cleanup—don’t toss the old oil into the garbage or pour it onto the ground! Instead, pour the old oil into a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center so it can be properly disposed of.

The bottom line

So long as your 2014 Jeep Patriot’s engine oil is properly maintained and changed regularly, you’ll have no trouble laying waste to all the off-road terrain your heart desires. Remember to use only the motor oils recommended in the Jeep Patriot owner’s manual. If you’re changing the oil yourself, follow the instructions laid out above and remember to dispose of the old motor oil properly.

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