The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has a lot to like: a comfortable interior, smooth handling, and a solid fuel economy. But to keep your Pacifica operating at its best, it might help to know its engine oil capacity.

Keeping up with routine maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to extend your Chrysler’s lifespan. And to save a little extra time and money, some car owners opt to do their own oil changes at home—in which case it’s necessary to know your vehicle’s required oil type and capacity.

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2018 Chrysler Pacifica engine oil capacity

Too much or too little engine oil can harm a vehicle’s engine, which is why it’s important to know its engine oil capacity.

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica’s 3.6-liter engine has an oil capacity of 5 quarts, or 4.7 liters.

It might be easy to notice the “3.6 liters” on your engine and assume this is your oil capacity, but it’s not. This number actually refers to your

engine’s displacement

, which is the collective volume of your engine’s cylinders. If you mistake your displacement for your oil capacity, you could end up being short on engine oil when you’re ready to change it.

What kind of oil does a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica need?

Knowing what kind it needs is just as important as having enough engine oil on hand for your Pacifica. After all, the wrong engine oil type could end up causing severe damage to the engine.

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica’s 3.6-liter engine requires SAE 0W-20 engine oil. The “0” here refers to the oil’s viscosity (thickness) at colder temperatures before you’ve started your vehicle, while the “20” refers to its thickness once the engine has reached normal operating temperatures. The correct viscosity grade ensures the engine oil can circulate through the system as it needs to.

You can use synthetic oil over conventional oil, too. These are usually the ideal option, as long as it meets the required specifications. Most importantly, it must have the correct viscosity grade and an API certification seal to confirm quality standards.

As you explore your options, here are a few engine oil varieties worth looking into:

Chrysler’s recommendation: In your owner’s manual, you’ll find that Chrysler’s top brand recommendations for your 2018 Chrysler Pacifica’s engine oil are

Mopar

Pennzoil

, and

Shell Helix

For high-mileage vehicles:

Mobil 1 High Mileage 0W-20

A synthetic option:

Pennzoil Platinum Engine Oil Full Synthetic 0W-20

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How often to change oil on a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

It’s great to know your Pacifica’s engine oil capacity and required oil type, but knowing when you should actually change it is a whole other thing.

Generally speaking, it’s recommended that vehicles using conventional oil get oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while synthetic engine oils can extend that range to 7,500 to 10,000 miles. You can use these to build a

car maintenance schedule

, or use your Pacifica’s engine oil change indicator light. If you’re a more infrequent driver, you’ll still generally want to have your oil changed at least every six months.

However, if you frequently drive on dusty dirt roads or spend a lot of time idling in traffic, these are factors that could require you to change your oil sooner than you’d otherwise have to. Under severe driving conditions, Chrysler recommends changing your Pacifica’s oil about every 4,000 miles.

Since when you’ll need an oil change can vary widely, it’s important to monitor your engine oil periodically. Its a good practice to check your oil once a month, or whenever you’re refueling.

If it’s time for your Pacifica to get an oil change, here are some signs you might notice:

Motor oil is dark brown or black (as opposed to a light brown)

Oil has a gritty or grainy texture, which could indicate debris buildup

Strange new engine sounds

Smells like oil or burning coming from the engine

Worsened engine performance

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Chrysler common problems

How to change your oil and oil filter

The time has come: your Pacifica’s finally ready for an

oil and filter change

. But first, you’ll have to gather your supplies, some of which will probably include:

A socket wrench

Oil filter wrench

Funnel

Drain pan

New oil filter

New washer for drain bolt

Fresh 0W-20 engine oil

Towel(s) for cleanup

Gloves

Once you have everything you need, you can begin by letting your Pacifica’s engine run for a few minutes, which will heat the engine oil and make it easier to drain. Then, you can shut it off,

open the hood of your car

, and proceed:

Remove the oil fill cap

Underneath the vehicle, remove the oil drain bolt and washer and allow the old engine oil to empty into the drain pan

Remove the old oil filter and replace it with the new one

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer

Add fresh engine oil to the proper fill level

Once you’ve made it this far, be sure to check around for any leaks. It’s also a good idea to let your engine run again for a few minutes. Then, once it’s cooled off again, you can check your engine oil level one last time to ensure it’s still where it should be, topping it off if you need to.

Finally, remember to dispose of your old engine oil properly! Since it’s a hazardous material, you can’t just dump it in your yard or throw it away with your regular trash. Many cities have locations for recycling used engine oil, and certain auto shops and car dealerships accept it, too.

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Remember regular insurance policy maintenance

That’s all there is to it!

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