When it comes to three-row crossovers, the 2019 Dodge Journey is a simple and practical option—and above all, it's affordable. To keep those car ownership costs low, you can perform your regular oil changes at home. But first, you’ll need to know your engine oil capacity.
Regular oil changes are an essential part of car maintenance, and they're necessary if you want to keep your engine running as long as possible. Of course, you can spend the money to have a professional do it at an auto shop. But if you want to cut costs, an oil change is a relatively simple DIY job, as long as you know the correct oil type and capacity for your car.
You can find everything you need to know in your owner’s manual, but if you want some extra tips, read on to check out Jerry
’s handy guide. Jerry is a trustworthy super app that saves drivers time and money when car insurance
shopping. Today, we’ll tell you how to make oil changes a breeze, and then offer tips for securing affordable Dodge Journey insurance
. 2019 Dodge Journey engine oil capacity
First things first: how much oil does your 2019 Dodge Journey need?
Two engines are available: a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6. The 2.4L engine has an oil capacity of 4.5 quarts (4.3 liters), while the 3.6L engine has an oil capacity of 6 quarts (5.6 liters).
But how can a 2.4-liter engine and a 3.6-liter engine have a larger oil capacity than 2.4 and 3.6 liters? Well, the figures describing each engine refer to their displacement, or the volume their cylinders take up. Oil capacity, on the other hand, refers to the amount of oil needed for each change—and the numbers are not interchangeable.
MORE: How much should an oil change cost?
What kind of oil does a 2019 Dodge Journey need?
Don’t run off to the auto supply shop and buy any old oil. Instead, you’ll need to look for the manufacturer’s recommendation of SAE 5W-20 engine oil. Let’s break down exactly what that means.
SAE stands for “Society of Automotive Engineers,” and they’re the organization that evaluates oils and assigns them grades based on their viscosity. 5W-20 is the assigned oil grade, with the number preceding the W (which stands for “winter”) indicating the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures (0°F), and the number following the W indicating the oil’s viscosity at very high temperatures (212°F).
Dodge recommends 5W-20 oil because of how well it performs in both cold and hot weather conditions, causing minimal wear and tear on your engine.
Once you find oil with the proper grade, you’ll generally have three different types of oil to choose from.
Conventional oil, also known as crude oil or petroleum, is developed naturally in the earth’s crust. It is the most affordable type of oil and perfectly fine for drivers with simple engines and regular driving styles
Synthetic oil has gone through a chemically engineered process to make its molecules more uniform in shape and to remove impurities. Full-synthetic oil is more expensive, but generally recommended for high-performance engines or more intense driving styles
Synthetic blend oil is the happy medium—literally. It’s just a mixture of conventional and synthetic oil. This offers some of the benefits of synthetic oil at a slightly lower cost.
Per the 2019 Journey’s owner’s manual, you’re free to select the type of oil that works best for you, your driving habits, and your price range. Dodge specifically recommends MOPAR® SAE 5W-20 engine oil, but we think Pennzoil® SAE 5W-20 engine oil is a great option, too.
How often to change the oil on a 2019 Dodge Journey
So when do you know if it’s time to change your oil?
Well, Dodge recommends performing an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if using the manufacturer-recommended conventional oil. This usually translates to every four to six months, but it depends on how much you drive.
A major benefit to opting for synthetic oil is that you'll need to change your oil far less often. According to experts, you only need to change synthetic oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, effectively doubling the life of your oil change
Tracking your mileage is just one way to determine if it’s time for a change. It’s also important to regularly check your oil and keep an eye out for the following signs that your Dodge is due for a change.
The oil is very dark in color. Clean oil should be amber in color, while dirty oil is dark brown or black.
The oil feels gritty or coarse like there is sand or dirt in it.
Your engine is making new or strange noises.
You can smell oil, smoke, or burning.
There are noticeable changes in your SUV’s performance.
As a rule of thumb, performing a monthly check is a great way to ensure your Journey’s engine stays in tip-top shape.
How to change your oil and oil filter
Once you’re finally ready to change your Dodge’s engine oil, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and gather your materials. In addition to 5 or 6 quarts (depending on your engine) of SAE 5W-20 engine oil and a replacement filter, you’ll need the following tools and supplies
. Tarp or old cardboard to protect your driveway or garage floor
Before you start, turn on your engine and let it run for a few minutes so it can reach the normal operating temperature.Then turn off the engine again, pop the hood, and get to work.
You can check your owner’s manual for Journey-specific directions, but generally, you’ll need to follow these steps.
Unscrew the oil fill cap.
Place the drain pan and—if you’d like added protection—a tarp or some old cardboard beneath your vehicle to collect the oil and protect the below surface.
Crawl beneath your vehicle and remove the oil drain bolt and washer, allowing the old oil to drain into the pan.
Once the draining slows, remove the old oil filter. Draining will likely continue.
After draining has finished, install the new filter.
Replace the drain bolt using a new washer and tighten it to 29 lb-ft.
Return to the oil fill area under your hood and refill the engine with the proper amount of oil before replacing the fill cap.
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.
Once you’re all done, you can use your dipstick to ensure you’ve added enough oil. Then, run the engine again for a few minutes and look around for any links. If you’ve done your job correctly, your car's oil pressure light
should turn off automatically. If your Dodge’s dashboard includes a digital oil change alert, you may have to reset this manually. Follow the directions in your owner’s manual to do so.
Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance
Performing regular oil changes is an essential chore if you want to extend the life of your vehicle, and doing them at home is a great way to save money. Another great way to save money? Comparison shopping for car insurance to ensure you’re always getting the best price.
And a great way to save time when doing this? Using Jerry
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