Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) Engine Oil Capacity
Your Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) engine oil capacity is six quarts. Discover everything you need to know about changing your oil with this handy Jerry guide.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) is a fun and capable SUV that can handle the trails or the city streets. But no matter where you're cruising, if you want to keep your Jeep in top condition, you need to know its engine oil capacity—which is six quarts.
Owning a vehicle in today's day and age involves a series of significant and continuing expenditures. Between fuel costs, routine maintenance, and
car insurance
premiums, your car might feel like a true money sink. You can reduce some of those automotive expenses by replacing your oil at home—but don't forget to look up your engine oil capacity in your owner's manual first.If you don't have your owner's manual or you just want some additional tips for your Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) oil capacity, we're here to help. This guide will cover everything you need to know to get started changing your oil like a pro.
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Whether your Jeep has the 4.0-liter inline-six engine or one of the 4.7-liter V8s, its engine oil capacity is the same: six quarts or 5.68 liters.
As you prepare to replace your Jeep's oil, it's wise to remind yourself of the difference between your
engine's displacement
—the 4.0 or 4.7-liter combined volume of the motor's cylinders—and its oil capacity, which is the measure of oil the engine stores for use as a lubricant. Your Jeep's engine displacement and oil capacity are not the same things, and you cannot use these two terms interchangeably.
What kind of oil does a Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) take?
Don't rush out to the store to purchase your fresh oil just yet—we still need to discuss your Jeep's oil type. Yep, there is a lot of difference between individual motor oils, and you'll need to select the proper kind for your Grand Cherokee.
If you drive a Grand Cherokee (WJ) with a 4.0-liter inline-six engine, look for SAE 10W-30. But if you own a Jeep with either of the 4.7-liter V8 engines, you'll want to use SAE 5W-30 motor oil.
Note that you can put both types of oil in either the I6 or V8 engines, but these are Jeep's recommendations. And it's always prudent to go with the manufacturer's suggested oil type.
If those engine oil types look like confusing codes, don't worry—we'll break it down for you. The "SAE" stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers, the group of automotive experts responsible for defining oil codes.
The numbers in each code represent the oil's thickness or viscosity. The first number refers to the oil's thickness when the motor is cold—that one is simple to remember because it's right next to the "W," which stands for winter—and the second number indicates the oil's viscosity when the motor is heated up and running.
MORE:
Jeep oil change cost
How often should you change the oil in a Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ)?
Jeep recommends replacing the oil in your Grand Cherokee (WJ) every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. If you'd rather think about it in terms of months, you should change your oil at least once every six months.
But because a lot of time may pass between oil changes, it's critical that you check the oil's condition and level periodically. We recommend popping the hood and inspecting your oil every other time you fill your gas tank. But if you don't like that method, you should visually inspect your oil at least once a month.
When you pull the dipstick to check out your oil's condition and level, look for these signs that it's time for an oil change:
- The oil has a black or dark brown color (fresh, clean oil looks very similar to dark honey and is partially transparent)
- The oil feels sludgy, chunky, or muddy
- It has a gritty or grainy texture
- Foul odors, like oil, smoke, or burning, are coming from the motor
- Your engine performance suddenly goes down
- The engine is making unusual or bizarre sounds, like knocking
How to change your Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) oil and oil filter
When you're confident that you know your Jeep's oil type and capacity, all that's left to do is get started on the actual job of replacing it. These are the tools and supplies you'll need:
- A ratchet wrench with a 9/16" or 14-millimeter socket
- Ramps, a jack and jack stands, or something to raise the vehicle
- A torque wrench
- An oil filter wrench
- Clean replacement oil
- A new oil filter
- A drain pan
- A funnel
- A rag or towel for the mess
Before getting under your Grand Cherokee, start it up and let the engine run for around five minutes. While this step isn't essential, it heats up the motor, which causes the oil to drain more rapidly. When your Jeep is warm, turn it off, grab your tools, and start following the steps below.
- Remove the oil fill cap and pull up the dipstick (this causes the oil to drain quickly by removing the vacuum).
- Crawl under your Grand Cherokee and remove the oil drain bolt. Use your drain pan to collect the used oil as it pours out.
- While the dirty oil drains, unscrew and remove the used oil filter.
- Lubricate the new oil filter by putting a thin layer of clean oil on its gasket before installing it. Don't over-tighten your oil filter—turn it only until it feels secure.
- Replace the oil drain bolt and use your torque wrench to tighten it to 25 lb-ft.
- Fill your Jeep up with clean 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil.
When you complete these steps, start your Jeep once again and let it run for 30 seconds. Then, check the oil level and ensure that it's within the
proper range
. Remember not to overfill your motor with oil, as doing so can lead to engine damage. Finally, you need to recycle your old engine oil. An easy way to do this is to transfer the dirty oil to the new oil container before returning it to the auto parts store.
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