[Downing]

My last two vehicles were both Jeeps.

Bought the Jeep Cherokee new in 1990. Per the owner's manual, Jeep recommended changing the oil every 3,000 miles and service every 7,500. So to even out the intervals I changed the oil every 2,500 and took it in for service every 7,500.

Bought a 2007 JK in 2010. Per the owner's manual, Jeep recommended service every 6,000 miles. So I changed the oil every other 3,000 miles and took it in for service every 6,000 miles.

I drive about 10,000 miles a year, so for these vehicles I was changing the oil or taking it in for service around three times a year.

Bought the current 2017 JK two weeks ago. Haven't received the owners manual yet--you have to call Jeep and ask for one--but the Owners Guide seems to indicate changing the oil once a year or every 10,000 miles, which ever comes first.

Seriously? I feel like an old fogey but that just doesn't sound right. I thought I would check in here before calling the dealer.

Advice needed, please.

 

[Dan.S]

Yes, modern cars aren't your daddy's Buick. I went 15k on my 2011 BMW as recommended. Completely ok. You have electronic oil "life monitoring" though. It will tell you if you're useing the Jeep strenuously and you go through the life expectancy quicker. Mine was 7k miles on my 16. Had since September, just did it last week.

 

[Onefin]

I changed mine at 3,000 miles to synthetic.
Second change was at 8,000.
Next will be at 12,000 miles.
After owning diesel Mercedes and BMW; I find the full synthetic oil change at the jeep dealer for $69 (with coupon) to be dirt cheap.
Service A "oil change" on sprinter van is almost $300.
I don't mind spending more to change the oil more frequently than actually required, I rotate my own tires at the same time and that is free....and good exercise with 35"s

 

[14JKUR37]

Had 2 VW's that were clearly recommended at 10k or 1 year.

I think my 2014 JK technically says to follow the oil monitor but not to exceed 8k miles or 1 year. Maybe it's been changed to 10k or 1year - but I'd guess those are NOT TO EXCEED.

I was shooting for 5k, but have settled into 7.5k.

 

[68RR]

I bought my '15 in August of '15. I still have less than 2000 miles on it. Last month, at 1800 miles I took it to the dealer for its first oil change. As we were laughing about the lack of miles, I asked how often I should be changing my oil. If all else stays the same, and I only drive 2000-3000 miles a year or less, then once a year is fine.

 

[pcardoza]

2015 JK WW --- I've been doing 7500 intervals with full syn. Can't bring myself to wait for the oil change indicator to come on. 18 months - 37,000mi

 

[bgriff008]

I will change mine per the maintenance minder. Just bought it in October. I changed my Ridgeline oil once a year per the MM, which was at the 10k mile mark. Always with full Synthetc and will do the same with the Jeep. The Jeep may get done a little sooner since the MM for my oil life seems to deplete a bit quicker than the Ridgeline did.

 

[WV Jeeper]

I change mine per the indicator/reminder...which has always been much less than the 10k mark. 2016 with 18k, full synthetic since 1st oil change.

 

[gouranga56]

Just had my first oil change on my 2016 JKU...8,900 miles/8 months before the sensor came on. The dealership had to tell me twice...wait till the change oil soon warning comes on. They said between the synthentic blend they put in and other improvements, the old 3k routine was a thing of the past

 

[kik]

That's the maximum recommendation under normal use. The severe duty recommendation is different. If the oil change indicator doesn't activate the 1/10 still shouldn't be exceeded. It's up to an owner when it's best to do maintenance, based upon the type of use. However, it's a good idea not to exceed the max recommendations.

 

[bgriff008]

The 3k mile oil change is a joke even with today's cars and running conventional oil. People are just wasting their money. If using conventional oil You should be doing an oil change at the least, every 5k miles under normal driving conditions. Some cars even recommend up to 7500. But if it makes u sleep better at night then feel free to spend your hard earned money and change it at 3k. But very unnecessary

 

[RPITUP]

I change oil 3000 miles religiously
I rotate tires 5000 mile religiously
Always have, always will and no one will ever change my mind

 

[IslandAubie]

If you're running full synthetic then 10K miles or once per year is normal and fine. There's nothing wrong with changing it at the old intervals, but you're wasting money on full synthetic. Standard oil is fine if you're sticking to the 3K mile rule. A lot of American vehicles use semi-synthetic, which is where the 5-6K mile change rule is generally accepted.

 

[Dan.S]

I change oil 3000 miles religiously
I rotate tires 5000 mile religiously
Always have, always will and no one will ever change my mind

Well that's well and good for you. Being stubborn and set in your ways doesn't take away from facts that state it's not necessary.

 

[RubiconSS]

Love'm

 

[geoff george]

I bought my '15 in August of '15. I still have less than 2000 miles on it. Last month, at 1800 miles I took it to the dealer for its first oil change. As we were laughing about the lack of miles, I asked how often I should be changing my oil. If all else stays the same, and I only drive 2000-3000 miles a year or less, then once a year is fine.

nice to know I'm not the only one that drives his jeep less then 3000 miles a year. Got my JKWW labor day of 14 and take it in for a one year check up every labor day weekend. they dealer tossed in my first five oil changes for free. it will be paid for before I have to do a oil change myself.

 

[15JKUR]

They put the oil life indicator there for a reason, I go by that. The oil life indicator isn't just a mileage based timer, it takes into account all the factors that will affect the oil life. I always use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum synthetic because it's one of the few (only?) oils that meet Chryslers specs. Engines and oils are much more refined now and can handle longer intervals. I normally try to change it around 5% oil life left, and that is usually around 7-8k miles. My jeep is a year and a half old with 70k miles, no issues so far.

 

[RPITUP]

Well that's well and good for you. Being stubborn and set in your ways doesn't take away from facts that state it's not necessary.

That's not necessarily true. I wheel hard and my oil is sometimes (not always) dirty at 3000, especially in the summer for some reason.

Owner's manual recommendations are simply a guide. Change your oil every 5-10,000, blow the engine and the dealer gets to rebuild it at your expense. Go for it. lol

 

[RubiconSS]

I have 36,800 miles on my HR and my "Change Oil" light has come on - Twice.

I don't go by my "smart" light.

Every 5,000 along with a (5) tire rotation - Everybody's gotta do what works for them.

 

[Old Dogger]

O'boy..we have another oil Thread..Lol

If you change at 3000 miles, or never it is your Wrangler and your call...

Lets please continue to respect each others opinion. TY..