my new 2000 sport

Woodys2000sport · 06-22-2003, 11:05 AM

Hello jeepsters.. i just bought a 2000 cherokee sport.. 4.0L with 36,173 miles on it.. im wondering what oil to start putting in it. should i stick with regular oil or switch to synthetic. (sp) ??? i didnt get an owners manuel.. soo also what weight do i use? thanks for any help.. i love this thing so far..

sbxj · 06-22-2003, 12:07 PM

Hi and welcome. I changed over to synthetic at 30k on my Cherokee and I highly recommend it. I started out with Castrol Syntec and switched to Mobil1 after reading comparisons. Changes are every 5000 miles for me along with lubes. Mobil1 synthetic grease for all the zerks. If your Jeep didn't get a complete fluid change at 30k you may also consider putting synth gear oil in your diffs and synth ATF in your transfer case (if 4WD) as I did. Don't forget to service your auto trans (or 5speed) also. Very important if you want to keep your Jeep alive. Get your hands on an owners manual and a Factory Service Manual (Ebay) as soon as possible if you plan on doing your own work. ps. Weight of oil depends on climate. Check with your dealer or ask here on the forum.

Woodys2000sport · 06-22-2003, 08:15 PM

ok so basically change everything now... all fluids. really .. just to be safe?

crookedletterd · 06-22-2003, 08:26 PM

Where do you live? Climate can help you decide which oil to run.
If you have really hot weather and you drive your jeep a lot in it, you should probably look into synthetic oil. For example, I live in Oregon so there is no real need for me to use synthetic...

Another thing, with fluids I am a fond believer of if it came from the factory like that, it should probably stay like that. If you keep the recomended fluids you will be perfectly fine.

**EricsXJ** · 06-23-2003, 02:20 AM

If you live in the US, you can order an owners manual (or factory service manual) by calling 1-800-890-4038. It says owners manuals are only $6 + tax.

The owners manual states that 10W-30 is the preferred grade of oil to be used, however 5W-30 could be used when outside temps fall below 0* F.

I use Mobil 1 synthetic 10W-30 in mine year round. Since this is a new vehicle to you, yes it is a very good idea to have all the fluids changed. Even if they were changed recently by the previous owner it never hurts to put in fresh oil again. And you know FOR SURE that the fluids are changed. Synthetic is very good in the differentials, and I use synthetic ATF for the transfer case as well.

sbxj · 06-23-2003, 03:06 AM

Thanks for the welcome Eric. BTW, what a difference the Mobil1 ATF made in the shifting of my 242...smooooth. Expensive, but worth it.

**EricsXJ** · 06-23-2003, 03:10 AM

Always glad to have more 2000 owners in here!!! Yeah my 231 (with synth ATF) shifts very smooth as well!

ecrab3 · 06-23-2003, 07:33 AM

Do synthetics have a longer life span sitting unused than regular oils? Im talking that how you either change the reg oil every 3000 miles and X months.
Im considering changing my 97 with 88K to synthetics now that its a weekend only truck and that makes the synths more affordable.
So , what do yall say. What is the changeover procedure also?

crookedletterd · 06-23-2003, 11:08 AM

yes if i can remember correctly i believe it is every 5000 or 6000 miles instead of the normal 3,000.

Woodys2000sport · 06-23-2003, 09:00 PM

ok well my next oil change i might look into synth. but what about the auto tranny... and the differential and all those fluids as well? every 30,000? if so im at 36,000 and leaving for along trip in a week what should i do .. just check it and make sure everything looks good or go ahead and get them drained and changed? thanks for all the help..

sbxj · 06-23-2003, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woodys2000sport
ok well my next oil change i might look into synth. but what about the auto tranny... and the differential and all those fluids as well? every 30,000? if so im at 36,000 and leaving for along trip in a week what should i do .. just check it and make sure everything looks good or go ahead and get them drained and changed? thanks for all the help..

IMO I would change everything or have it changed before your trip. You can drive with the peace of mind that all is as it should be and your Jeep will reward you with great performance. Oh yeah, don't forget to check and change your air filter too. Maintenance can be like a religion. Practice your faith.

crookedletterd · 06-23-2003, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sbxj
Maintenance can be like a religion. Practice your faith.

LOL

**EricsXJ** · 06-24-2003, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ecrab3
Do synthetics have a longer life span sitting unused than regular oils?...

I don't think the oil breaks down by sitting there unused, does it? I think the shelf life is pretty long... but yes synthetics don't break down in your engine as fast as regular oil does. I believe as oil breaks down it looses its lubrication and heat transfer properties. Because synthetics don't break down as fast, thats why they say you can use an extended change interval. But you still have to filter out the contaminants. I change mine every 5,000 miles and also use an oversize oil filter (Mobil 1 #M1-301) to help with the contaminants.

There is no real "change-over proceedure". You can switch to synthetic and back again if you like, or mix it with your regular oil (I don't know why you would) since its fully compatible. Some people will claim that synthetics will cause seals to leak on older engines with a lot of miles on them. As far as I know this is false. Synthetic oil will not "cause" leaks in any engine. If it starts to leak it may be because there are leaks allready present that are clogged with crud. The detergents in the oil may loosen the crud and the leak starts.

Woodys2000sport · 06-24-2003, 10:36 AM

ok well i called around to some places and to get most of the 30,000 mile maintence done it will be $200-$300 ... what do ya think.. are these things that I could really do? Im switching everything over to synth. I bought the Haynes manuel. just wondering if i should even try to mess with it. I dont want to mess up my new ride before i get to go on a trip in it.. thankss....

ecrab3 · 06-24-2003, 11:18 AM

I say yes, you can all of it yourself, just need a small amount of tools and a weekend.
Let me think, the maintenece should be
ok, change all fluids/flush radiator
change belt and inspect hoses.
change oil and air filters
change plugs and plug wires.
inspect and replace brakes and pads
rotate tires
some fuel system cleaner
clean throttle body
change wiper blades
grease all fittings

Im sure im forgetting something, but I think you can do it all, and you will feel utterly satisfied. And you will come way under the $300 price. But, if you dont have the time or tools or pataience, thats why there is mechanics outthere.

06-22-2003, 08:26 PM	#4
crookedletterd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: pnw Posts: 258 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Where do you live? Climate can help you decide which oil to run. If you have really hot weather and you drive your jeep a lot in it, you should probably look into synthetic oil. For example, I live in Oregon so there is no real need for me to use synthetic... Another thing, with fluids I am a fond believer of if it came from the factory like that, it should probably stay like that. If you keep the recomended fluids you will be perfectly fine. Last edited by crookedletterd; 06-22-2003 at 08:31 PM..

06-23-2003, 07:33 AM	#8
ecrab3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Marrero, Louisiana Posts: 310 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Do synthetics have a longer life span sitting unused than regular oils? Im talking that how you either change the reg oil every 3000 miles and X months. Im considering changing my 97 with 88K to synthetics now that its a weekend only truck and that makes the synths more affordable. So , what do yall say. What is the changeover procedure also? __________________ Eddie Crab3 '97 XJ Nuttin Special

06-24-2003, 11:18 AM	#15
ecrab3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Marrero, Louisiana Posts: 310 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I say yes, you can all of it yourself, just need a small amount of tools and a weekend. Let me think, the maintenece should be ok, change all fluids/flush radiator change belt and inspect hoses. change oil and air filters change plugs and plug wires. inspect and replace brakes and pads rotate tires some fuel system cleaner clean throttle body change wiper blades grease all fittings Im sure im forgetting something, but I think you can do it all, and you will feel utterly satisfied. And you will come way under the $300 price. But, if you dont have the time or tools or pataience, thats why there is mechanics outthere. __________________ Eddie Crab3 '97 XJ Nuttin Special

06-22-2003, 08:15 PM	#3
Woodys2000sport Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Amherst Va. Posts: 17 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	ok so basically change everything now... all fluids. really .. just to be safe?

06-23-2003, 11:08 AM	#9
crookedletterd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: pnw Posts: 258 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	yes if i can remember correctly i believe it is every 5000 or 6000 miles instead of the normal 3,000.

06-23-2003, 09:00 PM	#10
Woodys2000sport Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Amherst Va. Posts: 17 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	ok well my next oil change i might look into synth. but what about the auto tranny... and the differential and all those fluids as well? every 30,000? if so im at 36,000 and leaving for along trip in a week what should i do .. just check it and make sure everything looks good or go ahead and get them drained and changed? thanks for all the help..

06-24-2003, 10:36 AM	#14
Woodys2000sport Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Amherst Va. Posts: 17 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	ok well i called around to some places and to get most of the 30,000 mile maintence done it will be $200-$300 ... what do ya think.. are these things that I could really do? Im switching everything over to synth. I bought the Haynes manuel. just wondering if i should even try to mess with it. I dont want to mess up my new ride before i get to go on a trip in it.. thankss....