[Manny Calavera]

Hey guys, I'm sorry if this comes out as a completely retarded post, but treat me like a completely ignorant-of-everything individual. I did try searching the forums for these topics but my searching skills aren't too great and unfortunately couldn't really target any relevent threads. Thank you.

I have a few questions:
1. Assuming I have no manual or documentation that came with the Jeep ('06) I purchased, how can I tell what liter engine I'm using?

2. What is the general milage I should run my Wrangler until it needs a new oil change? For some reason I can't believe that for every vehicle its 3,000 miles as Jiffy Lube claims. (I'll be honest and tell you I just got my first oil change today, I drove it for roughly 11,000 miles before doing so, though. Yes, this is probably the worst idea ever. I'm sorry )

3. I used Pennzoil 5W30 motor oil. Good? Bad? Ugly? I lurk the threads here and alot of you use alot of fancy oils (synthetic oils and whatnot, I need to set aside some time to research all of this stuff). In the mean time, while i'm still learning everything, is there some oil you guys can recommend I use until I find one that I can either afford (realize I'm a poor, poor college student ) or is just simply essential?

4. I want to eventually do everything that Jiffy Lube does, except on my own. I was wondering: do you guys have any links that can explain to me (brutally dumbed down) how to do things like change my oil and filters, how/where to add coolant, or how to check and replace things like my differnetial fluid or transmission fluid?


I know these questions are very noobish, and I appologize if there have been a ton of these threads in recent memory where you gurus have to explain ridiculously simple things.

But I have to say, thus far I've had absolutely no qualms with my Jeep! Not even the gas-milage effects me (especially after reading a post here where someone recommended thinking of it not as miles-per-gallon but, instead, fun-per-miles ). Thanks in advance.

[monkeychrist]

your first step should be to avoid jiffy lube at all costs.

[Schwalby]

Just as starting point for the “how to’s” check out Stu’s page. He has done a bunch of write ups on changing fluids and what not.

http://www.stu-offroad.com/

[Rocky529]

Originally Posted by Manny Calavera

Hey guys, I'm sorry if this comes out as a completely retarded post, but treat me like a completely ignorant-of-everything individual. I did try searching the forums for these topics but my searching skills aren't too great and unfortunately couldn't really target any relevent threads. Thank you.

I have a few questions:
1. Assuming I have no manual or documentation that came with the Jeep ('06) I purchased, how can I tell what liter engine I'm using?

2. What is the general milage I should run my Wrangler until it needs a new oil change? For some reason I can't believe that for every vehicle its 3,000 miles as Jiffy Lube claims. (I'll be honest and tell you I just got my first oil change today, I drove it for roughly 11,000 miles before doing so, though. Yes, this is probably the worst idea ever. I'm sorry )

3. I used Pennzoil 5W30 motor oil. Good? Bad? Ugly? I lurk the threads here and alot of you use alot of fancy oils (synthetic oils and whatnot, I need to set aside some time to research all of this stuff). In the mean time, while i'm still learning everything, is there some oil you guys can recommend I use until I find one that I can either afford (realize I'm a poor, poor college student ) or is just simply essential?

4. I want to eventually do everything that Jiffy Lube does, except on my own. I was wondering: do you guys have any links that can explain to me (brutally dumbed down) how to do things like change my oil and filters, how/where to add coolant, or how to check and replace things like my differnetial fluid or transmission fluid?


I know these questions are very noobish, and I appologize if there have been a ton of these threads in recent memory where you gurus have to explain ridiculously simple things.

But I have to say, thus far I've had absolutely no qualms with my Jeep! Not even the gas-milage effects me (especially after reading a post here where someone recommended thinking of it not as miles-per-gallon but, instead, fun-per-miles ). Thanks in advance.

1. What model is it? Every TJ came with the 4.0 I6 engine with the exception of the SE. The SE received the 4.0 I6 engine as an option in either 2005 or 2006.

2. Every 3 months/3,000 miles is recommended. Do the oil changes yourself, don't take it to Jiffy Lube.. they will just screw you over in the end.

3. 5W-30 will work, but there is no reason not to use good old regular 10W-30 motor oil. Some use synthetic, I feel there is no need.. especially when it is being changed at regular intervals per the maintenance schedule.

4. This forum is a great place to start... run a search on whatever you are wanting to do. You will find more than enough information. In the mean time, here are 2 really useful sites (among many, many others):

http://www.4x4xplor.com/
http://www.stu-offroad.com/

[JJs99TJ]

there are several sites dedicated to write-ups, do-it-yourself
maintenance and mods, and general knowledge. along with
using the search function, a couple good ones that are
always recommended:

Stu Olson's
4x4Xplor (Eddie)


save yourself some $ by reading and using above sites
and others as reference

[Ballzy]

as far as oil changes go, most people running non synthetic oil go by the 3 month/3000 mile rule. I think oils such as pennzoil, valvoline, and castrol should be fine. As far as what displacement your engine is, you can go pop the hood and count spark plugs. if there are 6 it is a 4.0.

[mrunnell]

Yes, 11k is too long to go without an oil change. But after that I would say that it doesn't matter who does it or what the hell goes in it. I would change the oil in the range of 3-4k depending on how you drive/wheel it. More wheeling and more idling reguires a more often change. You can download a copy of the manual and service schedule from jeep.com. I believe it is under the owners link. Panici recently started a topic of most recommended fluids. It is just a suggestion and a debatable issue, but here is the list.

Engine Oil:
RPO-RP01130
Motor Oil, Multi-Grade, Synthetic, 10W30, 6 qt.

Transmission:
RPO-RP01512
Transmission Fluid, Synchromax, Synthetic, Manual, 10W, 4 qt.

D30/D35:
RPO-RP01300
Gear Lube, Max-Gear, Synthetic, 75W90, 3 qt.

T-case:
RPO-RP01320
Transmission Fluid, Max-ATF, Synthetic, Dexron III/Mercon, 2 qt.

Engine Oil Filter:
FIL1085
Napa Gold Filter

[BlueFlame]

Jiffy LUbe.... sooner or later they will
* forget to tighten the oil filter.
* forget to install the oil filter
* miss half the zerks
* miss all the zerks
* forget to tighten a drain plug
* forget to replace the oil cap
* forget to replace a fluid they drained
* all the above....

[BlueFlame]

Noobs welcome. Asking is way better than not asking and staying a noob forever.

You might add some info in your sig so we know what year and model you are talking about.

1. Get an owners manual. (you bought it having no idea what engine is in it?...) Counting the spark plugs is the easy way - if you know what they look like...

(Rocky is slightly wrong - prior to the introduction of the SE model the 4cyl was standard and the 6cyl was optional.)

2. 3,000 - 5,000 miles is typical. Hard use, harsh environement and lots of short trips - stick to the 3k. Longer highway commute only - go 5k (you could actually stretch it to 10k without harm.) Getting a fresh filter in there is more important than replacing the oil itself, so never do the oil and not the filter.

3. That's fine. Stick to a name brand and you're fine. You can spend a fortune on synthetics if you like, but there's no verifiable advantage to it other than lightening your wallet. Except the trans if you have a manual - synthetic makes it shift smoother.

4. I just can't imagine how we all did maintenance on our vehicles before the internet and "write-ups." Anywho -try the links mentioned above. Better yet - get a Haynes or Clymers manual (get at any auto parts store.) or a factory service manual (expensive.) That way you can take it out to the garage with you....

oh and you do know about the wave?....
As a noob, you are required to wave first.

[raskull]

Changing your own oil is easy, and only takes 10-15 minutes..

Wait for a time that your engine is semi-warm.. a drive around the block once or twice will do. You don't want it hot though cause you'll likely end up burning your hands.

Get yourself a catch pan and a funnel.. as well as some new oil and a filter of course.

1. Take the keys out of your Jeep and put them on the counter.

2. Remove your filler cap. Put the catch-pan under your oil pan and remove the plug, let it drain for 5 minutes.

3. Get a few rags and wrap them around your oil filter as you remove it to keep the drips and mess to a minimum (you might need a filter wrench for this).

4. Clean up the area around your oil filter as best as you can, and put the new oil filter on as per the instructions.

5. Put the plug back in your oil pan.

6. Put enough oil into the engine with the funnel until it's at the "fill" line. Run it for 20 seconds, and re-fill to the fill line. Repeat this step until the oil level no longer goes down below the fill line when running the engine.. this usually only takes 1-2 times.

7. Take your used oil and filter to a place that will recycle it.. usually the place you bought your oil will take it.

And if you still need more detail than that.. check out http://stu-offroad.com/engine/oilchange/oilchange-2.htm

[Chris_]

Originally Posted by Manny Calavera

4. I want to eventually do everything that Jiffy Lube does, except on my own.

I hope by that statement you don't mean screw up everything.

[[ITA]Tsunami]

Sorry guys but... who's Jiffy Lube?!?!

[JESSETHELJ]

A quickie oil change shop that is a nation wide, and for some reason none of the 2500+ shops can get there shops not to screw anything up.

Here is how shady this company is, I am sure there are a few good shop but there rare.Channel 4 news video

They hire moneys video

[Rocky529]

Originally Posted by BlueFlame

(Rocky is slightly wrong - prior to the introduction of the SE model the 4cyl was standard and the 6cyl was optional.)

Are you talking about just the TJ? The 4.0 I6 was always standard in the TJ and the 4 cylinder engine was found in the SE up until 2006(5?) where the 6 cylinder engine became an option.

[Manny Calavera]

Originally Posted by JESSETHELJ

A quickie oil change shop that is a nation wide, and for some reason none of the 2500+ shops can get there shops not to screw anything up.

Here is how shady this company is, I am sure there are a few good shop but there rare.Channel 4 news video

Holy crap. I am so paranoid right now. : :


I never really knew this about Jiffy Lube. I need to tell my parents about this too because they also go there. This just reinforces the fact that I need to whip myself into shape when it comes to these sorts of things.