2008 Jeep Oil change mileage question

[JPQ]

I'm still new around here. Some have some questions about my oil changes.

I just recently started doing my own oil changes. Then dealer I normally take the jeep to, has not been up to par. I caught them only putting in 5 qt's instead of six and not changing the filter!

So my last oil change was at 19242 miles. I went to WW and bought Quaker State Ultimate Durability 5-30w and a mopar filter to change it myself. After talking to SOPUS and looking over this site, I exchanged it for Pennzoil platinum in 5-20w.

Just yesterday the change oil light came on in my Jeep Rubicon. I only have 21820. I did approx 1000 mile of stop and go mixed with highway over the last month since my oil change. This week I made a long distance trip of less than 1500 miles.

I did have one problem about 400 miles after I changed the oil. I got in the jeep one morning and it made a knocking noise at startup. So I sounded like a dry start. I removed the filter and installed a new napa gold filter and it has not happened again. To be fair I have heard the noise at least once before. Within a few day of the dealer changing my oil in the past.


So my question is do I finish out the 3k miles or change it out now a couple hundred miles shy of 3k as the indicator is telling me.

I know the indicator does not have a sensor to determine the quality of the oil in the motor, instead it uses time in use, idle, engine speed, stop and go, to tell you when the oil should be changed.

I was planning to do a UOI at the time I do this oil change, so I would like to make sure I get a 3k interval to a baseline.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

 

[901Memphis]

3k is too short i think unless you are having issues. 5k miles minimum before you waste that PP. The long distance trip you took should have taken care of your fuel dilution from idling/city driving and any other liquid contaimination. The Napa gold should also be able to handle way more miles than 3k also.

Probably looking at closer to 7,000 miles with the Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 and Napa Gold combo. UOA @ 5k if your paranoid.

Your going to want to ignore that OLM when using high quality synthetics.


Also what jeep engine / model do you have? Should be good as long as its the 3.7/4.7/5.7 engine, i think the only one i'd worry about shorter changes is the 6.1 if its an SRT8.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'd run a 5w30 or 10w30 in it; the 3.8s are known for having oil consumption issues. Especially in the heat, I would feel comfortable running something a bit heavier. If you don't have a warranty to worry about (for when it finally grenades), I'd run the heavier oil.

Run it to 3K, you should be fine. The 3.8 isn't a very high-tech, sludge prone engine.

 

[JPQ]

The Jeep is a 2008 Wrangler Rubicon. The engine is a 3.8l v6.

I do have the lifetime power train warranty on this motor. I did talk to the dealer before I caught them doing nasties to my jeep.

I asked them if I could use a 5-30w oil in the motor as summer is coming and the temps are going to be in the 100's pretty soon. He said that would be fine, but I didn't get anything in writing. Funny thing was he told me that when I was having my 5 year inspection for the warranty done. This was just the service guy that handles people as the come in to get oil changes, I'm not sure he is a service writer.


So far I'm not have any oil consumption issues. Knock, knock. (The sound of me knocking on wood)

 

[salv]

5w30 is warranty compliant in your motor. 5w20 is preferred for fuel economy.
Use 5w30 all year round with confidence. The 3.8 was always speced for 5w30 in the vans.

 

[NMBurb02]

Did you perhaps forget to reset the OLM when you changed oil last?

Also, the numbers you are giving are confusing me. You state it has less than 22,000 miles on it yet referenced a five year inspection for the warranty. Is the Jeep five years old with only 22,000 miles on it?

 

[crazyoildude]

lifetime powertrain warranty.. Be careful those warrantees are full of loopholes and not too cheap to keep maintained either

 

[901Memphis]

The v6 will be good to 5k no sweat. Any API SN/SM synthetic would make it to 5k in most any of modern gasoline engines except some sludge prone or turbo engines i know of.

Anything less than 5k and your pouring out good oil. You will likely still have crazy additives left and low wear at that point if its anything like the universal averages.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Did you perhaps forget to reset the OLM when you changed oil last?



My thought also.


Good move getting away from the [censored] dealership!!! Welcome to the world of changing your own.

 

[JPQ]

Yes the jeep is a 2008 and has less than 22k. I bought it new and the first 3 years I owned it I put about 800 miles total. I was traveling alot and my family would drive it to the store about 20 miles a week if even that.

I did reset the monitor as when I changed the oil the monitor was telling me I needed to change the oil.

I just curious about what loopholes are in the warranty and why it's expensive to maintain my warranty. All the dealer has told me is that I need to do standard maintence and a 5 year power train inspection. The inspection is free.


When I went in and had the inspection done. I told a service writer that here seems to be a small oil leak in the top of the engine, she told me that if they found anything wrong it would be taken care of under warranty and not worry about it.

I was running a k&n air filter but during my l last oil change I noticed dust inside the intake tube after the filter. So I removed the filter and I'm back to paper filters. I'm sure that will show up on the UOA. I only had the k&n in there for maybe 3k.

I also noticed that whenever I would take my jeep for an oil change at the dealer they would forget to put one of the latches on for the air leaner cover so I don't think he box would seal properly. It happened many a time and I told them about it. I just got into he habit of opening he good and putting on the latch before
I left.

Thanks guys.

 

[T_CUDA]

I have a 07 Wrangler. Use what it says on the valve cover also its a good idea to change out the PCV valve as that is weak link in that set-up. Easy to change and only about $9bucks on Ebay(change mine every 20k) and I use PL20195 oil filter. Its twice the size of the stock one.