2012 3.6L Wrangler Pentastar- Dino only?

[HK_Ace]

Just bought my first Chrysler product...fingers crossed. It's a 2012 Jeep Wrangler with the 3.6L Pentastar engine. Chrysler recommends conventional oil (5W30) and that is a bit unusual. For the prior generation Wrangler engine (3.8L) syn was fine and 5W20 was recommended.

Any thoughts on why they are specifically recommending conventional oil? It's fine with me- I'll use PYB or Mobil Super 5000, but am curious about this. Does this motor not work well with synthetic? Seems odd.

I use synthetic in my V8 4Runner and 4 Cyl Forester- German Castrol and M1 EP mainly. They work well.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

German oil in a Jeep is just unAmerican!

Jeeps help defeat the Germans!

 

[tommygunn]

And German scientists helped us force the Japanese into surrender, whats your point?

Its probably in all honesty a warranty thing. It only calls for conventional and probably all OLM systems on the vehicle are designed for it. I'd expect they get alot of calls asking if the warranty is still effective if someone dumps in synthetic and runs it out to some crazy interval without actually testing it.

Just remember: they probably recommend conventional API SN 5w30...but realistically any oil meeting API SN 5w30 is what the engine, on paper, specifically needs. I wouldn't hesitate to still run a good synth.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

What are the recommended intervals?

 

[dave1251]

Use PYB and follow your owners manual. Mopar branded PYB is what is came with from the factory. Just kidding PYB is a very fine oil but use whatever is the most cost effective oil that allows you to sleep well at night. Just follow your owners manual while under warranty do not worry about conventional vs synthetic this brand vs this brand. In the long run it makes very little difference if any.

 

[Nickdfresh]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
German oil in a Jeep is just unAmerican!

Jeeps help defeat the Germans!


I'm pretty sure at some points, captured stocks of German oil/fuels were used in American Jeeps and armored fighting vehicles...

 

[HK_Ace]

The recommended interval reads something like "up to 8,000 miles" and I do not plan on using that with conventional. I changed using PYB at 750 (it's my break-in ritual) and will go 4,000/5,000 or so during the warranty period and save receipts. I'll do a UOA next. The conventionals I like are:

PYB
Havoline or Chevron Supreme
Mobil Super 5000

 

[webfors]

mmmm.. the pentastar. I have a thing for that engine, especially when it can be had in a wrangler/caravan/journey/etc for 20k (Canadian) brand new!

Some would argue conventional 5w30 at reasonable intervals would be a perfect choice. I know I would

 

[Chris Meutsch]

5k runs with PYB or Havoline would be my choice then.

 

[95busa]

I believe the intent is that syn is not needed, conventional is good to go as long as it meets Chrysler spec...whatever it is.

 

[HK_Ace]

Always wanted to try Havoline. May just use that and do a UOA. It just struck me as odd that Chrysler would specifically mention a convention instead of just mention the rating.

Oh, my 2-door Rubicon was nowhere near $20K new....I wish! On the flip side, it is perfectly at home in the Colorado backcountry. I can finally stop scaring my 4Runner.

 

[demarpaint]

I'm looking to buy the 2013. Any issues with the Pentastar tick? Lots of talk about it on the Jeep forums. Hopefully yours isn't one of them. That engine with the new 5 speed AT is a winning combo IMO. Big improvement for the 6 speed MT too.

PYB 5W30 changed at 5K miles or 6 months should work well.

 

[HK_Ace]

No ticking at ~800 miles...give it time.

It's the best Wrangler yet- drives pretty well on pavement, and does extremely well off-road. I will say that you have to slow down a LOT and be very careful when hitting washboard ripples on dirt roads. With solid axles and a short wheelbase, I almost wet my pants once.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: HK_Ace
No ticking at ~800 miles...give it time.

It's the best Wrangler yet- drives pretty well on pavement, and does extremely well off-road. I will say that you have to slow down a LOT and be very careful when hitting washboard ripples on dirt roads. With solid axles and a short wheelbase, I almost wet my pants once.


Drive it in good health! Keep me posted on how the engine performs. I want a 2013 JK Rubicon bad, but would feel a whole lot better if I knew the Pentastar tick was history.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: HK_Ace
Just bought my first Chrysler product...fingers crossed. It's a 2012 Jeep Wrangler with the 3.6L Pentastar engine.


Cool!

I had driven domestics only for decades, but stubbornly refused to buy anything Chrysler. We now have two, and they are the best two cars we own (of 4) and they are not spring chickens either.

I'm on my third Jeep but my current Grand was the first one I had to admit was Chrysler through and through.

Rented a Town and Country over the weekend with 3.6 vvt engine and WOW was it nice! You're gonna like that Wrangler I think.

As to the oil, don't try to out think the people who built it they know it better than you and there must be a reason they encouraged dino, with reasonable changes you don't need syn anyway. I don't think syn would hurt it but at least for the warranty period I'd stick with dino juice.

 

[LC]

From my 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Owners Manual.

"Synthetic Engine Oils
Synthetic engine oils can be used if the recommended oil
quality requirements are met, and the recommended
maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes are
followed"

 

[HK_Ace]

When I asked the dealer (I know, dumb idea but I was curious) he said to use dino on the 2012- "at least for a few thousand miles".

I am sure syn will be just fine...can only be better in this motor. I'll use Havoline and PYB for a few thousand miles though, and then decide if I want to switch.

 

[crazyoildude]

dino is fine
actually both syn and dono are pretty close as long as the ratings are the same.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: HK_Ace
When I asked the dealer (I know, dumb idea but I was curious) he said to use dino on the 2012- "at least for a few thousand miles".



Maybe it has something to do with break in but I've never heard of such a thing.

 

[johnsmellsalot]

Mobil Super 5,000/Mobil Clean 5,000 is not Chrysler MS-6395 certified and will void your warranty.
Originally Posted By: HK_Ace
The recommended interval reads something like "up to 8,000 miles" and I do not plan on using that with conventional. I changed using PYB at 750 (it's my break-in ritual) and will go 4,000/5,000 or so during the warranty period and save receipts. I'll do a UOA next. The conventionals I like are:

PYB
Havoline or Chevron Supreme
Mobil Super 5000