3.8l jeep wrangler engine and oil question

[KJ_99]

Hello. I’m new here but I’ve been lurking around for a while now. I have a 2009 Jeep wrangler with the 3.8l minivan engine in it. I have 3 qts of STP branded 5w40 diesel full synthetic oil, 1 qt of O’reillys Syntec 0w40 and 2 qts of 0w40 Pennzoil ultra platinum. My jeep holds 6 qts of oil. Can I run this combo for about 6k miles with no issues? I need to just use up the stock before getting anything else. I will be using a Fram Endurance FE3600 oil filter.

 

[HemiBenny]

That engine will live on anything if it’s slippery enough.

Why 6k? How long to get to 6k? What’s your driving style? Off-road a lot? Hard miles? Too many variables to say if 6k is ok.

 

[KJ_99]

That engine will live on anything if it’s slippery enough.

Why 6k? How long to get to 6k? What’s your driving style? Off-road a lot? Hard miles? Too many variables to say if 6k is ok.

40ish miles a day highway driving to and from work 5 days a week. Small amount of city driving during off days (maybe 20-30 miles total city). Usually around 300 miles a week. I like to get my moneys worth although a lot of times I get my oil for really cheap or heavily discounted. I picked up some Pennzoil around 16 qts total of 10w30 platinum for about $30 not to long ago.

 

[HemiBenny]

40ish miles a day highway driving to and from work 5 days a week. Small amount of city driving during off days (maybe 20-30 miles total city). Usually around 300 miles a week. I like to get my moneys worth although a lot of times I get my oil for really cheap or heavily discounted. I picked up some Pennzoil around 16 qts total of 10w30 platinum for about $30 not to long ago.

So you reach 6k in 4-5 months? Do 6k/6 months (whichever occurs first)

I've seen this engine in Jeeps with hard offroad miles, with 200K plus, doing just fine with 5-6k oil changes.
The 3.8l is a simple engine that will outlive others, even if it's abused and poorly maintained. (Don't do this. Maintain it properly.)
The Jeep community poo-pooed on this engine, but I've seen higher mileage examples of this engine still running in Wranglers than I have the 3.6l.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

That frankenblend sounds interesting. Mostly highway driving should be fine for it.

It's nice to finally get rid of a mix of old motor oil stock hanging around the garage or basement. That 3.8 should handle it without fanfare.

 

[KJ_99]

So you reach 6k in 4-5 months? Do 6k/6 months (whichever occurs first)

I've seen this engine in Jeeps with hard offroad miles, with 200K plus, doing just fine with 5-6k oil changes.
The 3.8l is a simple engine that will outlive others, even if it's abused and poorly maintained. (Don't do this. Maintain it properly.)
The Jeep community poo-pooed on this engine, but I've seen higher mileage examples of this engine still running in Wranglers than I have the 3.6l.

Oh I love the 3.8l for being simple. It’s far better than that 3.6 that everyone was acting like it was divine intervention. Yeah looking at the math I’d say I’m looking at doing around 10-12k a year on average. I did an oil change around 2 months ago and I’m already almost at 3000 miles on the oil so far (shell Rotella t6 5w40 and a Napa gold 1516). I thought about doing extended drain intervals but I know that I do dog my engine at times with high rpm’s and heavy throttle but I do have a lot of light cruising at 70 mph. I want to try 7.5k miles one day and do a UOA on the oil eventually.

 

[KJ_99]

That frankenblend sounds interesting. Mostly highway driving should be fine for it.

It's nice to finally get rid of a mix of old motor oil stock hanging around the garage or basement. That 3.8 should handle it without fanfare.

Yeah I have a habit of seeing oil on sale and getting it even though half the time I don’t need it. Ended up giving 2 5qt jugs of Pennzoil platinum 10w30 to a friend of mine who does 1 year OCI’s. I wasn’t planning on using it and I got the jugs for $8 each from oreillys. I’m definitely someone who likes to try stuff but I also have the Jeep as my DD and weekend toy.

 

[radiometer]

I feel that using mixed oils are not absolutely the best for your engine but the consensus is that it will not cause any problems. I just wouldn't do it myself.

 

[THORROMIG]

That Frankenblend and filter combo will suit that 3.8L just fine.

 

[KJ_99]

That Frankenblend and filter combo will suit that 3.8L just fine.

Yeah I thought it seemed like a good mix but wasn’t to sure. I’ll be changing the oil tomorrow hopefully if I have time.

 

[KJ_99]

I feel that using mixed oils are not absolutely the best for your engine but the consensus is that it will not cause any problems. I just wouldn't do it myself.

Eh I can see where it could have issues but since I end up with oil by either free or heavily discounted I see no point in wasting new and good oil.