Im new here to the forum, after reading the 101 write up and looking through all the posts i decided to sign up. Now I know its been asked a bunch of times and I've been searching this topic for days but I feel like the more I read the more confused I get lol.
Im a noob when it comes to oil in fact I've never done an oil change before but people keep telling me how easy it is and I'm a firm believer of the old "if you want it done right, do it yourself" moto.
I have two jeeps, the grand cherokee my girlfriend drives on a daily basis and my wrangler is a "weekend warrior". The WJ (grand cherokee) ive owned for a year now and the TJ (wrangler) I purchased last summer. The WJ has 138k miles and the TJ has 116k miles. I only put about 300-400 miles per month on the TJ, the WJ sees 500-600 miles per month, both of which consist of mostly city driving, short trips, idling (remote starts in both), etc. We live in Mass. and the temps throughout the year are typically between 10F and 90F rarely less and rarely more.
I've only had the oil changed once when I first got them (the WJ needs one very soon). The mechanic that did it used 10w40 in both (TJ has synthetic but im not sure about the WJ and have no clue what brand) The WJ has always had that slight tick to it that sounds like a lifter or something but recently I've noticed it sounds terrible especially at start up but there's still tick when it warms up and sometimes it even vibes at a redlight.
My TJ seems to be running fine (besides the fact I think my oil sending unit has gone bad )but the WJ has that terrible tick that turns my stomach. I've come to the conclusion that the oil might be too thick as the manual recommends 10w30 (its winter too) and have read in most forums that they run this sometimes 5w30 and others say they run rotella and that their engines like thicker oil. Ive also read in alot of places that fram filters suck and im pretty sure thats what is in the WJ (I'll have to confirm this). And if this information matters the radiator did blow on the WJ a couple of months ago... but i got that fixed on the spot!
I would like to run the same oil and filters in both and start doing my own oil changes. Im thinking of using QS Defy 10w30 as people say the little extra zinc is good, and am thinking of using a K&N performance filter as i've only heard good things about them.
Something I've been wondering too is since the engine requires 6 quarts oil, could/should I use 5qts of "x" and 1 qt "y". Ive heard of people using 5qts oil, 1 qt additive or something like 5qts 10w30 and then a qt of 0w40 to get something like "8w32" or does it not work that way and just put 6qts the same?
And last but not least intervals? it takes a while for us to put any real mileage on the thing should i change every "x" amount of miles or change every "x" amount of months?
Another note too is i believe the WJ has some leakage because everything seems to be coated lightly in oil the top of the engine, underneath, etc. I've checked the level of oil and it seems okay even after w.e the interval was.
Again sorry for the 21 questions and long write up but I'm really confused
Im a noob when it comes to oil in fact I've never done an oil change before but people keep telling me how easy it is and I'm a firm believer of the old "if you want it done right, do it yourself" moto.
I have two jeeps, the grand cherokee my girlfriend drives on a daily basis and my wrangler is a "weekend warrior". The WJ (grand cherokee) ive owned for a year now and the TJ (wrangler) I purchased last summer. The WJ has 138k miles and the TJ has 116k miles. I only put about 300-400 miles per month on the TJ, the WJ sees 500-600 miles per month, both of which consist of mostly city driving, short trips, idling (remote starts in both), etc. We live in Mass. and the temps throughout the year are typically between 10F and 90F rarely less and rarely more.
I've only had the oil changed once when I first got them (the WJ needs one very soon). The mechanic that did it used 10w40 in both (TJ has synthetic but im not sure about the WJ and have no clue what brand) The WJ has always had that slight tick to it that sounds like a lifter or something but recently I've noticed it sounds terrible especially at start up but there's still tick when it warms up and sometimes it even vibes at a redlight.
My TJ seems to be running fine (besides the fact I think my oil sending unit has gone bad )but the WJ has that terrible tick that turns my stomach. I've come to the conclusion that the oil might be too thick as the manual recommends 10w30 (its winter too) and have read in most forums that they run this sometimes 5w30 and others say they run rotella and that their engines like thicker oil. Ive also read in alot of places that fram filters suck and im pretty sure thats what is in the WJ (I'll have to confirm this). And if this information matters the radiator did blow on the WJ a couple of months ago... but i got that fixed on the spot!
I would like to run the same oil and filters in both and start doing my own oil changes. Im thinking of using QS Defy 10w30 as people say the little extra zinc is good, and am thinking of using a K&N performance filter as i've only heard good things about them.
Something I've been wondering too is since the engine requires 6 quarts oil, could/should I use 5qts of "x" and 1 qt "y". Ive heard of people using 5qts oil, 1 qt additive or something like 5qts 10w30 and then a qt of 0w40 to get something like "8w32" or does it not work that way and just put 6qts the same?
And last but not least intervals? it takes a while for us to put any real mileage on the thing should i change every "x" amount of miles or change every "x" amount of months?
Another note too is i believe the WJ has some leakage because everything seems to be coated lightly in oil the top of the engine, underneath, etc. I've checked the level of oil and it seems okay even after w.e the interval was.
Again sorry for the 21 questions and long write up but I'm really confused
