Oil for short tripped Cherokee

[Nick1994]

My grandpa has a 1996 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 4x4 with 132k miles. It runs great and doesn't consume any oil. I changed the oil in it in April at about 130,500 so he's put 1,400-1,500 miles on it since. It is typically short tripped to the doctor or grocery store but does about once a week get up to full operating temperature on the freeway. (Hard to believe with that few of miles I know). I've always used Castrol GTX HM 10w30 and a Wix oil filter. This month I will change the oil because it has the wrong drain bolt in it and it has a slow drip, threads are fine though. My question is what oil and what OCI to use? I have tons of NextGen Maxlife 10w40 in my stash I can use but buying oil is not an issue. Also if buying oil what weight? 5w30 or 10w30?

Thanks

 

[Thax]

I run QS Defy 10w30 in mine and it works just fine. Valvoline works well in a 4.0L though and in a desert environment a 40 weight will be fine , use your stash up. Contrary to popular belief the 4.0L does not need a 40 weight , a thick 30 weight like QS Defy is ideal.

 

[salv]

I am running Peak 10w40 conventional in my 96 Cherokee. Runs great, even in our Northern NY winters. Mine is nothing but short trips. I get 2 weeks to a tank of gas. I have 126k on mine.
Run the 10w40 that you have. You will be happy with it.

 

[cheesepuffs]

Might not wanna run an non-High Mileage oil after having it an High Mileage oil previously. The current oil has seal swellers as I'm sure you're well aware of and switching back to normal oil might cause leaks.

Just something to be mindful of.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

Since it is getting up to temp once a week to burn anything off, I'd say that once a year with either the GTX HM or Maxlife will do just fine!

 

[Thax]

Originally Posted By: cheesepuffs
Might not wanna run an non-High Mileage oil after having it an High Mileage oil previously. The current oil has seal swellers as I'm sure you're well aware of and switching back to normal oil might cause leaks.

Just something to be mindful of.


It is fine to go back and forth from non High Mileage to a High Mileage oil . I have done it plenty of time as have others on 4.0L engines. If it leaks it is because it is a 4.0L and they just leak. OP if it leaks check the rear main seal , valve cover gasket and oil filter adapter. High Mileage or non High Mileage oil will make little difference if a 4.0L with 126k and 16+ years leaks or not. Hard parts and new gaskets fix leaks not High Mileage oil.

 

[Kuato]

In Phoenix you should be fine with the10w40 Maxlife. I would sample at 6 months to be sure, but it will probably be good for a year.

 

[crazyoildude]

switching back and fourth from hm to conventional is no problem at all it will not do anything bad i do it all the time i use hm in the summer and conventional or synthetic blend in the winter

 

[901Memphis]

Might as well use up the 10w40 that you have on hand, no harm.

 

[toneydoc]

My grand Cherokee has Nextgen 10w40 in it now and does great on it. A little higher oil pressure on start up is about only difference. With that few miles driven, once a year change is OK.

 

[KCJeep]

Originally Posted By: Thax
I run QS Defy 10w30 in mine and it works just fine. Valvoline works well in a 4.0L though and in a desert environment a 40 weight will be fine , use your stash up. Contrary to popular belief the 4.0L does not need a 40 weight , a thick 30 weight like QS Defy is ideal.


X2 my thoughts exactly. Defy and Maxlife are among the best choices you can make for the 4.0. In your environment I'd just run the 10w40 Maxlife you have, the 4.0 won't mind a bit!