How to change oil and oil filter on Jeep Liberty 2008

chowmom · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:02 pm **Posts:** 4

This request may be a Jeep 101 question, so please bear with me.
I am contemplating changing the oil/oil filter myself on my 2008 Jeep Liberty. I have never done this before and I wondered how hard it is to do? is it worth doing myself v.s. taking to dealer? what tools are needed to accomplish this ? If anyone has pictures it would really help. Thanks for your help.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:10 pm

if it is your first oil change, let the dealer do it... the oil filter sucks to get off if it is the factory one. Other than that, all that is needed is a drain pan, a (IIRC) 13mm wrench, and a filter wrench of some kind, ie band, cap. pliers....

It is a little tough to get to the filter if you have larger arms, but it can be dome in less then 30 minutes....

I can get pictures later for you

chowmom · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:02 pm **Posts:** 4

Diggerfreek
No, it is not my first oil change. The first few oil changes regular oil was used. I am thinking if I change myself and save the cash, I may use the synthetic oil, what brand do you like?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:25 pm

Well then, the oil filter should be easy to get off...

I use castrol syntec......

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:40 pm

Here is the location of the oil filter.... The only difference between your and mine is this little black plastic thing

Elt31987 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:44 pm

Mobile 1 5W-20 with Mobile 1 Filter here

chowmom · **Joined:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:02 pm **Posts:** 4

Thanks Diggerfreek. I think I'll try it !!

JEEPIN36COKK · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:04 pm

"Cuz you were thinkin with yer dipstick, Jimmie" (add whipping noise) :-)r

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:14 pm

Elt31987 wrote:

Mobile 1 5W-20 with Mobile 1 Filter here

x2

Just get on your back and try to get to the filter off BEFORE you drain all the oil out. Its in a really tough spot and a pain in the stupid to get off.

vmf · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:05 am

x3 on mobil 1

zarinKK · **Posted:** Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:53 am

I just put Mobil 1 into my 250K mile Honda Accord today; tired of changing the oil every month and a half. I'm thinking 6k for the first change then 10-12k after that.

Fatnate · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:44 am

Motorcraft 5w-20 and filter. It's a good, cheap, semi-syn. And it comes in a 5qt bottle.

PhotograJeep · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:09 am

When there is work to be done on my vehicles, I usually do it. Exceptions are compressor, lots issues to deal with, and changing oil. Can I change oil and filter...yes. I don't because I spend just as much doing it myself as paying someone else. I also don't have to leal with a pan of spent oil

SilverKK09 · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:43 am

PhotograJeep wrote:

When there is work to be done on my vehicles, I usually do it. Exceptions are compressor, lots issues to deal with, and changing oil. Can I change oil and filter...yes. I don't because I spend just as much doing it myself as paying someone else. I also don't have to leal with a pan of spent oil

Thats basically the way I think:
Plus you have someone else to yell at in case something goes wrong. =)

rickm · **Posted:** Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:24 pm

I've used Mobil 1 for years. I used to buy it by the 6-quart case at Costco, it was pretty cheap there. That way I had 1 quart left over if it was needed (which it never was) or that could be used in the next oil change. After buying 5 cases, and doing 5 oil changes, I didn't need to buy oil for the next oil change.

Now that the KK uses 5W 20, Costco doesn't carry that. However, I did find Mobil 1 in a 5 quart bottle at WalMart for like $21. That's pretty cheap for Mobil1 oil, $4.20 per quart.

riverfever · **Joined:** Sun Dec 27, 2015 12:44 am **Posts:** 6

What the hell is that plastic piece and do you all reinstall it?

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:30 pm

riverfever wrote:

What the hell is that plastic piece and do you all reinstall it?

It's a drain tray for the oil filter so when you unscrew the filter the oil goes there instead of all over the diff. I've never taken mine out, but then again, I take my drivers headlamp out to do an oil change.

riverfever · **Joined:** Sun Dec 27, 2015 12:44 am **Posts:** 6

Are you serious? Haha. This is going to sound bad but it's the first time I've done the oil on this vehicle. I removed that plastic piece in order to access the filter. I just bought this vehicle from a dealer and was stunned to find the filter only finger tight. I know some don't but I always use a filter wrench to tighten a new filter maybe 1/4 turn after the gasket contacts the block and I have never had an issue with removing a filter that I've installed. I couldn't get a filter wrench on from underneath though and did it from the top. Cleanup was a mess after removing the old filter without that piece and now it makes more sense but the underside of the Jeep was a mess anyways from all the oil that had blown back while driving it under pressure. I'm gonna work more on cleaning it up today and I'll reinstall that piece. Thank you.

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:34 am

ajohns1288 wrote:

riverfever wrote:

What the hell is that plastic piece and do you all reinstall it?

It's a drain tray for the oil filter so when you unscrew the filter the oil goes there instead of all over the diff. I've never taken mine out, but then again, I take my drivers headlamp out to do an oil change.

With the radiator skid plate, taking out the headlight is the fastest way for me. I think my tray may be broken as last time I changed it oil dripped down from my skid plate rather than the spout :banghead:

CHIF8008 · **Joined:** Mon Dec 15, 2014 3:34 pm **Posts:** 15

im sure this topic has been beat to death but i just want to put my take on it.

i have done the oil and filter on my 2012 kk about 8 times now and every time i did it in the parking lot without issue.

i usually drain the oil first. Then reinstall the oil pan drain bolt. Then remove the filter and replace it. Then fill with oil. (put a light coat of new oil on the rubber seal of your new filter so it seals properly) a 13 socket should fit the drain bolt.

i use a 5 quart container of oil and a filter, it fills it to a healthy spot on the dipstick.

if the oil filter was over tightened, and you dont have massive arms, you have reach down the drivers side front on the motor from above to get a good grip on the filter with your hands to get it loose.

then lay underneath to finish unscrewing it. obviously you will need a catch pan under the diff to collect the dripping oil.
(keep in mind that the filter will be full of oil; so after you unscrew it keep it upright as you maneuver it off to the side of the fan shroud. it should/with a slight tilt/ fit between the plastic in the corner.

also: re-setting the oil light is a snap. The owners manual tells you exactly how as well. turn the key to the first position(dash lights come on) and depress the gas pedal slowly like 4 times within 15 seconds. Then remove the key.

How to change oil and oil filter on Jeep Liberty 2008

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