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Jeep Wrangler’s Oils & Fluids

By:  Louis Orellana  / Sep 17 2019
Jeep Wrangler’s Oils & Fluids

Oils and fluids are critical components used to lubricate and cool various mechanical parts of your Jeep. Over time and use, the composition of these oils and fluids breakdown. This in turn requires proper monitoring and maintenance, often at different intervals and overall use. This information guide will help explain the use of various oils and fluids used on most YJ, TJ, and JK Wranglers.

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Proper maintenance is a vital component in keeping your Wrangler on the road and ready for any challenge you may encounter during an off-road adventure. Keep your jeep up to date with proper oils & fluid changes for a happy and healthy rock crawler.

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Which Engine Oil Should I Use on My Jeep and How Much? 

The type of engine oil your Jeep needs is largely dependent on the engine and your driving conditions, but it also depends on the climate your Jeep is in. 

What do the numbers mean? The first number in an engine oil’s classification includes the letter “W” which stands for Winter. This number is important for climates that are very cold, the lower the number the better it will perform in colder weather. The second number refers to the oil's viscosity within 100-degrees Celsius. The lower this number, the thinner the oil will be. Typically, you would use a thinner oil if you live in tolerable weather climates, allowing the engine to warm the oil and reach peak performance at a faster rate. If you live in extreme clients, the viscosity is important to keep in mind when considering optimal performance temperatures. 

Conventional or synthetic? The ongoing debate of conventional versus synthetic oil has always been unclear. Each type of oil has its benefits, but in large part the decision is largely based on your Jeep’s mileage and average driving conditions. Typically, high-mileage Jeeps that do an excessive amount of highway travel benefit more from synthetic engine oil. Jeeps with low mileage that typically see more trail use, that cause for frequent fluid changes, benefit more from conventional oil.

JK Wranglers (2007 – 2017): Engine

Engine​​ Quantity​ Fluid​
3.8L​ 6 Quarts / 5.7 Liters​ 5W-20​
3.6L  6 Quarts / 5.6 Liters​​ 5W-20​​

TJ Wranglers (1997 – 2006): Engine

Engine​ Quantity​ Fluid​
4.0L  6 Quarts / 5.7 Liters​​ 10W-30 or 5W-30​
2.5L ​​ 6 Quarts / 5.7 Liters​ 10W-30 or 5W-30​
2.4L ​​ 4 Quarts / 3.8 Liters​​ 10W-30 or 5W-30​​

YJ Wranglers (1987 – 1995): Engine

Engine​ Quantity​​ Fluid​
4.0L  6 Quarts / 5.7 Liters​ 10W-30 or 5W-30​​
2.5L​​ 4 Quarts / 3.8 Liters​ 10W-30 or 5W-30​
2.4L​ 4 Quarts / 3.8 Liters​ 10W-30 or 5W-30​

What Does Differential Fluid Do?

Wranglers have solid axles that require differential fluid to properly lubricate the gears. While driving heat and pressure builds in the gearing case, this pressure requires proper ventilation to prevent a blown gasket and leaking of the fluid. As a result, the differentials on Jeeps have breather tubes that allow the venting of gases. These breather tubes are capped and placed within the mid-way point of a Wrangler. Occasionally, during deep water crossing, water might enter the breather tubes and contaminate the differential fluid. As a result, it’s always good practice to change your differential fluid after any trail use that involved deep-water crossings, in addition to the regular maintenance schedule. The process of changing differential fluid is fairly straightforward and easy, but different differential configurations require different quantities of fluid. Below are the quantities and types of fluid used in a variety of differential configurations. 

Wrangler Jeep Differential Fluid

JK Wranglers (2007 – 2017): Differential

Differential Quantity Fluid Comments
Dana 30 Axle 1.1 Quarts / 1 Liter 80W-90  
Dana 35 Axle 2 Quarts / 1.9 Liters 80W-90

 

Dana 44 Axle 2 Quarts / 1.9 Liters 80W-90*  *75W-140 Recommended in rear differentials for warm weather towing applications
For axles with the Trac-lok differential add 4 oz. of limited slip additive.

TJ Wranglers (1997 – 2006): Differential 

Differential Quantity Fluid Comments
Dana 30 1.7 Quarts / 1.6 Liters 80W-90*  
Dana 35 1.7 Quarts / 1.6 Liters 80W-90* *75W-140 Recommended in rear differentials for warm weather towing applications
For axles with the Trac-lok differential add 4 oz. of limited slip additive.

YJ Wranglers (1987 – 1995): Differential

Differential Quantity Fluid Comments
Dana 30 1.3 Quarts / 1.2 Liters 80W-90  
Dana 35 1.8 Quarts / 1.7 Liters 80W-90* *75W-140 Recommended in rear differentials for warm weather towing applications
For axles with the Trac-lok differential add 4 oz. of limited slip additive.
Dana 44 2.0 Quarts / 1.9 Liters 80W-90* *75W-140 Recommended in rear differentials for warm weather towing applications
For axles with the Trac-lok differential add 4 oz. of limited slip additive.

Coolant Fluid Explained

Coolant is cooled through the Jeep’s radiator and circulates through the engine to cool and maintain the engine while driving. The coolant’s composition breaks down over time and requires monitoring and maintenance. Below are the quantities and types of coolant used in Wranglers.

YJ Wranglers (1987 – 1995): Coolant

Engine Quantity Fluid
4.0L Coolant 10.5 Quarts / 9.9 Liters 50/50 Mixture of Antifreeze and water
2.5L Coolant 10.1 Quarts / 9.6 Liters 50/50 Mixture of Antifreeze and water
2.4L Coolant 9 Quarts / 8.5 Liters 50/50 Mixture of Antifreeze and water
45RFE (4X4) 4-Speed Automatic 6.5 Quarts for Pan Drop
14.8 - 16.9 for Dry Fill
ATF 4
545RFE (4X2) 5-Speed Automatic 5.5 Quarts for Pan Drop
14.8 - 16.9 for Dry Fill
ATF 4
545RFE (4X4) 5-Speed Automatic 6.5 Quarts for Pan Drop
14.8 - 16.9 for Dry Fill
ATF 4
42RLE 4-Speed Automatic 4 Quarts for Pan Drop
8.8 Quarts for Dry Fill
ATF 4

When Should I Change My Brake Fluid?

It’s always good practice to continually check your brake fluid reservoir level; it’s also good practice to replace the brake fluid once every two years. Changing the brake fluid is a straightforward process, but requires some patience to ensure no air bubbles are left in the brake line. Utilizing a brake bleeder with a clear hose will help monitor the air bubbles as you bleed the brake lines. All Wranglers use DOT 3 brake fluid, making the maintenance even easier.

What Oil Does My Transfer Case Need?

The Wranglers transfer case is an important part when engaging and working with the Jeep’s four-wheel-drive system. The complex grouping of gears requiring lubrication, which in turn also requires maintenance. Below are the breakdowns of fluids used for each transfer case.

JK Wranglers (2007 – 2017): Transfer Case

Transfer Case​​ Quantity Fluid​​
NV241 Transfer Case​​ 2.2 Quarts / 2 Liters​​ ATF 4​​

TJ Wranglers (1997 – 2006): Transfer Case

Transfer Case​ Quantity Fluid​
NV231 Transfer Case (Man Trans)​​ 1.6 Quarts / 1.5 Liters​​ ATF 3 or ATF 4​​
NV231 Transfer Case (Auto Trans)​​ 1.1 Quarts / 1 Liter​ ATF 4​​

YJ Wranglers (1987 – 1995): Transfer Case

Transfer Case​ Quantity Fluid​
NV231 Transfer Case​ 1.1 Quarts / 1.1 Liters​​ ATF 3 or ATF 4​​
NV241 Transfer Case​​ 2.1 Quarts / 2 Liters​​ ATF 4​
AX-5 5-Speed Manual​​ 3.3 Quarts / 3.1 Liters​​ 75W-90 GL3 or GL4​
AX-15 5-Speed Manual​ 3.3 Quarts / 3.1 Liters​​ 75W-90 GL3 or GL4​​

Conclusion

As mentioned throughout this guide, all of your Wrangler’s fluids serve a specific function and all require monitoring and maintenance. Jeep’s service recommendations are good guidelines, but it’s important to monitor levels and replace the fluids according to your conditions and driving patterns. In addition, heavy trail use and deep-water crossings will have an impact on the quality and longevity of the fluids. Maintaining a good record and awareness of your Wrangler’s fluids will help ensure years of reliability.

Wrangler Jeep Oil
Fitment includes: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, YJ, TJ, JK, JL, Laredo, Sport, ISlander, S, Sahara, Renegade, SE, X, Rubicon, Unlimited, Sport-S