Jeep is a sturdy vehicle that can last a lifetime if taken good care of. One of the primary decisions you’ll make for your jeep is finding the right motor oil. In this post, we’ll cover which is the best oil for Jeep 4.0 engine.
We’ll talk about the best motor oil brands and products on the market that are compatible with a Jeep 4.0 engine. Also, we’ll discuss what the manufacturer recommends vs. what most users are recommending.
The Jeep 4.0 engine was introduced back in 1986 when the brand was still a subsidiary of the American Motor Corporation (AMC). It’s considered one of the best off-road engines and has been used in virtually every model of Jeep, including the Wrangler and the Cherokee.
It’s a six-cylinder engine with a size of approximately 242 cu. It’s one of those engines that run up to 200,000 miles with no major problems or overhauls.
Oil for Jeep 4.0 – Manufacturer’s Pick
The Jeep 4.0 engine has been used in five different models over two decades. However, in most of these cars, Jeep recommended motor oil of 10W-30 viscosity. In some of the models, you may also see recommendations for 5W-30 oil for cold climates.
You can check out the particular owner’s manual for your model to see if it recommends both or just one (10W-30). If in doubt, simply go with 10W-30 as it’s universally picked for all 4.0 engines.
As for the brand, Jeep has not specified any brands it recommends in particular. This leaves the choice totally in your hands. That said, it does recommend using oils that are American Petroleum Institute Certified.
Based on the manufacturer’s generic recommendation and given the fact that the engine is likely older than 2006, the best choice would be Valvoline High Mileage Synthetic Blend 10W-30 Motor Oil. It meets all the standards specified and, of course, the viscosity/weight. If you want to go for the 5W-30 as per manufacturer’s pick, it’s also available in that viscosity rating.
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil
Our all-rounder pick for the Jeep 4.0 engine is Castrol Edge Advanced Full Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil. It’s a premium grade oil from one of the most trustable brands of engine oils in the world. For an off-road gasoline engine like Jeep 4.0, you need something that can prevent wear.
Full synthetic oil generally gives a smoother start in low-temperature conditions. So even though the recommended viscosity for cold conditions is 5W-30, this should still be sufficient. The best part is it’s not even expensive, so you get something high-quality in the price of regular oil.
It has Fluid Titanium Technology, which basically means it’s designed to perform well even under pressure. Given that your Jeep with a 4.0 engine is probably old and used on tough terrain, this would make a good choice. It may also deliver good fuel economy, especially in high mileage Jeeps, having completed 100,000 miles.
Technical Specifications:
- Model: 03081
- Engine: Gasoline
- Quantity: 1 Quart, 5 Quarts
- Superior GDI Turbo Formula
- Fluid Titanium Technology
- American Petroleum Institute Certified
Pros
- Great value for money
- 42 percent more efficient in removing deposits
- Superior quality than most synthetic-blends and conventional oils
- Good for all-year-round temperatures
- Works for long intervals
Cons
- May need replacement sooner
Oil for Jeep 4.0 – User Recommended
If you’re looking for the recommended oil for the Jeep 4.0 engine, you’re in luck because now there are lots of existing user accounts to consider. As one of the most rugged engines Jeep has ever produced, this particular engine model has successfully completed a few hundred thousand miles for many users.
Current and former Jeep owners using models equipped with a 4.0L engine recommend the same viscosities of the motor oil as the manufacturer, which are 10W-30 and 5W-30 depending on the ambient temperatures.
Most users say that you can use any brand of your choice, so long as the viscosity is right.
Interestingly, some owners reported using 10W-40 motor oil in their Jeep 4.0 engines with no problems as such. However, it’s best to stick to the manufacturer’s recommended viscosity. Most people only talk about the 10W-30, so it’s fair to say that it’s the number one choice for Jeep owners with a 4.0 engine.
As for the type of oil, the Jeep 4.0 engine basically takes any type of oil. Some users report using only conventional oil over the years. So you have a bit of a wiggle room there, and you can go with the type you personally prefer. That said, the full synthetic motor oil would, of course, be the best choice as it’s more superior in quality.
Users also suggest the following based on mileage:
- Low Mileage (Below 75,000 miles):
- High Mileage (Above 75,000 miles):
10W-30, 5W-30, and even 10W-40 (Conventional, Synthetic Blend, or Full Synthetic)
High Mileage 10W-30, High Mileage 5W-30 (Conventional, Synthetic Blend, or Full Synthetic)
If there’s one specific brand and product that gets mentioned a lot on online forums about Jeep 4.0 engines, it’s the Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil.
Similarly, according to some owners, the best oil for high mileage Jeep 4.0 is Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage 10W-30 Motor Oil.
Best Oil for Jeep 4.0 Engine
The top best product [hide]
Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil
Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage 10W-30 Motor Oil
Valvoline Full Synthetic Advanced 5W-30 Motor Oil
Royal Purple High-Performance Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil
Valvoline High Mileage Synthetic Blend 10W-30 Motor Oil
Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic 10W-30 Motor Oil
Oil for Jeep 4.0 Engine: Buyer’s Guide
Buying the best oil for Jeep 4.0 engine depends on a few things:
Car Model
From the beginning of these engines, several Jeep models have used the 4.0 engine, most notably Wrangler and Cherokee. So you may want to check with your car’s specific manual to see what specific recommendations they have given.
Viscosity
For the Jeep 4.0 engine, the recommended viscosity of the motor oil is 10W-30 and 5W-30. The latter is best for cold conditions. It’s important to note that 10W-30 is also good for such conditions. However, some car manuals may recommend it only for warm periods.
Generally speaking, the 10W-30 oil is the best and perhaps most compatible. You can even use the slightly less thick 10W-40. Jeep 4.0 10W-30 and 10W-40 motor oils are good for most conditions.
Capacity
The Jeep 4.0 oil capacity is six quarts. Most oil containers come in single quart and five-quart volumes, so you’re going to need each to fill up the engine completely.
Oil Type
There are no specific recommendations from Jeep as far as the oil type is considered. Given that it’s an old engine, it’s good with conventional, as well as, the synthetic options. It just boils down to your own preference whichever one you find best.
It doesn’t even matter what car model and year you have. 2004 Wrangler Jeep 4.0 oil type and 2005 Jeep Wrangler oil type would essentially be the same.
To give you a general idea, here’s a quick run-through of each type:
Conventional Oil
- Made of crude oil
- Least superior
- Cheap
Synthetic Blend
- Conventional oil base
- Mostly conventional
- Better in quality than conventional
- Cheaper than full synthetic
Full Synthetic
- Premium quality
- No crude oil
- Most expensive
How To Do an Oil Change on a 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 watch here:
Tips
- Try tracing the service details of the car to find which oil has been used
- Don’t worry about transitioning from conventional to synthetic as this engine is good with all three types
- Check out the recommendations from Jeep in the owner’s manual
- Don’t go over 7,500 miles without changing the oil
- You can do the oil change yourself (Jeep Grand Cherokee Oil Change Tutorial)
Add comment