Changing your automobile's oil is a relatively simple maintenance procedure, yet this do-it-yourself task will allow you to keep your vehicle running with a higher quality oil and filter at a relatively lower price when compared to many "15-minute" oil change businesses. The 2008 Jeep Patriot sends you a message when it is time to change your oil. The procedure for changing oil is the same as for any other car except for the last step of resetting the "Oil Change Required" message. Jeep has put holes in the bottom skid plate both for the drain plug (where the oil comes out) and the oil filter.
Let the Jeep run for a minute or so then turn it off (it is best to drain oil when it is warm). Position the oil pan directly underneath the drain plug (located where you see a hole in your skid plate and a large bolt; the bolt is your drain plug). Unscrew the oil cap (located on the top of the engine and has the oil symbol).
Take off the drain plug with the socket wrench, and let all of the oil drain out of the Jeep.
Move the oil pan to underneath the oil filter. The oil filter will be located where you see a hole in the skid plate and what looks like the cap of a spray paint can (this is your oil filter). Using the oil filter wrench, unscrew your oil filter, and empty it in to the oil pan.
Take the old O-ring off of the drain plug. If you have trouble doing this by hand, use the needle-nose pliers. Put the new O-ring on the drain plug in the same position where the old one was with your hands. Using a socket wrench, put the drain plug back on and tighten.
Dip your finger in new oil, and spread it across the top of the new oil filter (make sure the entire top of the oil filter is lubricated). The top of the oil filter is the part that has the hole. Screw on the new filter by hand. When the top of the filter first makes contact with your engine, turn the filter approximately three-fourths to one turn more.
Put the funnel in the hole at the top of your engine where you unscrewed the oil cap. Pour the new oil slowly in to the funnel. The Jeep Patriot calls for 4 1/2 quarts of oil. Take out the funnel, and screw on the oil cap.
Start your Jeep, and let it run for a minute. Turn it off, and check the oil level.
Pull out the dipstick (it will have what looks like a ring on it for you to stick your finger in and pull out), and wipe the oil off. Put the dipstick back in all the way and pull it back out. There should be a streak of oil running from the bottom of the dipstick to somewhere in between where it says "L" (low) and "H" (high). If the oil level is too low, add more oil 4 fluid ounces at a time (there are numbers on the oil carton), and keep checking your dipstick until it shows a proper oil level.
Reset the "Oil Change Required" message. Put your key in the ignition and turn it to the "On" position, without starting the vehicle. Slowly press the accelerator pedal three times within 10 seconds. Turn your key back to the "Off" position. The message should not come back on until the next oil change is needed.
