Chrysler introduced the compact SUV Jeep Liberty in 2002. Outside of the United States, the Jeep Liberty is known as the Jeep Cherokee. All the models for the Jeep Liberty need to have regular oil changes in order to get the most out of the vehicle. Clean oil forms a thin film over the moving parts of the engine, minimizing friction and loss of power. Change the oil about every 3,000 miles. Fortunately, changing the oil is a straightforward task on the Jeep Liberty. The oil pan is accessible from below the vehicle, and the oil filter is visible nearby. With the right tools and replacement filter and oil, you can change your Jeep Liberty's oil in about an hour or less.
Because the Jeep Liberty is a compact SUV, raising the vehicle is a convenient way to access its belly. Use a car jack to raise one side of the vehicle, and slide a jack stand about a foot in toward the center of the Liberty at a spot on the chassis. Lower the vehicle and repeat the process on the other side.
Wait to change the oil until the temperature gauge on the dashboard display shows the engine is lukewarm. This prevents the draining oil from burning your hands, and ensures the oil will not be so cool that it drains too slowly from the oil pan.
Slide under the Liberty from the front and look for the oil pan. The oil pan, a big metal box, is below the engine. The oil-pan plug bolt sticks out of the oil pan.
Place a bin below the plug and loosen it with your adjustable wrench, turning it counterclockwise. Put on the plastic gloves and use your hand to finish unscrewing the plug, allowing the dirty oil to flow out. Wait for all the oil to finish draining from the pan, and then screw the bolt plug back on.
Locate the white, cylindrical oil filter on the engine mount near the oil pan. Wrap the oil filter tool around the circumference of the oil filter and begin loosening it by turning the oil-filter tool counterclockwise. Finish loosening the oil filter with your hand.
Check that the new oil filter matches the old oil filter in height and girth. Rub a small amount of new oil around the seal on the new oil filter to ensure a better connection with the engine mount. Twist the new filter onto the engine mount using your hand and finish tightening it with the oil filter tool.
Open the hood of the Liberty and unscrew the motor-oil cap. Pour in the new, clean oil and replace the cap, screwing on to hand tightness. Check that the vehicle has the right amount of oil by removing the dipstick and noting whether the oil reaches below the Full mark on the end of the dipstick.
