The engine oil is in my opinion one of the most important parts of a motor. I have personally ruined automobiles by using the wrong oil. Most of the time when I used the wrong oil I was trying to save some money, and the result was an engine repair that cost me hundreds of dollars to fix.
In order to help you avoid the costly mistakes, I have made in the past I did in-depth research trying to find the best oil for a jeep 4.0 engine.
What Is Engine Oil?
Engine oil is a slick substance that is designed to lubricate the parts of an engine that are under constant amounts of friction. The friction caused by two engine components rubbing against each other can, and will, cause the engine to wear faster and perform worse. The engine oil coats the pieces so that they can slide past each other doing their job without rubbing each other the wrong way.
The friction caused by two engine parts rubbing against each other causes the temperature of the engine to be increased. The increased temperature puts the entire engine in danger. Engine oil or motor oil reduces friction and temperature.
Engine oil is made up of base oils combined with additives like detergents and dispersants to create a slick substance that protects your engine and adds longevity to the engine and its components.
Comparison Table for Jeep Wrangler JK Engine Oil
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In-depth Reviews of 6 Oil for Jeep Wrangler JK
1. Valvoline High Mileage Synthetic Blend Jeep Motor Oil
This thick oil will coat your engine parts thoroughly so friction is reduced, the temperature is reduced, and performance is maximized. It also has additives of detergent that helps to clean your engine which promotes longer engine life.
This oil is gluten-free so it does not harm your seals. It contains fewer impurities than just conventional oil so it does not have to be changed as often.
This high mileage oil is priced fairly so almost everyone can afford to get the benefits for their vehicles. The synthetic mixture will last longer than regular oil, and it flows easier than regular oil. This means a greater amount of lubrication for your motor.
2. Royal Purple High Performance Oil
This five0quart container of 5W-30 motor oil is manufactured by Royal Purple. It effectively reduces the friction occurring in your engine which greatly reduces the fuel consumption of the motor. When your horses are being well-cared for, they run faster and longer on less feed.
It is designed to be used with engines that are fueled by the newer gasoline-ethanol blends sold today. These ethanol blends create white sludge and starve the engine of the lubrication that it needs.
The fact that Royal Purple primarily makes lubrication for equipment makes the products they create better. They do not simply make lubricants from the waste produced after gasoline is made. They concentrate solely on making lubricants.
3. Valvoline Advanced Fully Synthetic Oil
This oil that is made of Valvoline is fully synthetic and capable of providing 50% more protective coating than regular motor oil does. That added protection means you can get more miles out of your vehicle, and have fewer complications.
Valvoline uses detergent additives in the creation of this synthetic oil. The added detergents help to reduce sludge and thick gummy deposits from forming on engine components. Your engine can stay clean and in the best working order.
This lubricant is made in the USA. It is competitively priced so it is affordable by the majority of vehicle owners. It not only keeps your engine lubricated, but it is a cold-resistant substance that flows freely even in freezing weather conditions.
4. Castrol Conventional Jeep Wrangler JK Motor Oil
Synthetic oils are great products, but this Castrol manufactured motor oil is the tried and true, original style lubricant. This type of lubricant has served the automobile industry well for many years and will continue to do so for many years to come.
This oil is specifically designed to help reduce the number of sludge deposits that occur on the working parts of your engine. It is slow to breakdown and provides you with better gas mileage because it reduces the friction that burns up your fuel
This oil is relatively inexpensive. It is trusted by automobile manufacturers, owners, and repair technicians.
It is a high mileage lubricant. Once you start using a high mileage lubricant you should continue to do so because they tend to make the seals and gaskets of your engine expand some, and switching to a low mileage lubricant could reverse the expansion and create leaks.
5. Castrol High Mileage Fully Synthetic Oil
This high mileage synthetic oil can reduce the amount of friction occurring in your engine by as much as 30%. It can increase the amount of mileage you get from each gallon of gas, and it can actively reduce leaks and oil-burn-off. It makes many of the seals and gaskets in your engine expand so leaks are virtually a thing of the past.
This oil is created with a low phosphorous content so it is kind to the catalytic converter in your car. It is designed to maintain a fluid state and be strong even when exposed to pressure like high temperatures, or cold weather temperatures.
This particular synthetic is thinner than some of the other brands of synthetic oils. This thinner consistency makes it more appropriate for various American and Asian manufactured automobiles.
6. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic Oil
If you are concerned about the amount of sludge build-up you have in your engine then this is the perfect oil for you. This product gives you the greatest amount of sludge protection available in regular and synthetic oils today.
If you need an oil that can protect your engine while you drive in high heat situations, or because you pull heavy loads, or drive at increased speeds then this is the right lubricant for your needs. It provides stability and consistency for motorists who put a lot of strain on their engines. It does not break down quickly and maintains appropriate viscosity.
This product is made from natural gas instead of crude oil.
Things to Know About Jeep Wrangler JK Oil
Viscosity
The viscosity of the oil is based on its thickness and consistency of that oil. Manufacturers of engines recommend the best viscosity for the engine they have created. In passenger cars, the normally recommended viscosity is 5W-30, 5W-20, and 10W-20.
The “W” in the numbers indicates how thick the oil is before the oil is spread out through the engine and heated. 5W oils are the least thick of all oils and are recommended for most passenger vehicles.
The second portion of the number tells you how thick the oil gets once the engine starts to use and heat the oil. The oil gets thicker as it is used by the engine.
Diesel engines require higher viscosity levels and the normally recommended oils are 5W-40 to 15W-40.
Car Model
Every car model has a specific brand, type, and viscosity of oil that is recommended by the manufacturer of the automobile. It is highly recommended that you follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and use the oil they suggest.
Many older model cars are designed to use conventional oil and they work best when you continue to use conventional oil in them. You will not blow the motor up if you add a little synthetic oil when your oil gets low, but switching to fully synthetic or high mileage oil can create engine complications.
Jeep 4.0 Oil Type
There are three basic types of engine oil; conventional oil, synthetic oils, and blends of synthetic.
Conventional oil will contain detergents and other additives designed to reduce friction, keep the engine parts clean, reduce sludge, and stop things like foaming from occurring.
Synthetic Oils are high performance lubricants that are typically not created from crude oil. This type of lubricant is especially good for engines with high RPM limits.
The blended oil of synthetic and conventional gives you the best of both styles of oil. It also is cheaper than purely synthetic and is long-lasting.
There are oils designed to be used in engines that have mileage that is higher than 75,000 miles. This type of oil often causes the gaskets and seals in the engine to expand slightly so they reduce leaks and increase engine longevity.
Additives
Every oil, from conventional to fully synthetic has additives in it. Some additives are designed to reduce sludge, reduce foaming, reduce deposit build-up, clean the engine, inhibit corrosion, condition the engine parts, and cause the engine to wear slower.
Choosing the additives in your oil can be hard and you should talk to your mechanic or your dealership about what additives are best according to the vehicle model and the way you drive.
Driving Stress
The amount of stress that you put on the engine by the way you drive can create a need for different oil types. If you drive fast or pull heavy loads your vehicle will probably benefit from you using an oil designed to accommodate higher stress levels. You do not want to buy the cheapest oil available and then use the vehicle heavily. Quality of oil is very important, and synthetic oil is usually recommended for engines that are going to be put under heavy stress levels.
FAQs for Oil for Jeep JK Engine
Is Thicker Oil Better?
Thicker oil can maintain a greater lubricant existence between the moving parts of your engine. A lot of people use thicker oil in older engines that might be experiencing some leakage or seal and gasket shrinkage. You should always use the oil recommended by the manufacturer of the engine. The manufacture recommends the perfect thickness and viscosity for the engine you have to be protected.
What Kind of Oil Goes in a Jeep Wrangler?
The most frequently recommended oil for a Jeep Wrangler is the 5W-20 fully synthetic oil. You can use other oils but should never change oil types or viscosity without talking to your mechanic. Changing the oil type or viscosity from what is recommended by the manufacturer may void the warranty on your engine or engine components.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil in a Jeep Wrangler?
You need to maintain the oil changes in your vehicle on a regular schedule. If you use conventional oil then change the oil and filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you drive in extreme weather conditions change every 3,000. If you choose synthetic oils then you can change the oil and filter every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. If you drive in extreme weather conditions of heat or cold then change the oil every 7,500 miles.
How Long Can a Jeep Wrangler Go without an Oil Change?
The answer to this question depends on the type of oil you use and the way you drive your vehicle. If a vehicle gets a lot of road miles, or is driven fast and in harsh conditions then changing the oil more frequently is recommended. If you use conventional oil then you want to change the oil about every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you use synthetic oil then you can change the oil about every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
Do Jeeps Need Synthetic Oil?
Jeep wrangler engines can benefit from the use of synthetic oils just like all other vehicle engines can. Synthetic oils are made to last longer without breaking down. They are made to flow freely even in rough conditions like warm weather or freezing temperatures.
Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicles all suggest that synthetic oils are best suited for the engines they make.
Conclusion
Oil is a key element in an engine. The jeep wrangler Jk oil will protect and clean your engine components so the engine works at peak levels for longer periods of time.
I personally believe in using the newer synthetic oils and synthetic blends because they provide great lubrication and can tolerate higher temperatures for longer periods of time. Some people say the synthetics cost more, but since you change the oil less often when you use the synthetics, I believe the cost is basically the same.
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