How to Change the Oil in a 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
Posted: Monday, June 06, 2011
by Dianne Lehmann
Artisan Jewelry from SyZyGy
First off, I'd like to apologize. If you were expecting a bulleted or numbered listing of steps in a rational chronological order, this is not it. That's just not the way I tend to do things. I am capable of that, but really, when does it actually work out that way? Personally, I've yet to run across a how-to that carried me from start to finish without a few unexpected side trips along the way.
First thing to consider (and see, this would probably have been one of the last steps mentioned in a chronological list) when changing the oil yourself is where you will put it after you have drained it. We have a really huge metal gas can that we pour it into. This way we can do several oil changes before having to take it somewhere for disposal (best to know if you have access to such a place before you drain it from the engine). We are lucky that a local auto parts store will take it for free. When my husband, Bernd, has the oil changed in his Dodge Intrepid, there is always an oil disposal fee added on to the cost of the change. So now you might be wondering why we change the oil in my Jeep ourselves, but not the oil in his Intrepid. It all has to do with ground clearance. The Jeep has enough that I can slither under it without having to lift it. The Intrepid does not. And jacking up the car and putting it on stands is just one more step that neither of us has any desire to do. And this is something that you should also consider when deciding if you should do oil changes yourself. There is always a little risk involved in the process. Although, it is not as risky as trying to drive your vehicle up ramps. That's another story.
The second thing you must do is make sure you have all the tools and supplies you will need. You will need an oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter even if you only hand tightened it, as we do, when you replaced it last. They just sort of seem to get baked into place. You will also need a wrench to remove the drain plug from the oil pan. Luckily for me, there is only one drain plug. The 1979 Mustang that we had when we were first married had two. You will need something to collect the oil as it drains. You will also need paper towels and old newspapers, a funnel, some vinyl gloves and maybe a hammer (I love hammers; any time I can use a hammer is a good deal). Also handy is a cheater bar. I needed one the last time we changed the oil. A foot long piece of steel pipe works well. You will also need several quarts of fresh oil and a new oil filter.
If it is a windy day, consider doing the oil change in the garage. When the oil is close to all drained from the engine, the stream gets really thin and will blow around in the wind. It will get all over you as you are lying beneath the car and waiting for the next step. I got some in my mouth once (I keep it firmly shut now) and that was not at all pleasant. Also, remember to wear old clothes. I have this hooded sweatshirt (from way before there were "hoodies" and besides, I'm pretty sure they need a full length zipper to be a "hoody" and mine does not have that) that once belonged to my dad. I can remember him wearing it to the beach when I was very young. It became mine when Dad bought Mom her first clothes dryer (I actually missed clothes dried on the line) and she had to learn the hard way what you could put in there and what you could not. Kind of like how she learned how not to cook eggs in her first microwave oven.
Anyway, the sweatshirt is really thick and has a double layer hood. It's just perfect for keeping my hair relatively clean and cushioning my head when I lay it on the concrete while waiting for the oil to drain. Even with my Jeep's ground clearance, it's still difficult for this nearly 59 year old woman to get under there and so I stay under there until all the things that must be done beneath my Jeep are finished. Having a soft place to rest my head is a real bonus.
Another consideration with the wind is the laying down of newspapers under your vehicle. It's virtually impossible to accomplish when it is windy and unless you really want to put on a physical comedy routine for your neighbors, I'd say make the change in your garage. With newspapers, more is better. Don't skimp. It saves having to clean up the mess on your garage floor (or driveway as the case may be) later.
We use an old litter box to collect the old oil. When we got Winnie, our cat, her new, improved, litter box (it's huge and deep and so much nicer), we found ourselves with several smaller litter boxes. We have several because on the odd occasion when we might go away for a few days, we would put out three litter boxes, because the most she will use one is twice. The new improved litter box is not one of those with a lid … The Wee One has confinement issues.
The old litter box has a large enough capacity that it doesn't get more than half full (this is important for when you are sliding the litter box from underneath your car … the oil tends to slosh around a bit no matter how careful and patient you are) and the opening is large enough that you are sure to get it beneath the stream. The oil doesn't just come out of there straight down. Keep that in mind if you are trying to get it directly into the container in which you will store it and transport it. Actually, I don't recommend that you try doing that. But there are those who will. One less step is one less step, after all.
If you have changed your oil before and if you have a reasonably good memory, you will know what size socket you need to remove the plug. You can remove it with an adjustable wrench, but a ratchet is so much easier. Depending on a number of factors not limited to how tightly you put it back last time, you might need a hammer to tap on the ratchet wrench to loosen the plug. Occasionally, Bernd has had to put one of his long legs under the Jeep and push on the wrench with his foot. We both would rather not have to resort to this. If all else fails, use the cheater bar. Actually, just use it to begin with … why don't I ever take my own advice?
Once you have loosened the plug sufficiently (make sure you have the litter box in place), you can remove it fully with your fingers. You will get oil all over your hand. This is why I wear the vinyl gloves (I'm allergic to latex). That dirty oil is really hard to clean from around my finger nails. If that doesn't bother you, don't bother with the gloves. You'll need paper towels to clean the oil from your gloves. If you don't, you will get dirty oil all over your ratchet wrench when you put the plug back.
Once the oil is finished draining (be sure to have first removed the cap from where you put the oil into the engine), slide the litter box out from under the car. The smell is really obnoxious. Of course, the smell of the underside of any car is obnoxious, but the oil is somehow worse. Also, that will keep you from possibly dropping the plug into the oil. Put the plug back in place, tighten it, and move on to the next step.
Now your helper, if you have one and really it's best if you do this as a two-person team, will remove the old oil filter. The Jeep's screws into place with the opening down and so inevitably, old oil runs out and all over the frame and parts of the engine. Try not to be beneath the filter as it is being removed. Use more paper towels to clean this all up from underneath. Personally, I find nothing worse than the smell of oil burning off the engine as I'm driving along after an oil change. Once that is done, you can get out from under the vehicle. Hooray! By that time, I'm usually really ready to stand up.
Next, put the new oil filter in place. My dad always smeared a little oil on the gasket before screwing it on. I still do that. I'm not sure why.
Now you have to refill the oil. It used to be that the quart containers had small enough mouths that you could just tip it over and insert it into the opening, let it drain, and go on to the next one. But not these new fangled quart containers. So a funnel is necessary. And if you have impaired depth perception as I do (I was born with one near sighted eye and one normal and my brain never did learn to combine images for 3D), it's doubly necessary. My Jeep needs about six quarts. It's a good idea to put in the recommended amount but also be sure to check the oil level after the first time you drive it. My Jeep always needs a little extra after that. Be sure to wipe up any oil you happen to spill on the engine … burning oil smell, remember?
Next, use the same funnel to carefully pour the old oil from the litter box into the gas can. Lastly, clean up all the newspapers, tools and whatnots. And voila! You've changed your oil. While it might seem like a lot of work, in actuality, it probably takes less time to accomplish than it has taken me to type this. Oh, and be sure to treat yourself to a rootbeer when you are all done.
Bernd still thinks it's easier and cheaper to have your oil changed commercially. He usually makes an appointment and takes his Intrepid in before going to work. He has to get up a bit early but considers the convenience of having it done to be worth it. For me and my schedule, it is never convenient to take it somewhere to have it done. So we've learned to do it together. And as most things go for us, together is always good.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Man oh man Dianne. Why doesn't it surprise me you change your own oil? You kill me girl. I am so impressed. Impressed with you tackling a job most women wouldn't consider and impressed as always at what a great team the two of you are. Loved this. :)Hi Brianna.
I don't do it by myself. There's a chance that I could, but it wouldn't be any fun and would probably take me three times as long. Bernd and I have bent the traditional gender roles for years. He's mostly in charge of keeping the toilets clean (nasty job :)) so why shouldn't I crawl under the car (nasty job :)).
Anyway, thanks so much for the praise. Don't think I don't appreciate it. And I'm glad you liked it!
Hugs,
Dianne
"Ground clearance". "Sweater with a hoody for laying on the ground", "litter box", "helper". These are all incredible details. I bow down in reverence to you. If given this assignment, I could not do it, but more than that, your article comes somewhere close to being a booklet. My gawd, you are good!Hi Christofer.
You know, Christofer, I bet there is something you've done a bunch of times that you could describe in good detail. It's the mistakes and their solutions that make it valuable. I've always felt that experience is all about learning what NOT to do. :) And I'm not really sure "booklet" is a good thing. :) It got really long, but when I went back to edit it, instead of leaving some things out, I just added more!
Thank you, also, for the praise. Don't think I'm not glowing with it. :) :)
Hugs,
Dianne
Found your articel just scoping our this site off a story by Old Mare. Too cool. I love this. I cant write. Love to read, tho.Hi J.
Well, there is plenty of great stuff to read on SearchWarp. We have authors that write about all sorts of topics.
I'm very glad that you stopped by. Please come back again. :)
Hugs,
Dianne
Thanks Diane for the excellent tips! I never would have thought about the wind and the mess that comes with it! I am now heading out to grab the things required for this job! I'm glad you didn't write the instructions step by step, very helpful! I'm big on googling to fix things and I'm glad I found your page. Have a great weeked! :)Hi Kaysha.
I'm so glad that I could be of help to you! I hope your oil change goes well.
Thanks so much for reading and for leaving a comment.
Hugs,
Dianne
It's no surprise these directions were posted by a woman,they are useless.Rambling and presumptious,and she even admits to being unable to give chronological directions,guess what,then they are not directions.Why would I be looking this up if I knew where to drain the oil or refill it,.This woman is high.Hi Jack.
I'm sorry that you did not find my directions to be helpful. We all have different ways of doing things and unfortunately my way does not seem to mesh well with yours.
I can assure you that I was not high when I wrote this article and as a matter of fact, I never get high ... at least not with drugs or alcohol.
As for being able to give chronological directions, I never said I wasn't capable of it; only that I preferred not to in this instance.
Thanks for reading.
Dianne
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