2022 Jeep Gladiator 3.6L Pentastar Oil Change — 0W-20, Mopar Filter, DIY Guide

The 2022 Jeep Gladiator is a truck I've always had a soft spot for, and doing the oil change on my own has been part of owning it from the start. The Pentastar 3.6L V6 is one of the more proven engines in the Stellantis lineup — widespread, well-documented, and genuinely easy to service. The Gladiator's ground clearance is the best thing about doing maintenance on it: this truck was designed for off-road use, and that translates to legitimate belly access without needing ramps or a lift. Total time: 30–40 minutes. Dealers charge $100–$145 for this service. My parts cost: $45–$55.

The Pentastar spec: 0W-20 full synthetic, conforming to Chrysler MS-6395 specification. Mopar 0W-20 is the OEM fill, but any full synthetic API SP (or SN/SN Plus) 0W-20 meeting the MS-6395 standard works. The 0W-20 spec is factory-recommended for the Gladiator and Wrangler Pentastar applications — it provides the required cold-flow protection for cold-start oil delivery to the SOHC valvetrain, and it's optimized for the Gladiator's 10,000-mile change interval.

Engine and Oil Specs

Item	Spec
Engine	3.6L Pentastar V6 SOHC (ERB engine code)
Output	285 hp / 260 lb-ft torque
Oil viscosity	0W-20 full synthetic (Chrysler MS-6395 spec, API SP)
Oil capacity	5.0 quarts (4.7L) with filter
OEM oil filter	Mopar 68218956AA (also cross-refs as 68191349AA)
Drain plug size	18mm
Drain plug torque	20 lb-ft (27 Nm)
Drain plug washer	Mopar 06508898AA — replace every change
Oil change interval	10,000 miles (Jeep Electronic Vehicle Information Center)

The Mopar 68218956AA is the primary current part number for the Gladiator Pentastar filter. The 68191349AA is an earlier superseded number that many suppliers still carry — both are correct for this application. The 18mm drain plug is one of the larger drain plug sizes you'll encounter in this class; make sure your socket set covers it.

Tools and Parts List

• Mopar 68218956AA oil filter (or 68191349AA)
• 5.0 quarts 0W-20 full synthetic (Chrysler MS-6395 / API SP)
• Mopar 06508898AA drain plug crush washer
• 18mm socket (drain plug)
• Strap wrench or 74mm filter wrench cap (if needed for filter removal)
• Torque wrench (15–30 lb-ft range)
• Drain pan (6-quart capacity)
• Funnel and shop rags

Cost Comparison

Item	DIY Cost	Shop Cost
0W-20 full synthetic (5 qt)	$28–$36	—
Mopar 68218956AA filter	$12–$15	—
Drain plug crush washer	$1–$2	—
Total parts	~$45–$55	—
Labor	$0	$55–$95
Total	~$45–$55	$100–$145

You save $55–$95 every oil change. The Gladiator's 10,000-mile OCI means roughly one service per year for most drivers — over five years of ownership, that's $275–$475 in service savings on oil changes alone.

Step-by-Step Oil Change

1. Warm the Engine

Drive the Gladiator for 5–7 minutes. The Pentastar warms up quickly. Once home and parked, let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Park on level ground.

2. Access the Drain Plug and Filter

The 2022 Gladiator has excellent ground clearance even in stock form. No underbody panels need to be removed for a standard oil change. If your specific build has an aftermarket or steel belly plate, remove the appropriate bolts for access.

The 18mm drain plug is on the passenger side of the oil pan, toward the rear, angled downward. The Mopar 68218956AA spin-on filter is on the driver's side of the engine block, mid-engine, angled at roughly 45 degrees toward the front. Both are easily visible from below.

3. Drain the Oil

Position the drain pan under the drain plug. The 18mm size means most 3/8-drive socket sets need a step-up adapter or your 1/2-drive set. Break it loose counterclockwise, then unthread by hand. The Pentastar holds 5.0 quarts — allow 8–10 minutes for a complete drain.

Remove the Mopar 06508898AA crush washer from the drain plug and discard it. These are aluminum crush washers and single-use items.

4. Remove the Old Filter

The 68218956AA is a spin-on filter. If the previous service used correct installation technique, the filter should break free by hand or with light strap wrench assistance. Turn counterclockwise. Hold a rag below the filter to catch the oil in the filter as it separates from the block.

5. Install the New Filter

Apply a light coat of fresh 0W-20 to the rubber gasket ring on the new 68218956AA. Thread it in clockwise by hand until the gasket contacts the engine block surface. Turn an additional 3/4 turn. Do not use a wrench for installation.

If you wheel the Gladiator off-road: if the filter has been subject to debris, mud, or water contact, inspect the spin-on filter threads carefully before installation.

6. Reinstall the Drain Plug

Install the new 06508898AA crush washer on the drain plug. Thread the plug in by hand. Torque to 20 lb-ft (27 Nm). Note: 20 lb-ft is on the lower end for an 18mm drain plug, which is why a torque wrench matters here. Overtightening the aluminum Pentastar oil pan threads will strip over time.

7. Add Oil

Pour in 4.5 quarts of 0W-20 through the oil filler cap on the passenger-side valve cover. Start the engine — the oil pressure light should extinguish within 5 seconds. Let it idle for 60–90 seconds, shut off, wait 5 minutes. Check the dipstick (driver's side, orange loop handle) and top up to the full mark. Full capacity is 5.0 quarts with filter.

8. Start and Inspect

Run the engine for 2–3 minutes at idle. Check the filter and drain plug areas for any drips. After the first drive of 5–10 miles, park on a clean surface and check again.

9. Reset the Jeep Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)

In the 2022 Gladiator, use the steering wheel controls to navigate to "Vehicle Info" → "Oil Life." Press and hold the OK button for approximately 5 seconds until the display shows "Oil Life Reset Successful" or resets to 100%.

On Gladiators with the Uconnect 5 system, you can also navigate to the oil life reset through the touchscreen: Settings → Vehicle → Engine Oil Reset.

Pentastar Notes for Off-Road Use

If your Gladiator sees serious trail use, I recommend shortening the oil change interval to 5,000–7,500 miles rather than the full 10,000-mile EVIC interval. The Pentastar's MDS system (cylinder deactivation on some Gladiator configurations) is sensitive to oil condition. Degraded oil can cause MDS-related noise and rough transitions between cylinder activation states.

For a broader look at how oil change intervals interact with severe-use driving conditions, see the OwnerDrop oil change guides. For the complete 2022 Gladiator service schedule — including differential fluid, transfer case fluid, and spark plug intervals — see the OwnerDrop maintenance schedules guide.

If you also maintain a Ranger or F-150, the 2021 Ford Ranger 2.3L EcoBoost oil change guide walks through a similarly truck-optimized service on a different architecture.

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