How Do I Know When My Jeep Renegade Needs An Oil Change?

An oil change is one of the basic routines necessary to maintain and boost the lifespan of the Jeep Renegade.

Unfortunately, when car owners ignore this routine, disastrous consequences follow suit. That said, how do you know when your Jeep Renegade needs an oil change? 

When your Jeep renegade needs an oil change, the engine oil becomes exceptionally dark and thick, making proper lubrication difficult and causing engine failure. In addition, the engine generates excessive heat, thereby producing harmful exhaust gas that could damage one’s body system upon inhalation. 

Does My Jeep Renegade Tell Me When I Need an Oil Change?

The Jeep oil service light is a strong indicator that alerts you when you need an oil change; this is one way the Jeep Renegade informs you of the need for an oil change.

When the light turns red, you need to pull over your vehicle and change the oil. 

The light Is also a sign that the oil level is deficient and needs an immediate refill. However, the oil service light requires manual operation to run each cycle.

Therefore, you need to reset it immediately after changing or refilling the oil in your vehicle’s engine. 

Notwithstanding, there are other crucial ways your Jeep Renegade alerts you when you need an oil change.

So, what are these ways? Let’s find out more below! 

#1. The engine oil becomes dark and dirty:

Naturally, when you purchase fresh oil, it’s usually clear, free of impurities, and light to dark green in pigment, depending on the thickness.

Unfortunately, oil becomes dark over time due to excessive use, heat, and other impurities which come in through the engine.

When the oil becomes too dark and exceeds the normal thickness, it’s a red flag indicating the need to change it immediately. 

#2. The engine begins to create noise/knocking:

The main task of engine oil is proper and thorough lubrication. Hence, when there’s a short supply of engine oil, the moving components within the engine do not get enough lubrication.

And this allows these components to make metal-to-metal contact. Thereby leading to a pale tapping or knocking sound.

Also, this sound can come when the engine oil has lost its ability to lubricate appropriately (loss of viscosity).

#3. The engine generates exhaust gas/smoke:

Normally, the exhaust gas which comes out through the pipes is often invisible, although it produces a slight smell.

However, if the gas becomes more noticeable and appears very dark in color, it’s a warning, and you need to change the engine oil. 

How to Check Oil Life on Jeep Renegade? 

Checking the oil life of your Jeep Renegade is pretty easy, and you can do it yourself without the help of a mechanic.

Follow the instructions below to check the oil life. 

• Step 1: If your vehicle is in motion, park it carefully in a  safe spot and on level ground. Leave it for roughly 10-15  minutes to cool down completely.
• Step 2: Open the bonnet of your car and find the oil dipstick.
• Step 3: Grab the dipstick and wipe off the oil lingering on it if it’s dirty.
• Step 4: Insert the dipstick into its place to check the oil life. Afterward,  remove the dipstick to read the level of the oil. If the oil is in between the two visible dots of the dipstick, then you’re good to go, but if it’s below, you need to change or refill the oil. 

Checking the oil life/level of your Jeep Renegade also enables you to check the quality of the oil.

Hence, it’s best to check your vehicle’s oil life frequently as it allows you to curb problems that arise unexpectedly. 

One of the most common problems of low engine oil is engine knocking. Especially when lubrication doesn’t reach target areas/components in the engine.

Most times, this problem occurs when the oil level drops constantly. 

And this could be a result of the quality and age of the oil. In other words, you need to be cautious to avoid using expired oil. 

How to Change Oil on Jeep Renegade? 

Changing the engine oil in your Jeep Renegade is quite tricky, so you have to exercise caution while carrying out this procedure.

However, you can always consult a technician to help you out. 

Notwithstanding, if you want to do it yourself, you need to follow some steps to guide you through the process.

Below I’ve highlighted these crucial steps, but first, let’s take a quick look at the materials you’ll need. They include;

• Hand gloves 
• Oil filter wrench 
• 12mm socket, or equivalent SAE
• 5.5 quarts of 0w-20 full synthetic oil
• Oil filter
• Drain pan
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Ramps 

Moreover, you can also use this procedure for the oil filter change, not just the engine oil change.

So without further ado, let’s learn these steps. 

• Step 1: warm-up your engine to enable the engine oil to flow easily without obstruction.
• Step 2: wear your gloves and position the oil drain pan underneath the oil sump.
• Step 3: use a wrench to unscrew the nut clutching back the oil. Let the oil drain out into the pan.
• Step 4: once you drain the oil out completely, use the oil filter wrench to unscrew the oil filter. 
• Step 5: pour in the new filter, and fasten in the oil sump nut.
• Step 6: Open the bonnet of your Jeep Renegade and unscrew the oil cap. Gently pour in the required amount of 0w-20 full synthetic motor oil, and close the oil cap.
• Step 7: turn on your engine and let it run for approximately 30 seconds. Afterward, check the oil level and add more if it’s not enough. Plus, check for any leaks.
• Step 8: remove the oil drain pan gently, then use a funnel to pour the oil back into the initial containers.

How to Reset Oil Light on Jeep Renegade? 

Resetting the oil light on your Jeep Renegade is straightforward, requiring little effort.

So how do you reset the oil light? Let’s find out! 

• Ensure that the gear shifter is ready to park. Plus, make sure that you engage the parking brake.
• Make sure that you put the ignition in the ON position. However, ensure that you don’t crank the engine in the process.
• Depress and discharge the accelerator pedal slowly. Do this three times in succession within 10 seconds.
• Turn of the Ignition. Afterward, turn it back on to confirm that it has affected your changes.

It’s important to note that if the oil light doesn’t turn off, it means that the oil light didn’t reset. Hence, you need to repeat the same process to ensure the procedure is successful.

It’s best not to ignore the oil light as it comes with many benefits that prevent unnecessary loss. 

For instance, if you reset the oil light on time, you receive alerts when there’s a problem. Furthermore, you get to change your oil on time after every 5,000-7,000 miles.

However, this range solely depends on the type of oil you’re using for your vehicle. Regardless, if the oil light fails to reset, then you need to take your car to an expert to check it out. 

Jeep Renegade Oil Change Light won’t Reset? 

The oil change light fails to reset when there’s a problem with the oil pump. This failure evolves when the engine oil circulating to different engine components is not enough.

The light will remain ON for a long time if you do not tackle the problem. 

Sometimes, the problem arises as a result of ignorance. Especially when you forget to turn it off immediately after an oil change or refill.

Nevertheless, you can prevent this by changing the oil frequently, at least every 6,000 miles. 

You can even change the oil before receiving a notification from the oil change light.

In addition, always remember to turn off the light and reset it once you complete an oil change routine. 

Can You Feel the Difference After an Oil Change?

An oil change brings about a significant difference to your automobile, and with proper attention, you can feel it.

Fresh oil change brings solace and peace of mind as it increases your engine’s lifespan.

In addition, it ensures adequate lubrication of all the engine parts, thereby reducing wear and tear. However, this depends on the type of oil you use for your vehicle. 

Using a high mileage oil or fully synthetic oil is highly advisable as it’s best for your vehicle.

On the other hand, utilizing a conventional motor oil or a synthetic blend motor oil may not be 100% effective. 

You may have to change them more frequently than the full synthetic oil. Nevertheless, you can check your owner’s manual to see the requirements and the type of oil that suits your vehicle. 

How To Change The Oil In A Jeep Renegade

Final thoughts

Overheating, dark engine oil, engine knocking, and exhaust gas release are all signs that you need an oil change immediately.

Fortunately, your Jeep Renegade also comes with an oil change light that alerts you when you need an oil change. Furthermore, changing the engine oil regularly increases your engine’s lifespan.