Requirements for Changing Oil & Filter, Differential Fluid, and Transfer Case Fluid on Jeep Gladiator 3.6L V6

g2020 · Nov 10, 2024

Content: Product recommendations, part numbers, fluid capacities, required tools, torque specifications, material standards, industry standards, and helpful hints

Coverage: Motor oil & filter, front & rear differential fluid, and transfer case fluid; removing the differential cover to inspect and clean the differential and axle tube is out of scope

Requirements for Changing Oil & Filter, Front & Rear Differential Fluid, and Transfer Case Fluid on 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport
with 3.6L V6 (Gasoline), 8-Speed Automatic 850RE Transmission, Sales Code DRE (obtained from dealer), Trac-Lok Anti-Spin Rear Differential, and Trailer Tow Package
- Fluids & filters are the same, except for rear differential fluid & cabin air filter, for all trim levels and model years with the same type of engine & transmission

This article advises what you need, but not how to do it. To learn how to do each of these jobs, ask friends & family, watch online videos, and consult a Jeep professional.

Source of torque specifications:
- The torque specs listed in this article have been confirmed by more than one dealer
- The following link is the source on this forum for all 2020-2023 JT Gladiator torque values; however, the actual file that I used for torque specs has been deleted:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/

-2020-2023-jt-gladiator-torque-values-all-of-them-in-one-place.67915/

Tips:

For your vehicle, confirm part numbers, material standards, industry standards, required tools, torque specifications, and a level work surface
Fluid capacity: Actual fluid capacity can vary depending on the condition of a component; guidance on proper fluid level can vary slightly by component (see your owner's manual and existing threads on this forum)
Know the code: The Sales Code for your vehicle enables you to determine the correct grade of fluid for the rear differential, as shown on p. 234 of the 2020 Gladiator owner's manual
If the flats on the (hex head) oil pan drain plug, on your vehicle, have already been slightly rounded, you might need to use a 13 mm wrench/socket unless you buy a new oil pan drain plug (MOPAR 06513414AA)
Some automotive care professionals do not use Teflon paste or thread locker; check with your dealer before you choose not to use these sealant products as described in this article: Permatex Thread Sealant High Temperature 400°F max (contains PTFE/Teflon) 1.69 fl oz part number 59235 (UPC 6 86226 59235 4) or 0.2 fl oz part number 59214 (UPC 6 86226 59214 9), and Permatex Threadlocker BLUE Medium Strength 0.2 fl oz part number 24200 (UPC 6 86226 24200 6)
A small amount of fine metal shavings on the end of a (magnetized) differential drain plug is normal; if you notice an increase in amount or size, take a picture of the shavings and consult a qualified automotive technician; removing the differential cover to inspect and clean the differential and axle tube is out of scope
Although some mobile devices display UPCs as phone numbers, each 12-digit UPC (universal product code) in this article is not a telephone number
The use of a product different from the one listed is fine as long as the product meets or exceeds manufacturer specifications (including material standards starting with MS- or MS.) for this vehicle, or for other vehicles with the same specifications, as listed in the 2020 Gladiator User Guide (owner's manual)

Motor oil & filter:

Motor oil: Mobil 1 Extended Performance Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil MS-6395 API-Certified for Gasoline Engines SAE 0W-20 5-qt size; part number 120903 (UPC 0 71924 15005 8)

Oil filter: Mobil 1 Extended Performance Oil Filter; part number M1C-456A (UPC 0 71924 21478 1)

Fluid capacity: 5 qts

Tools:

1/2" (not 13 mm) box wrench, or box end of combination wrench, for loosening oil pan drain plug

1/2" (not 13 mm) 6-point socket for oil pan drain plug

15/16" 6-point socket for filter housing cap

10" socket extension for filter housing cap

Ratchet

Torque wrench

Drain pan

Tarp

Rags

Level work space

Torque:

20 ft-lbs for oil pan drain plug

18 ft-lbs for filter housing cap

Reminders:

Remove dipstick, fill cap, and filter first

After removing old O-ring from filter housing cap, apply oil to new O-ring before placing it, untwisted, in groove on filter housing cap

Use clean funnel when adding new oil (try not to spill oil on engine)

Clean dipstick, fill cap, filter housing cap, drain plug, and oil pan (after oil stops dripping)

Reset oil change indicator

Rear differential fluid:

Fluid: AMSOIL Severe Gear 100% Synthetic Gear Lube API GL-5 SAE 75W-85 1-qt size; product code SVLPK-EA; contains friction modifiers; not harmful to front differential; recommended by AMSOIL for both front and rear differentials

- For more info on fluid grade, see my post on manufacturer specifications

Trailer towing: See "Notes on trailer towing", in section 9.2 of my fluid & filter lineup post, for discussion on whether to use SAE 75W-140

Material standards: MS-A0450 for front and rear fluid, and MS.10111 (rear only) for LS friction modifier additive; AMSOIL Severe Gear 100% Synthetic Gear Lube meets Chrysler GL-5 based specifications

Fluid capacity: 1.44 qts (Trac-Lok LS) or 1.53 qts (E-locker)

Tools:

3/8" ratchet (no socket)

3/8" Torque wrench (no socket)

Optional: 1.5" (sacrificial) socket extension, for drain plug only, to minimize wear and tear on ratchet and torque wrench (only the drain plug has enough room for this extension)

Drain pan

Tarp

Rags

Teflon paste for both plugs (high-temperature PTFE/Teflon thread SEALANT, 400°F max, knead tube before use)

Fill pump

Level work space

Torque:

25 ft-lbs

Reminders:

Remove fill plug before removing drain plug

Do not switch drain plug and fill plug

Some people prefer to pay to have this job done because the fluid smells bad and stays in your clothes; you should be able to bring-your-own (AMSOIL) fluid

Front differential fluid:

Fluid: AMSOIL Severe Gear 100% Synthetic Gear Lube API GL-5 SAE 75W-85 1-qt size; product code SVLPK-EA; contains friction modifiers; not harmful to front differential; recommended by AMSOIL for both front and rear differentials

- For more info on fluid grade, see my post on manufacturer specifications

Material standards: MS-A0450; AMSOIL Severe Gear 100% Synthetic Gear Lube meets Chrysler GL-5 based specifications; DIFFERENT FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL (a friction modifier additive is not required for the front differential, but this product will not harm the front differential)

Fluid capacity: 1.09 qts; DIFFERENT FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL

Tools:

3/8" ratchet (no socket)

3/8" Torque wrench (no socket)

Optional: 1.5" (sacrificial) socket extension, for both fill plug and drain plug, to minimize wear and tear on ratchet and torque wrench; DIFFERENT FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL

Drain pan

Tarp

Rags

Teflon paste for fill plug ONLY (high-temperature PTFE/Teflon thread SEALANT, 400°F max, knead tube before use); DIFFERENT FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL

Fill pump

Level work space

Torque:

25 ft-lbs

Reminders:

Remove fill plug before removing drain plug

Do not switch drain plug and fill plug

Do not apply Teflon paste to front drain plug; DIFFERENT FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL

Some people prefer to pay to have this job done because the fluid smells bad and stays in your clothes; you should be able to bring-your-own (AMSOIL) fluid

Transfer case fluid:

Fluid: MOPAR 68218057AC ATF+4 Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid MS-9602 1-qt size

Fluid capacity: 1.69 or 1.86 qts

Tools:

10 mm Allen wrench for loosening fill plug (before drain plug) and drain plug

10 mm Allen socket for fill plug and drain plug

18 mm combination wrench for loosening skid plate bolts

18 mm socket for skid plate bolts

1/2" socket for skid plate nut

3" socket extension for skid plate nut

Ratchet

Torque wrench