Owners of other Jeep, Chrysler, RAM, Volkswagen, Fiat and Lancia vehicles equipped with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 motor such as the Wrangler, 200, 300, Town & Country, Ram 1500, C/V Cargo Van, Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan, Grand Cherokee, VW Routan, Freemont, Voyager and Thema may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The items needed to complete this procedure include a 24mm socket with a 1/2" drive ratchet, a 13mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet, a used oil catch container, an automotive funnel, a new cartridge style oil filter and 6 quarts (5.6L) of new SAE 5W-20 motor oil.

Optional items include a floor jack and two jack stands to raise the vehicle for more working room beneath the engine.

The 2014, 2015 and 2016 model years of the Dodge Journey with the updated Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine require different oil filters. The compatible filter part numbers are as follows: Mopar # 68191349AA (or "MO-349"), Fram CH11665, Wix # WL10010, Ecogard X10040, K&N PS-7026, Pentius PCBT4024, Purolator L36296, Hastings LF697 and Pennzoil PZ-184.

Warning: Using an oil filter intended for the 2011, 2012 & 2013 model years in a 2014 or 2015 Journey may result in an oil leak.

If you have a newer 2014 or 2015 Journey, please buy one of the compatible filters listed above.

Warming up the engine will help suspend any contaminants within the old oil and help it to drain out more quickly.

Then engage the emergency / parking brake and chock the rear wheels with blocks to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Twist off the oil filler cap in the counter clockwise direction and pull up the yellow handled oil level dipstick an inch. Both of these steps will help prevent a vacuum from forming and allow the old oil to drain out more quickly.

Update - The service manual recommends that you loosen or remove the oil filter cap before draining the oil to allow the old oil from the oil filter cavity to drain down to the sump. If you don't loosen or remove the oil filter cap before draining the old oil, all of the old oil will not be drained from the engine.

If you need the extra room to work under the vehicle, raise the front passenger side of the vehicle with the floor jack and securely support it with two jack stands.

Slide under the front passenger side of the engine bay with the 13mm socket, a ratcheting wrench and a used oil catch basin. You may also want to lay down some newspapers to catch any stray oil drips and keep your garage floor clean.

The oil drain bolt is located at the rear of the black metal oil pan near an exhaust pipe.

Slide the used oil catch container directly below the oil drain bolt.

Be careful since the old oil may be hot enough to burn your skin depending on how long you warmed up the engine.

Loosen the oil drain bolt by turning it counter clockwise with the 13mm socket and ratcheting wrench. Spin out the bolt and allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes.

Double check that the oil drain bolt is tight before moving on to the next steps.

Lower the car from the jack stands using the floor jack.

The engine cover is held in place by a few rubber friction fasteners.

Pull the engine cover straight off and set it aside in a safe place.

Attach the 24mm socket and 1/2" drive ratcheting wrench to the hex head on the top of the oil filter cap.

Loosen the filter cap in the counter clockwise direction and spin it out until it can be lifted out of the housing.

I recommend buying either the Fram CH10955 (2011, 2012 & 2013 model years) or the Fram CH11665 (2014, 2015, 2016) since they have excellent reviews on Amazon.

Lightly lubricate the new rubber o-ring that should have been included with your new cartridge filter with some new SAE 5W-20 oil. Lubricating the o-ring will help the filter cap form a better seal, prevent oil leaks and make it easier to remove during the next oil change.

Replace the rubber o-ring gasket at the top of the threads on the filter cap.

Push the new cartridge filter in to the filter cap until it clicks securely in to place.

Double check that the rubber o-ring and new cartridge filter are properly installed on the cap.

Attach the 24mm socket and tighten the filter cap to about 1/8 to 1/4 turn past hand tight.

If you insist on using a torque wrench to tighten the oil filter cap, the torque specification in the service manual is 18 lb-ft or (25 N-m).

Warning - Try to avoid over tightening the oil filter cap to prevent from cracking the plastic body or tearing the rubber o-ring. Damaging the cap or o-ring may lead to oil leaks. According to many owners of vehicles with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine, the plastic oil filter cap is prone to breaking when over tightened.

Double check that the filter cap is tight before moving on to the next step.

Twist off the oil filler cap in the counter clockwise direction and set it aside in a safe place.

The Chrysler Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine requires 6 quarts (5.6 liters) of new SAE 5W-20 oil for an oil change with filter replacement.

Pour in about 5 to 5 1/2 quarts of the engine's 6 quart total capacity.

It is far better to have slightly less oil than necessary in an engine than to have too much. Over filling with oil and running the engine may damage seals, gaskets or other components and lead to oil leaks.

Temporarily replace the oil filler cap by twisting it on in the clockwise direction and push down the yellow handled oil level dipstick.

Remove the oil dipstick, wipe it off with a paper towel, re-insert it, pull it out again and check the oil level.

If necessary, slowly pour in more oil while repeatedly checking the level on the dipstick until it reaches at or just below the upper cross hatched area near the word "SAFE" stamped on the stick.

You may not need to pour in the entire 6 quarts (5.6L) of new SAE 5W-20 oil depending on how long you allowed the old oil to drain out.

Replace the oil filler cap if you haven't already and re-insert the oil level dipstick.

Line up the plastic engine cover over the engine and firmly push it down to insert the pegs on the top of the engine in to the rubber grommet friction fasteners on the underside of the cover.

Be sure to record the oil change in your service records. Watch your drive way or garage floor for drops of oil that may indicate a leak from the drain bolt or filter housing. It's also a good idea to check the level on the dipstick during the next few days.

To reset the "Oil Change Due" or "Oil Change Required" message on the display, follow these steps: 1. Turn the ignition to the "Run" position (or press the "Engine Start/Stop" button twice) but do not start the engine. 2. Press the accelerator (gas) pedal down to the floor 3 times within 10 seconds. 3. Turn the ignition switch to the "Off" position (or press the "Start/Stop" button once). The next time you turn on the ignition, the message should be gone. If not, repeat the steps.

For more, check out my other Dodge Journey Repair & Maintenance Guides.