http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6862#post6862

 

Yup, JeepFan is right... Stay with the recommended viscosity and use standard motor oil until, at least, the frist 3,000 miles. I'd wait until after 6K or 9K just to be really safe.

The 5w-20 blend is what helps the Patriot get good gas mileage, along with it's HP rating. Changing to a thicker base would increase the strain on the oil pump as it tries to get a heavier oil to the bearing surfaces.

 

In past cars I have changed oil the first time at between 500 and 1000 miles. Then at 3000 and every 3000-4000 miles subsequently. On every new car except for the Wrangler since the 1980s I've switched to synthetic between 6000 and 9000 miles. Typically use 5w-30 but have no problem with thinner oils. Some of the European cars are pushing through 0w oil. Never had an engine failure. this is really for input from everyone else. I'm curious what others are doing.

 

Ford's have also switched to the 5w-20 blend in most of their new cars. (I'm assuming that Honda and Toyota have also done the same.)

I agree that you should change the oil between the first 500 - 1000 miles to remove any metal debris and assembly contaiminents that might have slipped in durring construction of the motor.

 

Several years ago, when finishing up the process of buying a new Honda, the salesman opened up the owners manual for my new car, took out a pen and crossed out the 5W20 in the book and wrote in 5W30.

The dealership service shops buy and use whatever they want. Just because the owner's manual may say to use a certain weight of oil, their dealerships most certainly do not care what is in the manual. That has been my experience. I do my own oil changes.

I can't imagine using a 20 weight oil in the summer in the south. Of course with oil there are lots of opinions.

 

So I went and had my first oil change on Tuesday... I didn't think of it until Wed. to look at my work order to see what kind of oil they used. Come to find out, they used 5w-30 and was wondering what the difference would have any significant impact on the driving experience.

 

I recall reading somewhere that thinner oil improves mileage but going with a bit thicker oil will reduce engine wear. Anybody know if this is true?

 

For my jeeps I always used Quakerstate Non-synthetic. Have had no trouble with that brand.

 

Just a follow on. Most of the 3rd party repair shops will only put in the 5w-20 to prevent any issues with the manufacturers if a problem does occur.

 

So the Riot has 950 miles now - I took it to my local oil change place (the last one in town that hasn't annoyed me yet) and they had no filter!
Does anyone know if Fram. etc makes a filter for this thing yet?

(The dealer gave me a couple of oil change coupons but he's located inconveniently...)

 

... and they had no filter!
Does anyone know if Fram. etc makes a filter for this thing yet?

(The dealer gave me a couple of oil change coupons but he's located inconveniently...)

They didn't have one for a Dodge Caliber with a 2.4L? Should be the same. Sounds like the computer list wasn't updated. To be safe stop by a Jeep or Dodge dealer and pick up a few filters. I had to do that with a few cars.

 

I am looking for a k&n filter but those aren't made for the patriot yet either...

 

oh yes they are!!!!:smiley_thumbs_up:

Year Model Engine Product Part Number Description
2007 PATRIOT 2.4L L4 F/I Air Filter 33-2362 Replacement Air Filter
2007 PATRIOT 2.4L L4 F/I Oil Filter HP-1017 Oil Filter

 

My local dodge dealer had mopar filters for the riot, so I bought 3 of them (7 bucks each) and got the oil changed before hitting 1000 miles. Confirmed that the filter for the caliber, compass, and riot 2.4 liter engine is the same...

 

Thanks for the info. I'll be doing the same this week.

 

mopar 04884900AB

 

Thanks for the part number.

 

Here's some #'s from a quick search, good for a tune up anyway when that rolls around.

Oil
Fram #PH10060
Purolator #L12222 (Pure One #PL12222)
STP #10060
Mobil #M1-113
K&N #HP1017

Air
STP #SA10118
K&N #332362
Fram #CA10118
Purolator #A25635

Spark Plug
Autolite # (Xtreme)XP5224, (Double Platinum)APP5224, (Platinum)AP5224, (Copper)5224.

Wipers
Trico #Front 21-1, Rear 10-1

 

Thanks for the info. I'm going to add it to the list I'm compiling for my local mechanic.

 

First oil change at 650 miles. Castrol 5W-20. Only 4.5 quarts!? Nice that you don't have to take off the air deflector to get to the filter & drain plug. Btw the owners manual pouch holds receipts nicely.

I stopped changing oil on cars myself 20 years ago but the Patriot is very easy.