Oil Change Intervals for 392

[ozon8r]

Two things...
1) PSA - Check your oil filter to make sure it is hand tight. Had a small puddle of oil under the 392 and discovered that the filter was loose - never had that happen before. And the oil has yet to be changed <5000 miles.

2) Anyone know what the oil life percent is measured against such as odo reading until reset? I accidentally cleared the change oil life status when I installed my Tazer Mini resetting the oil life. Although the manual says to never go beyond 10k miles between oil changes, it seems that the oil life showed that I had less than 40% remaining with only about 3k miles. Now back to almost 100% even though running on original oil.

Thank you and happy holidays.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I believe the 392 performance supplement says 6K miles or 6 months.

 

[CBH]

I believe the 392 performance supplement says 6K miles or 6 months.

Sure does. So, I’m at 6 months/1,800 miles. If I follow the supplement and change the oil now at 6 months, am I interrupting the break-in process by discarding the break-in oil with only 1,800 miles on the odometer?

 

[392Stinger]

Sure does. So, I’m at 6 months/1,800 miles. If I follow the supplement and change the oil now at 6 months, am I interrupting the break-in process by discarding the break-in oil with only 1,800 miles on the odometer?

I did mine at 2K miles 6 months and don’t think it’s an issue with breaking procedure. Most of the break in as you know we’re below 500 miles and then normal driving after which.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Sure does. So, I’m at 6 months/1,800 miles. If I follow the supplement and change the oil now at 6 months, am I interrupting the break-in process by discarding the break-in oil with only 1,800 miles on the odometer?

Well, I'm not sure why you are not driving that wonderful machine more.

And, is break in oil a real thing?

 

[ozon8r]

Just found the supplement manual and confirmed the 6k or 6 mos. Thanks for the assist. Much appreciated!

 

[CBH]

Well, I'm not sure why you are not driving that wonderful machine more.

And, is break in oil a real thing?

Just had my oil changed at 6 months (only 18,00 miles). The dealership told me they put in 7 quarts of Pennzoil Ultra Synthetic, the same oil they claim is put in at the factory. So, I guess for the Rubicon 392, there is no special “break-in” oil.

 

[YukonCornelius]

You'll see a lot of debate on this: newer engines run hotter, you can't go by the dash notice intervals, blah blah blah. Here's the scoop: today, engines are more efficient at cooling and cycling the heat using advanced computations and oil is formulated to work stronger and last longer than ever. I've had the metrics (even a little high-revving S2000), the Europeans (BMW), and domestics - even a pair of Z06's in there: for all of them since the mid 90's ASE certified mechanics all say yes - go by the recommended intervals on the display, and if using synthetic, it can be extended. Some cars, like my current Supra and the previous Z06's require synthetic and account for this in the intervals. So, use the recommended intervals and no manufacturer can deny a claim even if it pushed 7500 miles or more before telling you to change it.

That said - I've always, religiously, changed the "First" oil change between 2500 and 3000 miles. Why? No manufacturer specific reason, but I've always had a personal belief that all of the little particles created from that first "iron on iron" (yes, I know aluminum is used frequently, but humor me ) grinding leaves more from the original manufacturing than at any other time and I want to clean out the manufacturing grime from the start, especially given that they most likely use the meets-the-minimum-requirements weight and brand of oil at production - then start using my good brand of synthetic.

 

[CBH]

You'll see a lot of debate on this: newer engines run hotter, you can't go by the dash notice intervals, blah blah blah. Here's the scoop: today, engines are more efficient at cooling and cycling the heat using advanced computations and oil is formulated to work stronger and last longer than ever. I've had the metrics (even a little high-revving S2000), the Europeans (BMW), and domestics - even a pair of Z06's in there: for all of them since the mid 90's ASE certified mechanics all say yes - go by the recommended intervals on the display, and if using synthetic, it can be extended. Some cars, like my current Supra and the previous Z06's require synthetic and account for this in the intervals. So, use the recommended intervals and no manufacturer can deny a claim even if it pushed 7500 miles or more before telling you to change it.

That said - I've always, religiously, changed the "First" oil change between 2500 and 3000 miles. Why? No manufacturer specific reason, but I've always had a personal belief that all of the little particles created from that first "iron on iron" (yes, I know aluminum is used frequently, but humor me ) grinding leaves more from the original manufacturing than at any other time and I want to clean out the manufacturing grime from the start, especially given that they most likely use the meets-the-minimum-requirements weight and brand of oil at production - then start using my good brand of synthetic.

Pretty simple for me. My Jeep won’t see more than 5,000 miles per year, so I plan on getting the oil changed every 6 months to stay within the recommended intervals. I feel better already knowing I’ve got fresh oil in the Jeep, regardless of how few miles I have on the odometer. Funny; when I see a 20 year old car with a few thousand miles on it at a Mecum’s Auction, I wonder, did that guy change oil 40 times in 20 years?

 

[YukonCornelius]

Excellent point @CBH … didn’t mention the time intervals. Even if it isn’t driven… (unless you drain it to store it. But who the hell wants to do that with a HEMI Jeep???)

 

[Doghaulin392]

Hi fellow 392 owners I just picked up my 392 this morning at Bettenhausen Jeep in Orlando park Illinois and I’m happier than a pig in you what.my brother has a 2015 Hellcat and is total gearhead he told to bring it back to dealer at around 1000 miles and tell them to change the oil and to not let them talk you out of it and after that if you want to go with factory schedule maintenance go ahead.says they are giving you 4 free yea right “oil changes so get that so called break in oil out of that engine.he says it probably left the factory with synthetic penzoil anyway. This 392 is crazy fun by the way!

 

[CBH]

Hi fellow 392 owners I just picked up my 392 this morning at Bettenhausen Jeep in Orlando park Illinois and I’m happier than a pig in you what.my brother has a 2015 Hellcat and is total gearhead he told to bring it back to dealer at around 1000 miles and tell them to change the oil and to not let them talk you out of it and after that if you want to go with factory schedule maintenance go ahead.says they are giving you 4 free yea right “oil changes so get that so called break in oil out of that engine.he says it probably left the factory with synthetic penzoil anyway. This 392 is crazy fun by the way!

I changed my oil at the 6-month interval with only 1,800 miles. The dealershop told me Chrysler has not used break-in oil for many years; the oil they put in was the same brand & type oil that was in there from the factory. Bottom Line: According to my dealer, changing the oil early will not hurt the break-in process for your engine. Your gearhead brother is right.

 

[YukonCornelius]

Yup, 100% agree with @Doghaulin392 ’s brother… That first oil change is probably the most critical and I never took it to 3,000 miles (back in the day that 3k was pretty much a golden rule…) Those first miles are where all the metal particulates from manufacturing and the particulates created from the initial metal-on-metal wearing occur. You want to clear that out early. Sub-2k miles.

 

[zuess42]

There is no such thing as "Break-In" Oil

 

[CBH]

There is no such thing as "Break-In" Oil

No?

 

[zuess42]

My point being, Stellantis and every other manufacturer does not put break-in oil in the engines.

 

[Shortcut]

My point being, Stellantis and every other manufacturer does not put break-in oil in the engines.

The engine oil that is used as factory fill from Pennzoil for Stellantis production vehicles is not the run of the mill retail Pennzoil synthetic oil but formulated for new engine production. A "Break-in" oil maybe?

 

[Viking Jeeper]

The engine oil that is used as factory fill from Pennzoil for Stellantis production vehicles is not the run of the mill retail Pennzoil synthetic oil but formulated for new engine production. A "Break-in" oil maybe?

I don't read it like that at all. That add is just to make the Jeep/Dodge/Penzoil marketing relationship official.

 

[Shortcut]

I don't read it like that at all. That add is just to make the Jeep/Dodge/Penzoil marketing relationship official.

I'm working to get to the bottom of the initial fill oil for new Stellantis products. Problem is that the people I had connections with in this area in the past have retired and I'm not having much success getting contact information for their replacements.

 

[cburgess33]

ok likely a dumb question but never had a 392. Should the oil level be checked when the engine is slightly warm (I know its not the usual case) but what I am seeing

cold engine
1)Pull dipstick out and obviously it at the top of the fill line
2)Clear it and reinsert it
3)Not a lot of oil registers on this step

10 minutes warm engine

1)Pull dipstick out and obviously its at the top of the fill line
2)Clear it and reinsert it
3)Register toward the top of the notches


I have always checked engines cold and never results like this . We have two 392 and both the same behavior . One has 1900 miles and the other 900. I am trying to figure out if I need to top them off per the manual (saying first 1000 or so miles to check and add as needed ) . I alway do my own oil changes too even if its a PITA in the cold winters… but just curious if this engine requires warm engine on oil check