How to Change the Oil in a Chrysler Town & Country

The oil changing process for the Chrysler Town & Country is similar for most years. All Town and Country minivans use a strap-type oil filter wrench, however, models dated after 1995 use a 17mm wrench on the oil drain plug. For earlier models, refer to the owner's manual. Also, models with a turbocharged engine need oil labeled SG/CD as compared to SG/CC for regular engines.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car jack
• Jack stands or wheel ramps
• Oil drip pan
• Cleaning cloths
• Oil filter
• 17 mm wrench
• Oil filter wrench
• Oil

Prepare Your Town & Country for an Oil Change

1. Lift your minivan using a car jack. Place the Town & Country on jack stands. If you don't have jack stands, use a set of wheel ramps.

2. Pop the hood and locate the oil filler and dipstick. The oil filler is usually a round knob with a picture of an oil can. The dipstick is on the front engine compartment on the radiator side and has a yellow handle. Remove these components and set aside.

3. Gather an oil drip pan, cleaning cloths, new oil filter, socket wrench and oil filter wrench. Slide under your minivan.

Change the Oil

4. Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the engine block. Remove the plug using a wrench and pull it out quickly. Let the oil drain into a drip pan for 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Take off the oil filter using a strap-type oil filter wrench. Check the gasket and threads for damage. Dump the old oil into the oil drip pan.

6. Replace the oil filter with a new one and screw it on by hand. Tighten the filter as much as possible using your hand. Replace the oil drain plug using a wrench, so that it's snug against the engine block.

7. Slide out from under the Town & Country and add oil to the oil fill. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct amount of oil for your minivan. Turn on the engine and watch the oil pressure gauge located on the dashboard to make sure it rises.

8. Lower the minivan and turn off the engine. Take an oil reading using the dipstick. If the oil level isn't at full, add a bit more oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you properly dispose of used oil. Fill plastic containers with the old oil and drop off at an auto parts store with an oil disposal, or call your local trash company for information on how to dispose of used oil.
• If the oil pressure gauge doesn't fill after a few seconds, or the oil light doesn't go off after starting the engine, quickly turn your Town & Country off and add more oil.