2026 Jeep Gladiator Oil Type and Capacity Guide (2020–2026)
This guide covers the recommended Jeep Gladiator oil type and capacity for every model year and engine from 2020 through 2026. Find your year and engine in the table below, then schedule your next oil change with the certified technicians at Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
The Jeep Gladiator (JT) launched as a 2020 model and shares its drivetrain platform with the Jeep Wrangler JL — though unlike the Wrangler, the Gladiator was never offered with the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder or the 6.4L V8 Rubicon 392 engine. Across its 2020–2026 production run, the Gladiator has used two engines: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (every model year, gasoline) and the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (available 2021–2023 only, before Stellantis phased out the diesel option with the limited Rubicon FarOut edition).
Using the correct oil type and capacity isn’t optional — it’s a warranty requirement. The two engines use fundamentally different oils, and the wrong fluid in the EcoDiesel can cause turbocharger deposits and accelerated wear.
Quick Reference Table — Recommended Oil by Engine
Use the table below to find the recommended oil type and capacity for your Gladiator’s engine. Always confirm specifications in your owner’s manual.
| Engine | Model Years | Oil Type | Capacity (with filter) | Spec / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 (Gasoline) | 2020–2026 | SAE 0W-20 Full Synthetic | 5.0 qt (4.7 L) | MS-6395 / API SP / ILSAC GF-6A |
| 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (Turbodiesel) | 2021–2023 | SAE 5W-40 Full Synthetic (European spec) | 9.0 qt (8.6 L) | MS-12991 / API SN or SN+. Discontinued after the 2023 Rubicon FarOut edition. |
3.6L Pentastar V6 — 2020 to 2026 Gladiator
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 has powered every Jeep Gladiator since launch. Across 2020–2026 production, Jeep specifies the same oil: SAE 0W-20 Full Synthetic meeting Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395, API SP, and ILSAC GF-6A.
A few specifics that matter when servicing this engine:
- Capacity is exactly 5.0 quarts with a new filter. This is a frequent source of confusion because dealer service systems and aftermarket guides occasionally call for 6 quarts — a holdover from the prior-generation Pentastar Classic. Stellantis Technical Service Bulletin MC-10218584 specifically addresses this: the Pentastar Upgrade engine (used in 2020+ Gladiators) has a redesigned single-piece oil pan with a 5-quart sump. Overfilling can cause oil aeration, which reduces lubrication effectiveness.
- The oil filter is a cartridge-style filter located on top of the engine beneath the plastic intake cover. The Mopar OEM filter element is part number 68191349AC, and the housing cap (if you’ve damaged the plastic cap from over-tightening) is part number 68191350AA. Before removing the filter housing, crack the cap and let it sit for a minute so oil drains back into the engine.
- Drain plug torque is 20 lb-ft (27 N·m). Always replace the drain plug washer to prevent leaks.
- 0W-20 is not optional. The Pentastar Upgrade engine uses variable valve timing with hydraulic phasers that depend on the responsive flow characteristics of 0W-20. Earlier Pentastar applications (the JK-generation Wrangler, for example) used 5W-20 — that spec does not apply to the Gladiator. Using 5W-20 in the Gladiator can affect cold-start performance and warranty coverage.
While Jeep doesn’t mandate a specific brand, Mopar® and Pennzoil Platinum are factory references. Any full-synthetic 0W-20 that carries the API SP certification and Chrysler MS-6395 approval is acceptable. Oils labeled with the newer API SQ / ILSAC GF-7A specifications (introduced March 2025 and increasingly visible on shelves through 2026) are also fully acceptable — they are backward compatible with API SP / GF-6A.
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 — 2021 to 2023 Gladiator (Discontinued After 2023)
The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 in the 2021–2023 Gladiator (the Generation 3 EcoDiesel, shared with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel) requires:
- SAE 5W-40 Full Synthetic Diesel Engine Oil — European specification
- Must meet Chrysler Material Standard MS-12991 (this is non-negotiable for warranty)
- API SN or SN+ category
- 9.0 quarts (8.6 L) capacity with a new filter
- Mopar oil filter part number 68507598AA (sold as a filter and cap assembly)
- Drain plug torque is 33 lb-ft (45 N·m) — higher than the Pentastar’s 20 lb-ft. Always replace the drain plug washer.
The MS-12991 specification is narrow — most U.S.-market diesel oils (including Shell Rotella T6) do not meet it. Mopar 5W-40 (part 68231020AA for the quart, 68231021AA for the 5-liter jug), Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40, Castrol Edge Euro Car 5W-40, and Quaker State Ultimate Durability Euro 5W-40 are among the oils that carry MS-12991 certification.
A note on the 2023 Gladiator Rubicon FarOut: Production of the EcoDiesel ended with a limited 1,000-unit Gladiator Rubicon FarOut edition for the 2023 model year. If you own one of these trucks, the same MS-12991 5W-40 requirement applies — and as production has ceased, parts availability for EcoDiesel-specific items will only become more constrained over time. Our service team stocks the correct Euro-spec 5W-40 and Mopar 68507598AA filter.
Oil Change Intervals
Jeep specifies the following intervals for Gladiator engines:
| Engine | Standard Interval | Severe-Duty Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 7,500–10,000 mi or 12 months | 4,000–5,000 mi |
| 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 | ~10,000 mi or 12 months | More frequent — follow Oil Life Monitor |
The Gladiator’s onboard Oil Life Monitor (OLM) calculates the actual interval based on driving conditions and is the most reliable trigger for service — it should never be ignored in favor of a fixed mileage rule.
Severe-duty conditions warrant the shorter interval. For Gladiator owners in the Inland Empire, that includes frequent towing (especially up the Cajon Pass), off-road excursions, dusty conditions, and stop-and-go freeway congestion. If you regularly drive your Gladiator in conditions that affect maintenance needs — see our guide on how SoCal driving conditions affect your vehicle — consider servicing closer to the severe-duty interval.
Why Full Synthetic, Why the Specification Matters
Both engines require full synthetic oil. For the Pentastar, 0W-20 is inherently a synthetic-base viscosity grade — conventional formulations don’t meet the cold-flow and high-temperature stability requirements. For the EcoDiesel, full synthetic Euro-spec 5W-40 is the only fluid that handles diesel combustion byproducts and the engine’s tight tolerances without forming deposits.
The Chrysler material standards (MS-6395 for the Pentastar, MS-12991 for the EcoDiesel) aren’t generic. They specify additive packages, base oil chemistry, and performance properties that protect against:
- LSPI (Low-Speed Pre-Ignition) — a documented problem in modern turbo and high-compression engines that the MS-6395 / API SP / ILSAC GF-6A spec is engineered to prevent
- Turbocharger deposits — particularly relevant on the EcoDiesel
- Timing chain wear — sensitive to oil quality on the Pentastar
- Emissions system clogging (DPF on the EcoDiesel)
Using off-spec oil isn’t a small shortcut — it changes the wear pattern of the engine and can void warranty claims if the wrong fluid is documented in the service history.
Service Your Gladiator at Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
The certified technicians at Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service Gladiators with the correct Mopar®-approved oils and OEM filters — whether you’re running the 3.6L Pentastar or the 3.0L EcoDiesel. We serve Jeep Gladiator owners throughout Fontana, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, Riverside, West Covina, and the greater Inland Empire.
Disclaimer: Oil specifications may change between model years or with updated OEM guidance. Always confirm recommendations with your owner’s manual or a certified Jeep technician before performing an oil change.