Wagoneer Oil Change: 5.7 V8, Hurricane Six and Which One You Have

The modern Wagoneer arrived for the 2022 model year as a full-size, three-row SUV built on a truck frame, with the longer Wagoneer L and the upscale Grand Wagoneer alongside it. The first trucks used a 5.7-liter V8; the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane six replaced it, and it comes in two outputs that take two different oils. In the Carson Valley, where Douglas County households average 2.25 vehicles (ACS 2020 to 2024), the Wagoneer is often the one that does the winter Tahoe trips.

At a glance

• 5.7L V8: SAE 0W-20 meeting MS-6395, 7 qt with filter
• 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output: SAE 0W-20 meeting MS-6395, 7.5 qt
• 3.0L Hurricane High Output: SAE 0W-40 meeting MS-A0921, 7.5 qt
• Indicator decides; no later than 10,000 miles or 12 months (KBB summary)

Standard Output or High Output

The two Hurricane versions look alike under the cover, but the capacities pages reproduced from the 2024 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer owner's manual give them different oils: 0W-20 for the Standard Output and 0W-40 for the High Output. Putting the wrong one in is the easy mistake on this truck. We check the oil filler cap, the engine label and the window sticker if you have it, and we do not guess.

Spooner Summit in January

US-50 from Carson City climbs to Spooner Summit before dropping to the lake, and a loaded Wagoneer with a roof box makes that climb on a 15 F morning more often than most vehicles. Cold starts in Minden, which averages 188 nights a year at or below freezing on the NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals, are where the thin 0W grades earn their place: the oil reaches the turbochargers and the cam phasers quickly.

The oil change indicator on these trucks works from engine operating conditions, so towing, idling while the family loads up and the long grade all count. Expect the message sooner than the outer limit if that is your normal week.

When it is due

Kelley Blue Book's summary of the 2024 Wagoneer L schedule says the synthetic oil and filter change should happen no later than 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, with the indicator calling for it sooner under harder use. We reset the indicator after the change and write the date and mileage on the windshield reminder.

If the Wagoneer tows a camper or a boat, read our towing guide. A trailer loads the engine for hours, and the indicator responds to that load.

ZF eight-speed, transfer case and axles

The same capacities pages list a ZF eight-speed automatic on Mopar ZF 8 and 9 Speed ATF, about 9 to 9.5 quarts depending on the unit, a BorgWarner one-speed or two-speed transfer case on Mopar's specified fluid, and front and rear axles on synthetic 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil, with a friction-modified version for limited-slip rear axles. We look for seepage at each and quote a differential service with the listed oil.

Coolant is Mopar's OAT formula rated at 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the 3.0L adds a separate intercooler loop with its own reservoir. We check both levels.

Our Wagoneer checklist

• Engine and output confirmed, the correct grade and the full fill, a new filter
• Oil change indicator reset
• Engine and cabin air filters shown
• Engine coolant and intercooler coolant levels
• Transfer case and axle seals checked, plus a battery test at participating locations
• Tire pressure on all four, wipers and lights for the night drive home