This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first generation (2017, 2018, 2019 and probably also the 2020 and 2021 model years) Chrysler Pacifica minivan in changing the motor oil and replacing the oil filter on the Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 engine.

Owners of other FCA (Fiat Chrysler America) vehicles from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM or Fiat such as the Town & Country, 300, 200, Charger, Challenger, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Compass, Renegade, Patriot, RAM 1500, RAM ProMaster City, Fiat 500 and Fiat 124 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement cartridge style oil filters with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CH11665, Chrysler 68191349AB, Wix WL10010, EcoGard X10040 and Purolator L36296.

The tools and other items needed to complete this procedure include a floor jack, two jack stands, a flathead screwdriver, a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet, a 24mm socket with a 1/2" drive ratchet, a used oil catch container, an automotive funnel and 5 U.S. quarts (4.7L) of new SAE 0W-20 oil.

Warming up the engine will help suspend any contaminants within the old oil and also allow it to drain out more quickly.

Engage the emergency / parking brake and place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear tires to prevent the minivan from moving.

Open the hood, twist off the oil filler cap in the counterclockwise direction and pull out the yellow plastic handled dipstick an inch or two.

Removing the oil fill cap and partially removing the dipstick will help prevent a vacuum from forming and also allow the old oil to drain out more quickly.

You might be able to squeeze under the car to drain out the old oil, but I found it necessary to raise it with a floor jack.

Raise the front end of the minivan with a floor jack and securely support it with at least two jack stands.

Slide under the engine bay of the vehicle with the flathead screwdriver, a 13mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratchet and a used oil catch container.

Rotate the round fastener in the clockwise direction with the flathead screwdriver to unlock it.

Swing open the access cover to view the silver metal oil pan and drain bolt.

Loosen the drain bolt in the counterclockwise direction with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet.

Be careful when you remove the oil drain bolt.

The old oil might still be hot enough to burn you fingers depending on how long you warmed up the engine.

Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes or until the flow slows down to just an occasional drip.

If the drain plug is equipped with a crush washer or "gasket", inspect it and replace it if necessary.

Spin in the drain bolt a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

If you have a torque wrench, the specification in the service manual is 20 lb-ft of torque.

Double check that the oil drain bolt is tight before moving on to the next steps.

Raise the hinged service access cover and rotate the fastener 1/4 turn in the counterclockwise direction to lock the access cover in place.

Loosen the oil filter cap in the counterclockwise direction with a 24mm socket and a 1/2" drive ratchet.

Carefully lift up the filter cap and the old filter.

Pull the old rubber o-ring off the filter cap and discard it.

Apply some new oil to the new rubber o-ring and push it down in to place on the filter cap.

Lubricating the o-ring will help it form a better seal, prevent oil leaks and also make the cap easier to remove during the next oil change.

Rotate the filter cap a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the filter cap in the clockwise direction with the 24mm socket and a 1/2" drive ratchet until it is snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the filter cap to prevent from cracking the plastic housing, breaking the cap, or damaging the rubber gasket.

The oil capacity specification in the owner's manul for the Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine is 5 U.S. quarts (or 4.7 liters).

It is much better to have slightly less oil than necessary in an engine than to run an engine that has been over filled.

I recommend only pouring in about 4.5 or 4.75 U.S. quarts of new SAE 0W-20 oil into the engine at first.

Then temporarily replace the oil filler cap and push down the dipstick.

Start the engine and allow it to run for at least a few minutes.

Then turn off the ignition and allow the new oil to drain back down to the oil pan for at least five to ten minutes.

If necessary, slowly pour in more oil and repeatedly check the dipstick until the level reaches at or just below the upper hole at the tip of the metal dipstick.

The upper hole represents the "MAX" (maximum) or "FULL" line.

Once the oil level is correct, re-insert the dipstick and make sure the oil filler cap is tight.

You may not need to pour in the entire 5 U.S. quarts of new oil in order for the level to reach the "MAX" line depending on how long you allowed the old oil to drain out.

To reset the oil life meter and the "Oil Change Due" message on the instrument cluster, follow these steps: 1. Do not step on the brake pedal. 2. Push the "Start / Stop" button to turn the ignition "On" but do not start the engine. 3. Fully press down the accelerator (gas) pedal slowly three times within ten seconds. 4. Turn the ignition to the "OFF" position by pressing the "Start / Stop" button. 5. The "oil change due" message should be turned off and the oil life meter will have been reset.

Be sure to record the oil change and filter replacement in your vehicle's service records.

For more, check out all of my Chrysler Pacifica Minivan DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.