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If you’ve landed on this page, then you most likely own a Jeep, Dodge or some other vehicle with the FCA 3.6L pentastar engine.
While this is engine is well known for being a reliable powerhouse, there are still important factors that you need to consider in order to keep it running smoothly. Picking the right engine oil for it is near the top of that list.
Fortunately, you’re in the right place. In this article I’m going to go through a detailed overview of the best options currently available on the market. After reading through this article, picking the best oil for your 3.6 pentastar engine should be easy for you to figure out. That being said, there’s no one right oil for everyone, because each vehicle is driven under different conditions and circumstances.
| Pennzoil Ultra | Castrol Edge 1598EF | Mobil 1 Advanced |
|---|---|---|
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| Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Also everyone has a different budget in mind when they’re looking for engine oil. So, I’ve put some thought into making sure that this list includes an option for everyone. Whether your primary concern is fuel efficiency, or keeping the engine running in good shape for longer this guide has you covered.
Methodology Used to Pick Oil for the 3.6L Pentastar Engine
One of the good things when it comes to picking out the right oil for your engine is that there’s plenty of reputable and trusted brands to pick from regardless what your specific requirements are. This takes a lot of the guess work out, because if you buy from a major brand like Castrol you can be pretty confident that you will be buying quality oil.
So in this article I put a particular focus on the pros and cons of each oil. I go over details like what it is specifically formulated for, things like: longevity, mileage, removing sludge from the engine, reducing emissions etc. I also took into consideration factors like price, and how much oil you get for the money. The list below covers the oil needed for a wide variety of different applications.
Best Oil For 3.6 Pentastar – Recommendations & Reviews
1. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum |
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In first place on this list is Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. The origins of this oil are quite unique, and are unlike other oils that are on the market made by other companies. This oil by Pennzoil is created using natural gas, as opposed to crude oil like most engine oils are. Because Pennzoil have developed this new oil using such an innovative approach it has become very popular for its excellent performance, being used often in engines like the 3.6L Pentastar.
To create this oil Pennzoil’s own patented PurePlus technology was used with natural gas. Pennzoil has given the oil very high praise regarding its performance, making many bold claims. From what I can see most customers are in agreement that it’s a great oil.
One significant advantage of this oil not being made from crude oil is that it helps it to provide excellent protection against the engines components wearing out prematurely. Wear tests that Pennzoil have conducted themselves confirmed that this oil out performs others in the same category, even the more expensive options.
One other great benefit of Pennzoil Ultra platinum is the amount of fuel that you can save over time. If you’re driving your vehicle an average amount each year, you can expect to save up to 500 miles worth of fuel. One thing that can significantly reduce your vehicles performance and fuel efficiency is having a dirty engine with a build up of deposits or sludge. This oil has you covered for that situation, helping to keep your engine clean and free of deposits.
Pros
• PurePlus technology
• Wear protection that is best in class
• Significant Fuel savings
• Reduced Deposit formation
• Can be used in a variety of temperatures
Cons
• More expensive than some options
• Reported shipping of older bottles
2. Castrol Edge Extended Performance 5W-20 Advanced Full Synthetic Oil
| Castrol Edge Extended |
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This Oil by Castrol is in second place. Castrol has always been at the top of my list, but the second spot is not too bad either. After all, these oils were picked from among hundreds of alternatives.
This motor oil was designed for people who wish to obtain the greatest mileage from a given change of oil. But that’s not the only thing that this oil does a good job at. It’s also able to give the vehicle a good boost in performance, as well as keeping the engine sludge-free due to its Fluid Titanium Technology.
This oil provides six times the corrosion resistance of the industry average. Castrol has gone to great lengths to ensure that consumers get the most out of their engines.
Furthermore, the oil is ten times more stable at high pressures than industry standards. You will not have to worry about the oil thickening at high temperatures because of this. In other words, regardless where you reside in the world, this oil can probably cope with the climate.
Pros
• 20000-mile drain interval
• Fluid Titanium Technology
• High Temperature resistance
• Wear resistance better than most
Cons
• Not the best performance for the money
3. Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-20 Engine Oil
| Mobil 1 Advanced |
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Next up is Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil. Mobil is a good brand that’s got a reputation for producing high quality engine oils that get the job done at a good price.
This particular oil is made with the longevity of your engine in mind. It can also decrease the need to do oil changes too often, reducing it to just once every 10,000 miles. Although this depends on other factors like the way you drive your vehicle, and how well you maintain it. It also makes sure to reduce Low speed pre-ignition, which is one of the common causes of engine oil burning too fast.
Mobil 1 is also an oil that is able to perform in a variety of different weather conditions. At the hot end of the spectrum it will perform well, and at the other end of things when it gets cold, it can handle cold temperatures down to -30 Degrees.
To ensure the health of your 3.6 pentastar, it’s worth noting that this oil contains a lot of good anti-wear additives that work to protect the engine. This will keep seals and other components in good shape for longer, and reduce the chance of leaking.
Overall this oil from Mobil is another good option to consider. Although most of the feedback from customers is positive, some have claimed to have received bottles that were leaking. This oil also does not provide the best value for money as far as I can tell.
Pros
• Designed to increase engines longevity
• Reduces the frequency of oils changes needed
• Performs well in different climates
Cons
• Value for money not ideal compared to other oils
4. Valvoline Daily Protection Synthetic Blend 5W-30 Motor Oil
| Valvoline Daily Protection SAE 5W-30 |
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If you don’t overwork your vehicle but you still want a solution that does a good job at safeguarding you against typical engine wear and other issues. You will benefit from Valvoline 5W-30 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil.
Valvoline Daily Prevention Motor Oil is carefully designed to outperform industry standards regarding wear, deposit, and sludge protection, allowing engines to operate like new for longer. It was created with high-quality additives and premium base oils to minimize wear and give further protection against motor oil breakdown in difficult circumstances.
In most scenarios synthetic oil is better than blended oil, in this situation, a blend will do the job no problem. It also means that you won’t pay such a high price per container. Although depending on your situation spending on a more premium oil could save you money down the road.
The manufacturer takes advantage of its high-quality in-house compounds they created to decrease sludge and deposit development in the engine. This ensures that the engine is not overburdened and operates at maximum efficiency. This oil from Valvoline also does a decent job at improving your vehicles fuel efficiency. It does this because of the additional ingredients added to the oil that are designed to reduce friction.
Pros
• Controls the development of sludge and deposits
• Good Price
• Improved fuel economy
Cons
• Not the best for high performance
5. Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-20 Motor Oil
| Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-20 |
|---|
 |
Using Pennzoil’s proprietary gas-to-liquid PurePlus technology, Pennzoil Platinum is a natural gas derivative rather than a crude oil derivative. Like other synthetic motor oils, Pennzoil Platinum is a strong performer that protects your vehicle’s components well. This Pennzoil oil is similar to the one at number 1 on the list, but it is slightly less premium, and thus less pricey.
This oil is made with high quality additives that result in great fuel efficiency. It is an excellent addition for modern turbocharged engines since it helps prevent problems like low-speed pre-ignition, which causes noise and equipment failure.
Pennzoil Platinum also benefits your pistons by keeping them 45 percent cleaner. Clean pistons have very little carbon and dirt accumulation, which can obstruct their operation. A truly seamless piston corresponds to an even distribution of energy, resulting in vastly increased performance of your vehicle.
Temperature fluctuations have an impact on oil consumption, with performance lagging in excessively hot or cold circumstances. Platinum oil, for your piece of mind, can endure both hot and cold temperatures. It also protects the engine from wear caused by friction and mechanical stress.
Pros
• Improves mileage
• Keeps the pistons and other components clean
• Operates well in both hot and cold temperatures
Cons
• More expensive than other options
• Not as high performance as the Pennzoil oil placed in rank number one.
Key Considerations
Weather Conditions
Ideally you will pick an engine oil that protects your engine whether you are driving in a hot a or cold climate. You don’t want the oil to become excessively thick in winter months, nor do you want it to become too thin in the warmer summer months. This is where picking an engine oil with the right viscosity becomes extremely important.
It’s also worth considering whether you live in an area that has a lot of dirt roads, or roads prone to producing a lot of dust when you drive on them in dry conditions. If you’re located in a dusty area, you should pay particular attention the the detergent additives in your engine oil. Although some experts in the field have mixed views on whether detergent in your oil is a good thing.
Lubrication
Clearly you need an engine oil that can effectively lubricate the components of your 3.6 pentastar engine. I made sure to pay close attention to this fact when picking the oils on the list above. However, you should still take note of this, and make sure that any oil you pick has sufficient lubricating power.
Environmental Impact
These days drivers are becoming increasingly concerned with the environmental impact of their vehicle, especially with regard to emissions and air pollution. As a driver there are a number of steps you can do to help take care of these concerns. One thing you can do that is relatively easy is picking an engine oil that is specifically formulated to reduce emissions.
Price
Obviously price is one the primary considerations for many. That’s why I’ve included a variety of different options above that offer something for everyone regardless of how much you’re looking to spend.
Be careful though, cutting costs on cheaper oil may not pay off in the long run. Keeping your engine healthy should, in most cases, be priority number one.
FAQs
What Viscosity Oil Does A 3.6 Pentastar Need?
The 3.6 Pentastar engine should ideally be filled with 5W-20 oil for optimum performance. Sometimes you may use 5W-30 oil instead, but for most people 5W-20 is more suitable for this engine.
How Much Oil Does the 3.6 Pentastar Engine Require?
It takes 6 quarts of engine oil. Depending on the situation a 5 quart bottle would be perfectly fine. This can be convenient because a lot of the time oil is sold in 5 quart containers, meaning you can use the whole lot in one go.
Is Synthetic or Conventional Oil better for the 3.6 Pentastar?
Synthetic oils are much higher quality, and increase the performance of the engine in a way that conventional oils can’t. They also do a much better job at keeping your engine clean, and increasing fuel efficiency. The only downside of synthetic oil is that it tends to be a lot more expensive.
Engine Oil Guides
Conclusion
The FCA 3.6 Pentastar engine is a fantastic engine known to be a work horse that can perform well for years. But in order for it to do that it must be properly maintained, thus it’s crucial that you choose the right engine oil.
I put this list together after scouring through a vast amount of different options. If you pick one from the list above you should be pretty safe, but which specific oil is right for you will depend on your own circumstances. If you’re still having a hard time deciding which oil to buy for your 3.6 pentastar I recommend taking a look through the frequently asked questions section of this guide.
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