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"New to me" 2007 JGC Laredo- 3.7L V6 & W5A580 maintenance advice?

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2007
4K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  jeeper_57 
#1 ·
I recently helped my sister buy a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V6 2WD. I’ve owned a ’95 and ’02 JGC in the past, both with the legendary 4.0L Inline-6. But the 3.7L V6 is new territory for me.

I know that it is derived from the 4.7L V8 and both seem to be pretty reliable based on what I’ve read and heard. I was a little disappointed that the 3.7L doesn’t have quite the same amount of low-end grunt that the old 4.0L had. But the 3.7L is a lot smoother and willing to rev than the old 4.0 also. Besides, my sister is coming from a 2003 Explorer with the 4.0L “Boat Anchor” V6, so she has no complaints about the power or performance! =)

Her ’07 only has 84k miles on it and we purchased it from the original owner (the doctor she works for). It has been perfectly maintained by the dealer and is in excellent condition inside and out. My goal is to do everything possible to make sure that it lasts her for as long as possible without any major repairs. (FYI- she is going thru a nasty divorce with her husband of 21 years who secretly destroyed their credit, which is why “we” bought her Jeep since she couldn’t get a loan).

My first question is about “Malfunction Indicator Light”. It came on a few days ago and she freaked out and called me. I read online that it could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, poor quality gas, emissions control equipment or something more serious. The manual basically says “if it stays on repeatedly for several normal driving cycles, have it checked out”. The light didn’t come back on when she restarted the car later and hasn’t since. Possibly related- she had just filled up the tank at a Kroger fuel center. Am I safe to assume (or hope) that it was either crappy fuel or a loose gas cap?

I’m also curious about oil change intervals and what kind of oil (synthetic blend or full synthetic) she should use. The owner’s manual suggests oil changes every 3k miles for “Schedule B” or 6k miles for “Schedule A”. Oddly, it states that most vehicles will fall under “Schedule B” which applies to more extreme operating conditions. None of the listed items under that schedule apply to her, so “Schedule A” is the applicable one for her. I will be the one handling the maintenance for her, so I’m thinking that changing the oil every 5k rather than 6k will be easier to remember and safer as well. Being changed every 5k miles, am I safe in thinking that synthetic blend motor oil will be more than sufficient protection?

Finally, what about transmission maintenance? The more extreme maintenance schedule calls for fluid/filter changes every 60k miles while the regular schedule doesn’t mention it at all. It was done at 60k miles on my sister’s vehicle. My personal inclination is to change it every 30k miles from here on. I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to taking care of transmissions. My current 2012 Mazda CX-9 has “lifetime transmission fluid” and doesn’t call for a change at any point. But I changed it at 30k miles and plan to do so every 30k because “lifetime” usually just means “lifetime of the warranty”! Any other quirks or concerns about the M-B W5A580 that I should know about?

Thanks a lot for any input you guys can offer! I really appreciate it!
 
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#2 ·
If the "MIL" or "check engine" light comes on, you should be able to check which fault is set by using the key dance: ignition switch off/run three times and leave in run at the third time. The odometer will show "DONE" when no faults set, or a fault code(s).
 
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#3 ·
It is indeed true, that most vehicles fall under the Schedule 'B' maintenance.

If you look at the requirements, they pretty much have all situations covered:

1) Do you drive in the cold (below freezing)?
2) Do you drive in the heat (above 90)?
3) Do you drive in traffic (stop and go)?
4) Do you drive on the highway a lot?
5) Do you take short trips?
6) Do you tow?

Very few people drive where it is never below freezing or above 90, and if you don't drive on the highway (schedule b) you are either in stop and go traffic, or are taking predominantly short trips...which are also schedule b!

If running synthetic, you can easily get 5,000 miles between oil changes...just make sure you use a quality oil filter to keep the oil clean. I don't know much about synthetic blends, as I don't really see the advantage of them. They cost more than conventional, but don't offer the same level of protection as a full synthetic. Since it gets very cold here in the winter, I run synthetic for the lower pour point. Really though, I am sure all three provide adequate protection if you are in a light duty situation and change at the intervals you are suggesting.

I would do the coolant if it hasn't been done yet, as it is best to replace every 5 years or 100,000 miles.

Don't forget about the rear differential. I'm not sure about the 2WD, but my guess is that it should be changed every 15,000 (b) or 30,000 (a) miles.

If changing the transmission fluid at every 30,000 miles gives you piece of mind, then by all means go for it. 60,000 would certainly be adequate. A thing to keep in mind, your 3.7 may have the capped transmission dipstick tube. You'll want to do something about that if you are changing your own fluid!
 
#4 ·
It is indeed true, that most vehicles fall under the Schedule 'B' maintenance.

If you look at the requirements, they pretty much have all situations covered:

1) Do you drive in the cold (below freezing)?
2) Do you drive in the heat (above 90)?
3) Do you drive in traffic (stop and go)?
4) Do you drive on the highway a lot?
5) Do you take short trips?
6) Do you tow?
We live about 30 miles northwest of Atlanta, so the temp only drops below freezing occasionally during the heart of winter. But it has been over 90 degrees at least 15 out of the last 20 days here (by a few degrees).

My sister commutes about 16 miles round-trip daily to work on the interstate and does very little stop-and-go. Her trips are usually 8-10 miles one way, not sure if they consider that a short trip for this purpose? And the vehicle is not used for towing.

After reading the specifics of what qualifies a vehicle for the Schedule B maintenance, what would actually qualify for the simpler Schedule A?

If running synthetic, you can easily get 5,000 miles between oil changes...just make sure you use a quality oil filter to keep the oil clean. I don't know much about synthetic blends, as I don't really see the advantage of them. They cost more than conventional, but don't offer the same level of protection as a full synthetic. Since it gets very cold here in the winter, I run synthetic for the lower pour point. Really though, I am sure all three provide adequate protection if you are in a light duty situation and change at the intervals you are suggesting.
I'm going with full synthetic for this car going forward. I haven't decided on a change interval, but I'll definitely start at the 5-6k range and possibly extend it later on. I use Full Synthetic in my Mazda CX-9, but I also run it for the factory recommended 7,500 miles between changes. I also use K&N Oil filters (and air filters) on my CX-9. Are there any brands that are superior to the K&N for the Jeep or should I just use the K&N on the Jeep also?

I would do the coolant if it hasn't been done yet, as it is best to replace every 5 years or 100,000 miles.

Don't forget about the rear differential. I'm not sure about the 2WD, but my guess is that it should be done every 15k or 30k miles.
I have reviewed some but not all of the maintenance receipts from the dealership.

The dealer performed a fairly extensive 60k mile service about two years ago. It included new spark plugs, new PCV valve, changing axle fluid, changing some type of belt (drive belt of some kind) and a coolant flush and change. That includes everything on the Schedule B 60k Mile Service EXCEPT changing the transmission fluid!?

The vehicle currently has about 79,400 miles on it and the next oil change (according to the sticker on the windshield) isn’t due until 81,900. Once the transmission is serviced, it looks like there’s nothing other than oil changes until 90k.

If changing the transmission fluid at every 30,000 miles gives you piece of mind, then by all means go for it. 60,000 would certainly be adequate. A thing to keep in mind, your 3.7 may have the capped transmission dipstick tube. You'll want to do something about that if you are changing your own fluid!
I am having the transmission fluid changed next Tuesday. My mechanic is a buddy that I grew up with and he’s honest to a fault and hardly charges me for any labor. I always try to throw an extra $20 or so his way even for oil changes because he doesn’t charge me for his time.

What is the BEST transmission fluid to use in the W5A580? The manual specifies Mopar ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. I use Royal Purple Synthetic ATF in my CX-9 (which has an Aisin 6-speed A/T) and it appears that they also have a product that works in place of the Mopar ATF+4. I’ve had great results from Royal Purple products for the last 10 years, but is there another brand of synthetic that you would recommend instead? Of all fluids, I know that ATF is the one that has to be perfectly compatible or it can kill the transmission. I’m probably being overly cautious with the ATF changes, but I have mine changed every 30k and will do the same for the Jeep. I had never owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission until I was 37, which is when I bought my 2012 Mazda CX-9. For the 22 years prior to that, I only had manuals and they required very little in the way of maintenance and were forgiving if even if I failed to do anything.

BTW, no more warning lights have appeared on the instrument panel, which is a good thing! I told my sister to quit buying gas at a dozen different places and go to one of the Chevron stations in our hometown that are owned by a family friend. It may not be a big deal, but I am rather OCD and I like to purchase a high quality product and use it consistently as long as it performs as expected.

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond with such detail to my posting! You have been very helpful and I am grateful! =)
 
#5 ·
I would consider 8-10 miles a short trip. Basically, anything that doesn't let the engine get up to full operating temperature is considered "short". You are correct in that not a lot of usage is "Schedule A". Most dealerships that I have been exposed to simply follow schedule b, regardless of the circumstances as that is the most common use.

When it comes to specific brands of fluid, filter, etc., I can't help there. I go with whatever is on sale at the premium tier (so the cheapest good filter at the time, for example)

Glad to hear the warning lights have disappeared, and it sounds like it was a very well maintained rig. I'm sure your sister will be quite happy with it.
 
#6 ·
If you have the Nag1 transmission you can drive 100k km without problem with the stealer ship fluid, it's not that expensive for the last ?

For maintenance these modern motor are mainly using full synthetic oils. You can change it every 20k km il you drive trips of 25 km form home to work and back every day without problem.

It's my experience of the WK CRD and these need to run more than 20 km otherwise it's not worth habi get one

I hope some of the info can help you
 
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