1997-2004 Dodge Dakota Oil Change (2WD, 4.7 L V8)

Step 1

Repair step

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• Locate the 16 mm hex oil drain plug. The plug is located along the center line of the truck and is next to the exhaust pipe bend.
• Position an oil drain pan below the oil drain plug so that it will catch the oil as it drains out of the oil pan.

Step 2

Repair step

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• Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when working with motor oil. Be careful if your car has been running recently as the engine, transmission and exhaust may be very hot. Keep rags or towels nearby to wipe up any spills.
• Use a 16 mm socket wrench or box end wrench to turn the oil drain plug counter-clockwise until it is loose.
• Finish removing the oil drain plug by hand and allow the oil to drain.
• Watch the draining oil for shiny specks. The shiny specks may be metal flakes and could mean that there is a serious problem with your engine internals.

Step 3

Repair step

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• Wipe off the oil drain plug using a clean towel or rag.

Step 4

Repair step

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• Once the draining oil has slowed to a drip, wipe off the area around the oil drain plug hole with a clean rag or towel.
• Re-insert the oil drain plug and turn it clockwise by hand as far as possible.
• Continue turning the drain plug with the 16 mm socket wrench or box end wrench until it is snug.
• Only tighten the drain plug until it is snug. Over-tightening the oil drain plug can strip the threads or crack the oil pan.

Step 5

Repair step

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• Locate the oil filter. It is on the bottom side of the engine, towards the driver's side of the truck and behind the front bumper.
• Move the oil drain pan below the oil filter so that it will catch any oil that drips down when the oil filter is removed.

Step 6

Repair step

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• Turn the oil filter counter-clockwise by hand until it comes off the engine's oil filter threads.
• If the filter is too tight to turn by hand, use an oil filter wrench.
• Lower the oil filter out of the engine bay with the threaded end facing up to reduce the amount of oil spilled.
• Place the oil filter into the oil drain pan with its open end facing down.
• Wipe off the engine's oil filter gasket face with a clean rag or towel.

Step 7

Repair step

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• Wet the tip of a clean gloved finger with fresh oil and spread the oil around the new oil filter's seal.
• Place the threaded end of the oil filter onto the engine's oil filter threads, being careful to not get dirt or debris on the filter's gasket.
• Turn the filter clockwise by hand until it is snug.
• If the filter is difficult to turn at the beginning of its threads, stop! You may be cross threading the oil filter. Re-align the oil filter and try again.
• Do not over-tighten your oil filter by using a wrench. Doing so may cause the oil filter seal to leak and will make removing the oil filter very difficult in the future.
• Remove the oil drain pan from underneath the truck.

Step 8

Repair step

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• Locate the hood release lever. It is located under the driver's side dash and is labeled "HOOD". Pull this lever until you hear the hood click open.
• Locate the hood release latch. It can be seen through the passenger side hood grill near the top center.
• Push the hood release latch towards the driver's side of the car and lift the hood open.

Step 9

Repair step

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• Locate the oil filler cap. It is on the front driver's side of the engine bay and will have an oil can symbol on it.
• Turn the cap counter-clockwise by hand until you can remove it.

Step 10

Repair step

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• Insert a funnel into the oil filler hole.
• Pour in 5 quarts of motor oil then check the dipstick as you add the 6th quart. Stop once the dipstick reads the correct level.
• The preferred oil viscosity is 5W-30.
• 10W-30 oil can be used if 5W-30 is unavailable and ambient temperatures remain above -18 degrees C (0 degrees F).
• Remove the funnel.

Step 11

Repair step

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• Place the oil filler back over the oil filler hole and turn it clockwise by hand until it is snug.

Step 12

Repair step

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• Locate the oil dipstick. It has a yellow handle, is near the back center of the engine bay, and is embossed with "Engine Oil".
• Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it off, place it all the way back into its hole, and remove it again.
• Check the oil level on the end of the dipstick. It should be within the "safe" marks or slightly above.
• This is not your actual oil level, but a pre-check to make sure the engine will not run dry when you first start it. The oil level will drop slightly after the first run when oil fills the new oil filter.
• Add oil if the oil level is below the "safe" area of the dipstick. Place the oil dipstick all the way back in its hole.

Step 13

Repair step

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• Gently lower the hood until it clicks into the secondary latch, then press firmly on the top of the hood until it locks into the main latch.

Step 14

Repair step

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• Start the truck and look for leaks under the truck. If there are leaks, shut the truck off and determine if the drain plug or filter need to be tightened, or if a part has been damaged.
• After running the engine for a few minutes, let it cool down for at least an hour and re-check the oil level. If the oil level is more than a 1/2" above the top of the "safe" section of the dipstick, you will need to drain oil. If the oil level is below the "safe" section of the dipstick you will need to add oil.
• Place your old oil filter face down in your oil drain pan and allow 12-24 hours for all the oil to drain out.
• Take your old oil and filter to a recycling facility. Most auto parts stores and repair shops accept these at no charge. In addition, some cities and/or counties have a service where they will collect used oil and filters from your home. For more information, see the American Petroleum Institute's web page on used motor oil collection and recycling.