Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid Type Capacity: Things Should Know Before The Braking Fluid Replacement

8 minutes
Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid Type Capacity

Jeep Wrangler brake fluid type capacity explained with refill tips, models, and safety steps. Discover how to replace brake fluid like a pro now!

Clifford Atiyeh


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Due to the continuity of the Jeep Wrangler Brake fluid function, its chemical properties and quality may deteriorate over time. As a result, the entire braking system will start malfunctioning. So, you have to replace the brake fluid. 

What is the Jeep Wrangler brake fluid type capacity you need to refill? Every jeep wrangler has a respective brake fluid capacity which depends on its model and engine type. You shouldn’t refill less or more than that capacity level while changing the brake fluid.

Here, we will discuss several fluid types and capacities of the jeep wrangler. You will also know the reasons, procedures, and precautions for changing brake fluid. Therefore, go through this article if you also have a jeep wrangler facing issues with the brake fluid.

How To Select Brake Fluid For The Jeep Wrangler?

There are multiple types of braking fluid that you can use for your car. The most famous fluids for the braking system are DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5, and DOT 5.1. 

Each of these types of fluid has different characteristics. Mainly, here, all those fluids, except dot 5, are glycol-based. Whereas DOT 5 is silicon-based and doesn’t also retain moisture.

Different models of jeep wrangler may require different fluids. So, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation while choosing the appropriate fluid for your car model. If the recommendation for your car is DOT 3, you can also use the DOT 4-type fluid in your vehicle. But you can’t use DOT 3 if the car model requires DOT 4.

Also, you can’t mix DOT 5 fluid with others as it is silicon-based, which is different from others. But, due to the glycol-based properties of 5.1, you can mix it with other types. Generally, for the third generation of jeep wrangler, manufacturers suggest using DOT3 and DOT 4 types of fluid.

Jeep Wrangler Brake

Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid Type Capacity

Before checking the fluid level or refilling the fluid reservoir, you must know the fluid capacity of your vehicle. This is necessary for you to determine the appropriate fluid level in the brake fluid tank. 

Mainly, the brake fluid capacity of the Jeep Wrangler may depend on two factors the engine type and the model of the car. 

Here’s a listing of the type and brake fluid capacity of your jeep wrangler for its different models:

ModelFluid TypeCapacity
Jeep Wrangler JKDOT 3Maximum Mark
Jeep Wrangler YJDOT 3Maximum Mark 
Jeep Wrangler JLDOT 3 And DOT 4Maximum Mark 
Jeep Wrangler TJDOT 3 And DOT 4Maximum Mark

Now, you will know the different capacities of the Jeep Wrangler according to the engine type:

Engine TypePowerBrake Fluid Type Capacity 
Jeep diesel straight-4 2.8 L ENS 174 HPDOT 3 and DOT 41.25 L
Jeep gasoline V6 3.8 L EGT 196 HPDOT 3 and DOT 41.25 L
Jeep diesel straight-4 2.8 L ENS197 HPDOT 3 and DOT 41.25 L
Jeep gasoline V6 3.6 L ERB280 HPDOT 3 and DOT 41L
Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid Capacity

Why Do You Need To Replace The Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid?

If you don’t change the brake fluid on time, you will face various troubles while driving your car. Some of those are

Malfunctioning Anti-Brake System Light

If the model of your jeep wrangler has an anti-brake system, then the system can identify any unfamiliarity in the system. Thus, if the brake fluid deteriorates, the system will disguise it soon. Then, it will alert you with its notifying light system.

Sometimes with a low level of fluid, the light may start blinking.

Brake Overheating

With the extended period of use of a braking fluid, the chemical properties of the fluid break down. This results in a declination of its boiling point. As a result, the fluid can overheat faster with each passing day. This overheating may cause a complete brake failure.

Malfunctioning Braking System

Sometimes, due to issues with the fluid, the brake pedal may feel too firm or too loose when you go to depress it. The braking system may respond slowly even after pushing the pedal. Eventually, this will result in brake failure.

Rattling Noise On Braking

When the fluid is in good condition, the braking will be so smooth that it may not make any noise. But when it makes a loud rattling noise.

Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid

How To Replace The Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid?

You can replace the fluid in the brake system if you have a basic idea about the procedure. You may need a few tools and a user manual in this process. Then, you must have to follow these step by steps to replace the brake fluid:

Place The Jeep Wrangler In The Proper Location

First, you must place your vehicle properly where the ground isn’t inclined. Otherwise, you won’t be able to get the accurate level of the fluid in the tank.

After that, push the brake pedal around 30 times before starting the procedure.

Find The Fluid Reservoir

Now, get to the fluid tank of your vehicle. If you don’t know where its placement is, you can follow your user manual to find its location. Once you find the tank, check the brake fluid level in it.

After checking the tank, if you need to replace or refill the tank with fluid, then proceed with that.

Checking The Fluid Level 

You will find two marks for the maximum and minimum levels. If the level drops below the minimum level, replace or refill the tank as soon as possible.  

Also, when the color of the fluid gets dark, it indicates the quality of the brake fluid ready has deteriorated. This low-quality fluid may not serve you an accurate response when you push the brake pedal.

Clean The Brake Fluid Tank

Now, you need to clean the fluid tank before proceeding to the next step. Because if you don’t clean the compiled dirt on the tank, it may contaminate the fluid later.

Draining

If the fluid of the brake system is already contaminated or discolored, you need to drain it before refilling it. But, if the fluid is in good condition, there is no need to drain them.

Refill The Fluid

After draining, refill your vehicle’s tank with the appropriate and suitable fluid for your jeep wrangler model. You need to keep refilling the tank until it reaches the maximum level. 

Make sure you are not over-refilling or underfilling the tank. Both of these situations are bad for your vehicle.

Close The Fluid Tank

After filling the fluid in your vehicle’s fluid reservoir, close it following the same process of opening it. You need to ensure that there is no open space for dirt to enter the fluid inside the tank. 

After filling the tank with new brake fluid, you have to replace the airspace inside the brake system with this fluid. For this, you need to keep pumping the brake almost 30 times.

This process is the priming procedure. This way, pumping the brake will pressurize the fluid to flow entirely in the braking system.

Precautions While Changing The Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid

When you are changing and replacing your Jeep Wrangler’s brake fluid, you must follow a few precautions. Otherwise, you may not get the expected facilities and performance from the newly added brake fluid. Those precautions are

  • You shouldn’t use the used brake fluid again. This may lead to poor performance
  • Avoid using the brake fluid from an open tank. The reason is, those fluids will keep absorbing moisture from the environment. As a result, the moisture content and the contamination level will also rise
  • Never use the transmission fluid and engine oil in your brake system. These fluids are petroleum based and will damage the seal of the brake system. This may create leakages which eventually will result in a malfunctioning brake system
  • Make sure you are using a fluid that is approved or recommended in the user manual. Because using any other fluid rather than that may result in causing trouble in the brake system
  • While bleeding the fluid, you must wear safety goggles and hand gloves to protect your eyes and skin from contact with the fluid
Jeep Wrangler Brake Fluid tank Capacity

FAQs

Here, we will answer a few mostly-asked questions about the brake fluid and the Jeep Wrangler.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Brake Fluid In A Jeep Wrangler?

The price of brake fluid per quart is around $10 to $50. Additionally, you need to pay almost $200 to the mechanic. You can save the extra amount by replacing the brake fluid yourself.

How Frequently Do I Have To Replace The Brake Fluid Of Jeep Wrangler?

This mainly depends on what type of brake fluid you use. But, in most cases, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, you must replace it at least once every two years. But, if the color of the fluid gets amber, you may need to change it before two years.

Author

  • Rifat Ahmed

    Rifat Ahmed is the founder and lead author of Jeep Corner, a blog for Jeep enthusiasts. With over 10 years of experience in off-roading and Jeep customization, he shares practical tips on maintenance, upgrades, and trails.

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