2021 Jeep Gladiator maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

3.6L Pentastar V6 (285 hp) + 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, 4WD (Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, or Rock-Trac), solid front and rear Dana 44 axlesSportSport SOverlandMSRP $33,545

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
10k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic (Pentastar spec) — normal interval is 10,000 mi / 12 months per FCA's Oil Change Indicator System; severe/off-road use (water fording, mud, dust, towing, extended idling) shortens this materially Inspect tire pressure and adjust to door-placard spec (verify after any off-road tire swap) Rotate tires Inspect all exterior lights and wiper blades Inspect brake pads and rotors
20k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Inspect brake pads, rotors, and calipers front and rear Inspect all fluid levels: coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid, power steering (electric-assist) Inspect cabin air filter — replace if dusty or restricted Inspect front and rear Dana 44 axle housings for leaks, especially after water crossings
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — iridium; factory replacement interval is approximately 100,000 mi, no action needed at 30k under normal use Inspect front and rear Dana 44 axle gear oil (75W-140 synthetic) — inspect for water/mud contamination if off-road use is regular Inspect transfer case fluid (NV241 Rock-Trac or NV243 Command-Trac — Mopar ATF+4) Inspect 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission fluid Inspect steering linkage, drag link, and tie rod ends (solid front axle is more exposed to impact than a strut-based front end) Inspect timing chain tensioner and drive belt (chain is maintenance-free)	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace front and rear Dana 44 axle gear oil — sooner if regularly fording water or driving in mud/sand (contamination is the primary failure mode on solid-axle Wranglers/Gladiators) Replace transfer case fluid Replace automatic transmission fluid — recommended under FCA's severe-duty schedule, and as a preventive measure under normal use for the 8-speed Inspect coolant condition — Mopar OAT coolant Inspect brake fluid — replace if moisture-contaminated Inspect drive belt, hoses, and engine/transmission mounts Inspect suspension: leaf springs (rear), control arm bushings, track bar, sway bar disconnect (Rubicon)	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — iridium, factory interval ~100,000 mi (replace now if not yet due) Replace coolant — Mopar OAT, flush and refill Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Inspect front and rear axle gear oil (replace if not done at 60k or if water/mud exposure was significant) Inspect transfer case fluid Inspect steering box, drag link, tie rod ends, and u-joints Inspect wheel bearings	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs (if not replaced at 90k) Replace front and rear Dana 44 axle gear oil Replace transfer case fluid Replace automatic transmission fluid (second change) Replace drive belt Full brake inspection: pads, rotors, calipers, brake lines, master cylinder Full driveline inspection: driveshafts, u-joints, skid plates, frame-mounted hardware for corrosion	View →

Upgrading your Gladiator's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2021 Jeep Gladiator — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

Verified Gladiator fitments at AlloyHaus →

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Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.