2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Coolant Capacity & Type Guide

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee holds between 10.4 and 16.8 quarts (9.8 to 15.9 liters) of coolant, depending on the exact engine option you have under the hood. As an ASE-certified master technician, I regularly service the WK2 generation of the Grand Cherokee. Keeping up with the cooling system on these heavy, capable SUVs is critical to preventing overheating, especially if you tow or frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic. Using the exact manufacturer-specified coolant is vital to preserving your water pump, heater core, and engine gaskets.

Below is your comprehensive guide to the coolant capacity, type, and maintenance procedures for the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Quick answer

• Total cooling system capacity: 10.4 to 16.8 quarts (9.8L to 15.9L), depending on the engine model.
• OEM coolant spec: Mopar 10-Year/150,000-Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive Technology). The Chrysler material standard is MS-12106.
• Coolant color: Purple. (Warning: Do not mix this with the older orange Mopar HOAT coolant used in pre-2013 Jeeps).
• Mix ratio: 50/50 mixture of OAT concentrate and distilled water, or a pre-mixed 50/50 OAT solution. Do not use tap water.

Capacity by engine option

The 2020 Grand Cherokee was offered with several engines, from the standard Pentastar V6 to the monstrous supercharged Trackhawk V8. Capacities can vary slightly if the vehicle is equipped with the factory heavy-duty towing package.

*The higher capacity accounts for models equipped with the factory Heavy Duty Engine Cooling (Trailer Tow Group). **The Trackhawk features a separate cooling loop for the supercharger intercooler system which requires its own specific filling procedure.

Flush interval

While modern OAT coolants are designed to last a long time, they are not infinite.

• Normal Duty: Chrysler/Jeep recommends changing the engine coolant at 150,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first.
• Severe Duty: If you frequently tow heavy loads, off-road, or drive in extreme heat (like desert climates) or dusty environments, it is highly recommended to flush the system every 5 years or 100,000 miles. As the anti-corrosion additives break down over time, the system becomes prone to heater core clogs and internal corrosion.

How to refill & bleed

The 3.6L and Hemi V8 engines can be tricky to bleed properly without introducing air pockets. Air trapped in the system will lead to localized overheating and poor heater performance.

1. Drain the system: Make sure the engine is completely cold. Open the petcock valve at the bottom corner of the radiator and drain the old coolant into a catch pan.
2. Vacuum fill (Recommended): The absolute best way to fill a modern Jeep is using a pneumatic vacuum coolant refiller. This tool creates a vacuum in the empty cooling system and sucks the new coolant in, preventing any air pockets from forming.
3. Manual fill (If vacuum isn't available): Slowly pour the 50/50 mixed MS-12106 purple coolant into the radiator neck (or pressurized reservoir) until full.
4. Bleed the 3.6L V6: The 3.6L Pentastar engine features a specific bleeder screw located on the thermostat housing (front of the engine). Open this screw slightly while filling until a steady stream of coolant comes out, then tighten it.
5. Burp the system: Leave the cap off, turn the heater on max heat/low fan, and start the engine. Let it idle up to operating temperature. As the thermostat opens, the coolant level will drop. Top it off as necessary.
6. Final check: Replace the cap, drive the vehicle, let it cool down completely, and check the reservoir level the next morning.

Common cooling system issues

For the WK2 generation (which includes the 2020 Grand Cherokee), keep an eye out for these frequent issues:

• Water Pump Failures: The 3.6L Pentastar V6 water pump is notorious for bearing failures and weeping coolant from the weep hole. Listen for a high-pitched whine or grinding noise from the front of the engine, and look for purple crusties below the pump pulley.
• Thermostat Housing Leaks: The plastic thermostat housings can warp or crack over time due to heat cycling, leading to slow coolant loss.
• Radiator End Tank Cracks: The crimped seams where the plastic end tanks meet the aluminum radiator core are a common failure point on the 5.7L and 3.6L models, usually appearing after 60,000 miles.
• Oil Cooler Leaks: On the 3.6L, the oil filter housing/oil cooler assembly sits in the valley of the engine. When the seals fail, it can mix oil and coolant, or leak fluid down the back of the engine block.

If you don't feel comfortable tackling a vacuum-fill coolant flush or replacing a leaking water pump on your own, leave it to the pros. Find a trusted shop on Repairius.