Applies to: 2012–2018 Jeep Wrangler JK and JKU models with the 3.6L Pentastar. This page does not cover the 2007–2011 3.8L engine.
Quick answer
- Spark plug gap: 0.043 in (1.1 mm) — factory-confirmed in Jeep’s 2012–2014 owner documentation.
- Spark plug torque: 13 ft-lbs (17.5 Nm) — Tier-C service-manual reprint; not factory-confirmed.
Torque values and specifications on this page are provided as a reference. Confirm any figure against the factory service manual for your specific model year and configuration before relying on it. Corrections welcome via our contact page.
Technical scope and sources
This reference covers 2012–2018 Jeep Wrangler JK and JKU models with the 3.6L Pentastar. Jeep owner documentation confirms the gap shown below for 2012–2014. The torque figures come from a service-manual reprint and still require confirmation against factory service information for the exact model year. Read the OffroadMe editorial standards for our source hierarchy.
Accessing the driver-side bank requires removing the upper intake manifold. View the Jeep JK Master Torque Database for related engine specifications.
Reference Spark Plug Specifications
| Specification | Reference value | Source status |
|---|---|---|
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.043 in (1.1 mm) | Factory-confirmed for 2012–2014 |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13 ft-lbs (17.5 Nm) | Tier-C service-manual reprint; verify against factory service information |
| Ignition Coil Fastener Torque | 71 in-lbs (8 Nm) | Tier-C service-manual reprint; verify against factory service information |
Gap — confirmed against Jeep’s owner’s manuals
The 0.043 in (1.1 mm) gap is stated by Jeep itself, in the Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts table of the owner’s manual: “We recommend you use MOPAR Spark Plugs (Gap 0.043 in [1.1 mm])”.
| Engine | Model years | Gap | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar | 2012 | 0.043 in (1.1 mm) | 2012 Wrangler Owner’s Manual, p.560 | Factory confirmed |
| 3.6L Pentastar | 2013 | 0.043 in (1.1 mm) | 2013 Wrangler Owner’s Manual, p.619 | Factory confirmed |
| 3.6L Pentastar | 2014 | 0.043 in (1.1 mm) | 2014 Wrangler User Guide, p.114 | Factory confirmed |
| 3.8L (for comparison) | 2008–2011 | 0.050 in (1.27 mm) | 2008 Wrangler Owner’s Manual, p.425; 2011 Wrangler Owner’s Manual, p.550 | Factory confirmed |
| 3.6L Pentastar | 2015–2018 | Not published | 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 manuals checked | Gap not given by Jeep |
The gap is confirmed. The torque figure is not. Jeep’s owner’s manuals publish the plug gap for some years, but none of them publishes a spark plug torque value — we have now checked every model year from 2007 to 2018. The 13 ft-lbs figure on this page comes from a service-manual reprint that we have not been able to confirm against a Jeep factory publication. No suitable primary source for it was found in this review. Treat it as a reference value and confirm it for your model year before relying on it. The gap, by contrast, you can check yourself at the page cited above.
Do not carry the 3.8L gap across. 0.050 in is the 3.8L figure and 0.043 in is the 3.6L figure; they are different plugs.
Installation Protocol & Warnings
Related Engine Specs
Source note: these values are reproduced from a Jeep service manual reprint rather than from a first-party factory publication verified by us. They are consistent with what workshops commonly use, but treat them as a reference and confirm against the factory service manual for your exact model year before relying on a figure.