🔧 Altima - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Altima with fresh oil. Clean oil is especially important on the 2.0L turbo engine because the turbocharger depends on steady oil flow for cooling and lubrication.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Always support your Altima with jack stands before getting underneath. Never trust a floor jack by itself.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves. Used oil can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil away from belts, exhaust parts, and electrical connectors.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 65mm 14-flute oil filter wrench
• 8-quart oil drain pan
• Long-neck funnel
• Medium flat-blade screwdriver
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil - Qty: 5 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on a flat, level surface.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
• Raise the front of your Altima with a floor jack and set it securely on jack stands.
• A crush washer is a soft sealing washer on the drain plug. Replace it every time to help prevent leaks.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the Lower Engine Cover

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a plastic trim clip remover to remove the plastic clips holding the lower engine cover.
• Use a medium flat-blade screwdriver to gently lift any stubborn clip centers.
• Lower the cover and set it aside.
• Keep the clips in a cup.

Step 2: Place the Drain Pan

• Slide the 8-quart oil drain pan under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is located at the bottom of the oil pan. The oil pan is the metal pan at the bottom of the engine.
• Position the drain pan slightly to the side because oil may shoot out at an angle when the plug is removed.

Step 3: Drain the Old Oil

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing inward slightly. This helps keep oil from splashing until the plug is free.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug by hand or with a medium flat-blade screwdriver.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install the new oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means the plug starts crooked and damages the threads.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Do not overtighten it.

Step 5: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the 8-quart oil drain pan under the oil filter.
• Use a 65mm 14-flute oil filter wrench and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter.
• An oil filter wrench grips the filter so you can turn it without crushing it.
• Once loose, spin the filter off by hand.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter. If it stayed on the engine, remove it by hand.

Step 6: Install the New Oil Filter

• Dip a clean gloved finger in fresh SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new engine oil filter.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Tighten the filter by hand another 2/3 turn after gasket contact.
• If using a 65mm 14-flute oil filter wrench, only snug it gently. Do not crush the filter.
• Hand-tight is usually correct.

Step 7: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Place the long-neck funnel into the oil fill opening on top of the engine.
• Pour in about 4.5 quarts of SAE 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.
• Use shop towels to wipe up any spilled oil.

Step 8: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so oil can drain back into the oil pan.
• Look under your Altima with safety glasses on and check the drain plug and oil filter for leaks.
• If the drain plug seeps, use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to confirm Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Check the Oil Level

• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with shop towels.
• Push the dipstick fully back in, then pull it out again to read the oil level.
• Add oil slowly through the long-neck funnel until the level is near the full mark.
• The total refill is typically about 5 quarts with the filter, but always use the dipstick as the final check.

Step 10: Reinstall the Lower Engine Cover

• Lift the lower engine cover back into place.
• Use your fingers or a plastic trim clip remover to reinstall the plastic clips.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum, then lower your Altima slowly.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 11: Reset the Oil Maintenance Reminder

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel controls to open the vehicle information display.
• Select Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter > Reset.
• Confirm the reset when prompted.
• If your display shows multiple maintenance items, reset only the oil/oil filter item unless you serviced the others too.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Altima for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground and recheck the oil level.
• ✅ Check underneath again for drips around the drain plug and oil filter.
• ✅ Recheck the oil level the next morning if possible.
• ✅ Pour the used oil into a sealed container and take it to an approved recycling location.
• ✅ Record the date and mileage of the oil change.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$85 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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