🔧 Altima - Engine Oil & Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, and refill with fresh oil. This keeps your engine protected, quiet, and running efficiently.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support your Altima with jack stands, never rely on the floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn: let the engine cool 20–30 minutes if it was fully warmed up.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes from hot oil and debris.
• ⚠️ Keep the area well ventilated and never run the engine in a closed garage.
• ⚠️ Set the parking brake and chock the rear wheels so the car cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Disconnecting the battery is not required for this job.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🧰 Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🧰 Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, Qty: 2)
• 🧰 Wheel chocks
• 🧰 14mm socket
• 🧰 3/8" drive ratchet
• 🧰 3/8" drive torque wrench (5–75 ft-lb range)
• 🧰 Oil filter wrench (strap or cup style) (specialty)
• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver (medium size)
• 🧰 Drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity)
• 🧰 Funnel (medium size)
• 🧰 Shop rags or paper towels
• 🧰 Latex or nitrile gloves
• 🧰 Safety glasses
• 🧰 Plastic trim clip remover (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil - Qty: 5 quarts
• 🔩 Engine oil filter (spin-on, for 2.5L) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Oil drain plug crush washer (aluminum) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Disposable gloves - Qty: 1 box
• 🔩 Shop towels - Qty: 1 pack

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Let the engine run for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. This slightly warms the oil so it drains better without being too hot.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap on top of the engine. This helps the old oil drain faster.
• Gather all tools and parts next to the car so you don’t have to crawl in and out repeatedly.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the car

• Position the floor jack (3-ton) under the front center jacking point (reinforced area behind the front bumper crossmember).
• Lift the front of the Altima until you have enough room to work safely underneath.
• Place jack stands under the left and right front pinch welds, then slowly lower the car onto the stands using the floor jack.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it is stable on the stands.
• Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine cover access

• Slide under the front of the car with your safety glasses on.
• Locate the plastic lower engine cover under the engine; there is a small access panel or removable section near the oil drain plug and filter.
• Use a plastic trim clip remover or flathead screwdriver to gently pop out the plastic clips holding the access panel or loosen the front edge of the cover if needed.
• Set the clips somewhere safe so they don’t get lost.

Step 3: Position the drain pan

• Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug. The drain plug is on the bottom of the metal oil pan.
• Position the pan slightly toward the rear of the plug because the oil will initially shoot out at an angle.

Step 4: Remove the drain plug and drain the oil

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pushing it gently inward until the last thread, then pull it away quickly so you don’t get splashed.
• Allow the oil to drain completely; this may take 5–10 minutes.
• Inspect the drain plug and remove the old crush washer (the soft metal ring). Replace it with the new crush washer.
• Let it drip until it’s down to a slow drip.

Step 5: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Clean around the drain hole with a shop rag.
• Thread the drain plug with new crush washer in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to snug the plug.
• Attach the torque wrench with the 14mm socket and tighten the drain plug to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Do not over-tighten; the pan is aluminum.

Step 6: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter. On your Altima’s 2.5L, the filter is mounted on the engine block, accessible from underneath.
• Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the filter by turning it counterclockwise.
• Once loosened, spin the filter off by hand, keeping it upright as much as possible to reduce spilling.
• Let any remaining oil drain out from the filter mount into the drain pan.
• Check that the old rubber gasket is not stuck to the engine; it must come off with the old filter.

Step 7: Install the new oil filter

• Take the new oil filter and put a small amount of fresh oil on your fingertip.
• Lightly coat the rubber gasket on the top of the new filter with clean oil. This helps it seal and makes removal easier next time.
• Thread the new filter onto the engine by hand until the gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Once the gasket touches, tighten the filter an additional 3/4 turn by hand. If you use the oil filter wrench, do not over-tighten.
• Typical spec for the filter is about 18–23 Nm (13–17 ft-lbs), but hand-tight plus 3/4 turn is usually enough.

Step 8: Reinstall the lower engine cover

• Wipe up any oil drips on the oil pan and around the filter using shop rags.
• Reposition the lower engine cover or access panel.
• Push the plastic clips back into place using your fingers or gently with the flathead screwdriver.

Step 9: Lower the car

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the car slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands from both sides.
• Lower the car slowly back onto the ground.

Step 10: Add fresh engine oil

• At the top of the engine, insert the funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Pour in about 4.5 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil to start. Your 2.5L engine with filter change uses about 4.8 quarts, but it’s safer to start a little low and top up.
• Remove the funnel and reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 11: Start the engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for about 30–60 seconds.
• Turn the engine off, wait 2–3 minutes so the oil can drain back into the pan.
• Look under the car with a flashlight to check around the drain plug and filter for any signs of oil leakage.
• If you see drips, shut off engine and recheck tightness.

Step 12: Check the oil level with the dipstick

• Pull out the engine oil dipstick, wipe it clean with a shop rag, then reinsert it fully.
• Pull it out again and check the oil level. It should be between the “L” (low) and “H” (high) marks, ideally near the “H” mark but not above.
• If it’s low, use the funnel to add oil in small amounts (about 100–200 ml at a time), rechecking until the level is correct.

Step 13: Reset the maintenance (oil change) reminder

• Turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine (foot off brake, press Start button twice).
• Use the steering wheel controls to go to Menu > Settings > Maintenance on the driver display.
• Select Oil and Filter, then select Reset and confirm.
• Turn the ignition OFF.

---

✅ After Repair

• Take your Altima for a short 5–10 minute drive, then park on level ground and recheck the oil level with the dipstick. Top off if needed.
• Check under the car again for any fresh oil spots or leaks after the test drive.
• Make sure the oil pressure warning light is off while driving. If it comes on, shut off the engine immediately and recheck your work.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store; never pour oil on the ground or in drains.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90–$150 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35–$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55–$80 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5–1.0 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections above to add everything to your cart.