🔧 Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Oil Change

Draining the old oil and replacing the filter helps protect the engine from wear and sludge. On your Sentra, this service is straightforward if you keep the car level and replace the drain plug washer with the filter.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a cool engine to avoid burns from hot oil and exhaust parts.
• Set the parking brake and chock the rear wheels before lifting the car.
• Use jack stands, not just a floor jack. Never get under a car supported only by a jack.
• Keep oil away from belts, rubber bushings, and hot exhaust parts.
• 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 ratchet
• Oil filter wrench
• Oil drain pan
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Torque wrench
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Latex or nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool fully if it was recently running.
• Gather all parts before you drain the oil.
• Raise the front of the car and support it securely on jack stands.
• Keep the car level for an accurate fill.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the car

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the car at the proper jacking point.
• Place the car on jack stands at the approved support points.
• Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Give the car a gentle shake before crawling under it.

Step 2: Remove the splash shield

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the oil pan access fasteners if equipped with a lower cover.
• Set the fasteners aside in order so they go back in the same spots.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Position the oil drain pan under the drain plug.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain fully into the pan.
• Install a new drain plug crush washer before reinstalling the plug.
• Reinstall the drain plug and Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench to loosen the oil filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand once it is loose.
• Make sure the old filter gasket comes off with the filter and does not stay stuck on the engine.
• Wipe the mounting surface clean.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Lightly coat the new filter gasket with clean engine oil.
• Spin the new oil filter on by hand until the gasket touches.
• Then tighten it by hand an additional 3/4 turn.
• Do not use the wrench to tighten the new filter.

Step 6: Refill the engine

• Lower the car back to level ground if needed for filling.
• Use the funnel and pour in about 4 quarts of engine oil (SAE 0W-20 synthetic) first.
• Wait a few seconds, then check the dipstick and top off slowly.
• Total fill is about 4.1 quarts with a filter change.
• Add oil slowly near the final amount.

Step 7: Start and inspect

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use the shop towels to check for leaks at the drain plug and filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Recheck the oil level and top off as needed.

Step 8: Reinstall the cover

• If removed, reinstall the splash shield using the original fasteners.
• Make sure all clips and bolts are snug.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the dipstick one more time after a short test drive.
• Inspect the drain plug and filter area for seepage.
• Reset your maintenance reminder if equipped.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or parts store.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$55 (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 0.8-1.0 hours.

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🎯 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 below to add everything to your cart.