🔧 Altima - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This repair drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Altima with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the engine from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface so the oil drains correctly and the vehicle stays stable.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Never work under your Altima using only a jack. Always support it with jack stands.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect against oil splashes.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (3/8-inch drive)
• Oil filter wrench (65mm cap style)
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - 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 level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes if it is cold, then shut it off. Warm oil drains better.
• 🔍 Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap. This helps the oil drain faster.
• 📌 A crush washer is a soft sealing washer on the drain plug. Replace it every oil change to prevent leaks.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack at the front center jacking point to lift the front of your Altima.
• Place jack stands under the proper front support points.
• Lower the car gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the car a small shake by hand to confirm it is stable.
• Never trust the jack alone.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Splash Shield Access Panel

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to release the plastic clips on the lower engine splash shield access area if equipped.
• Move the panel aside enough to access the oil drain plug and oil filter area.
• Keep the clips together so they do not get lost.

Step 3: Position the Drain Pan

• Put the drain pan under the engine oil drain plug.
• Set the pan slightly behind the plug because oil may shoot outward at first.
• Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses before loosening the plug.

Step 4: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Remove the plug by hand once it is loose.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip.
• Use shop towels to wipe the drain plug clean.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means damaging the threads by starting the plug crooked.
• Use the 14mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels so leaks are easier to spot later.

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area.
• Use the 65mm cap-style oil filter wrench and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand once loose.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter. The gasket is the black rubber sealing ring on the filter.
• If the old gasket is stuck to the engine, remove it by hand and wipe the surface with shop towels.
• Double gaskets cause major leaks.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Dip a gloved finger into fresh 0W-20 full synthetic oil and lightly coat the new filter gasket.
• Thread the new oil filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine.
• Tighten the oil filter by hand an additional 2/3 turn after gasket contact.
• If using the 65mm cap-style oil filter wrench for final tightening, use light pressure only.
• Torque to 17.7 Nm (13 ft-lbs) if using a torque wrench with the filter cap tool.

Step 8: Reinstall the Splash Shield Access Panel

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to reinstall the plastic clips into the lower splash shield access panel.
• Make sure the panel sits flat and does not hang down.

Step 9: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Altima slowly back to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks after the car is fully on the ground.

Step 10: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the oil filler opening on top of the engine.
• Add about 4.6 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic oil.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds.
• Turn the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back into the oil pan.

Step 11: Check and Top Off the Oil Level

• Pull the dipstick out and wipe it clean with shop towels.
• Reinsert the dipstick fully, then pull it out again.
• The oil level should be between the low and full marks, near the full mark.
• Add small amounts through the funnel if needed.
• Total capacity with filter is approximately 4.9 quarts.
• Do not overfill the engine.

Step 12: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Use the steering wheel controls to access the vehicle information display.
• Select Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter > Reset.
• Confirm the reset when prompted.
• If your display layout is different, use the square/arrow steering wheel buttons to find the Maintenance menu, then reset Oil and Filter.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• ✅ Shut the engine off, wait 5 minutes, and recheck the dipstick level.
• ✅ Confirm the oil filler cap and dipstick are fully seated.
• ✅ Pour used oil into the empty oil bottles or a sealed container.
• ✅ Recycle the used oil and filter at an auto parts store, service shop, or approved recycling center.
• ✅ Check again for small leaks after your first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$65 USD equivalent (parts only)

You Save: $45-$75 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.6 hours.

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