🔧 Altima - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct oil. This keeps your engine lubricated and helps prevent premature wear.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.75-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and use jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let the engine cool 10-20 minutes if fully warmed up.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately with shop towels.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Torque wrench (ft-lb capable)
• Oil filter wrench (band/cap style)
• Trim clip removal tool

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer/gasket - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and loosen the oil fill cap by hand (leave it sitting on top).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the proper center jack point.
• Set the car onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the approved support points.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the small bolts holding the access panel/undercover.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to pop out any plastic clips (pry the center pin, then remove the clip).
• Set all fasteners aside in a small tray so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new crush washer/gasket.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (this helps prevent cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench (ft-lb capable) and 14mm socket, then Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (band/cap style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (it should not be stuck to the engine).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of new 0W-20 full synthetic on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Use a torque wrench (ft-lb capable) with the oil filter wrench (band/cap style), then Torque to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs).
• Hand-start only; don’t force threads.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reposition the cover/access panel.
• Reinstall bolts using the 10mm socket and ratchet.
• Reinstall clips using the trim clip removal tool (push the outer clip in, then press the center pin to lock).

Step 8: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the car from the jack stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Add about 5.0 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap hand-tight.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle 30-60 seconds.
• Look underneath with safety glasses on and check for leaks at the drain plug and filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil in small amounts (a little at a time) using the funnel until the level is at the upper mark.
• Wipe any spills with shop towels.

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✅ After Repair

• Confirm there are no drips after a short 5-10 minute drive, then re-check the dipstick level.
• Reset the oil maintenance reminder (if it’s on):
• 🛠️ Using steering wheel buttons on the driver display: Settings > Maintenance > Oil Control System > Reset
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling/auto parts drop-off location (never in the trash or ground).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$170 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $55-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.2 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.