🔧 Pathfinder - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with the correct oil. Clean oil protects your engine from wear and helps it run cooler and smoother.

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

Assumption: stock 3.5L V6 with factory-style spin-on oil filter.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your Pathfinder with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot—let it cool 10-20 minutes and wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Keep the vehicle secure with wheel chocks and the shifter in P.
• ⚠️ Do not start the engine while it’s low on oil.
• ℹ️ Battery disconnect is not required.

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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 (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• 10mm socket
• Flat trim clip tool
• Oil filter cap wrench 65mm 14-flute (specialty)
• Rags or shop towels

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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
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off and let it sit 10–20 minutes.
• Raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands at the proper front lift points.
• Gather oil and filter first so you don’t leave the engine empty while searching for parts.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Place the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the engine area.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the small access panel bolts (or loosen the shield as needed).
• Use a flat trim clip tool to pop any plastic clips without breaking them.
• Tip: Keep clips/bolts in a small cup.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Locate the oil pan drain plug at the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it becomes a slow drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with 14mm socket to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter cap wrench 65mm 14-flute (specialty) to loosen the oil filter. (This is a cup-shaped wrench that fits over the end of the filter.)
• Spin the filter off by hand and keep it upright as you remove it.
• Use rags or shop towels to wipe the filter mounting surface clean.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (don’t leave it stuck to the engine).

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Put a thin film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a gloved finger).
• Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten by hand an additional 2/3 turn.
• Tip: Hand-tight is correct—don’t over-tighten.

Step 6: Reinstall the splash shield

• Reposition the shield/access panel.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to reinstall bolts snugly.
• Reinstall plastic clips by pressing them in by hand.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Lower your Pathfinder off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap.
• Insert a funnel and add 0W-20 full synthetic.
• Refill amount (with filter): about 4.8 L (5.1 US qt)
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, and set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–45 seconds.
• Turn the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check under the vehicle for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Check the dipstick, then top off as needed (use the funnel).

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick again after your first short drive and top off if needed.
• Reset the oil service reminder (if it’s on): use steering wheel buttons → Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter > Reset.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts waste oil.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $85-$150 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?

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