🔧 Altima - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with the correct oil for your Altima. Fresh oil protects the engine from wear and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be very hot; let the engine cool 15–30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the serpentine belt and exhaust; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Do not over-tighten the drain plug; stripped threads can damage the oil pan.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil drain pan (7-quart minimum)
• Oil filter wrench
• Funnel
• Trim clip remover
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop rags

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Raise the front using a floor jack and support with jack stands at the proper front support points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

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

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a flathead screwdriver and trim clip remover to remove the plastic clips/fasteners holding the front lower splash shield.
• Set the shield and clips aside so you don’t lose them.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Place the oil drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• 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 oil drain plug crush washer.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug area clean using shop rags.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with a 14mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter (some oil will spill out).
• Use an oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the filter (it can stick to the engine). Double-gasket = big leak.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket with fresh oil (use a finger and a little oil).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the base.
• Tighten by hand an additional 2/3 turn after gasket contact (do not use the filter wrench to tighten unless the filter manufacturer specifically requires it).

Step 6: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the vehicle back onto the ground using the floor jack (remove jack stands first).
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap.
• Use a funnel to add 0W-20 full synthetic oil.
• Add about 4.5 quarts first, then pause (you’ll fine-tune the level after running the engine).

Step 7: Start, check for leaks, and set oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Check underneath with safety glasses on for leaks around the drain plug and oil filter.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil in small amounts using the funnel until the level is at the full mark. Small top-ups prevent overfill.

Step 8: Reinstall the splash shield

• Use the trim clip remover and flathead screwdriver to reinstall the splash shield and clips.
• Wipe any spilled oil using shop rags.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick after your first short drive (5–10 minutes) and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most parts stores/service shops accept used oil).
• If your Altima shows an oil maintenance reminder, reset it on the dash display: Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter > Reset.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹2,500-₹6,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹1,800-₹3,500 (parts only)

You Save: ₹700-₹2,500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800-₹2,000/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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