🔧 Pathfinder - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil and replaces the oil filter, then refills with the correct fresh oil. It helps protect your engine from wear and keeps oil pressure and lubrication consistent.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Support your Pathfinder with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be very hot; let it cool if needed to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep rags handy and clean spills immediately to prevent slips.

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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, pair)
• Wheel chocks (pair)
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (7-quart minimum)
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lb range)
• Oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute) (specialty)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• Plastic trim clip 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
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off (warm oil drains faster).
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap to help the crankcase vent while draining.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of your Pathfinder

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the approved front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair) and gently shake-test for stability.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine undercover (if equipped)

• Use a plastic trim clip tool to pop out the plastic clips without breaking them.
• Use a 3/8" drive ratchet and 14mm socket where bolts are used (some covers use mixed fasteners).
• Set clips in a cup so none get lost.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Position the drain pan (7-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive 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 drain plug crush washer.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (to avoid cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench (10–80 ft-lb range) with a 14mm socket to tighten: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lb).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan (7-quart minimum) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute) (specialty) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a leak).
• Wipe the sealing surface clean.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Dip a gloved finger in fresh oil and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket (helps it seal).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten by hand an additional 2/3 turn.
• If you must use the oil filter wrench (65mm 14-flute) (specialty), tighten only slightly—do not crush the gasket.

Step 7: Reinstall the undercover

• Reinstall the undercover using the plastic trim clip tool for the clips.
• Use the 3/8" drive ratchet and 14mm socket for any bolts removed.

Step 8: Refill with fresh oil

• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel at the oil filler opening.
• Pour in about 5.0 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, then verify oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3–5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Use a shop rag to wipe the dipstick, reinsert, then re-check level.
• Top off as needed to reach the full mark (typical total is about 5.1 quarts with filter, but always confirm by dipstick).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Look underneath for seepage around the drain plug and oil filter after the test idle.
• ✅ Recheck the dipstick the next morning (cold engine) and top off if needed.
• ✅ Reset the oil/oil filter reminder in the cluster (if it’s enabled): use steering wheel buttons to go to Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter > Reset.
• ✅ Pour used oil into a sealed container and take it to an oil recycling drop-off.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹3,500-₹7,500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,200-₹5,500 (parts only)

You Save: ₹1,300-₹2,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800-₹2,000/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.