🔧 Altima - Engine Oil and Oil Filter Change

Your Altima’s old engine oil must be drained, the spin-on oil filter replaced, and the engine refilled with fresh SAE 0W-20 oil. Regular oil changes reduce internal wear and help protect the timing chain and variable valve timing system.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes

Oil capacity with filter: Approximately 4.6 litres (4.9 US quarts). Use the dipstick for the final level.

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground and never crawl beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Use properly rated ramps or jack stands and chock the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Warm oil drains better, but hot oil and exhaust parts can cause burns.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves because used engine oil is harmful to skin.
• ⚠️ Do not overfill the engine; excess oil can damage the engine and catalytic converter.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Vehicle ramps rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks rated 2-ton minimum
• 14mm six-point socket
• 10mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 Nm
• 64-65mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty)
• Plastic trim-clip removal tool
• Oil drain pan with 6-litre minimum capacity
• Oil funnel with narrow spout
• Engine oil dipstick cleaning cloths
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile mechanic gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic engine oil meeting API SP or API SN - Qty: 5 litres
• Engine oil filter for 2.5L engine - Qty: 1
• Oil drain-plug copper crush washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 📍 Park your Altima on level pavement and apply the parking brake.
• 🛞 Place the wheel chocks tightly behind both rear tyres.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for three to five minutes, then switch it off and wait five minutes.
• 🧰 Position the tools and new parts within easy reach before going underneath.
• ♻️ Prepare a sealed container for transporting the used oil to an authorised recycling or collection facility.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front

• Place the 2-ton vehicle ramps straight ahead of the front tyres.
• Slowly drive your Altima onto the ramps, centre the tyres, select Park, and apply the parking brake.
• Use the 2-ton wheel chocks behind both rear tyres.
• Push the vehicle gently to verify that it is stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Open the oil-filler cap

• Open the bonnet and locate the oil-filler cap on top of the engine.
• Turn the cap counterclockwise by hand and set it on a clean cloth.
• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with an engine oil dipstick cleaning cloth.
• Opening the cap allows air into the engine so the oil drains smoothly.

Step 3: Access the drain plug and filter

• Put on the safety glasses and nitrile mechanic gloves.
• If the lower splash shield blocks access, use a 10mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and plastic trim-clip removal tool to remove only the necessary fasteners.
• Keep each fastener in order so it returns to its original location.

Step 4: Drain the old engine oil

• Place the 6-litre oil drain pan beneath the oil-pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug carefully by hand. Move it away quickly when the oil begins flowing.
• Allow the oil to drain until only occasional drops remain, usually 10-15 minutes.
• Remove and discard the old crush washer from the drain plug.
• Keep upward pressure on the plug while unscrewing.

Step 5: Reinstall the drain plug

• Wipe the drain plug and oil-pan sealing surface with an engine oil dipstick cleaning cloth.
• Install one new copper crush washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the plug clockwise by hand until seated. It should turn easily; stop if it binds.
• Use the 14mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to torque the drain plug to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Do not reuse the old crush washer or overtighten the aluminium oil pan.

Step 6: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the 6-litre oil drain pan beneath the oil filter because additional oil will spill.
• Use the 64-65mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to turn the filter counterclockwise.
• A cap wrench fits over the end of the filter and provides grip for loosening it.
• Unscrew the filter by hand, keeping its open side upward as it comes free.
• Check that the old rubber sealing gasket came off with the filter. A gasket left on the engine will cause a major leak.

Step 7: Install the new oil filter

• Use an engine oil dipstick cleaning cloth to wipe the filter mounting surface clean.
• Apply a thin film of fresh 0W-20 oil to the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved fingertip.
• Thread the new filter clockwise by hand until its gasket first touches the mounting surface.
• From first gasket contact, tighten the filter another two-thirds of a turn by hand.
• Do not use the filter wrench to overtighten the new filter.
• Mark the filter to measure two-thirds turn.

Step 8: Clean and reinstall the splash shield

• Use an engine oil dipstick cleaning cloth and brake cleaner aerosol to remove spilled oil from the oil pan and surrounding metal surfaces.
• Do not spray brake cleaner onto rubber, plastic, wiring, or painted surfaces.
• Reinstall the splash shield with the original clips and bolts using the plastic trim-clip removal tool, 10mm socket, and 3/8-inch drive ratchet.
• Snug the small shield fasteners gently; do not overtighten them.

Step 9: Add fresh engine oil

• Insert the oil funnel with narrow spout into the oil-filler opening.
• Pour in approximately 4.3 litres of SAE 0W-20 oil, then wait one minute.
• Remove the funnel and reinstall the oil-filler cap clockwise by hand.
• Insert the cleaned dipstick fully, remove it, and read both sides.
• Add oil in 100-200 ml amounts until the level is near the upper mark without exceeding it.
• The final quantity is normally about 4.6 litres (4.9 US quarts) with filter replacement.

Step 10: Start the engine and inspect for leaks

• Confirm that the filler cap and dipstick are installed.
• Start the engine and verify that the red oil-pressure warning light goes out within a few seconds.
• Switch the engine off immediately if the warning light remains on.
• Use the safety glasses and a bright, safe viewing position to inspect the drain plug and filter area for leakage. Do not reach near moving or hot parts.
• Let the engine run for approximately 30 seconds, then switch it off.

Step 11: Lower the vehicle and set the final level

• Remove the 2-ton wheel chocks, release the parking brake, and slowly reverse your Altima off the ramps with a helper guiding from a safe distance.
• Park on level ground, select Park, apply the parking brake, and wait five minutes.
• Use an engine oil dipstick cleaning cloth to wipe the dipstick, insert it fully, and check the oil level again.
• Add small amounts through the oil funnel with narrow spout until the level is close to the upper dipstick mark.
• Secure the dipstick and oil-filler cap.

Step 12: Reset the oil maintenance reminder

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel display controls to open Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter.
• Select Reset, then confirm the reset when prompted.
• This resets only the reminder; it does not measure the oil’s actual condition.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and confirm that no oil-pressure or warning lights remain illuminated.
• 🔍 Inspect beneath your Altima after the first drive for drops around the drain plug and oil filter.
• 📏 Check the dipstick again the following morning on level ground and correct the level if needed.
• 🧴 Pour the used oil into a sealed container and take it, along with the old filter, to an authorised used-oil collection facility.
• 📝 Record the date and odometer reading. Follow Nissan’s maintenance reminder and shorten the interval for repeated short trips, heavy traffic, dust, or extreme heat.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹5,000-₹8,500 (parts + labour)

DIY Cost: ₹3,500-₹6,000 (oil, filter, and washer only)

You Save: Approximately ₹1,500-₹2,500 by doing it yourself!

Panipat-area labour and imported U.S.-spec parts pricing can vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hour.

---

🎯 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.