🔧 Altima - Engine Oil and Filter Replacement

This is a very manageable first DIY service. Your Altima’s turbo engine takes approximately 4.7 L (5 US qt) of SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil with a new filter. Nissan specifies Genuine Nissan Ester 5W-30 SN or an equivalent synthetic 5W-30 oil. owners.nissanusa.com)

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

Assumption: The factory drain plug and underbody shield hardware are installed.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work beneath your Altima while it’s supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Use level, solid ground and support both front sides with jack stands.
• ⚠️ Warm oil drains better, but hot oil and exhaust parts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves because repeated contact with used engine oil is harmful.
• ⚠️ Keep the engine off and the key away from the start button.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection isn’t required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm six-point socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• Spin-on oil filter wrench (specialty)
• Plastic trim-clip removal tool
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Oil drain pan rated 8-quart minimum
• Long-neck oil funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 5W-30 full-synthetic engine oil - Qty: 5 US quarts
• Vehicle-matched spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain-plug crush washer - Qty: 1

Always replace the crush washer. Reusing a flattened washer to save pocket change is how driveways acquire oil stains.

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level pavement and apply the parking brake.
• Run the engine until warm, switch it off, and wait approximately 15 minutes.
• Chock both rear wheels with the wheel chocks.
• Open the hood and identify the oil filler cap and dipstick.
• Check that the new filter’s rubber sealing gasket is present and undamaged.
• Keep all five quarts available, but don’t pour everything in without checking the dipstick.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Use the 2-ton floor jack at the approved front lifting point.
• Position the 2-ton jack stands beneath the reinforced front support points.
• Lower the vehicle onto the stands and gently push the body to verify stability.
• Never trust hydraulics with your ribs.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Access Shield

• Put on the safety glasses before working underneath.
• Use the plastic trim-clip removal tool to release the necessary shield retainers.
• Remove or lower the access section without forcing the plastic clips.
• Set the clips aside where they can’t roll away.

Step 3: Open the Oil Filler

• Use your hand to loosen and remove the oil filler cap.
• Leave the dipstick fully inserted. Nissan warns this helps prevent oil from escaping the dipstick tube during filling. owners.nissanusa.com
• Place the cap somewhere clean and visible.

Step 4: Drain the Old Oil

• Place the 8-quart drain pan beneath the engine oil drain plug.
• Use the 14mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while holding it against the pan until the final thread releases.
• Allow the oil to drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug.

Step 5: Install the Drain Plug

• Clean the drain plug and oil-pan sealing surface with shop towels.
• Fit one new crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Thread the plug into the pan by hand until fully seated.
• Use the 3/8-inch torque wrench and 14mm socket to tighten it to 29-39 Nm (22-28 ft-lbs). Aim near the middle of that specified range. owners.nissanusa.com

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the 8-quart drain pan beneath the oil filter.
• Use the spin-on oil filter wrench to loosen the filter counterclockwise.
• A spin-on filter is the metal canister that screws directly onto the engine.
• Unscrew it by hand while keeping its open end upright.
• Confirm the old rubber gasket came off with the filter.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Clean the filter mounting surface with a fresh shop towel.
• Apply a thin film of clean 5W-30 oil to the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Thread the filter clockwise by hand until its gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Tighten it by hand at least another two-thirds turn.
• If using the 3/8-inch torque wrench with the correct filter attachment, tighten to 14.7-20.6 Nm (11-15 ft-lbs). owners.nissanusa.com
• Don’t overtighten it. The rubber gasket makes the seal, not brute force.

Step 8: Add New Engine Oil

• Place the long-neck funnel in the oil filler opening.
• Pour in approximately 4.4 L (4.6 US qt) of 5W-30 oil.
• Wait one minute, remove the funnel, and install the filler cap by hand.
• Don’t pour past the dipstick’s high mark.

Step 9: Check for Leaks

• Make sure no tools remain beneath the vehicle.
• Start the engine and let it idle for approximately 30 seconds.
• Confirm the red oil-pressure warning light turns off promptly.
• Switch the engine off immediately if the warning light remains illuminated.
• Use the safety glasses and inspect the drain plug and filter for fresh oil.

Step 10: Reinstall the Shield and Lower the Vehicle

• Use the plastic trim-clip removal tool as needed to reinstall the lower shield and retainers.
• Use the 2-ton floor jack to lift the vehicle slightly from the stands.
• Remove both 2-ton jack stands and lower the vehicle slowly.

Step 11: Set the Final Oil Level

• Leave the vehicle level with the engine off for at least 15 minutes.
• Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean shop towel.
• Reinsert it fully, remove it again, and read the level.
• Add small amounts through the long-neck funnel until the level approaches the high mark.
• The published capacity with a new filter is approximately 4.7 L (5 US qt), but Nissan says the dipstick is the final authority. owners.nissanusa.com)

Step 12: Reset the Oil Displays

• Press the ignition button twice without pressing the brake pedal.
• Use the steering-wheel controls to open Settings > Maintenance > Oil Control System.
• Press OK and follow the displayed reset instructions.
• Also open Settings > Maintenance > Oil and Filter and reset that reminder if it remains active. owners.nissanusa.com

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and confirm there’s no oil warning or leak.
• Check the drain plug and filter again after the first short drive.
• Recheck the dipstick the following morning on level ground.
• Record the mileage and service date.
• Nissan lists a maximum interval of 7,500 miles or 12 months for the 2.0L turbo engine. Sonīpat’s dust, heat, congestion, and short trips can justify changing it sooner. nissanusa.com
• Take the used oil and filter to an approved recycling or collection facility. Never pour oil onto the ground or into a drain.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $40-$75 (oil, filter, and washer)

You Save: $50-$95 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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