How to change the oil and the oil Filter 2013 – 2018 Nissan Altima

Chapter 1:

Open the hood

Step 1/1

Turn off your vehicle’s ignition, set the parking brake, pull the hood release handle and open the hood.

Chapter 2:

Open the filler cap

Step 1/1

Open your oil filler cap, this will facilitate the flow of oil when draining.

Chapter 3:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/5

Loosen the lug nuts of the wheel on the passenger side.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/5

Lift the front of your vehicle.

Chapter 3:

Step 3/5

Place the vehicle on the two jack stands.

Chapter 3:

Step 4/5

You can now remove the wheel.

Chapter 3:

Step 5/5

Don’t forget to put the wheel under the vehicle!

Chapter 4:

Change the oil

Step 1/4

You can now see the drain plug.

Chapter 4:

Step 2/4

Unscrew the drain plug with the help of a ratchet and a 14mm socket. Start the process with the wrench, and finish it off by hand.

Chapter 4:

Step 3/4

Be careful on the last few turns, the oil can squirt suddenly.You will have to anticipate this, making sure you have an oil collector on hand.

Chapter 4:

Step 4/4

Let the oil run out for about 10 minutes.

Chapter 5:

Access the oil filter

Step 1/2

When you change the the oil, you should also replace the oil filter. Access to the oil filter is through the wheel arch on the passenger side. Start by removing the plastic cover by pulling on the 5 plastic rivets and a Phillips screwdriver.

Chapter 5:

Step 2/2

Then remove the cover.

Chapter 6:

Remove the oil filter

Step 1/4

Loosen the oil filter. If you are unable to do this by hand, you can loosen it with an oil filter wrench.

Chapter 6:

Step 2/4

To collect the oil contained in the filter that might come out when it is removed place an oil collector underneath.

Chapter 6:

Step 3/4

Remove the oil filter.

Chapter 6:

Step 4/4

When released, turn it upwards to avoid spilling any oil.

Chapter 7:

Prepare the oil filter

Step 1/2

Take the new filter.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/2

Lightly coat the seal with oil on the screwed side. This will avoid too much friction, which can reduce the seal’s watertightness. It also makes it easier to assemble.

Chapter 8:

Reinstall the oil filter

Step 1/3

Screw the filter back on until it makes contact.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/3

At this point, grasp it with your full hand, and add half a turn of tightening.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/3

Put the plastic cover back on, then put the 5 rivets back on.

Chapter 9:

Install the new drain plug

Step 1/2

Replace the drain plug gasket with a new one, then screw the plug back in. Start by hand, then finish off using a wrench, without being too forceful of course.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/2

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 10:

Put the vehicle back on the ground

Step 1/2

Then, you will be able to put the wheel back on your vehicle.

Chapter 10:

Step 2/2

Put your vehicle back on the ground before properly fixing the wheel in place.

Chapter 11:

Pour oil back into the motor

Step 1/3

Use a funnel to prevent oil from leaking out next to the filler hole.

Chapter 11:

Step 2/3

Begin by putting 90% of the suggested amount, this will leave you a large enough margin to adjust the level of oil appropriately.

Chapter 11:

Step 3/3

Close the oil fill plug, start the engine and let the car run for thirty seconds. This will fill the oil filter.

Chapter 12:

Check the oil level

Step 1/3

Remove the oil dipstick and wipe it down.

Chapter 12:

Step 2/3

Plunge it back into its sheath, remove it again and check the oil level.

Chapter 12:

Step 3/3

The optimal level is near the maximum, but be careful to never go over it!

Chapter 13:

Add oil

Step 1/2

Based on the level indicated on the dipstick, readjust to obtain the optimum amount.

Chapter 13:

Step 2/2

Operation complete.