ttt3

Thought I'd post some pics of my 2012's first oil change (4250 miles), done just how I like it - at home in my garage. I looked around here previously and couldn't find any actual photos of a DIY oil change on a 7th gen... lots of discussion, but zero actual pics. So here they are.

Note that this is not a true step-by-step "how to change oil on a 7th gen". If you have never changed oil before you'll need more instruction than this, but if you've changed oil before on a different vehicle, this should give you enough of an idea of what you're looking at tackling it on your 7th gen.


Jacking point that I used. I wasn't completely happy with this since the plastic cover will probably get beat up over time ... if you have a better suggestion let me know.


Jacked up with safety stands underneath.


Key items underneath. Beer too (for afterwards)


This is a photo of the fastener that holds the oil filter / wheel well splash cover on. You'll need to take this off to get at the oil filter.


Splash cover fastener removed.


Photo of the oil filter location. You have to pull back the splash cover to access it.


Drain plug photo


Oil draining out


New oil filter. I like WIX.


Oil filter wrench (you'll need this if you're taking off the factory original filter - its on tight).


after I cracked the old filter loose with the wrench, this is me loosening the oil filter by hand (see my hand on left) - Oil will drip all over when loosening the old filter. I put plastic wrap over the frame member to help contain some of the mess. Should have probably used a bigger piece of plastic wrap but oh well it worked pretty good.


The factory original filter I pulled off the car (4250 miles)


One of my favorite ways to make an oil funnel - cut a 20oz soda bottle in half. I like this because you can clean the funnel in your kitchen sink before you use it (which I'd rather not do with a re-usable funnel) and it's disposable, no need to keep an oily funnel laying around. EDIT:normally you'd want to take the plastic ring off from the neck of the bottle, but in this case it was on extremely tight so I left it.


The oil I used (4.5 quarts). Regular old 5W-30 valvoline conventional. I realize the choice of oil is heavily debatable. I choose to spend my money on the filter (WIX) instead of synthetic oil. Since I change my oil+filter every 5000 miles I don't think synthetic is really necessary. But to each their own.

___DJK___

Thanks alot for the write up. Just picked up our 2012 and it looks fairly similar to how it was on the 2003. Appreciate the pics

J.lee

iTrader: (1)

Awesome pics and write up. Thanks! I usually just take mine in to the local dealer to do mine, but not on my other vehicles. My wife's Murano has a similar cover and oil filter location so when you loosen it the oil gets all over the frame. Big thumbs up

SonOfLiberty

Thanks for the write up! Was looking around for this.

PSU09MAXIMA

Great write up thanks

eesjunin

FYI, you can also vacuum extract the oil, but since the oil filter is only accessable from the bottom then its doesnt make sense to vacuum extract. I used to VA it on the benz since the filters are located at the top..
But great job on summary! Thats pretty much to it

bizarjuggalo

Nice write up. I found that by shoving an old oil funnel underneath the oil filter and then removing the filter kept the oil from running all over the frame and directed it into the oil catch pan.

I use 4 7/8 quarts of oil for my '09, have they reduced the oil capacity in the newer models?

wope

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the write up. Is there any harm in putting in a full 5 qts versus measuring out the 4 7/8 qts?

zman764

As a side note, you will want to remove the little plastic ring on the soda bottle that originally secured the top... wouldn't want that to drop in your engine.

UGAd13

no 1/8 won't do anything.

STARR

iTrader: (1)

Nice write up and thanks for sharing, as for the 4.5 quarts, I usually pour all 5 in but I use the longer filter, nissan only has 2 filter sizes for all the Nissan/Infiniti vehicles, short and tall, Mobil1 sells them as the M108 and M110 to look for comparison, I use the slightly longer M110.

As far as where to jack, I jack under the drivers door on the body crease, line or what would be a body rail the weight bearing part and then I stick a random horse in under the car, I leave the car sitting on the jack and put the horse somewhat in a good spot to stop the car if the jack gives out

ttt3

Thanks, all. Glad this was helpful.

Agreed in general, but this particular soda bottle's plastic ring was on really tight, could barely even spin it and couldnt pull it off with fingers with any amount of effort, so I left it on.

2young2retire

And I add... aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap and Rhino ramps. Every garage needs a set of Rhino ramps.

hjmaxima

Thanks so much for taking the time to post the pics - they really helped!

atlanta10

sonomamax

Why not use ramps to do the oil changes, it seems like a lot of work with out them.

STARR

iTrader: (1)

I have Rhino ramps, they make changing the oil effortless

PalmettoFellow

I need to upgrade my ramps. My 2007 Hyundai Sonata with 215/55X17 tires was just as wide as the ramps. My Maxima with 245/40X19 is going to make me nervous...so I am going to get their widest ramps on the market...I think they are like 2 inches wider than the ones I have now.

Also, I've never changed the oil in my car while under warranty. Is there something I need to do with regards to Nissan? Has anyone ever received flack about changing his own oil?

2010BlackMax

Nice work! Thanks for the pics and writeup, very nice

For the warranty. Keep all your receipts, oil and filter and possibly a log of when you changed your oil.

Eddie 70

I like the idea of the wrap for keeping oil off the frame. I will use this on my wifes truck. It has the oil filter on top of the front crossmember and oil always runs everywhere. Never dawned on me to use something like that. I was thinking about a filter relocation kit on it.

SH!TD!CK

Cool, thx!

2011_maxima

hi,
i will post my question in this thread since it pertains to changing oil I would like to know if you have to remove the front bottom "valance" to do the oil change or if it can stay installed?

thanks for any assistance

dr_2010SV

Inner plastic fender panel only, you'll see it after removing the front wheel.

ttt3

You do NOT have to remove any valences, the front wheel, OR the "inner plastic fender panel" when changing the oil! All you have to do is remove the single fastener that I showed in the photos and you can move the "inner plastic fender panel aside to get at the oil filter.

dr_2010SV

Whatever is easiest for you. I prefer NOT to have to lay under my vehicle when changing the oil.

koreanthunda

Never jack the car up from the front as this is weak and the car should always be jacked up for. The sides where it is strong you could bend the subframe . Always jack from the side that the drain plug is not on so that the oil will flow out from the other side almost fully ......

sonomamax

I have a set of ramp to put mine on to change the oil. On the 2011 I let the dealership do it, have the maint contract on it... really nice

2011_maxima

WOW!!! great to see all the responses. thank you for the additional info. I am still debating on trying myself or just let the dealer do it. the car is new to me (3 wks) & just passed the 36k mi this past weekend. I am no stranger to oil changes, but I am not sure on this since it still is kinda "new". it sounds as though if I decide to do it from now on that I should invest in some ramps....
thanks again for the responses.... very helpful

Ross2893

Did mine with jack stands and the overal process was very easy. Got stuck on removing the filter but that's because they always over tighten this if you go somewhere to do it. Best investment for this job would be an oil filter pliers. The rhino ramp is more convenient but not essential and The oil and filter is up to you as long as it's changed within the required timespan.

2011_maxima

thanks again for the responses. i just wanted to check & make sure that i know the right amount to use which i believe is 5qts with "long" filter & 4.5 qts with the "short filter?? also i wanted to know how you "reset" or "clear" the maintainance notice in the dash panel??

thanks!!

Ross2893

You can reset it in the dash options but if you disconnect your battery it automatically restarts. Found this out the hard way lol

manilakid3

At the dealer do they use regular oil or synthetic?

Also, where can I get a new oil filter cover fastener? The one on the car broke and is just hanging there. Poor thing.

MaximaDrvr

iTrader: (1)

Dealer uses a synthetic blend. At least the three near me do.

LtLeary

Are you talking of the strap or the button to secure the strap?

The strap is part of the splash shield pn 64838-9n00a (30-40 bucks)

The button or fender retainer is about 10 for 3 bucks.

manilakid3

I looked at the maintenance log and they changed the oil every 3k miles. Synthetic oil would be longer intervals. I guess I'll just call the dealer to see what they use. Thanks.

manilakid3

I'm talking about the strap that attaches to the oil pan. I guess I'll try to repair it if I can. TY

manilakid3

Would anyone recommend Mobile Super 5w30?

Richard66

I would use it if I was staying on the conventional oil side of things, but I have been using synthetics for a number of years now. Synthetics are just a better product for engine oil lubrication.

manilakid3

There's no point in me using synthetic oil. I change all the cars I maintain every 3k miles with a new filter. Thanks for your input.

SR20Power

iTrader: (1)

Most people don't even know why they are using synthetic oil, I honestly think people do it because it's the "cool" thing to say and do. As long it's pretty much not cooking oil you are using I say skip the SYN...

Since i've owned my 2011 I've taken it to my local Dealership and never paid more than $20 for an oil change.. Granted, I can only hope they are not using a grade just above cooking oil in my motor. BTW I do this because my car is under a CPO and I have to show proof of up-keep while it's under the CPO. I just got a $25 off any serve from them so that means I am about to get my transmission oil done too..