The 2014 Nissan Sentra is a solid, well-built sedan that scores well in multiple categories. From fuel economy to interior comfort, the Sentra doesn't disappoint. To ensure your car stays in top condition, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity, which is 4.2 quarts.

There's never a shortage of expenses as a car owner. Between regular maintenance and insurance costs, you're always paying for something. A great way to save some money is changing your own oil—just remember to check your owner's manual for the oil type and capacity before you start.

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2014 Nissan Sentra engine oil capacity

The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that powers your 2014 Nissan Sentra holds 4.2 quarts or about four liters of oil.

Don’t confuse your engine's displacement—the 1.8-liter volume of pistons inside your engine's cylinders—with its oil capacity, which is the amount of oil the engine can hold and use as a lubricant.

Engine oil capacity and displacement are different numbers and never interchangeable.

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What kind of oil does a 2014 Nissan Sentra need?

Now, let's talk about engine oil types. Not all motor oils are the same, and you need to ensure that you use the proper oil in your car.

When you buy new oil for your car, look for SAE 0W-20. That's the grade that Nissan recommends using in your Sentra, and using the manufacturer's recommendation is always a wise decision.

But what do those letters and numbers mean? "SAE" stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, which is the entity responsible for these oil codes. The "0" represents the viscosity—i.e., oil thickness—at cool temperatures, and the "W" stands for winter. The number "20" signifies how thick or viscous the oil is at warmer temperatures.

When you put these numbers together, you get 0W-20—a well-rounded oil that performs well at both cold and hot temperatures while remaining thin enough to move through your engine easily.

You can also use synthetic motor oil, as long as it meets the same specifications. The nice thing about synthetic oil is that it allows you to go a little longer between oil changes.

For best results, stick with your manufacturer's recommendation: Genuine Nissan Synthetic Oil 0W-20.

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How often to change the oil on a 2014 Nissan Sentra

Nissan

recommends changing your Sentra's oil every 5,000 miles. Another way to measure it is every three to six months, depending on how much you drive.

Don’t forget to check your oil regularly between oil changes, too. A good habit to develop is checking your oil every other time you fill your gas tank. Whatever strategy you use to remind yourself to check your oil, you should aim to check it at least once a month.

When you check your oil, keep an eye out for these signs that it needs to be changed:

Black or dark brown oil (clean oil should be a light brown or amber color)

Grimy or gritty textured oil

Unusual noises from the engine

Smells from the engine, like oil, smoke, or burning

Sudden worsening engine performance

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How to change your oil and oil filter

When you're sure that you have the correct oil type and a new oil filter, you're ready to

change your oil

. The tools you'll need are:

A ratchet wrench and 14-millimeter socket

A pan to catch the old oil

A jack and jack stands or ramps

An oil filter wrench

A funnel for the new oil

A torque wrench

A clean rag or towel

Although changing the oil while the engine is cold won't cause any problems, warm oil will drain faster. If you want to warm your car up before you change the oil, it should only take about 5 minutes of idling to reach the right temperature.

Then, turn the car off, open the hood, and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Unscrew and remove the oil fill cap and dipstick.

Step 2: Crawl beneath the car and remove the oil drain plug. Use your drain pan to catch the old oil.

Step 3: Unscrew the old oil filter while the oil is draining.

Step 4: Rub some clean oil onto the new oil filter's gasket and then screw it into place. Turn the new filter until it is snug, but don't go too tight.

Step 5: Screw the drain plug back into place and tighten it to 29 lb-ft.

Step 6: Use your funnel to fill the engine with clean oil, then replace the oil fill cap.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

After you finish changing your oil, you can return the used oil to the auto parts store and ask the employees to recycle it for you.

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Don't forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Changing your car's oil is one of the simplest forms of maintenance you can perform yourself. Equally important, however, is purchasing a quality insurance plan to protect yourself and your vehicle.

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