are essential for keeping your car in excellent condition and running for years to come. However, these necessary changes often leave a dent in your wallet.

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created this guide to help you DIY your 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 oil changes at home. We’ll cover everything from this vehicle’s engine oil capacity, oil type, and how to change the oil step-by-step.

2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 engine oil capacity

Your 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 is equipped with a 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine with an oil capacity of 4.8 quarts (1.23 gallons) or 4.6 liters.

Be careful not to confuse the oil capacity with the engine displacement of 2.5 liters. These two terms are not the same! Engine oil capacity is the amount of oil needed for each oil change. By contrast, engine displacement is the volume of space the cylinders take up in the engine.

What kind of oil does a 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 need?

Always follow your owner’s manual recommendation when looking for your vehicle’s engine oil type! The owner’s manual recommends filling your 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 with SAE 0W-20 motor oil.

Why is it important to buy a specific type of oil? Not all engines are created equal, so some need different nutrients from their engine oil. In the case of your Altima, the oil’s code refers to the range of temperatures in which the oil is effective. Not following the manufacturer’s oil recommendation can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle.

Here’s a closer look at how to better understand the differences in engine oil types:

You can determine the oil’s viscosity (thickness) by the numbers in the oil type—the “0” in 0W-20 means that the oil has a low density below 0°F, whereas the “20” means that it can also retain its viscosity at temperatures up to 212°F

“W” stands for “winter,” meaning that the oil is suitable for cold-weather climates

What’s more, is that synthetic motor oils often include additives to support various functions. This can range from motor oils that help prevent rust, corrosion, or oil deterioration.

The owner's manual recommends the use of Genuine Nissan engine oil or an equivalent 0W-20 motor oil.

MORE:

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How often to change the oil on a 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5

Nissan

recommends changing your vehicle’s oil every 3,000to 5,000 miles. However, since there is a big difference in this range, it’s wise to check your oil levels regularly. That way, you can know precisely when to change the oil. If you want to get into this habit, check your oil levels every other refuel or once a month.

Additionally, these common signs are clues that you’re likely overdue for an oil change:

Strange noises

coming from the engine

Uncommon smells such as oil, smoke, or burning

Worsening performance

Dark and gritty oil

How to change your oil and your oil filter

Now that you know all about your Nissan’s engine oil type and capacity, let’s change the oil! Tackling this easy maintenance task from your home garage is a quick and easy way to save money on car maintenance expenses.

Start by gathering your tools. For an oil change, you need:

27-mm socket wrench

Drain pan

Filter wrench

New drain bolt washer

Replacement filter

4.8 quarts of an SAE 0W-20 engine oil

Once your tools are ready, turn the engine on and let it run to warm up to the average operating temperature. This should only take five minutes or less in average weather conditions. Then, turn the engine OFF and pop the hood open.

Here’s how you change your Nissan Altima’s engine oil:

Remove the oil fill cap

Slide underneath the engine to access the oil drain bolt and washer. Position the drain pan directly under the drain bolt

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer, then drain the old oil into the pan

Remove the old

oil filter

and let the oil continue to drain

Install the new oil filter

Reattach the oil drain bolt and use a new washer to tighten it—make sure to tighten the cap to 20-ft lb

Now, you can refill the engine with new oil from the top of the engine

Use your dipstick to make sure you added enough oil

Finally, replace the oil fill cap.

Finally, test your handy work. Close the hood and run the engine for a few minutes. While the engine is running, keep an eye out for oil leaks—if you spot a leak, you likely installed the filter or oil drain bolt incorrectly. However, the

oil pressure light

on your dashboard will turn off and there won't be any leaks if you did it correctly.

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.

And you’re done! Clean up by pouring the dirty oil into a sealed container and take it to your local recycling center so they can safely dispose of it. Never dispose of the dirty oil by pouring it on the ground or in your garbage can.

MORE: How to do summer car maintenance

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How to maintain your 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 insurance policy

No matter your make and model, all cars come with a laundry list of maintenance tasks that are easily forgotten about until the last moment. Regular

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