With impressive fuel economy, active safety features, and refined handling, the 2016 Nissan Altima is a top choice for many drivers. But to keep this sporty sedan performing at its best, you’ll need to know its engine oil capacity.

With pricey insurance, increasing fuel prices, and expensive maintenance costs, owning a vehicle doesn’t come cheap. Luckily, there are ways to save on your vehicle costs. If you own a 2016 Nissan Altima, you can keep some change in your pocket by changing your engine oil from home.

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2016 Nissan Altima engine oil capacity

Before you hone your mechanic skills, you’ll need to find out just how much engine oil your 2016 Nissan Altima needs.

The engine oil capacity of a 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5L engine is 4.9 quarts, or 4.6 liters. Pretty simple, right? Just be sure not to confuse this volume with your engine’s displacement—the 2.5-liter volume your engine’s cylinders take up.

Your car’s oil capacity refers to how much oil your Nissan needs every time it has an oil change. While the two numbers are easy to confuse, their volumes are not interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2016 Nissan Altima need?

Now that you know how much oil you’ll need, it’s time to find out what type of oil is suited to your Nissan. According to Nissan manufacturers, SAE 0W-20 motor oil will do the trick. If you’re unfamiliar with oil grade specifications, don’t worry. We’ll go over what each number designates.

The 0, directly in front of the “W” (which stands for “winter”)specifies the oil’s viscosity level at 0°F, while the 20 specifies the oil’s viscosity level at 212°F. In this oil grade, both numbers are relatively low, indicating that the oil will have a low viscosity level at various temperatures.

So why does it matter how thick an oil is? In short, an oil with a low viscosity will perform well for your vehicle and result in less wear and tear on your engine.

Owner’s manual recommendation: To keep things simple, use any motor with

0W-20

specifications

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2016 Nissan Altima

You know how much oil your Nissan needs and what oil type to use, but how do you know when it’s time to

change your oil

If you’re using conventional oil, Nissan recommends changing your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. On the other hand, if you’re using a synthetic oil, you can go more miles and months between oil changes, with experts recommending an oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

While mileage benchmarks are helpful, it doesn’t hurt to check your oil level on a regular basis (e.g. once a month or every other refuel) to ensure your oil is clean and functional. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time for an oil change:

You notice that your oil is darker in color or course in texture—this is a sign that your motor oil is dirty

You hear

unfamiliar noises

coming from the engine

You smell oil or smoke while driving

Your Nissan’s performance has changed or deteriorated

MORE:

Nissan lug pattern guide

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you’ve decided it’s time for an oil change and you have 5 quarts of SAE 0W-20 motor oil on hand, it’s time to put your mechanic skills to the test.

Before you get your hands dirty, ensure you’re prepared to change your oil with a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter.

Follow these steps to change your Nissan Altima oil and filter:

Let your engine until it reaches a normal operating temperature

After roughly 5 minutes, turn off the engine

Locate your oil reservoir and remove the oil fill cap

Remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Drain out the old oil into your drain pain

Remove the old oil filter and install the new one

Using a new washer, tighten the oil drain bolt to 29 lb-ft

Refill the engine with 0W-20 oil

Replace the 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. If everything was completed correctly, your Nissan’s

oil pressure light

will turn off.

Before you hit the road with your fresh oil, ensure you’ve properly disposed of the old oil by putting it into a sealed container and bringing it to a recycling center.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

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