The 2019 Nissan Sentra is a sturdy, dependable, and no-fuss sedan. To keep this reliable set of wheels on the road, you’ll need to get familiar with its engine oil capacity.

It’s a thorn in every car owner’s side: you grab your to-go cup of coffee, hop in your car; queue up your “Going to Work” playlist, turn on your engine—and there (glowing menacingly

on your dashboard

) is your

car's oil pressure light

. What now?

Don’t panic—but don’t ignore the light hoping it will click off on its own.

Jerry

, the

licensed broker app

that helps drivers find a great deal on

car insurance

, is here to educate you on your 2019 Nissan Sentra’s oil type and capacity. We'll even tell you how to save on your

Nissan Sentra car insurance costs

while we're at it!

2019 Nissan Sentra Engine Oil Capacity

Before we get into the nitty gritty about the exact type of oil your Nissan Sentra needs, let’s establish how much oil your engine needs.

A 2019 Nissan Sentra needs 4.2 quarts, or 4 liters, of oil to power its 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Be careful to not get the 1.8-liter and 4-liter measurements confused—they represent completely different things.

The 1.8-liter figure refers to your engine’s displacement, or how much space the cylinders take up under the hood. The 4 liters refers to your engine’s oil capacity, or how much oil you need to pour in during a routine oil change.

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What kind of oil does a 2019 Nissan Sentra need?

Not all oils are created equal, and you’ll need to buy one with the right specifications to flow well in your Nissan’s engine in a range of temperature conditions. For the 2019 Sentra, Nissan recommends that you purchase SAE 0W-20 synthetic oil.

Let’s break it down piece by piece. SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, the entity that codes and regulates the different oil types. The W stands for winter, and the two numbers (the 0 and the 20) refer to the oil’s viscosity (or thickness) under different temperature conditions.

The 0 before the W tells us that oil maintains a low viscosity at 0°F, and the 20 means that it remains thin at your vehicle’s operating temperature of 212°F.

You don’t want your oil to be too thick and gunk up your engine, so purchasing an oil with these specific ratings will ensure that it flows thin under a range of temperature conditions.

You may also be wondering: what about detergent oil? Nissan does not recommend using detergent oil in the 2019 Sentra, as some of the additives can clog up and

increase wear and tear

on your car's engine.

The genuine article:

Genuine Nissan Engine Oil 0W-20

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How often to change oil on a 2019 Nissan Sentra

Now that we’ve nailed the “what” and the “how much,” it’s time to tackle the “when.” Just how often should you be changing the oil in your 2019 Nissan Sentra?

The manufacturer recommends that you change your Sentra’s oil every 5,000 miles. Or, if you don’t drive all that much, set a reminder on your phone to change your oil every six months.

To prevent problems from festering, we’d suggest you check your engine oil on a regular basis, like once a month or after every other trip to the gas station. In the meantime, be mindful of the following signs that you need an oil change:

Motor oil that needs changing is dark brown or black (clean oil is light brown or amber, like a cup of tea. Dirty oil is like a cup of soda)

The

engine oil feels

gritty or coarse

Strange noises coming from your engine

Oil, burning smells, or

smoke coming from your engine

Decreased vehicle performance

You may also need to change your oil more frequently depending on how you drive. If you drive short distances in a cold or dusty environment, idle excessively, or have a very stop-and-go commute, it’s even more important to stay on top of checking your oil.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Ready to roll up your sleeves and change your oil? We’ll walk you through it all step by step! First things first, have the following supplies on hand:

Socket wrench

Drain pan

Filter wrench

Replacement oil filter

4.2 quarts of 0W-20 synthetic oil

To begin, put your car in park and run the engine until it reaches its operating temperature (about 5 minutes). Once it’s warm enough, turn your engine off and do the following:

Turn the oil filter cap counterclockwise to remove it

Place your drain pan beneath the drain plug

Using your socket wrench, remove the drain plug by turning it counterclockwise

Allow the oil to drain out onto the drain pan

Using your filter wrench, remove the old oil filter by turning it counterclockwise, then finish twisting it off with your hand

Screw on the new oil filter

Clean and install the drain plug and a new washer, tightening it to 25 lb-ft

Refill the engine with your new oil

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 doing all this, turn your engine on for about 10 minutes and check for any oil leaks. If all is well, your oil light should turn off on your dashboard.

But you’re not done quite yet! You’ll need to pour the old oil from the drain pan into a sealed container and bring it to your local recycling center—don’t just dump it on the ground or pour it down a drain.