Your 2020 Nissan Altima oil capacity is 5.3 quarts or 5 quarts, depending on what's under the hood. Whether you have a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter engine, the type of engine oil you need will vary.

There are two types of car owners—those who put car maintenance off to the last minute and those who eagerly wait until they can start tinkering on their engine again. Regardless of which group you fall in, changing your engine oil at home is an easy way to save money on your regular car maintenance tasks.

Whether you’re changing the engine oil for the first time or need a refresher, this handy guide from

Jerry

, the

insurance shopping super app

, goes over everything you need to know for a successful DIY oil change. We'll talk about your 2020 Nissan Altima's oil capacity, the type of oil for your vehicle, the steps for changing your oil, and how Jerry can help lower your

Nissan car insurance costs

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2020 Nissan Altima engine oil capacity

How much engine oil does a 2020

Nissan Altima

2.5L engine take? This model takes 5.3 quarts (5.1 liters) of engine oil. However, if you have a 2.0L engine, the oil capacity is slightly lower at 5 quarts (4.7 liters).

Now, it’s important to not confuse engine oil capacity with engine displacement. Engine displacement is the volume of space in the engine that the cylinders occupy (2.0 or 2.5 liters, depending on your engine).

The engine oil capacity is the 5 or 5.3 quarts needed for each oil change. Remember that these numbers are not interchangeable! Confusing them may result in adding too little or too much oil during an oil change.

What kind of oil does a 2020 Nissan Altima need?

A good rule of thumb is to follow your manufacturer’s recommendation to find the right engine oil for your car. For a 2020 Nissan Altima, you need:

SAE 0W-20 motor oil for a 2.5-liter engine

SAE 5W-30 motor oil for a 2.0-liter engine

Let’s break down what this oil code means. SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers. An SAE oil meets the quality standards set by the SAE. Then there are the numbers—the “0” and “5” rate the oil’s viscosity at 0℉ (W stands for “winter). The lower this number is, the better it performs at low temperatures or winter conditions.

The “20” and “30” rate how well the oil can withstand scorching temperatures as an engine’s normal operating temperature is 212℉.

Most synthetic varieties will work in your car if it meets the same requirements.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2020 Nissan Altima

Nissan recommends changing your 2020 Altima’s engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but depending on what oil you use, you may be able to extend the time between. That said, continue to check your oil levels regularly to determine what time is best.

Keep an eye out for these signs that it’s time to change your Nissan’s engine oil:

Motor oil has turned dark brown or black, as opposed to the light brown or amber color of clean oil

Coarse or gritty texture to the oil

You hear strange noises coming from the engine

You notice oil, smoke, or burning smells

There is a decline in your car’s performance

If it’s time for an oil change, you can

decide to take your car to the mechanic

(expect an oil change bill of $107+) or save money by tackling this easy maintenance task at home. If you opt to do it yourself, your only costs will be for the new engine oil and replacement oil filter.

Don't get ripped off!

Estimate repairs near you with GarageGuard™ for free so you KNOW the fair price.

Get GarageGuard™

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No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees

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7M+Cars Garaged

How to change your oil and oil filter

To change your Nissan Altima’s engine oil at home, set yourself up for success by gathering your supplies. Here’s what you need:

Socket wrench

Drain pan

Filter wrench (this unique tool specifically helps remove the old oil filter)

Replacement oil filter

5 or 5.3 quarts of SAE 0W-20 or SAE 5W-30 motor oil depending on the type of engine in your car

After gathering your supplies, get started by turning the engine on and let it run to warm it to normal operating temperature—this should only take five minutes or so in average weather conditions. Then, turn the engine off and pop the hood.

Follow these steps to change your 2020 Nissan Altima’s engine oil:

Remove the oil fill cap

Put the oil drain pan beneath the oil drain plug

Using the socket wrench, remove the oil drain bolt and washer

Remove the old oil filter with the filter wrench and install the new oil filter

Return the oil drain bolt to its spot and use a new washer to tighten the bolt to 29 lb-ft

Add the new oil from the top of the engine—check the oil level by using the dipstick to fill the engine to the full oil capacity.

Screw and tighten the fill cap back into place

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.

With the hood closed, turn the engine on and let it run. If your oil light was on, it should turn off. You’ll also want to ensure there isn’t a leak. If you notice a leak, double-check that the oil filter or drain bolt was installed incorrectly.

Last but not least, clean-up. Know that dirty oil should never be poured on the ground or in a garbage bin. Instead, pour it into a sealable container and bring it to your local recycling center. The center will make sure the oil is processed as hazardous waste.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

And you’re done! Changing your oil at home is one of the easiest ways to save money on regular maintenance for your 2020 Nissan Altima. Another easy way to care for your car is by shopping for

cheap car insurance

. Luckily,

Jerry

is here to make sure it becomes part of your regular car-care routine.

A licensed brokerage app, Jerry does a comprehensive cross-comparison of policies from 50+ of the nation’s top insurance providers. Once you’ve made your pick of policies, the app handles the hassle of buying your new insurance and canceling your old one!

And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.7/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

“I would 11/10 recommend
Jerry
. I was originally quoted $700+ for insurance for my new car, but by using Jerry I got my payments down to $320 a month. They also have a great support team ready to answer any questions!” —Tobias F.

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