Nissan Check Engine Oil Level

Nissan oil light on? Getting a warning on the dashboard to add engine oil? Learn how to check the engine oil level on a Nissan and add oil.

Checking the oil level on a Nissan is easy and takes less than five minutes.

Nissan Oil Warning Light: What It Means

• Red oil can light while driving: low oil pressure. Pull over, shut the engine off and check the level. Do not keep driving with this light on.
• Light flickers at idle or in turns: the oil level is likely low. Top up and recheck.
• Level is full but the light stays on: a faulty oil pressure switch or a real pressure problem. Have the pressure tested before driving further.
• Oil level low warning on newer models: top up and the message clears after a short drive.

What you will need

• Clean Cloth
• Nissan Engine Oil: ( If the level is low)
  • As noted in your owner’s manual or printed on top of the oil cap.
  • Typically 0W-20 or 5W-30 synthetic.

Procedure

1. Park the Nissan on level ground.
2. Apply the parking brake and turn off the engine.
3. Wait for at least five minutes before proceeding to the next step. Waiting a few minutes will allow the engine oil to return to the oil pan, which means you will get an accurate reading.
4. Open the hood of your Nissan by pulling the hood release under the dashboard.
5. Locate the oil dipstick on the engine. The oil dipstick has a yellow handle. Remove it by pulling it up.

Wipe the oil off the dipstick. Take note of the minimum and maximum marks. In this case, you can see the letter H, meaning if the level is above this line, the level is too high. You can also see the letter L, which means that if the level is below this line, the level is too low, and you need to add engine oil.

Reinsert the dipstick back into the engine. Fully reinsert the dipstick into the engine and pull it out after five seconds. Pull the dipstick out to check the engine oil level. The level needs to be between the min and max mark. In this case, you can see the oil level right between the high and low marks. High and low marks on a dipstick. Oil level should be in the hatched area.

If the engine oil level is below the min mark, you need to add the recommended Nissan Engine Oil.  If the recommended oil is not available, use 5W-30 synthetic but make sure to get an oil change as soon as possible.

Locate the oil filler cap on top of the engine.

Remove the oil cap by turning it counterclockwise.

Add one quart of engine oil.

Wait for five minutes.

Check the oil level again. Add more oil if the oil level is still under the MIN mark. Don’t allow the oil to go over the full mark.

As you can see, checking the engine oil level on a Nissan is very easy and takes only a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil does my Nissan take?

Most recent Nissans use 0W-20 or 5W-30. Check the oil filler cap or your owner’s manual for the exact grade.

How much oil should I add if it is low?

Add about half a quart, wait a minute, then recheck. The space between the two dipstick marks is roughly one quart on most Nissans.

Why is my Nissan oil light on when the oil is full?

The oil pressure switch may be faulty, or there may be a real pressure problem. Do not drive far until the pressure is checked.

Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Nissan.

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