Nissan Altima Oil Check (2013-2018): Dipstick, Level, Color and How Much to Add
About this video
Most people check their oil wrong and get a reading that is off by half a quart or more. An ASE certified mechanic shows the correct way to read the dipstick, what the oil should look like, how much to add when it is low, and what a level that keeps dropping is actually telling you.
SAFETY FIRST
Check the oil on level ground with the engine off and the key out. The engine and exhaust stay hot long after shutdown, so give it time before you reach in. Never remove the oil cap with the engine running. Wipe up spills on the exhaust manifold so they do not smoke or catch, and recycle any used oil properly.
WHAT WE COVER
Finding the dipstick and the oil fill cap
Why the car must be level and why you wait after shutdown for an accurate reading
The pull, wipe, reinsert, and pull again method, and why the first reading is always wrong
Reading the MIN and MAX marks, the crosshatch area, and how much oil sits between them
What the oil should look like: clean amber, normal dark, versus milky, gritty, or foamy
How much to add when the level is low, and why you add a little and recheck instead of dumping in a full quart
Which oil to add when you do not know what is in the engine
Overfilling, why it is worse than being slightly low, and what it does to the crank and seals
Checking for leaks versus burning oil when the level keeps dropping
Cars with no dipstick that use an electronic oil level reading instead
How often to check, and why monthly beats waiting for a warning light
SYMPTOMS YOU MAY NOTICE
Oil level below the minimum mark on the dipstick
Low oil level warning or a maintenance message on the cluster
Oil pressure warning light, which means shut the engine off immediately
Ticking, tapping, or lifter noise at cold start
Blue smoke from the exhaust or a burning oil smell
Oil spots on the driveway or oily residue on the engine
Needing to add oil between every oil change, which points to consumption or a leak
Oil that looks milky or has a coffee colored film under the cap
RELATED FAULT CODES AND WARNINGS
Low oil level or pressure can set P0520, P0521, and P0522 for oil pressure sensor and circuit faults, and chronic low or degraded oil commonly sets variable valve timing codes P0011, P0014, P0021, and P0024 along with a check engine light. A red oil can warning light is a pressure warning, not a level warning, and it means stop driving right away.
DOES THIS APPLY TO MY CAR
Recorded on a 2018 Nissan Altima, fifth generation L33, sold 2013-2018 in the US with the facelift covering 2016-2018. It applies to 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Altima models with the 2.5L QR25DE four cylinder and the 3.5L VQ35DE V6. Always confirm the correct oil grade for your engine before adding. The QR25DE is also found in the Nissan Rogue, Sentra, X-Trail, and Frontier, and the VQ35DE is found in the Nissan Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, 350Z, and Infiniti G35, M35, and FX35. The Altima is sold as the Nissan Teana in many markets. Checking oil works the same on virtually every vehicle, so this applies to Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description are provided for educational purposes only. Vehicle repair carries risk of injury and property damage. You are responsible for your own safety and for any work performed on your vehicle.
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