How to Change the Oil in a Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan recommends that you change the oil on a Pathfinder every 7,500 miles. You can change the oil yourself if you know anything at all about cars. The Pathfinder takes about 5.6 liters of oil, with a viscosity of 5W-30 or 10W-40.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
1

Lift your Nissan Pathfinder with a jack and place it on jack stands. If you don't have jack stands, drive the Pathfinder onto a set of wheel ramps.
2

Pop the hood and remove the dipstick and oil filler cap. The dipstick is on the left side of the engine, with the oil fill area nearby.
3

Gather an oil drip pan, socket wrench, strap or cap oil filter wrench, cleaning cloths and a new oil filter. Slide under your Nissan Pathfinder.
4

Locate the oil filter and oil drain plug underneath the car. Look at the bottom of the oil pan to find the oil drain plug. The filter is on the right side of the engine.
5

Remove the oil drain plug using the socket wrench. Pull the plug and let the oil drain for 10 to 15 minutes into the drip pan. Check the gasket and threads and replace them if you find damage.
6

Remove the oil filter with a strap- or cap-type oil filter wrench. Dump the old oil into the oil drip pan and put on the new oil filter. Tighten the filter by hand and replace the oil drain plug with the wrench. Clean any excess oil.
7

Move the jack stands and lower your Nissan Pathfinder or drive it off the wheel ramps. Get under the hood and add oil. Turn on the engine and check that the oil pressure gauge rises. Let the Nissan Pathfinder run for a minute.
8

Turn off the engine. Take an oil reading with the dipstick. If the oil level isn't at full, add more oil.

Tips & Warnings

If the oil pressure gauge doesn't rise when you turn on your SUV, turn off the engine and add more oil.

Fill used plastic containers with the old oil and drop them off at a gas station or auto parts store that has oil disposal units.