Nissan Versa: Do-it-yourself - Engine oil
Checking engine oil level
1. Park your Nissan Versa securely on a flat, level surface and firmly apply the emergency parking brake to prevent any accidental movement.
2. Start the engine and allow it to idle smoothly until it reaches normal operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine completely and wait for more than 10 minutes to allow the hot engine oil to drain fully back down into the oil pan.
4. Pull out the engine oil dipstick and wipe it clean using a lint-free shop rag or paper towel.
Reinsert the dipstick fully all the way back into its tube.
5. Remove the dipstick once more and carefully check the oil level. The fluid film should fall precisely between the H (High) and L (Low) marks designated as B . This represents the normal operating oil level range. If you notice that the oil level is at or below the L (Low) mark indicated as A , unscrew the engine oil filler cap and pour the manufacturer-recommended oil gradually through the opening. Take care not to overfill the engine beyond the maximum mark C .
6. Recheck the oil level using the dipstick to confirm it rests within the correct zone.
It is completely normal to consume and add some engine oil between routine oil maintenance intervals, depending heavily on the severity of your daily operating conditions or the specific chemical properties of the engine oil used. Higher volumes of engine oil are typically consumed during frequent, aggressive acceleration and deceleration cycles, especially when operating at high engine RPMs. Oil consumption is also noticeably higher while the engine is still new and breaking in. If your rate of oil consumption—after driving for 3,000 miles (5,000 km)—exceeds 0.5 liters per every 600 miles (1,000 km), consult an authorized NISSAN dealer for a professional inspection.
CAUTION
The engine oil level should be checked regularly as part of routine vehicle maintenance.
Operating your Nissan Versa engine with an insufficient amount of oil can cause catastrophic internal engine damage, and such mechanical damage is not covered under the vehicle warranty.
Changing engine oil and oil filter
For comprehensive additional information and technical guidelines regarding how to perform an engine oil and oil filter change safely, refer to the detailed instructions outlined in this section.
Vehicle set-up
1. Park your Nissan Versa on a solid, level surface and engage the parking brake securely.
2. Run the engine until it achieves normal operating temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait patiently for 15 minutes to let the system cool down slightly.
4. Safely raise and support the vehicle using a suitable hydraulic floor jack and certified safety jack stands.
- Place the safety jack stands firmly underneath the designated factory vehicle jacking points.
- An appropriate rubber or slotted adapter should always be attached securely to the jack stand saddle to protect the chassis.
CAUTION
Make certain that the correct vehicle lifting and support points are utilized at all times to avoid structural body damage.
- Oil filler cap
- Oil drain plug
- Oil filter
Engine oil and filter
1. Position a large, suitable waste drain pan directly beneath the oil drain plug and the oil filter location.
2. Unscrew and remove the engine oil filler cap from the top of the engine to allow proper ventilation.
3. Loosen the oil drain plug with a wrench by turning it counterclockwise, then carefully remove it to completely drain the old engine oil into the pan.
CAUTION
Exercise extreme caution not to burn yourself, as the draining engine oil will be extremely hot.
WARNING
- Prolonged and repeated dermal contact with used, dirty engine oil may potentially cause skin cancer.
- Always try to avoid direct skin contact with used oil. If oil accidentally contacts your skin, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap or a specialized hand cleaner as soon as possible.
- Always keep used engine oil and automotive fluids securely stored and entirely out of reach of children.
4. Loosen the old oil filter using a dedicated oil filter wrench by turning it counterclockwise.
Finish removing the oil filter by unscrewing it completely by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting contact surface thoroughly with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be absolutely certain to remove any old rubber gasket material remaining stuck on the sealing surface of the engine block. Failure to remove old gasket residue could lead to a sudden, severe oil leak and subsequent catastrophic engine damage on your Nissan Versa.
- The oil dipstick must be fully inserted back into its place to prevent oil spillage or splattering from the dipstick hole when refilling the engine with fresh oil.
6. Lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new replacement filter with a small amount of clean engine oil.
7. Screw in the new oil filter clockwise by hand until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten it additionally by more than 2/3 of a full turn.
Oil filter tightening torque: 11 to 15 ft-lb (14.7 to 20.6 N·m)
8. Clean the metal drain plug and re-install it into the oil pan using a brand-new sealing washer. Securely tighten the drain plug using a torque wrench. Do not apply excessive force to avoid stripping the threads.
Drain plug tightening torque: 22 to 29 ft-lb (29.4 to 39.2 N·m)
9. Refill the engine of your Nissan Versa with the recommended grade and quantity of oil through the oil filler opening, and then install the oil filler cap back on securely.
The exact fluid drain and refill capacity depends slightly on the oil temperature and total drain duration. Treat these capacity specifications as a reference only. Always rely on the dipstick to determine the precise, proper amount of oil in the engine.
10. Start the engine and let it run briefly while inspecting for any signs of leakage around both the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct any leaks immediately as required. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes for the oil to settle. Finally, re-check the oil level using the dipstick and add more engine oil if necessary.
After the operation
1. Lower your Nissan Versa carefully and safely back down to the ground.
2. Reset the electronic oil and oil filter maintenance reminder system on the dashboard (if so equipped).
- Dispose of all waste engine oil and the old filter responsibly and properly.
- Always check and comply with your local municipal and environmental regulations regarding hazardous fluid disposal.