Nissan Altima oil type and capacity
A 2019 or newer Nissan Altima with the 2.5-liter engine takes 0W-20. It holds 5.375 quarts with the filter through 2024 and 5.5 quarts in the 2025 and 2026 manuals. The 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (2019–2024) takes 5W-30, 5.0 quarts with the filter. A 2013–2018 Altima 2.5 takes 0W-20 and 4.875 quarts, and the 2008–2012 Altima was filled with 5W-30. Your exact year is in the table.
On this page (6 sections)
Oil type and capacity by year
The table lists every model year and engine. Capacities include a new oil filter. Fill a little under the number, run the engine briefly, then check the dipstick and top up.
| Year | Engine | Oil | Oil spec | Capacity | Oil change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-2010 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.5 qt (5.2 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-2010 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.5 qt (5.2 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-2010 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.5 qt (5.2 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-2010 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.5 qt (5.2 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-209 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-209 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2024 | 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder (VC-Turbo, KR20DDET) | 5W-306 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan Ester oil) | 5 qt (4.7 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 7,500 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-209 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-209 | API SP, ILSAC GF-6 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2023 | 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder (VC-Turbo, KR20DDET) | 5W-306 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan Ester oil) | 5 qt (4.7 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 7,500 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2022 | 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder (VC-Turbo, KR20DDET) | 5W-306 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan Ester oil) | 5 qt (4.7 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 7,500 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2021 | 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder (VC-Turbo, KR20DDET) | 5W-306 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan Ester oil) | 5 qt (4.7 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 7,500 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2020 | 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder (VC-Turbo, KR20DDET) | 5W-306 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan Ester oil) | 5 qt (4.7 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 7,500 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), FWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (PR25DD), AWD | 0W-206 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan oil) | 5.375 qt (5.1 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 10,000 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2019 | 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder (VC-Turbo, KR20DDET) | 5W-306 | API SN, ILSAC GF-5 (synthetic if not Nissan Ester oil) | 5 qt (4.7 L) with filter | when the meter asks, never more than 7,500 miles or 12 months6 |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2018 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 0W-205 | API SN | 5.125 qt (4.9 L) with filter | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2017 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | Check your owner’s manual | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2016 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | Check your owner’s manual | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2015 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | Check your owner’s manual | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2014 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2014 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | Check your owner’s manual | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2013 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2013 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 0W-204 | API certified (5W-30 conventional allowed) | Check your owner’s manual | every 5,000 miles or 6 months5 |
| 2012 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2012 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 5W-303 | API certified | 5.125 qt (4.9 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2011 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | Check your owner’s manual | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid | 0W-202 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2010 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2010 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | Check your owner’s manual | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2010 | 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid | 0W-202 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2009 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2009 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | Check your owner’s manual | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2009 | 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid | 0W-202 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2008 | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2008 | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 5W-301 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
| 2008 | 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid | 0W-202 | API certified | 4.875 qt (4.6 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 6 months (severe use: every 3,750 miles or 3 months)8 |
Two engines, two oils
On 2019–2024 Altimas, the oil depends on which engine is under the hood, and the two are easy to mix up at a quick-lube shop. The 2.5-liter takes 0W-20. The VC-Turbo takes 5W-30, and the 2020 manual names Nissan’s Ester oil for it, or a synthetic 5W-30 with the same certification. EPA lists the VC-Turbo on the SR and Platinum trims; a Nissan dealer can confirm the engine from your VIN.
The 2.5-liter oil spec changed by the 2023 model year: the 2020 manual lists API SN or ILSAC GF-5, and the 2023 manual lists API SP or ILSAC GF-6. Both manuals ask for synthetic oil if you don’t use Nissan’s own. The 2024 manual keeps 5-3/8 quarts with the filter; the 2025 and 2026 manuals list 5-1/2 quarts (5.2 liters), so a 2025 or newer Altima takes a little more oil.
Older Altimas: 0W-20 or 5W-30
The 2015 manual lists 0W-20 and allows 5W-30 conventional oil when 0W-20 isn’t available. The 2008–2012 Altima, four-cylinder or V6, takes 5W-30. The 2008–2011 Altima Hybrid is the exception in that generation: it takes 0W-20, like a newer car.
For the V6 we filled in only the years where the manual’s quarts and liters agree: 4.875 quarts for 2008, 5.125 quarts for 2012 and 2018. For 2009–2011 and 2013–2017, check your owner’s manual.
How often to change the oil
Since 2019, the Altima shows an oil change reminder in the meter. Nissan’s ceiling for the 2.5-liter is 10,000 miles or 12 months; for the VC-Turbo, 7,500 miles or 12 months. The 2013–2018 Altima is on a fixed 5,000 miles or 6 months, and the 2008–2012 Altima on 7,500 miles or 6 months (3,750 miles or 3 months in severe use). Background: how often to change oil. To see when your next one is due, try the oil change due calculator.
FAQ
What oil does a Nissan Altima take?
0W-20 for the 2.5-liter from 2013 on, 5W-30 for the 2019–2024 VC-Turbo, and 5W-30 for the 2008–2012 Altima. The 2008–2011 Altima Hybrid takes 0W-20.
How many quarts of oil does a Nissan Altima take?
5.375 quarts with the filter for the 2019–2024 2.5-liter and 5.5 quarts for 2025 and 2026, 5.0 quarts for the VC-Turbo, and 4.875 quarts for the 2013–2018 and 2008–2012 four-cylinder.
What oil does a 2015 Nissan Altima take?
0W-20, with 5W-30 conventional allowed if 0W-20 isn’t available. The 2.5-liter takes 4.875 quarts with the filter.
Can I put 5W-30 in a 2020 Altima 2.5?
The 2020 manual calls for 0W-20 in the 2.5-liter. 5W-30 is the grade for the VC-Turbo. Use the grade your manual lists for your engine.
Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan North America. Nissan, Altima, and VC-Turbo are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles.
Sources
- 2008 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual (capacities, fuel, tires, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid Owner’s Manual (capacities, tires) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2012 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual (capacities, fuel, tires, tire rotation) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2015 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual (capacities, fuel, tires, tire rotation) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2018 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, maintenance schedule, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2020 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, tires, oil reminder, maintenance schedules, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2023 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, tires, towing) (checked November 12, 2026)
- Nissan USA, 2010 Altima maintenance schedule by component (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2024 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, fuel, tires, towing, maintenance schedules) (checked November 13, 2026)
- 2025 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, fuel, tires, towing, maintenance schedule) (checked November 13, 2026)
- 2026 Nissan Altima Owner’s Manual and Maintenance Information (capacities, fuel, tires, towing, maintenance schedule) (checked November 13, 2026)