2020 Nissan Altima 2.5L Oil Change — QR25DE, 5W-30, Step-by-Step DIY Guide

The 2020 Nissan Altima 2.5L is a workhorse sedan, and its QR25DE engine is one of the more forgiving DIY oil change platforms I've worked on. Accessible drain plug, spin-on filter you can reach from underneath without removing any panels, and a simple 4.4-quart capacity. Total time: 25–30 minutes. Dealers charge $75–$100 for this service. DIY parts: about $28.

One spec to get right: the QR25DE takes 5W-30 full synthetic, not 5W-20. Some quick-lube shops default to 5W-20 because they stock it in bulk. Don't let them. Nissan specifies 5W-30 for this engine, and using 5W-20 in a warm climate or for any towing/high-load use runs the engine with insufficient oil film.

Engine and Oil Specs

Item	Spec
Engine	2.5L QR25DE DOHC inline-4
Oil viscosity	5W-30 full synthetic (or 0W-30 in cold climates)
Oil capacity	4.4 quarts (4.2L) with filter
OEM oil filter	Nissan 15208-65F0E
Alternate filter	Wix 57356, Purolator PL14610
Drain plug size	14mm
Drain plug torque	25 lb-ft (34 Nm)
Drain plug washer	Nissan 11026-01M02 — replace every change
Oil change interval	5,000 miles (conventional) / 7,500 miles (full synthetic)

Tools and Parts List

• Nissan 15208-65F0E oil filter (spin-on)
• 4.4 quarts 5W-30 full synthetic
• Nissan 11026-01M02 drain plug washer (crush washer, aluminum)
• 14mm socket (drain plug)
• 65mm oil filter wrench (for the spin-on, if needed)
• Torque wrench (20–35 lb-ft range)
• Drain pan
• Ramps or jack + stands
• Funnel and rags

Cost Comparison

Item	DIY Cost	Shop Cost
5W-30 full synthetic (5 qt)	$20–$26	—
Nissan OEM filter	$8–$10	—
Drain plug washer	$1	—
Total parts	~$29–$37	—
Labor	$0	$45–$65
Total	~$29–$37	$75–$100

You save $40–$65 every oil change. At a 7,500-mile interval with full synthetic, that's roughly two services per year — saving you $80–$130 annually.

Step-by-Step Oil Change

1. Warm the Engine (5 minutes)

Drive the Altima for 5–10 minutes. The QR25DE warms up quickly. Warm oil drains cleanly; don't do this job on a stone-cold engine that's been sitting overnight.

2. Raise the Vehicle and Access the Drain

The Altima is low to the ground — you'll want ramps or a floor jack with stands to get comfortable access. The Nissan drain plug is on the driver's side of the oil pan, near the center of the vehicle. 14mm socket.

The spin-on filter is on the driver's side of the engine block, toward the rear — accessible from underneath and slightly above the oil pan level.

3. Drain the Oil

Set your drain pan, loosen the 14mm drain plug counterclockwise with your ratchet, and remove it by hand. Let the oil drain 5–7 minutes.

Remove the aluminum crush washer from the drain plug and discard. These Nissan crush washers are inexpensive and important — a worn washer causes slow seeping leaks that are annoying to find and annoying to explain to someone you just sold the car to.

4. Remove the Old Filter

The 15208-65F0E spin-on filter is usually removable by hand if it was installed correctly at the last service. If it's tight, use a 65mm strap wrench. Keep a rag under it when you remove it — a small amount of oil will spill.

5. Install the New Filter

Apply a thin film of fresh 5W-30 to the rubber O-ring on the new Nissan filter. Thread it in by hand until the gasket contacts the seating surface, then tighten 3/4 turn more. No tools needed — hand-tight plus 3/4 is the correct installation for this filter.

6. Reinstall the Drain Plug

Thread the new Nissan 11026-01M02 aluminum crush washer onto the drain plug. Thread the plug into the oil pan by hand until finger-tight. Torque to 25 lb-ft (34 Nm).

7. Add Oil

Pour in 4 quarts first through the filler cap on the valve cover (driver's side, oil can symbol). Start the engine, run for 60 seconds, shut off, wait 3–5 minutes, then check the dipstick. Add remaining oil to the "MAX" mark — the QR25DE holds 4.4 quarts total, so you'll add the last 0.4 quarts after the first check.

8. Start and Verify

Start the engine. The oil light should extinguish within 5 seconds. Let it idle for 90 seconds and check underneath for any drips at the drain plug and filter. No drips, no issues.

9. Reset the Maintenance Light

The 2020 Altima service reminder resets through the display. Navigate to Settings → Maintenance → Oil Change → Reset. Confirm when prompted.

QR25DE Oil Change Notes

Don't overtighten the spin-on filter. The QR25DE filter boss is aluminum — it can crack if you gorilla the filter on. Hand-tight plus 3/4 turn is the spec. The filter has a large-diameter seal that grips well at the correct torque.

Watch for oil consumption on high-mileage QR25s. If your Altima is above 80,000 miles and you're losing oil between changes, check the valve cover gasket area and the PCV system. The QR25DE can develop minor consumption as the piston rings wear — keep the oil level in the upper half of the operating range.

For more on managing high-mileage engines, see the OwnerDrop diagnostics guide.

And for a full breakdown of all service items due at every mileage interval for the 2020 Altima, check the OwnerDrop maintenance schedules guide.

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