How To: Change Your Oil-05+ VQ40DE

[WestCo Justin]

Step 1: Drive to dealership
Step 2: check in with service writer
Step 3: go back to work as usual
Step 4: leave for home with a freshly washed truck with fresh oil and filter

...at least thats how I do it

[ToddG]

Originally Posted by Toddler

+1 for that tutorial request

I'll do one in about 3 years when my pads need replacing, if you can wait.

[Bads Crew]

Thanks for taking the time to do the write up. Using my brand oil too.

[tbenedict]

Originally Posted by WestCo Justin

Step 1: Drive to dealership
Step 2: check in with service writer
Step 3: go back to work as usual
Step 4: leave for home with a freshly washed truck with fresh oil and filter

...at least thats how I do it

Me too. Used to change mine all the time, but now it's not worth getting dirty to save $10 you pay extra for the dealer to do it. Plus they grease everything and you can hold them accountable if something goes wrong.

[Gila Dave]

Well, maybe not "ever", but worst in 45 years of oil changes I've done to my & wife's vehicles.
I already had a filter wrench, for my Maxima, so loosening wasn't a problem, but good grief, a PITA doing final unscrew & remove.
Almost enough to make me take it to the dealer, but, this part of the country is The Big Empty - dealer is 130 miles away. So I'll continue to Do It Myself.
A bonus of living in a very rural setting - the oil drips are no problem on my dirt & gravel driveway. One ding, Nissan, for filter access.
Another ding: the dip-stick. What's with that thing?
Overall, the Frontier has been great and probably won't be cussed for another six months, when it's time to change the oil again.
BTW, this was first oil change, at 3 mo / 1700 mi. Oil was pretty dirty and quite thin, but break-in oil usually is.

[KingHardcor]

Originally Posted by Gila Dave

One ding, Nissan, for filter access.
Another ding: the dip-stick. What's with that thing?

No kidding!

[Inyourface1650]

Just a note, taking the front skid off is only easy if you dont wheel. After a few dings/distortions, that thing becomes a MAJOR pita to put back on again.

[Sangster]

finally changed mine myself for the first time this past weekend. 27k miles and each oil change prior to this I had done at one of the quick lube type places. It took me 45 minutes to get the dang filter off. The last change they put it on way too tight. I ended up having to punch a hole through the filter with a screw driver and muscle it off that way. Pain in the neck.

But, i only paid $34 for the mobil 1 5w30 and the filter at Walmart vs nearly $80 for Mobile 1 at the quick lube place.

[dubie2003]

^^^ and this is why I do it myself. The savings from not paying someone do it is lets me splurge and get synthetic insead of my regular dino oil.

[Gila Dave]

"..punch a hole through the filter with a screw driver and muscle it off that way.."

I had to do the screwdriver-through-the-filter thing once, years ago. Can't even imagine trying to do that on a Fronty, considering filter access!
I have a nice little strap wrench that fits in the confined space and gives me enough extra torque that unscrewing the filter wasn't an issue. If you're gonna continue to change it yourself, I suggest you pick one up. Pretty cheap, and great for those times when even a self-installed filter is tighter than you expect at next oil change.