How many quarts of oil does a 5th gen take?
05-14-2006, 11:47 AM
#6
The factory calls for 4.25 with oil filter change...but here is what I came up with
Everytime I do the recommended 4.25qt change with my filter....it notice when I pull my dip stick the next day, I'm short half a qt on my dipstick....I thought I was crazy so I checked it the next day....its still short....so I added half a qt to bring it up to full...I asked around in the fluid and lubricants section and Silver_Max04 said he had the same happen to him....
Not sure if it's like this with all VQ35s...but IIRC, I heard a few more stories were 4.25 (FSM listed) was not enough for our engines....it was more like 4.75
Everytime I do the recommended 4.25qt change with my filter....it notice when I pull my dip stick the next day, I'm short half a qt on my dipstick....I thought I was crazy so I checked it the next day....its still short....so I added half a qt to bring it up to full...I asked around in the fluid and lubricants section and Silver_Max04 said he had the same happen to him....
Not sure if it's like this with all VQ35s...but IIRC, I heard a few more stories were 4.25 (FSM listed) was not enough for our engines....it was more like 4.75
05-14-2006, 06:42 PM
#7
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 5
Engine Oil Dipstick Problem
Hey guys! This is a little off topic from the amount of oil, but I'm having a problem with my engine oil dipstick. As you can tell, I'm new here and I recently purchased my first 2002 Nissan Maxima SE a few months ago. I started driving it around the past couple of weeks and yesterday noticed it making some funny sounds, kinda like my other car does when it is low on oil. So i decided to go check the engine oil level. But to my surprise the dipstick did not come out when I pulled on it. Since I'm unfamiliar with this engine I thought maybe I overlooked something. Is there a secret lock or child safety thing on it? Or is it just stuck? I don't wanna use too much force on it because I'm afraid I'll break it off. Does anyone else have this problem? Please get back to me. Thanx
05-14-2006, 06:56 PM
#9
Originally Posted by steven88
The factory calls for 4.25 with oil filter change...but here is what I came up with
Everytime I do the recommended 4.25qt change with my filter....it notice when I pull my dip stick the next day, I'm short half a qt on my dipstick....I thought I was crazy so I checked it the next day....its still short....so I added half a qt to bring it up to full...I asked around in the fluid and lubricants section and Silver_Max04 said he had the same happen to him....
Not sure if it's like this with all VQ35s...but IIRC, I heard a few more stories were 4.25 (FSM listed) was not enough for our engines....it was more like 4.75
Everytime I do the recommended 4.25qt change with my filter....it notice when I pull my dip stick the next day, I'm short half a qt on my dipstick....I thought I was crazy so I checked it the next day....its still short....so I added half a qt to bring it up to full...I asked around in the fluid and lubricants section and Silver_Max04 said he had the same happen to him....
Not sure if it's like this with all VQ35s...but IIRC, I heard a few more stories were 4.25 (FSM listed) was not enough for our engines....it was more like 4.75
possibly a typo from factory that was never corrected, gotta love it
05-14-2006, 08:20 PM
#14
and since i know someone is gonna say "but i dont have a manual"
download one - http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...p?dept%5Fid=37
download one - http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...p?dept%5Fid=37
05-14-2006, 08:26 PM
#16
Originally Posted by steven88
well heres more proof that its not 4.25 factory fill...thanks nissan 
nissan recomended amount 4.25
reason -
nissan says 4.25 because most oil change places dont give it time to drain all of it out because they are in a hurry ("jiffy" lube). there is still some oil left in the engine so 4.25 will fill it back up.
most of us that change our own oil give it time to drain more so we need the full 4.5.
05-14-2006, 08:54 PM
#18
Originally Posted by n3985
so how long should it drain for? I always put back the drain plug when the oil starts to drip every few seconds.
05-14-2006, 09:00 PM
#19
Originally Posted by soonerfan
i usually let it drain for about 30 minutes. then i turn the car over a few times so the oil pump turns and pumps out the remainder of the oil. no matter how long you let it drain, oil remains in the pump. dont actually start it and let it run since there isnt any oil to lubricate the parts. just turn on then off a couple times.
05-14-2006, 09:11 PM
#21
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 5
Engine Oil Dipstick Problem! Help!
Hey guys! This is a little off topic from the amount of oil, but I'm having a problem with my engine oil dipstick. As you can tell, I'm new here and I recently purchased my first 2002 Nissan Maxima SE a few months ago. I started driving it around the past couple of weeks and yesterday noticed it making some funny sounds, kinda like my other car does when it is low on oil. So i decided to go check the engine oil level. But to my surprise the dipstick did not come out when I pulled on it. Since I'm unfamiliar with this engine I thought maybe I overlooked something. Is there a secret lock or child safety thing on it? Or is it just stuck? I don't wanna use too much force on it because I'm afraid I'll break it off. Does anyone else have this problem? Please get back to me. Thanx
05-14-2006, 10:07 PM
#22
Originally Posted by soonerfan
no, i mean turn the engine over. start the car...then turn it right back off
is the oil filter still on during this time?
05-14-2006, 10:14 PM
#23
Originally Posted by steven88
oh nice...i never thought about this...did you have someone turn on/off the engine for you...while u looked under to see the oil come out? if so, how much comes out? i might be doing this next time if decent amount of oil comes out...
is the oil filter still on during this time?
is the oil filter still on during this time?
05-14-2006, 10:18 PM
#24
Originally Posted by soonerfan
i usually do it myself but i have done it with someone else doing it for me to see how much comes out. i do it before i remove the filter. a good amount squirts out from the drain hole and then when i remove the filter there isnt very much left it it.
05-14-2006, 10:23 PM
#25
Originally Posted by steven88
nice, just making sure...becuz usually i drain the plug...then remove the oil filter right after the plug...and let both sit for 15 minutes or so...that would be dumb of me to start the engine with the oil filter off...it would squirt out and leave a mess on my floor
if you did it with the filter off it would squirt oil out sideways and get all over pulleys, belts, etc.
if you wanted to do a really good job you could remove the filter, run a rubber hole from the filter connection to the drain pan
05-15-2006, 03:22 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 301
Why in the world would anyone turn their engine over once the oil is drained.
I would never, ever turn my engine over while the oil is drained. The small amount of oil in the oil pump is there for a reason. So there's oil in the system once You restart the engine after changing the oil. Any stoppage in engine lubrication cal lead to big problems.
I would never, ever turn my engine over while the oil is drained. The small amount of oil in the oil pump is there for a reason. So there's oil in the system once You restart the engine after changing the oil. Any stoppage in engine lubrication cal lead to big problems.
05-15-2006, 05:47 AM
#27
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 247
Originally Posted by therock241986
Hey guys! This is a little off topic from the amount of oil, but I'm having a problem with my engine oil dipstick. As you can tell, I'm new here and I recently purchased my first 2002 Nissan Maxima SE a few months ago. I started driving it around the past couple of weeks and yesterday noticed it making some funny sounds, kinda like my other car does when it is low on oil. So i decided to go check the engine oil level. But to my surprise the dipstick did not come out when I pulled on it. Since I'm unfamiliar with this engine I thought maybe I overlooked something. Is there a secret lock or child safety thing on it? Or is it just stuck? I don't wanna use too much force on it because I'm afraid I'll break it off. Does anyone else have this problem? Please get back to me. Thanx
05-15-2006, 05:58 AM
#28
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 247
Originally Posted by Rogo02SE
Why in the world would anyone turn their engine over once the oil is drained.
I would never, ever turn my engine over while the oil is drained. The small amount of oil in the oil pump is there for a reason. So there's oil in the system once You restart the engine after changing the oil. Any stoppage in engine lubrication cal lead to big problems.
I would never, ever turn my engine over while the oil is drained. The small amount of oil in the oil pump is there for a reason. So there's oil in the system once You restart the engine after changing the oil. Any stoppage in engine lubrication cal lead to big problems.
05-15-2006, 06:27 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 194
Good lord.
Don't start the car with no oil in it. I dont know where you guys come up with these things. Is it really worth it to get those last ounces of oil out and risk your internals? here is something which has always worked for me.
Drain oil in pan till its drips, and the wind starts deflecting the remaining dripping oil out of the catch basin. Put plug back in and then change the oil filter.
put in 4 quarts of oil, start car, check for leaks around filter and plug, bring car off ramps/stands. Take a ride around the block. Shut off car and wait 20 min. Check oil. Add if needed.
That should do it.
Don't start the car with no oil in it. I dont know where you guys come up with these things. Is it really worth it to get those last ounces of oil out and risk your internals? here is something which has always worked for me.
Drain oil in pan till its drips, and the wind starts deflecting the remaining dripping oil out of the catch basin. Put plug back in and then change the oil filter.
put in 4 quarts of oil, start car, check for leaks around filter and plug, bring car off ramps/stands. Take a ride around the block. Shut off car and wait 20 min. Check oil. Add if needed.
That should do it.
05-15-2006, 07:30 AM
#31
What about the level of the car? I usually let the drain plug and filter drain for a good half an hour but its while the car is on jackstands the whole time, could that be leaving more oil in? I thought it might cause it drips the whole time but its a lotta work to put the jack back under, lower it to finish draining, jack it back up to put the plug and filter back on then lower it again.
Oh also i just thought, for you guys who arent using synthetic oil, if you want to get all of it out, buy a cheap gallon (exxon, coastal) change the oil like usual and fill with that, tighten everything and drive around for 10-15 mins to mix all the old oil that was left in. Then go back and drain that out and put what you like in, Castrol or Mobil or something decent. That way the new oil runs through, mixes with old and comes out when you drain it. Only reason i said for those NOT using synth. is that could get expensive, 9 quarts of mobil 1 to waste 4
and i wouldnt mix regular and synth. just to do that.
Oh also i just thought, for you guys who arent using synthetic oil, if you want to get all of it out, buy a cheap gallon (exxon, coastal) change the oil like usual and fill with that, tighten everything and drive around for 10-15 mins to mix all the old oil that was left in. Then go back and drain that out and put what you like in, Castrol or Mobil or something decent. That way the new oil runs through, mixes with old and comes out when you drain it. Only reason i said for those NOT using synth. is that could get expensive, 9 quarts of mobil 1 to waste 4
and i wouldnt mix regular and synth. just to do that.
05-15-2006, 07:56 AM
#32
NEVER, EVER start your car without oil (1/2 quart doesn't count). Even 3 seconds can spin a bearing.
Just to clarify...
Also, 4.75 quarts for me regularly. Actually, since I burn it so quickly, I just add an even 5 and burn off the excess in about 100 miles (it burns that badly).
Just to clarify...
Also, 4.75 quarts for me regularly. Actually, since I burn it so quickly, I just add an even 5 and burn off the excess in about 100 miles (it burns that badly).
05-15-2006, 10:54 AM
#33
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 31
I've never had any problems with oil burning in any of my cars. what are you guys doing that is causing that? At what mileage did your max start burning oil?
also i agree that starting your car with no oil is foolish.
also i agree that starting your car with no oil is foolish.
10-23-2017, 09:32 PM
#34
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 125
I know this is an old post but I recently did an oil change for the upcoming winter.
According to the owner's manual the 5.5 Generation requires 4.25 quarts of oil when you drain the oil and replace the oil filter. Here is a video of the process that I recorded recently.
According to the owner's manual the 5.5 Generation requires 4.25 quarts of oil when you drain the oil and replace the oil filter. Here is a video of the process that I recorded recently.
Last edited by 2k2albatross; 10-25-2017 at 07:47 PM.
10-24-2017, 07:26 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 432
NIce video, well detailed. 2 things though, you don’t really need to use the oil filter remover tool to tighten the filter. Whatever you can do by hand is sufficient. Lastly, while it isn’t always necessary, I replace the crush washer every time I do an oil change just for piece of mind and eliminate any potential leaks.
10-24-2017, 09:16 AM
#36
I do 5 quarts every 3k-5k miles. I have a 2003 maxima and it burns oils. I just put the full 5 quarts in there so I don't have to worry or check as often. I do have less than the min on the dipstick by the time I do the next oil change.
If you are not lazy. you can do the 4.5 quarts first and then leave the .5 quarts to add later on as you check on it every couple weeks to make sure oil levels are good.
If you are not lazy. you can do the 4.5 quarts first and then leave the .5 quarts to add later on as you check on it every couple weeks to make sure oil levels are good.
10-24-2017, 10:38 AM
#37
I know this is an old post but I recently did an oil change for the upcoming winter.
According to the owner's manual the 5.5 Generation requires 4.25 quarts of oil when you drain the oil and replace the oil filter. Here is a video of the process that I recorded recently.
https://youtu.be/FqnOZ0iSrm0
According to the owner's manual the 5.5 Generation requires 4.25 quarts of oil when you drain the oil and replace the oil filter. Here is a video of the process that I recorded recently.
https://youtu.be/FqnOZ0iSrm0
10-24-2017, 06:46 PM
#40
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 125
NIce video, well detailed. 2 things though, you don’t really need to use the oil filter remover tool to tighten the filter. Whatever you can do by hand is sufficient. Lastly, while it isn’t always necessary, I replace the crush washer every time I do an oil change just for piece of mind and eliminate any potential leaks.
Thanks for the review and highlighting some good points. With the cost of that crush washer there is no reason to not stack a couple of them up in the garage and change it during each oil change. You are also right regarding the oil filter, I have never sprung a leak at the filter with hand tightening.
Last edited by 2k2albatross; 10-24-2017 at 07:51 PM.