So I have a 1995 Maxima with 200k. So if I change the oil filter, the first start the oil light will remain on for for 2 seconds after startup and then go off. This only happens on the first start after an oil filter change. I know the engine has to fill the oil filter first on the first start after filter change. Since the filter is mounted sideway, I can't really prefill it, except maybe a bit if I let it soak into the media then put it on quickly. Even then, I heard people say you need to pour the oil into the outer holes of the filter and not the center since the oil in the center of the filter will not be filtered on first start. Some people say there is no need to prefill oil filter regardless and that the engineers designed the oil filter to work properly sideway. So should I be concerned with dry start after oil filter change? What should I do? I change the oil and filter rather often usually around 3000 miles or earlier.

 

My oil light blinks on whenever I start the car, but not for 2 seconds. Maybe the oil pressure sending unit is worn?
But if you really are concerned about a dry start, you could probably just pull the EFI fuse so you can crank the car a few secs to allow for pre-oiling.

 

Throughout the life of your car, if you were to have each and every oil change done at your Nissan dealer’s service department, they wouldn’t be pre-filling your filter either … I promise.

Provided you’ve filled the crank-case with the appropriate volume of oil prior to your first (after change) startup, don’t concern yourself with the empty filter or with the dash light.

I’ve, personally, been doing my own oil changes on my ‘99 since it’s manufacturer warranty expired. I’ve never pre-filled the filter.

 

It's common practice to install an empty filte
That has-been done since your car was new.

Unless all your driving is stop and go and short trips, it's perfectly OK to change the oil at 5000 miles.

I doubt previous owners have changed the oil at 3,000 miles.

 

Thanks everyone for the input, so I will install the filter dry like I have been doing the past 10 oil changes since I got the car. I know 3000 mile oil changes is a bit excessive in 2022 and I used to change the oil every 5000 miles, but the oil would come out dirty. The manual states to change it every 7500 miles under normal driving and 3750 miles under severe driving. Even though most of my miles are highway, I still do quite a bit of stop and go. Given my car is almost 30 years old with 200K miles, I think it's better to change it every 3000 miles or even sooner for the longevity of the car. Unless there's harm with changing oil too soon.

 

Mark I've owned 3 Maximas, (97, 03 and currently a 10) and a 2010 Murano. My rule of thumb for all my vehicles is to change the oil at 5000 miles when under 100k miles, every oil change thereafter is at 7000 miles or once a year, since I alternate between 3 vehicles.