Hey, Everyone.

I want to change the oil and oil filter myself on my Maxima. I'm tired of calling up Nissan service in my area only to have them tell me either:

A) 'We don't open on Saturdays.'
B) 'Saturday? Hmmm, I have an open slot a month from now.'

Oh well. I change the oil on my Civic which is pretty easy. Can someone give me a step-by-step for the 5th generation Maxima? Please also let me know where to place a jack to lift the car for jack stands, if this is needed.

Thanks in advance!

 

Park car on level ground
Turn steering wheel all the way to the right
Remove plastic fender liner in right fron wheel well
From there you can see and reach the drain and the filter

Its easy

 

or you can jack the car up a little and not worry about removing the plastic liner. the plastic screws are not worth fighting with IMO.

 

If you want to remove those plastic snap-on clips that hold the splash guards, use a flat head screwdreiver and try to pop up the center. Then, pull out the center and pinch the thing while pulling it out. It can be a pain at times, especially when putting them back in. I pulled off the big splash guard to make the tubing for the OSCAI fit. That thing had like 4 of those plastic clips.....

 

You don't have to remove the upper liner in the fender well, just the lower portion, which is attached by two or three screws and a bolt underneath.

 

I drive my Maxima's front wheels onto a couple of 2 foot long 2x4s. I turn the wheels all the way to the right, but I don't remove the plastic fender. Its flexible enought to get my filter wrench in there. I use one of the plastic filter wrenches that fit over the filter and take a 1/4" ratchet. It takes me about 15 minutes tops to change oil and filter. And that is taking my time. It takes me longer than that to get to the dealer.