I went to www.pureoil.com trying to find the part number for a Pure One Purolator oil filter for my 2K2. To my surprise there is none. The application chart indicates the following:

Model - Engine - Part Number
---------------------------------------------
2000 Maxima - V6 3.0L F.I. (VQ30DE) - PL14620
2001 Maxima - V6 3.0L F.I. (VQ30DE) - N/A
2002 Maxima - V6 3.5L F.I. (VQ35) - N/A

So a lot of people has been using the Nissan 9E000 across all these Maxima model years. Would it be safe to say the PL14620 could be used in both 2001 and 2002 Maximas?
Something a little more strange is that the normal Purolator filters (Premium Plus) part numbers are also different between the Maxima 2000 and 2001/2002 models (L14620 vs. L14610). I'm about to sent Purolator an email to see why different part numbers...

 

First, since 2000 and 2001 are the same the same filter should work. Second, the Purolator Pure one and premium plus number series are the same so the 14610 would work. (doubt if the pure one is worth the extra)
third - the paper book lists them the same to 2002, when the Max filter becomes the same as the 14610 for the Pathefinder 3.5LV6 (same as 2002 Max and Altima).
I'll bed it makes no difference which you use.

 

The answer from Purolator to my question:

"The difference between the L14610 and the L14620 is in base plate configuration. The L16410 has a concave base plate. The L14620 has flat base plate. Our research has found that the L14620 can leak when installed or at any time during an oil change interval when used on applications where we catalog the Purolator L16410. Therefore, we cannot warranty any filter but the L14610 on these application.

Product management has not yet published a date for the introduction of a Pure One version of the L14610 at this time."

 

If you're having problems finding the correct Purolator, get this high-performance K&N filter instead:

Maxima 3.5L V6 F/I K&N Oil Filter HP-1008 All

Info, straight from their website www.knfilters.com

Mine is on its way(?) I paid $10 w/free S&H...

G

 

ordered mine today it was 9.95 shipped UPS ground thought arggg o well hope it is the best like they say

 

Crap... I actually got an email... they said K&N has these backordered. Today I went to PepBoys & the guy called up his supplier & said the same thing... K&N hasn't been shipping to distributers. Even the K&N for the 3.5 Pathfinder was out of stock. I bought a FRAM (DAMN) but will wait a few hundred miles to see if my K&N arrives.

G