Has anyone changed their own oil? I plan on doing an oil change this weekend but I haven't gotten under their to see how difficult it is to get to the filter. I'm assuming a lot of people just take theirs to the d-ship though.

Also, what kind are you putting in, 5-30 or 10-30? Synthetic?
Do auto stores sell the filter for the '04 yet? Or will I have to purchase one at the d-ship?

04' Onyx SE dpp

 

Very simple to get to. I run mine up on ramps and have it done in 15 minutes. Valvoline 5-30 in mine.

 

I plan on doing it this weekend.

 

Hey nice color. Very easy to get to, plenty of room. Very small filter, so many tools are hard to use. Just changed mine on Tues. Then I bought this strap-like seatbelt/bar from advanced. Hope it works. 5w-30. A whole lot on this in fluids forum.

I concluded to use Castrol GTX until 10k. Just changed at 1180 (wanted to at 1000). Then I will at 3000, 6500. Would of did 3750 and 7500, but wanted to switch on 10k.

At 10k I'm switching to Mobil 1 (syn) 5w-30 every 5000. can't get any easier to remember.

Going to do all my changes myself. This was the first one i ever did. Had a friend walk me through it, 03 Max owner. He was jealous of how much easier my filter access is than his.

when did u get your's? Mine is a month old.

 

Very easy. Go buy some ramps. Once it is up, you can work under
there all day, and then take a nap. As far as the filter goes, it is
the same one as any previous maxima, or you can use the same filter
as the Murano, etc. I get mine at WalMart. The engine is the 3.5
litre, so get a filter for that.

 

I'm using Nissan filters. Buddy had an extra one for me to use. Just order 21 for me and 10 for him off of Jerry Rome Nissan. $5.83 + tax retail, $3.99 Rome plus 12% off >maxima< discount. $3.50 each plus shipping.
Remember to lube your filter.
Castrol GTX 6.85 gallon sale at Advanced Auto parts. need 4.25 quarts. I bought 4 gallons (needed a quart last week) for my 3 changes until syn switch.

 

Nice ride Maxima80! Thanks for all that info, it's exactly what I needed.

I purchased mine on May 20th of this year, so almost a month old. I was torn between colors, but once I saw an Onyx with black leather I was sold.

How have you been washing the exterior? What kind of soap?

 

No ****!!! I bought mine on May 20th!!!!

I searched and found something no one here will try. www.5starshine.com
Got their kit and some nuetral pH soap there.

read and get your own opinion. I'll tell you mine shines great and rain has kept it that way.

Will rinse and dry when want to maintain the shine.

also ordered eagleone wheel tire cleaner, tire swipes, and mircofiber towels from their site.

Got UV40 leather conditioner and UV40 low gloss tire shine from ZainoBros.

 

May 20th too?!?! That's crazy!!!!

Thanks for all those recommendations, I'll be sure to check out that site.

Hey, what does your paint job look like as far as "orange peel" is concerned? Orange peel looks like the exterior of an orange, or even a golf ball. It's smooth to the touch but really stands out with darker colors.

 

I couldn't tell, but my bud said i have it. Said he likes it though "looks deep and rich" I mean its not crystal clear mirror reflection, (guess some slight pebbling-peel at super close inspection) but I still love it.

if u go with 5star use 10off promo code.

 

I think all the Maxima's have it (i even noticed it on the new Titans and Altimas at the d-ship). Sounds like it's common for mass production vehicles. Nissan will only do something if it is severe. They have something there that says they (NissanUSA) put a little orange peel in every paint job.


I'll look into the 5Star stuff and thanks for the promo code!

 

Oil filter is located near your driver side front tire. I'm using 10X30, any brand since I change oil every 2500 miles. One of the easiest car to change oil. As for the oil filter, there are all kinds of brands for 04' Maxima. I get discount coupon from Nissan dealers every month, last month's special was $2.95 a each for oil filter if you buy more than 3. As for oil, they rarely offer discount, so I go to Kragen, Pep Boys or Autozone.

 

Thanks tko507!

 

My filter is on the passenger side. I'm keeping 5w30 year round.

 

DIDNT most people have enough s>>t with the dealers... Please give them A break>>>>>>>... passenger side of car easy to reach drain plug and filter. Use recomend oil and filter. Look to maxima .org for more oil and filter reconmendations. But please all blow off this BULL ****>>>>

 

???who said anything about dealers? He is looking on Maxima.org, right here. Maybe he wanted to ask fellow 04 owners only. not sure what BULL you're talking about?

 

Are you sure the oil filter is on the passenger side, or you are talking about air filter? There is only one engine made for the 04' Maxima and all the oil filter is on the driver side.

 

without a doubt on the passanger side. Changed it on Tuesday, right beside the oil pan. And I just went outside and checked to be 100% sure.

Isn't the air filter on the top, under the hood? That is on the driver side.

(My oil filter, which I changed, is right beside the wheel in my signiture, {passenger side}.)

 

The Oil Filter is on tha passenger side behind the black plastic flap. It is so easy to get at the filter and oil drain plug, one hardly has to jack the car up. Approach this job from the front of the vehicle.

There are two filters you can use. The OEM is a very small filter and I don`t use it. The OEM for the 4 cyl Altima (9E000) is slightly larger and hence has more filtering and Nissan dealers here use it if you ask. I change my own oil and use Castrol GTX.

 

You guys are 100% right. Sorry for the confusion. I must be high on something. For the last time, oil filter is on the passenger side.

 

No Problem is you were in England it would be on the Drivers side.....LOL

 

how bout this cabin filter. Where is it located?

 

Cabin Filter is behind the glove box on the passenger side.