Well, I just did my first oil change on my Maxima and let me tell ya, where Nissan placed the oil filter is just stupid. Such a weird location and above all, its mounted horizontally (so you can't fill the filter with oil before installing). Why did Nissan place the oil filter in that location? You gotta also place like a bag or tinfoil over the steel bar (right under the oil filter location) so the oil doesn't mess up that whole thing and just drip everywhere (might be just a 6gen thing).

It must be the french influence coming into play (Renault).

Anyways, I just had to get it out.


Oh yeah, the stock filter was a Nissan 15208 65F01 - POS (the thing is soo small).

 

I have to admit that the filter placement is not the best. But they obviously had constraints when designing the engine, and thus only a limited number of locations for the filter.

I find that the best way to get to this filter is as follows:
- slightly jack up the right front wheel,
- turn the steering wheel as if you were making a hard right turn,
- go behind the tire and bend back the wheel well material,
- the end of the filter is right there, in front of you.

If you are using dino oil, it is smart to pre-fill the oil filter with new motor oil. This location will not allow for that. If you are using synthetic motor oil, this is not such a big deal -- because the synthetic has the engine well coated. (You should wait at least 10 K miles before swithching to synthetic.)

You are using the wrong Nissan filter (see stickie post above -- 4th down from the top -- on oil and filter selection for details). You should never ask you dealer's parts dept for the filter for an 04 or 04 Maxima. You need to ask for the filter by number:

Nissan OEM 15208-9E000 ONLY (for all VQ30DE and VQ35DE engines).

 

The car came stock with that filter (the 15208 65F01). This was the first oil change so I installed a new Advance Auto TotalGrip oil filter (aka Purolator Premium filter) and added oil.

I actually removed that wheelwell material completely to get to the filter. It gave me much more room to access the filter. Popped it back in after I was finished.

 

What you have is the product of computer aided desing in the automotive field. The same wonder that put the battery on my parents Stratus in the freeking wheelwell. Computers don't care how difficult a repair becomes due to design, they just cram in the most they can in the smallest hole that the engineers will clear. This is one of the reasons I love my 92 SE, oil filter and the freeking ALT are just a jack and 5 bolts away...... Progress dosent always move forward

 

i guess the 2k is different since i have easy access. My gf corolla and my parents highlander are a bit ch. Its in front but there is barely any room to have leverage, even with a oil filter remover.

 

If the filter is not filled ALL THE WAY up, you can get about 2/3 oil filter capacity in the filter before mounting it. Yes, a tad does spill out...but I have gotten the hang of it over 41k of changes to not spill. Its all about technique.

From what I understand the 3.5 and 3.0 have the oil filter in the same spot.

And I like where its at. I dont have to jack the car up. Just turn the wheel to the right and I can get to everything. Although, my Max is stock ride height.

 

I only fill the filter up so that if i were to put it back on the motor it wouldnt spill, but still have oil in it. It is better than no oil.

Yes, it is a stupid place for a filter, imo. I had a WTF moment also, since my 02 altima (any 02+) shares much of the same architecture with the 04+ max.

 

You drive a Minima....get used to it

 

1)i wonder why in the FSM for my 93' it doesn't say to put the oil inside the filter, but just around the rubber seal. yet i hear many people recommend putting the oil into the filter before installation. is it a little trick that was recently discovered? of course i have the same PITA up-lifted horizontal filter mounting point on my VG that makes it hard not to make a mess. would it really hurt the engine as much if you don't put the oil inside the filter?

2) does anybody know if the g35 coupe has it in the same place as the 05' max? same engine i believe. thanks

 

that oil filter location on the maxima is a lot better than most cars i've worked on. Ever tried taking off the filter on a civic? I have to reach up across the front axle, next to a hot exhaust pipe into a cramped compartment and the oil drips and leaks down across everything on the way down

 

On most RWD 4 cylinders I have seen it is in the middle of the upper oil pan high up in the engine bay between the IM and the motor mount. It is much harder to get to than the FWD Maxima.

I found the maxima location very easy to access on my 4th gen. The 6th gen location might be a lot harder to access but 4th and 5th from what I have seen is still not worth complaining about. With Eibach springs I am able to change my oil without a jack.

 

Oil Filter Relocation:
Bought kit from Summit and upgrade hose from NAPA. Needed exactly 11 feet of hose...rated at 500psi for pressure. Total cost of kit and extra hose was $75. Filter bracket installed nicely in area vacated by stock air intake. Hose runs under Injen CAI then along radiator to spin-on adaptor on the engine block. Very easy project. Installed K&N filter...three times the size of OEM and looks very cool!It adds about and extra quart of oil to they system. Also installed Fram Sure Drain SD-3 to drain oil without tools or mess. Can drain oil directly into recycle container. Send email if you want details/part numbers.

 

thats definatly a sweet mod. great work

 

Nothing beats my wife's 04 4Runner. The oil filter sits on the top of the engine. You can see it just by opening the hood. There is also a nice lip they put around the filter so that no oil spills when removing the filter. This is by far the easiest filter I have ever had to change!

 

I learned this after doing it the hard way many times. It's really simple now. No need to jack it up or anything. It's more work to change the oil on my trailblazer that I can actually fit under. Gotta jack that up to get the skid plate off.

 

Honestly, I don't find it that bad. I also use the M1-105 filter which is huge. I don't have any problems. Try a 84 RX7. It was mounted on top of the engine facing down. You had to spill oil.

 

I've never heard of doing this either. Thought it was just me.

What advantage does this provide?

Btw, to anyone who uses the M1-105, do you add the full 5 quarts or still 4.5?

 

By putting oil in the filter, you prevent the engine from being starved of oil for the first few seconds after startup after an oil change, as it takes a second or two for the pump to fill the filter if it is empty when installed.

 

Sounds good, I'll give it a shot. Thanks for clearing that up. Unfortunately I read this today and I just changed my oil last night but I'll be sure to do it from now on.

 

cool, i wonder why the FSM doesnt say so