I have not seen any post about DIY oil change on the maxima...

Is it the same as regular car or there is some tricks to get to the oil pan nut and oil filter ?

Can anyone show me which one is the oil pan and how to open the undercover if there is any ?

 

Typical FWD V6 layout, nothing new

 

Is the OP serious?

JAck the car up slide ur *** under, take a 14mm with u! Oil pan nut.
Passanger side tire take the damn little cover off in the wheel well, and u will find the filter!

Everything else is common sense...

 

Be nice, maybe he's not mechanically inclined, which, of course, neither am I. I didn't even know it was 14MM. I drag the tools under and try until I get lucky.

However, OP, if I can do it, I guarantee you can.

 

metric....does not compute.. error...

For what it's worth it's the first car i'd seen with a panel in front of the wheel for the oil filter. All of my old cars i had to take the whole undercover off.

 

I know how to change oil.... the point of my question is if there is any special trick that you need to do ... such as how to open the panel that hide filter... ON my old car, everything is exposed and I see them right away once i get under it...

 

No hidden oil filter, a plastic cover might need to be removed, not hard put pop the plastic tab, other then that pretty easy, no surprises

 

One trick, take a piece of aluminum foil, about a foot square, and put it under the filter and around the piece of frame directly below the filter. Just work it over the frame and wrap it around. When you loosen the filter the oil will spill onto the aluminum foil and then into your pan. Once the filter is off you carefully remove the foil the the frame is clean, no oil dripping onto your floor.

 

What else works well for keeping the frame clean, And method I use (thanks to another .ORG member) is a Large Zip-Lock bag. Works well & keeps the mess to a minimum.

 

ya know if someone could take some pics and do a diy, it would help. have not done my first oil change on the max yet, i only have 1200 miles. I have always changed my own oil but would like some input too. before i just put the max in the air without a plan

 

just be careful not to break clips on the plastic cover for the filter

 

boo, LOU FUSZ chrystler jeep dodge. mid riviers sucks!

 

Jack up car and put it up on jack stands. Then turn front tires all the way to the right to give yourself some clearance. Remove the side cover to access the oil filter. I then place a plastic wal mart bag over the frame to keep it clean when the filter is removed and oil drains out. Also, if you replace the oil drain plug with a fumoto valve, you will only need an oil filter wrench for all future oil changes. Make sure that the oil is hot so that it drains out quickly. Install new filter hand tight, replace drain plug or install fumoto valve, then fill her up with 5 qts of Mobil 1!

 

This is actually a great question for those of us who are used to sliding under full size 4 wheel drive pick ups and have never been under a Max before.

I would never have looked for an access door in the fender well :-)

 

i never thought about the aluminum foil thats a great idea

 

I have another 1,000 or so miles until my oil change...good to know. I usually change it myself. Any pros or cons with using synthetic vs. regular?

 

Pros if you want extreme temp protection and added insurance to change over the recommended 3750 miles.

Con: price if you change under 5000 miles.

I changed at 1000 with Castrol GTX then continued every 3750 until 30,000. (got a free case of GTX just before 20k) Switched to Mobil 1 every 5000 until warranty was up, now every 7500.

I followed the old thought of "break an engine in 20,000 on conventional oil, then synthetic." just to be safe even though I know many come stock with syn today.

Also believe syn can go 10k easy, but want to be safe. I feel if you wanna go 10k+ then invest in a UOA to monitor how your driving style/conditions are affecting your oil.

Personally warm up by driving easy until warm, although many winter trips are short not allowing all moisture to burn off. Mobil1 0W-40 for my VQ

more on oil http://forums.maxima.org/fluids-lubricants-52/
want to really get into oil http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Board=1&page=1

 

I'd also recommend getting a few drain plug crush washers just in case. I've re-used mine between several changes, but it will eventually be too flat and create a slow leak.

 

i wouldnt use regular oil in the 7th gen. ester oil or full synthetic

 

What synthetic do you guys recommend? I used Castro syntec last time. Ester oil seems pretty expensive.

 

Find what synthetic works best for you and stick with it. As for recommendation, I use Mobil1 Extended Performance with the same filter. Cannot go wrong, especially if you like to go for extended period before oil change.

 

Notice how this idiot hasn't responded since he posted this ignorant comment.

C'mon son, we aren't all car gods like you and know how to do everything you can! I bow to you!

 

if you have to ask how to change oil the. maybe you houldnt be changing it ur self to each there own.
35 bucks i get mine change no mess no work 10 mins later done

 

...? Feel big now? lol This is internet dude get serious...

 

Thanks. I do prefer the Mobil 1 filters though. Think I will stick too Castrol and change every 5k.

 

I get under my max today trying to change the oil, I was able to find the oil pan easiliy... but I could not find the oil filter... I even opened the plastic cover that covers the whole under front.. I don't see the side cover as you mentioned below.. could some one please take a picture showing me where is the side cover/ oil filter is ?

everything is exposed on my old car and never had any issue changing the oil on her before... :P

Any help would be appreciated

 

The filter is located on the passenger side behind a plastic cover. I find it easier to get at it if the wheel is removed. Hope it helps.

 

Thanks..any chance you can take any picture for me ?

is it only a small side cover or the front cover that cover the front area ?

 

for real homie?

 

I only thing that sucks when you replace the filter is that it sits right above the frame which makes it a PITA to avoid oil going all over it. I ended up using a combination of foil and plastic bags to keep the oil from spilling to a minimum.

 

can any one please tell me which one is the side cover ? when I go underneath the only cover is 1 big cover on the front that covers the 1/4 parts of the body.. am I missing something here ???
Also some of you are saying about taking the wheel off / turning the wheel to right... I change my oil by using a ramp.. not a stand... how do I get around this ?

 

Done.

 

ok I figured it where the filter is now.... unfortunately the filter is over tightened from the factory... used the wrench and does not even move it... guess have to put the oil back in and bring it to stealership tomorrow...

 

Wassup yall, I coming up on my 1st oil change for my 7th gen soon, about 1000 miles away. Just curious on how I should do my oil changes, and which oil I should use. It has about 45k on it. Any advice? I have a 4.5 gen with 193k and I usually use Mobile 1 Fully Synthetic in it with a 5,000 mile interval.

 

once you jack the car up and have it all secure find the oil pan.. look to the right of the oil pan a little bit (the passenger side) you will see a crossbeam and a piece of plastic is connected to the cross beam...take that rivet out and you will see the oil filter which is typically white if you have been getting your oil changes from the dealer....if you cant find it by tomorrow just pm me and ill throw my car up on the lift and take pictures for you.

 

what do you mean by how you should do it? and i reccomend you keep on using mobil 1 synthetic if you would like to use synthetic from now on. if you do make sure its 5w30

 

ok I figured it where the filter is now.... unfortunately the filter is over tightened from the factory... used the wrench and does not even move it... guess have to put the oil back in and bring it to stealership tomorrow...

 

yea its going to be a little bit hard to get off. i would give it a little more oompfh before bringing it to the dealership...just make sure not to pull down on it so you dont break the filter on the threads because then you will be royally screwed lol

 

Haha gave all the oompfh i have and it doesnt even move a bit.... i give up... found out my dealership can do it for 30 bucks with car wash included which is not too bad

 

I have had to use a wrench to get off the filter when I did the first oil change on every new vehicle I ever purchased. There must be a reason for them to be so tight they are certainly tighter than the tightness recommended on the filter. One thing to remember when you have trouble getting the filter off is "righty, tighty, lefty, loosey".