Very baffled about Nissan's design for their crush washer for the drain plug.
In my old 2002 and 2003 never touched it (wasn't changing my oil myself, and friend shop also didn't bother) but now with the 2009 and 2011 I am trying to follow the "ideal" FSM way to change the crush washer every oil change.
For the life of me I can't remove the old washer from the plug. See pic below So:
1. Leave in place and just put back on after the drain?
2. Double washer (new on top of old one)?

 

I've never changed the oil on my maxima as I let the dealership do it, although I did always change it on my frontier. The way it got it off the plug was carefully loosen up the washer with a small screwdriver then unscrew it down the threads. Of course there is one unknown for me here, and that is, do the frontier and maxima use the same style of crush washer?

 

I think all use same drain (14 mm) plug and washer,

 

Get a small pocket screwdriver and pry it off....don't be a wimpy whiner and puss out and let the copper washer beat you. You're better than that!

If the screwdriver doesn't work, get a small chisel with a good edge and put the DP in a vise.

 

Not risking damage to your drain plug by using a vice and chisel, simply leave the copper washer where it is. Add the use of a properly sized plastic or fiber washer and it’ll be just fine.

 

That's the old plug from last oil change. Lucky I had 2 new drain plugs and put a new washer on the new plug.
The second one will go on the 2011. But I dont see myself hording drain plugs from Nissan for every oil change.
I saw some videos on youtube for removing the washer, but my arsenal of tools is still limited, and certainly doesn't include a vise!
Might reserch these fiber or plumbing insulators.

 

I suppose this is true if you're a bull in a china shop or you're Jack Armstrong, Roger Kaputnik, or Beef McGee, and/or you have no decent amount of experience using tools.

 

They get like the condition yours is in, by not replacing them with a new one for many oil changes. Probably was over-torqued, besides. Throw it away if you don't have the tools or send it to me, on second thought....I'll pony up for shipping.

 

It's a crush washer. That's it. Figure it out. How much server space does this need?

 

I'll be nice. What I use:

 

I take a very small flat head screwdriver (I keep referring to them as a "7 level") and prise up a tiny bit all around until you can grip it with your fingers and just unscrew it! User1 gets a better deal on his crush washers (I have been using the Dorman M11s but hey, 3 bucks saved is 3 bucks saved!) so I will be ordering his recommendations from now on.

 

210K miles later and yet to replace mine......

 

Analysis of a 2 cent washer melted on to a $1 drain plug.

I love it!

 

Glad it enjoyed you junior member.
I'd love it too if you order me 10 of these drain bolts $1 each, from Nissan, I'd pay you don't you worry.

 

Drain plug bolt edges sometimes get rounded over time anyway. It doesn’t hurt to replace the plug as a normal maintenance item.

I’m not poking fun at anyone. Now the OP knows what to do.

 

I usually change both bolt and washer, it's only a few extra dollars but to me piece of mind is worth it.

 

Local dealer (stealership) lists them for $8 plus (and still they have to order them and wait), online (Courtesy Nissan) sells them for $4 a piece. Not particularly expensive but you have to add shipping and wait for 4 to 5 days to get them. Inconvenient for each and every oil change. Local store plugs are crap and I don't trust their quality, plus they use different washer design.
I'll try to rotate between the 2 plugs, having a whole OCI prying the washer out

PS: This one seems interesting, only if it had different washer design, and available replacements !
https://parts.nissanusa.com/p/Nissan_2011_Maxima-S-35L-V6-CVT/NISMO-Magnetic-Oil-Drain-Plug-with-Washer/95999998/11128-MDP01.html

 

Just buy 6 of them from Courtesy then the inconvenience part of it is gone.