2014 Nissan Altima Engine Oil Capacity

The 2014 Nissan Altima oil capacity depends on its engine type. Learn more about its oil requirements here.
Written by Melanie Krieps Mergen
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
background
The 2014 Nissan Altima offers a smooth ride and good safety features for its model year. But to keep your Altima on the road for years to come, it might help if you know its oil capacity. 
One of the most significant factors that affect any vehicle’s longevity is whether its owner keeps up with routine maintenance items. That includes oil changes, and if you decide to save some cash by taking care of them yourself, you’ll need to know your 2014 Nissan Altima’s engine oil capacity and required oil type. 
To help you save some time on your search for those answers,
Jerry
, the app that helps drivers save on
car insurance
, has rounded them up here—plus some additional oil change tips and how to save money on your 2014
Nissan Altima car insurance costs
.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2014 Nissan Altima engine oil capacity

If you’re replacing your 2014 Nissan Altima’s engine oil, you must have the right amount of oil on hand. Even within the same make and model year, a vehicle’s engine oil capacity can vary depending on what engine it has, which is true for the 2014 Nissan Altima. 
If you drive a 2014 Nissan Altima, you likely have a QR25DE or VQ35DE engine. If you’re unsure which engine you have, there are a few places you can check to find out, like your owner’s manual, your
Nissan VIN
, your vehicle registration papers, or the information on the engine itself.
The 2014 Nissan Altima QR25DE engine has an oil capacity of 4.9 quarts, or 4.6 liters, while the VQ35DE engine has an oil capacity of 5.1 quarts, or 4.8 liters.

What kind of oil does a 2014 Nissan Altima need?

Knowing your 2014 Nissan Altima’s engine oil capacity is a good start, but you’ll also need to know what kind of engine oil it requires—after all, using the wrong engine oil type can cause profound damage to your engine.
Your
Nissan's
engine type will also determine what kind of oil it requires. For example, a QR25DE engine needs 0W-20 engine oil. For the VQ35DE engine, look for 5W-30 engine oil.
Using the first oil type as an example, here’s a breakdown of what those numbers mean. The “0” refers to the oil’s viscosity or thickness at colder temperatures before you’ve started your Altima’s engine. The “20” refers to its viscosity once your engine has reached normal operating temperatures of about 212°F.
Generally speaking, what’s most important when picking out engine oil for your Nissan Altima is that it has the correct viscosity grade and an API certification seal to confirm it meets the necessary quality standards.

How often to change oil on a 2014 Nissan Altima

Now, when do you need to
change the oil
on your Nissan Altima? 
Well, it depends. Changing the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles when using conventional oil is recommended or at least every six months if you’re an infrequent driver. 
But if you’re using synthetic oil, you may be able to extend that range to every 7,500 to 10,000 miles
You might need to change your oil even sooner if your Altima’s been exposed to rougher driving conditions, like high altitudes or dusty dirt roads, or significant time in stop-and-go traffic.
Since when you’ll need an oil change can vary, it’s a good idea to check your engine oil periodically, about once a month, or whenever you’re refueling.
If your 2014 Nissan Altima is due for an oil change, here are some signs you might notice:
  • The motor oil has become dark brown or black in color (fresh engine oil is light brown)
  • The oil has taken on a grainy texture
  • You notice odd noises coming from your engine
  • Oil or burning smells are coming from the engine
  • Your engine seems to be running rougher

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you’ve decided it’s time for your Altima’s oil change. Those might include:
  • A socket wrench
  • An oil filter wrench (tool used to remove oil filters)
  • New washer for your drain bolt
  • New oil filter
  • Fresh 0W-20 engine oil
  • Towel(s) for cleanup
  • Drain pan
  • Funnel
Once you have the materials you need, start your engine and let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off again. This warms the engine oil allowing for easier drainage. Then, these are the general steps that follow:
  • Remove the oil fill cap
  • Underneath the vehicle, remove the drain plug and washer and let the old engine oil empty into the drain pan
  • Remove the old oil filter and replace it with the new filter
  • Replace the drain plug with a new washer and tighten it to 22 to 29 lb-ft
  • Refill the engine with fresh engine oil to the proper level and replace the fill cap 
After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.
Let your engine run for a few minutes while checking for leaks. Once the engine has cooled, check your oil level one last time to ensure it’s still where it should be, topping it off if necessary.
Lastly, remember to dispose of your old engine oil properly! Since it’s a hazardous material, you can’t just pour it down your drain or throw it out with your regular garbage. However, many cities have recycling locations for old engine oil, and certain auto shops and car dealerships will accept it, too.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

We know you have plenty of other car maintenance items to worry about—so when you’re looking for cheaper car insurance rates,
Jerry
, the
car insurance
expert and
trusted comparison tool
, has you covered.
With the Jerry app, it’s easier than ever to make sure you’re not overpaying. It only takes about 45 seconds to answer a few questions in the app, and from there, you can instantly start comparing customized quotes based on your unique driver profile from some of the country’s top insurance providers.
Once you’ve picked the right amount of coverage at the right rate, Jerry’s friendly team of agents can help make the switch to your new policy a breeze.
When all is said and done, drivers who switch with Jerry save over $800 per year on their car insurance!
Jerry
was so easy to use. A representative texted me my lowest quote, and when I responded yes, Progressive emailed me 2 minutes later with next steps. Highly recommend if you don’t want to look for quotes alone!” —Sayad A.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings