Complete Oil Specifications
Nissan’s owner’s manual for the 2020 Altima with the PR25DD engine recommends Genuine NISSAN Motor Oil 0W-20 SN or an equivalent. If Genuine NISSAN oil isn’t available, a synthetic 0W-20 GF-5 SN oil may be used. Engine oil drain and refill capacity is about 5-3/8 US qt (5.1 L) with an oil filter change, or 5-1/8 US qt (4.8 L) without.
When to Change the Oil
On Nissan’s standard schedule for the PR25DD, replace the engine oil and oil filter every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first. The Altima also has an oil control system that works out the change interval from how you drive: severe conditions such as repeated short trips shorten it. If the oil replacement indicator comes on, change the oil and filter within two weeks or before you drive 500 miles (800 km).
PR25DD vs VC-Turbo
The 2020 Altima’s KR20DDET (VC-Turbo) engine takes a different oil (Genuine NISSAN Motor Oil Ester 5W-30 SN), holds 5 qt with the filter, and follows its own schedule. Check which engine you have.
What We Couldn’t Confirm
- OEM oil filter part number and drain plug torque. Neither appears in the owner’s manual pages used here.
FAQs
What oil does a 2020 Nissan Altima 2.5L take? Genuine NISSAN Motor Oil 0W-20 SN or equivalent; a synthetic 0W-20 GF-5 SN oil may be used if the Nissan oil isn’t available.
How much oil does it hold? About 5-3/8 US qt (5.1 L) with an oil filter change, or 5-1/8 US qt (4.8 L) without.
How often should I change the oil? Every 10,000 miles or 12 months on the standard schedule, sooner if the oil replacement indicator comes on.