2003 Nissan Altima
Maintenance & specsVERIFIED Oct 29, 2026
The 2003 Nissan Altima takes 5W-30 Conventional with a total capacity of 4.4 quarts (filter included). You’ll need a 14mm socket for the drain plug, torqued to 34 Nm. The OEM oil filter is the Nissan 15208-65F0E, with 1 compatible alternative listed below. Note: this vehicle has 10 active recalls — check the recalls section below. Below you’ll find complete maintenance specs, fluid capacities, parts, and links to buy what you need.
⚑ QUICK DIY TIPS FOR THE 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
- Torque your drain plug to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs) to avoid leaks or stripped threads.
- Using the OEM filter (Nissan 15208-65F0E) is recommended for warranty compliance.
- Always use 5W-30 Conventional as specified by Nissan — using the wrong viscosity can void your powertrain warranty.
- Check the maintenance schedule below for your next service interval.
01
Oil & Filter
OilBuy
Viscosity5W-30
Oil typeConventional
Capacity (with filter)4.4 qt
Capacity (w/o filter)4 qt
OEM specAPI SN
Filter Options
Nissan15208-65F0EOEM
BuyFramPH4967
BuyNissan OEM spin-on 15208-65F0E (supersedes 15208-65F00 / 65F0A / 65F0B / 65F0C / 65F0D): QR25, VQ35, MR20, HR16, PR25 cars and crossovers (also Chevrolet City Express, Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5)
Drain Bolt & Hardware
Socket size14 mm
ThreadM12x1.25
Torque spec34 Nm
GasketCrush washer
3rd gen L31 (2.5L QR25DE I4)
02
Fluid Specifications
03
Parts & Specifications
04
Maintenance Schedule
≈ every 6 months
- ▸Change Engine Oil & Filter
05
Torque Specifications
06
Safety Recalls
1007
Technical Service Bulletins
66Estimated Current Value
Original MSRP
$30,000
Private Party
$2,565–$2,835
Dealer Retail
$2,970–$3,375
Trade-In
$2,295–$2,565
Depreciation
91%
Estimated values assume average condition and mileage for vehicle age.
Source: estimated
Save by doing it yourself
A shop typically charges $70–$140 for this service. Buy the parts and save.
08
Tools & Supplies
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