The 2015 Nissan Altima has everything from class-leading fuel economy to interior comfort and excellent crash ratings. If you want to ensure that your Nissan remains in top condition, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity, which is 4.9 quarts or 4.6 liters.

Owning a car doesn't come without a fair amount of expenses. From routine maintenance to insurance premiums, it seems you're always paying for something. But you can save yourself some money by changing the oil on your Nissan Altima at home—just remember to check your car's oil type and capacity before you begin.

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2015 Nissan Altima 2.5 engine oil capacity

Your 2015 Nissan Altima 2.5 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that has an oil capacity of 4.9 quarts, or 4.6 liters.

It's important to note the difference between your engine's displacement—the 2.5-liter volume of the pistons inside the cylinders—and its oil capacity, which is the amount of oil the engine can hold to use as a lubricant.

Engine displacement and oil capacity are entirely different numbers.

What kind of oil does a 2015 Nissan Altima 2.5 need?

Now that you know how much oil your Altima takes, let's talk about choosing the right type of oil. Not all motor oils are created equal, so you can't simply buy five quarts of the first engine oil you see in the store.

Instead, look for SAE 0W-20 grade oil. That's the oil Nissan recommends for your 2015 Altima 2.5, and sticking with the manufacturer's recommendation is always a wise choice.

What do those letters and numbers mean? The numbers refer to the oil's viscosity (or thickness), and the "W" stands for winter.

The number before the "W"—in this case, 0—represents how well the oil performs at low temperatures. The lower the number, the better the oil performs in colder temperatures.

The number after the "W" represents the oil's thickness. Smaller numbers refer to a thinner or less viscous oil. And the thinner the oil, the easier it can flow through your engine.

You can also use 5W-30 motor oil in your Altima, providing it meets your vehicle's requirements.

Owner's manual recommendation. It's a little pricey, but if you want to use the exact oil that came in your car when it was brand new, use

genuine Nissan motor oil

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Nissan Lug Pattern Guide

How often to change the oil on a 2015 Nissan Altima 2.5

Nissan recommends changing the oil in your Altima every 3,000-5,000 miles. If you don't drive your car much, it might be easier to remember to change it every six months.

The 0W-20 oil that Nissan recommends using in your car is already partially synthetic. However, if you choose to use a full synthetic option, you can wait a little bit longer in between oil changes. Most experts agree that you should change your oil every 7,500-10,000 miles if using full synthetic oil.

That might seem like a pretty big gap in time. It's important to check your oil frequently to ensure that you're changing it at the right time. A good habit to develop is checking your oil once a month or every other time you fill up your gas tank.

Look for the following signs that your oil needs to be changed:

Dark brown or black motor oil (clean oil should look like dark honey with an amber tint)

Coarse, gritty, or grimy feeling oil

Strange noises coming from the engine

Decreases in vehicle engine performance

New smells like burning, smoke, or oil

MORE:

How much is wear and tear on a car per mile?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you've determined it's time to

change your oil

, you just need to gather your materials. The tools you'll need are:

A socket wrench and a 14-millimeter socket

A drain pan to catch the used oil

A jack and jack stands or ramps to lift the vehicle high enough off the ground for you to fit underneath

An oil filter wrench

A torque wrench

A funnel

Towels

Although it's not necessary, running the engine for a few minutes before you begin will help the oil drain faster. After you've done this, turn off the engine, pop the hood, and follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap and dipstick.

Step 2: Crawl under the car and remove the drain plug, allowing the old oil to empty into the drain pan.

Step 3: Remove the oil filter while the oil pan is draining.

Step 4: Rub some clean oil on the new oil filter gasket and screw it into place.

Step 5: Reinstall the drain plug and tighten it to 29 lb-ft.

Step 6: Fill the engine with clean oil and put the fill cap back.

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.

After completing these steps, run the engine for a few minutes. Then, turn the car off and recheck the oil level. Top up the level if needed and ensure that the cap and dipstick are secure.

As a final step, transfer the old oil to the container in which your new oil came. Most auto parts stores will accept the dirty oil and recycle it for you.

MORE:

How to replace power steering fluid for a 2016 Nissan Altima

Don't forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Regular maintenance

—like oil changes—is essential to caring for your car. Another step you can take toward protecting your vehicle is purchasing a quality insurance plan.

While shopping for insurance can be stressful, it doesn't have to be.

Jerry

is the car owner's

trustworthy insurance comparison app

that lets you compare quotes, enroll in a new plan, and even get help canceling your old one.

It only takes 45 seconds to sign up, and Jerry will get to work finding the best Nissan car insurance deals for you!