This past weekend I got a chance to change the oil on the Xterra for the first time. Of all of the vehicles I've changed the oil on, this had to be one of the easiest. The only problem I ran into was trying to remove the old crush washer on the drain plug...not sure how long that had been on there. I was also a little puzzled by the fact that the drain plugs on the sump and the diffs weren't at the lowest point, but that's really a minor point.
BTW, I used a Nissan filter and Schaeffers 5w30 synthetic blend oil. I'm gonna try to go about 5k on this oil and then run an used oil analysis to see how the engine's doing.
Bogatyr

I kinda like the fact that when you remove the front skid plate to get to the oil filter, you find all those sockets and other small tools you dropped down into the engine compartment over time. (Along with a couple pounds of dried mud and rocks).

The drain plugs are offset to avoid damage, but the drain hole has to go through the thickness of the diff, or oil pan, and in doing so, allows all the fluid to completely drain.

That reminds me of the first time I changed my oil and found a radiator cap that Nissan dropped in there for me from the factory. Now I have a spare if I ever need one (of course I have to remember where I put it?).

Bogatyr, jacking up the driver's side a few inches helps drain more of the engine oil.

Or you could change the oil on a slight incline. My driveway has a small slope which is perfect for changing the oil.

Mike

Or you could just not worry about a couple of ounces of old oil left in the pan in the first place... :rolleyes:

Are you guys saying that there's enough clearance to get under the truck and drain the oil without jacking up the vehicle? If so, I'm going to do my own oil changes from now on.

For me, with a 32 inch waist, yeah, there's plenty of room to change the oil without lifting it.

If you resemble Homer Simpson, I would think not.

-=RB

XCFreak,
That's part of why it was so easy! I have an Xterra that isn't lifted at all as well. Once that front splash shield is off there's plenty of room for you, your tools, a catch basin of some sort and your beverage of choice.
Bogatyr

Nice! This is the first truck I've owned and so I've only been used to oil changes where the car needs to be jacked up to get to the filter and drain plug.

Thanks guys, gonna give it a shot my next oil change.

Changing oil on the X is sweet and easy. No jacks required.

Easy once you get the skid plate off. We should all send letters to the factory about the poor filter location. There has to be a better spot for it. I don't know about you guys, but taking that plate off gets more and more annoying with each oil change. Granted, it's still less annoying(and less expensive) than going somewhere and having someone else do it.

Mike

The skid plate comes off in 2 minutes, how hard can it be ?

Once it's off, the filter is right there, and can be removed by hand.

Save your letters for something else.

Not hard at all. Just slightly annoying.

Mike

You think that's annoying... my Audi had a plastic aerodynamic cover under the engine that was held in place with clips and screws and had to be aligned perfectly. Plus it was low to the ground and I couldn't get it on the ramps without stepping them up. Took 4 times as long to change the oil as it does on the Xterra. The good news is that AWD sure made it easy to drive up onto the ramps and the work was soon forgotten once back on the road.

For all Homer Simpsons or people with cars:

Rather than jack up the vehicle to change the oil, just park the car on the street with one of the front tires up on the sidewalk. I've never had to jack up a car for an oil change.

A $10 power screwdriver with a 10mm socket and adapter makes dropping the splash guard a no-brainer.

Hell, I don't even jack up our 95 Civic to change the oil. The drain is about arm's-length back from the front bumper and high enough to clear my basin, and the filter is accessable from under the hood.

Brent