I have been using Fram ToughGuard oil filters because it is much easier for me to get to AutoZone then it is to get to a dealership. But when I am near one (and am thinking about it) I will buy the Nissan filter.

I've been using Valvoline 5w-30 motor oil.

FYI: the metal mount around where the filter goes is VERY sharp. Be careful when wiping it with the paper towel. If your finger catches the outside of it you will feel like you received a paper cut -- only the dirt and oil make it worse.

I would recommend some searches on Fram. Not too many speak highly (or even decently) of them. Mainly, low filter surface area and crappy anti-drainback valve.

oil filter study

1) SuperTech oil filters from walmart ($2)
2) Whatever is on sale

Change it every 3000-4000 miles. Done this for many years with no problems.

I finally got around to changing my own oil today. It was a liberating experience.

However, I ran into one problem. 2 of the 6 bolts that hold the splash guard in place broke when I was loosening them. I also noticed that the dealer must have done this at one point as well because there was a broken bolt still in its threads from a previous oil change.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Just changed the oil on my wife's X (2004 - 7500 mile interval) and my X (2002 - 75000 mile interval) last night. I've got it down to a science now. I did my last change on my truck in the dark, and it was fairly dark when I did the change on my wife's truck last night.

I start the oil draining and move to the skid plate. Once it is off and the oil flow has pretty well stopped, I move back and reinstall the drain plug, slide the drain pan forward and do the filter. Pop the skid plate back on and move to the top to fill the crankcase back up. Run engine until oil light goes off, turn off engine. Put everything away, then check the oil level once more for good measure. Close hood, drink beverage.

Only thing I would have done different this last change is to have waited until I got to the auto parts store to buy the oil. I typically get oil at WalMart, then filters and everything else I need at Advance Auto. When I got to Advance, they were running Castrol oil (what I had just bought at WalMart for $1.99 a quart) for $1.48 a quart. Doh!

i just changed mine a couple days ago- and my 2000 v6 only took 3 quarts and it looked to be past the 'full' mark on the dipstick.. hmmmm

the upside: thank you Nissan for placing the filter on the bottom of the engine instead of the side like most domestics Ive owned! makes for such an easier change..

whitenblue: Did you put oil in the filter before you installed it, or if not, did you run the engine then wait a couple of minutes before you tried to check the level. If you didn't run the engine first the filter would be empty and 3 quarts would look right, but you would then be low after you start the engine and the filter fills up. And yes the dipstick is the most difficult one I have ever tried to read.

Oh, yes, very common. Get a set of screw extractors next time you're at Sears and you can work the broken pieces out and replace with new. Also, put a dab of anti-seize on each bolt and you'll have no problem in the future. Just put them in hand tight, no need to crank them down to death.

Thanks!

Thanks to this thread, I did my own oil change for the first time in my life; on my new (to me) 2K X. It was a snap. I was going to go to the local low-cost lube joint, but balked when they told me that a synthetic change would cost not 14.99 as-advertized, but 59.99 instead. I laughed at the guy, then got myself slightly grubby.

There is nothing to it. No bolts sheared, no spills, and it cost me less than $25 for 3.5 qts of Mobile 1 + a K&N filter... all that in less than 30 minutes.

Anybody use a Fumoto valve? http://www.fumotovalve.com/

Hmm, for some reason I don't think we need to worry about anti-dranback (at least on the 00-04 Xterra's)

I considered it, but decided it wasn't that big of a deal to take the plug out - plus I don't think it will drain as fully.

I had one on my F250 6.0. With 15 quarts of oil, it made a big difference to empty directly into my waste oil containers. Never spilled a drop. Fumoto claims that the valve doesn't intrude into the pan and not let all the oil out. I didn't get oil on my hands taking the plug out with the Fumoto.