Can I service my Nissan Almera myself?
How do I service my own Nissan Almera oil and air filters?
Joseph Roche (Limerick City)Sep 2011 Filed under:
Expert answer
Hi Joseph,
Unless you have proper disposal facilities and you have some experience in doing so we'd urge you not to change the oil filter in your car for yourself.
It's normal practice to change the oil at the same time. We'd do the following. Note that these are not exhaustive instructions, it is assumed that the car is safely raised up and that you have an environmentally sound way to dispose of the old oil.
- Remove oil dipstick and oil filler cap.
- Remove sump plug and allow old oil to drain into suitable receptacle.
- If too tight to remove by hand, unscrew old oil filter using oil filter chain/belt tool, ensuring that the rubber seal comes away with it.
- Lightly rub new oil on seal of new oil filter and tighten up - by hand only.
- Replace sump plug. It is not unusual to have to replace the sealing washer that goes with this.
- Lower car to ground and top up oil with recommended grade to correct level on the dipstick.
- Close dipstick and filler cap and start car.
- Allow to idle for a few minutes, stop engine and check level again.
Top up if necessary. - Dispose of oil and filter in responsible manner.
Changing the air filter is much easier. Locate the air box under the bonnet. Its lid will be held on either by a series of clips or screws. Gently remove these and move the lid out of your way. Ensure that the replacement filter is an identical shape, replace and then reattach the lid as it was.
Hope that is of some help, though again, I'd discourage anyone from doing the oil and oil filter change unless you have the right facilities and tools.
Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser@Shane_O_D