--- title: "2012 Nissan Altima Oil Type: 5W-30, 4.9 qt" description: "The 2012 Nissan Altima takes 5W-30 engine oil, 4.9 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Nissan 15208-9E01A (15208-65F0E also fits). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012 Nissan Altima Oil Type and Capacity The 2012 Nissan Altima takes 5W-30 engine oil, 4.9 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Nissan 15208-9E01A (15208-65F0E also fits). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents. **Quick answer**: The 2012 Nissan Altima (2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE)) takes 5W-30 engine oil, 4.9 quarts with a filter change (OEM filter Nissan 15208-9E01A (15208-65F0E also fits)). Other engines differ; see the tables below. ## 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Allowed alternates | 10W-30 (Permitted above 0°F if 5W-30 unavailable) | | Oil standard | API SM/SN energy-conserving, ILSAC GF-4/GF-5 | | Capacity (with filter) | 4.9 qt / 4.6 L | | Synthetic required | No (synthetic recommended) | | OEM filter | Nissan 15208-9E01A (15208-65F0E also fits) | | Aftermarket filters | Fram PH6607, Wix 57356, Purolator L14612, Mobil 1 M1-108A | | Change interval | 5,000 mi / 6 months (Schedule 1, most drivers); 7,500 mi / 6 months (Schedule 2, easy highway use) | Note: 0W-20 became the factory fill in 2013, the 2012 manual still specifies 5W-30. Spin-on filter, easy access from below. ## 2012 Nissan Altima 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) oil (Check your manual) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | API SM/SN energy-conserving, ILSAC GF-4/GF-5 | | Capacity (with filter) | 4.9 qt / 4.6 L | | Synthetic required | No (synthetic recommended) | | OEM filter | Nissan 15208-9E01A (15208-65F0E also fits) | | Aftermarket filters | Fram PH6607, Wix 57356, Purolator L14612 | | Change interval | 5,000 mi / 6 months (Schedule 1); 7,500 mi (Schedule 2) | Note: Aftermarket guides quote 4.9-5.1 qt with filter for the VQ35DE, fill to the dipstick. ## Which Nissan Altima model years does this cover? These oil specifications apply to every Nissan Altima built from 2012 through 2012, the L32 (4th generation, final year), mid-size sedan (coupe continued separately through 2013). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012) ## What changed during the 2012 Nissan Altima | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Final year of the L32 sedan (2007-2012 design); the all-new L33 replaced it for 2013. The two-door Altima coupe continued on this platform through 2013. | ## 2012 Nissan Altima oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a 2012 Nissan Altima take? It depends on the engine. The 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) takes 4.9 quarts; The 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) takes 4.9 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a 2012 Nissan Altima take? 5W-30 meeting API SM/SN energy-conserving, ILSAC GF-4/GF-5. Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above. ### Can you use a different viscosity in a 2012 Nissan Altima? The manufacturer also permits 10W-30 (Permitted above 0°F if 5W-30 unavailable). Anything outside that list is a decision you are making against the factory specification. ### How often does a 2012 Nissan Altima need an oil change? 5,000 mi / 6 months (Schedule 1, most drivers); 7,500 mi / 6 months (Schedule 2, easy highway use). Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval. ### What oil filter does a 2012 Nissan Altima take? The OEM filter is Nissan 15208-9E01A (15208-65F0E also fits). Common equivalents: Fram PH6607, Wix 57356, Purolator L14612, Mobil 1 M1-108A. ## Sources - [NHTSA recalls by vehicle, 2012 Nissan Altima (11V-371, 12V-055, 12V-494)](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=nissan&model=altima&modelYear=2012) - [Nissan parts catalog, 15208-9E01A oil filter fitment 1998-2012 Altima](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-oil-filter-152089e01a) - [TirePressure.org, 2012 Nissan Altima placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/nissan/altima/2012) - [HID Nation, 2012 Nissan Altima bulb sizes](https://www.hidnation.com/pages/2012-nissan-altima) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2012 Nissan Altima EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2012_Nissan_Altima.shtml) - [Nissan Altima Forum, 2012 vs 2013 oil viscosity (5W-30 vs 0W-20)](https://www.altimaforums.net/threads/2013-altima-0w20-or-5w30.7380/) ## Other Nissan Altima generations - [2019-2025 Nissan Altima oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019-2025/oil) - [2013-2018 Nissan Altima oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/oil) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/oil). ## More for the 2012 Nissan Altima - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/bulbs) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.