--- title: "How to Reset Oil Life on a 2013-2018 Nissan Altima" description: "Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2013-2018 Nissan Altima in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/oil-reset" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator on a 2013-2018 Nissan Altima Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2013-2018 Nissan Altima in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed. ## Reset procedure, 2013-2018 Nissan Altima (High confidence) 1. Turn the ignition ON (press START twice without touching the brake pedal) 2. Use the arrow buttons on the left side of the steering wheel to scroll the Advanced Drive-Assist Display (between the gauges) to the Settings (gear icon) screen and press OK 3. Scroll down to "Maintenance" and press OK 4. Select "Oil & Filter" (there are separate entries for Tire and Other reminders) and press OK 5. Select "Reset" and confirm, the mileage counter returns to your chosen interval Note: The maintenance reminder is a simple mileage countdown, not an oil-condition sensor; you can also change the interval distance in the same menu. Cars without the color display (base 2.5) may not show an oil reminder at all. ## Which Nissan Altima model years does this cover? These oil life reset specifications apply to every Nissan Altima built from 2013 through 2018, the L33 (5th generation), mid-size sedan. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2013 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013) - [2014 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2014) - [2015 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2015) - [2016 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2016) - [2017 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2017) - [2018 Altima](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2018) ## What changed during the 2013-2018 Nissan Altima | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2013 | Generation launch: new platform, 0W-20 oil and NS-3 CVT fluid for the 2.5, 27/38 mpg | | 2016 | Mid-cycle refresh begins: new exterior styling and fascias, updated features; SR sport trim introduced (2.5 and 3.5) | | 2016-2018 | Major facelift: new fascias and hood, SR sport trim added (2.5 and 3.5), available Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking. Mechanical service specs (oil, filters, wipers, battery) carry over. | | 2017 | Carries over unchanged from 2016; a mid-year trim-lineup shuffle follows partway through the model year | | 2018 | Final year for the L33 and for the 3.5L V6 Altima | ## 2013-2018 Nissan Altima oil life reset: common questions ### How do you reset the oil life on a 2013-2018 Nissan Altima? 5 steps, using only the controls in the car, the full sequence is above. ### Do you need a scan tool to reset the oil light on a 2013-2018 Nissan Altima? No. The procedure above uses the vehicle's own controls. A scan tool is only necessary if the reset does not take, which usually points at a different fault. ### Why won't the oil light reset on a 2013-2018 Nissan Altima? Almost always a timing problem in the sequence, a step held too briefly, or the ignition in the wrong position. Repeat it exactly, with the engine off and the key in accessory rather than run, unless the steps say otherwise. The maintenance reminder is a simple mileage countdown, not an oil-condition sensor; you can also change the interval distance in the same menu. Cars without the color display (base 2.5) may not show an oil reminder at all. ## Sources - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2013 Altima 2.5L QR25DE (0W-20, 4.9 qt)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/nissan-datsun/altima/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-qr25de-e/) - [Nissan parts, 15208-65F0E oil filter fitment (parts.nissanusa.com)](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-oil-filter-1520865f0e) - [Nissan OEM parts, 22401-JA01B spark plug fitment](https://nissan.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/nissan-spark-plug-22401ja01b) - [NHTSA recall 20V-315, hood latch (2013-2018 Altima)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V315-7737.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 14V-138, occupant classification system](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2014/RCONL-14V138-3030.pdf) - [BBB AUTO LINE, Nissan CVT / Martinez class-action warranty extensions](https://bbbprograms.org/programs/dr/class-action/nissan-cvt2) - [Nissan Altima headlight settlement (2013-2018 halogen dimming)](https://www.altimaheadlightsettlement.com/) - [2013 Nissan Altima Sedan specifications (Nissan USA Newsroom)](https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/2013-nissan-altima-sedan-specifications) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Nissan Altima placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/nissan/altima/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Nissan Altima EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Nissan_Altima.shtml) - [HID Nation, 2015 Nissan Altima bulb sizes (H11 low / 9005 high)](https://www.hidnation.com/pages/2015-nissan-altima) ## Other Nissan Altima generations - [2019-2025 Nissan Altima oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019-2025/oil-reset) - [2012 Nissan Altima oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/oil-reset). ## More for the 2013-2018 Nissan Altima - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/common-problems) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.