--- title: "How to Reset Oil Life on a Nissan Altima" description: "How the Nissan Altima oil life reset specification changed from 2012 to 2025, compared generation by generation. Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the Nissan Altima in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/oil-reset" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator on a Nissan Altima The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Nissan Altima oil life reset specification changed by year? | Model years | Reset procedure | | --- | --- | | [2019-2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019-2025/oil-reset) | 5 steps | | [2013-2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/oil-reset) | 5 steps | | [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset) | 6 steps | ## Full specifications by generation The oil life reset on a Nissan Altima is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2019-2025 Nissan Altima Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019-2025/oil-reset) - [2013-2018 Nissan Altima Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/oil-reset) - [2012 Nissan Altima Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012/oil-reset) ## Nissan Altima oil life reset: common questions ### How do you reset the oil life on a 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 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 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. Same menu holds Tire (rotation) and Other reminders, and lets you change the reminder distance. The reminder is a mileage counter, not an oil-quality sensor, reset it only after an actual oil change. ## Sources - [Nissan USA Newsroom, 2019 Altima specifications (oil capacities, weights, fuel tank)](https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/release-215892633e2d484998bf260cfe01349c-2019-nissan-altima-specifications) - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2019 Altima 2.5L PR25DD (0W-20, 5.4 qt, drain plug 22-29 ft-lbs)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2019/nissan-datsun/altima/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-pr25dd-d/) - [NHTSA recall 25V-437, VC-Turbo engine bearings](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V437-0139.pdf) - [NHTSA recalls by vehicle, 2019 Nissan Altima (18V-922, 19V-235, 19V-316, 19V-654, 23V-628)](https://api.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recallsByVehicle?make=nissan&model=altima&modelYear=2019) - [Nissan parts, 16546-6CA0A engine air filter fitment (2019-2025 Altima)](https://nissan.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/nissan-air-filter-165466ca0a) - [Nissan parts, 22401-6LD1C spark plug (2019-2025)](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-spark-plug-224016ld1c) - [TirePressure.org, 2019 Nissan Altima placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/nissan/altima/2019) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2019 Nissan Altima EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2019_Nissan_Altima.shtml) - [Cars.com, Nissan drops VC-Turbo from 2025 Altima](https://www.cars.com/articles/nissan-axes-turbocharged-engine-from-2025-altima-adds-sv-special-edition-488081/) - [Goodyear tire lookup, 2019 Altima OE sizes by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Nissan/Altima/2019) ## Find your exact Altima - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012) More Nissan Altima guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/common-problems) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.