WhichCarParts

Nissan Sentra · 2012–2025

Nissan Sentra Oil Type and Capacity

The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes.

Last verified

Photo: Santeri Viinamäki / CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative, not necessarily your model year or trim.

Has the Nissan Sentra oil specification changed by year?

Model yearsViscosityCapacityOEM filterInterval
202020250W-204.4 qtNissan 15208-65F0E (spin-on)10,000 mi / 12 months (normal, per the owner's manual schedule); 5,000 mi / 6 months (severe service)
201320190W-204.2 / 4.75 qtNissan 15208-65F0E (spin-on)5,000 mi / 6 months (Nissan's US maintenance guide, both schedules)
201220125W-304.1 / 4.5 qtNissan 15208-65F0E (spin-on)7,500 mi / 6 months (Schedule 2, normal); 3,750 mi / 3 months (Schedule 1, severe service)

Each row links to the full specification for that generation, including trim-by-trim breakdowns and the part numbers. Where engines within a generation differ, that page separates them.

Full specifications by generation

The oil on a Nissan Sentra 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.

Nissan Sentra oil: common questions

How many quarts of oil does a Nissan Sentra take?

4.4 quarts with a filter change. Fill to about 3.9 quarts, run the engine, then top up to the mark on the dipstick rather than pouring the full amount in at once.

What kind of oil does a Nissan Sentra take?

0W-20 meeting Genuine Nissan Motor Oil 0W-20 SN or equivalent synthetic 0W-20 GF-5/GF-6 SN/SP, full synthetic (required, not merely recommended).

Can you use a different viscosity in a Nissan Sentra?

The factory specification is 0W-20 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice.

How often does a Nissan Sentra need an oil change?

10,000 mi / 12 months (normal, per the owner's manual schedule); 5,000 mi / 6 months (severe service). 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 Nissan Sentra take?

The OEM filter is Nissan 15208-65F0E (spin-on). Common equivalents: Fram PH6607 / XG6607 (Ultra), Wix 51356, Purolator PL14612, Mobil 1 M1-108A. Torque the drain plug to 25 lb-ft. An overtightened plug strips an aluminium pan.

Sources

Find your exact Sentra

Jump to a model year for the engines it offered, what changed, and the problems documented against it: