alko

Did my first oil change last weekend. What a pain. It took me over an hour. Removing the access panel to get to the oil filter is a joke. Even if you can get a wrench on it, you don't have the room or leverage to get it off. I couldn't grip it with my hand either to twist it off. I ended up taking the entire metal shroud off and left it off. Next time, it should only take 10 minutes to change the filter. Anyone else change their own oil on the V-6?

 

sighter

I changed mine the other day. I think I counted 16 bolts to get the splash shield off. At least they keep it interesting and insure they are not all alike.

Oh well, small price to pay for a nice truck. Next time I hook up the air ratchet!

Reverendbiker

You can change the oil on this truck in 10-15 minutes easily without removing the splash pan and without having to reach through the access cover. See this thread:
Oil Change thread

helpful hint: in the future you might want to try the search function; there are numerous discussions on this subject.

__________________
jack <><
05 Frontier K/C LE 4X2
http://www.reverendbiker.com/frontier/frontier.htm

Cusser

I also have had pain in the ass changing Frontier oil filter (1998 4 cyl, 2 WD), jacking up, taking off RF wheel, peeling back part of the already-broken splash guard. I just purchased a Perma Cool remote oil filter mount kit for it, haven't installed it yet. It was $45 and if it saves me that hassle, it will be well worth it. I will report back after I install it. I also drilled a hole through the splash guard below the radiator drain so I could fit a screwdriver up there to drain it, guiding with my other hand. And changing out the starter was a 2-hour job, tough to access.

msubullyfan

Use a filter cap wrench and a 3-6" ratchet extension and you'll only have to reach through the access hole to loosen/tighten the filter. My arms looked like I ran through a barbed wire fence after my 1st oil change... no problems whatsoever after the second one using the filter cap w/ a ratchet extension.

Also, use the Mobil 1 oil filter or another brand with a more standard end cap -- it's very difficult to find a filter cap wrench that fits a Nissan factory oil filter (intentional by Nissan, I do believe).

 

Meta

YOU!!!

Please tell me which Mobil 1 filter the VQ40 uses!!! You're the first person other than me to mention using one on the V6 Frontier. Even Mobil 1's web site says usa a Fram filter. Thanks in advance.

msubullyfan

M1-110. I called Mobil 1's help line and they gave me the right part #. I believe it's the same as the one for the VQ35.

Meta

Thank you greatly!! I didn't notice the help line when I was on their website but I'm sure it was right in front of me. I wonder why the site recommends a FRAM filter? Anyway, I really appreciate it. Thanks,

alko

Hey Jack, all I did was follow the owners manual instructions. I wasn't going to stop in the middle of changeing my filter to try a search function. I had no idea it was going to be a pain in the ass. Now I know.

msubullyfan

You might want to watch who you cop an attitude with. Reverendbiker is by far the most helpful person on this Frontier forum, and he seems to be a top notch guy, to boot.

And, if you had taken the required 5 seconds to do a search, you would have found no fewer than 4 threads about this exact issue on the first page.

Chill out, dude.

(EDIT) See, he even deleted his post. Good for him... no sense in helping the ungrateful.

 

05 NISMO 4X4

I just did my first oil change last night. Thanks to all the helpful advice here, it was really a piece of cake. The hardest part was trying to get the old crush washer off the drain plug so I could replace it with a new one!

As a side note, anyone else notice how much smaller the aftermarket replacement filter is from the original filter that came on the truck? I replaced it with the recommended NASCAR Series Spin Flow Filter from NAPA, and it was about two inches shorter the the original!

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2005 Aztec Red NISMO LE 4X4 KC, Sliding bed Extender, Body Side Molding, Side Steps, GENTEK 50 Autodimming Mirror, License Plate Back-up Sensor, OEM Rubber Floor Mats, eXtang Trifecta Tonneau, OEM Nissan iPod Gateway, OEM Hood Protector, AirAid Intake, PowerAid TBS, and JBA Exhaust! I'm done... :-)Get Cash Rebates on your On-Line Purchases!

msubullyfan

Probably because it was really made for the 3.5L and they use that part # for the 4.0L.

The Mobil 1 filter is the same size as the factory filter, and you can find a filter cap wrench to fit it.

Yeah, that crush washer is a pain, isn't it! I bought 10 of them from the dealer for about $5.

Meta

I've heard several people comment on the "thimble sized filters" for our trucks. I wonder if aftermarket filter recommendations are based more on thread type and seal diameter than capacity? I'm a fan of Mobil 1 products and I'm going to take a look at their M1-110 recommended filter but I've already ordered 10 of the OEM filters for now. If the 110 is tiny, I think I'll stick with the Nissan filters. They're not very expensive (the Nissan filters) either.

Reverendbiker

Alko, there are a handful of topics (i.e., oil, octane, gas mileage) that are just about talked to death on this forum. A new forum member would do well to do a search before starting a new thread on one of them; not only would he save the other members from re-typing the same responses but he'd also get his information sooner. Still can't find what you want? Post the question, and you'll probably get an answer--for the most part, this is a very helpful group and the level of discourse is generally very civil. We're mainly just a group of Frontier fans who love our trucks and want to exchange information about them.
Another helpful hint: Check the attitude at the door and you'll get along just fine here.

__________________
jack <><
05 Frontier K/C LE 4X2
http://www.reverendbiker.com/frontier/frontier.htm

Beckman

Not trying to hijack this thread...but what type of oil filter wrench seems to be preferred?

Then type you use with a ratchet or the universal pliers type?

Thanks, Beck