Question 1

What oil does a 2013 Nissan Altima take?

Accepted Answer

The 2.5L QR25DE takes 0W-20 (5W-30 conventional is an accepted alternative), 4-7/8 quarts with the filter. The 3.5L V6 VQ35DE takes 5W-30, 5-1/8 quarts with the filter. Nissan's 2013 maintenance guide called for oil changes every 3,750 miles under severe duty or every 7,500 miles under normal duty - a stricter split than the flat 5,000-mile schedule Nissan adopted starting with the 2014 model year.

Question 2

How often does the CVT fluid need to be changed on a 2013 Altima?

Accepted Answer

Nissan's own schedule treats Xtronic CVT fluid (Genuine NISSAN NS-3, no substitutes) as an inspect-and-replace-if-necessary item rather than a fixed-interval service: inspect at each 30,000-mile-ish milestone, and change it if the fluid has deteriorated or if the car tows, carries a car-top carrier, or sees rough/muddy roads and the inspection was skipped. NHTSA received a notably high volume of CVT shudder and failure complaints for the 2013 model year specifically, so do not skip this inspection even if the fluid looks clean.

Question 3

Was the V6 available on the 2013 Nissan Altima?

Accepted Answer

Yes - the 3.5L VQ35DE V6 (approximately 270 hp) was offered alongside the standard 2.5L QR25DE four-cylinder for the entire 5th-generation run, 2013 through 2018, not just the early years as sometimes reported.

Question 4

What maintenance is due at 60,000 miles on a 2013 nissan-altima?

Accepted Answer

At 60,000 miles (about 97,000 km) a 2013 nissan-altima is due for: Oil & filter change, Tire rotation, Multi-point inspection (brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust), Replace cabin (in-cabin microfilter) air filter, Replace brake fluid, Replace engine air filter, Replace CVT fluid (Genuine NISSAN NS-3).

Question 5

How many times a year does a 2013 nissan-altima need service?

Accepted Answer

Assuming a typical 12,000 miles driven per year, a 2013 nissan-altima needs an oil change about twice a year - the factory schedule calls for one every 7,500 miles. Beyond oil changes, the larger inspection-and-fluid services on the schedule fall every 2-3 years for a driver putting on that many miles.

Interval	Service
Every 7,500 mi (2013 only - Schedule 2/normal duty)	Oil & filter change, Tire rotation, Multi-point inspection (brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust)
Every 3,750 mi (2013 only - Schedule 1/severe duty: short trips, dusty conditions, towing, extensive idling)	Oil & filter change on the shortened severe-duty interval
Every 15,000 mi or 12 months (2013 only)	Replace cabin (in-cabin microfilter) air filter
Every 30,000 mi (2013 - Schedule 1 and 2 combined)	Replace brake fluid, Replace engine air filter
Every 60,000 mi (2013 only, or dealer Consult inspection of CVT fluid deterioration data)	Replace CVT fluid (Genuine NISSAN NS-3)
Every 105,000 mi	Replace spark plugs (iridium-tipped) - QR25DE or VQ35DE
First at 105,000 mi/84 months, then every 75,000 mi/60 months	Coolant flush and refill - Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)

Odometer	Service due
30,000 mi (48,000 km)	Oil & filter change, Tire rotation, Multi-point inspection (brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust), Replace cabin (in-cabin microfilter) air filter, Replace brake fluid, Replace engine air filter.
60,000 mi (97,000 km)	Oil & filter change, Tire rotation, Multi-point inspection (brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust), Replace cabin (in-cabin microfilter) air filter, Replace brake fluid, Replace engine air filter, Replace CVT fluid (Genuine NISSAN NS-3).
90,000 mi (145,000 km)	Same as the 30,000 mi service.
120,000 mi (193,000 km)	Same as the 60,000 mi service.
150,000 mi (241,000 km)	Same as the 30,000 mi service.

Part	Fitment note	Buy
Nissan Genuine NS-3 CVT Fluid 999MP-NS300P (5 qt)	Genuine NS-3 only, all Altima years 2013-2026 - Nissan warns other CVT fluids will damage the transmission	Check price on Amazon
Nissan Genuine Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)	Pre-diluted 50/50 - do not mix with other coolant types	Check price on Amazon
Iridium-tipped spark plugs (confirm application at the parts counter)	105,000-mile interval on every Altima engine (QR25DE, VQ35DE, PR25DD, KR20DDET) - confirm the exact plug for your engine	Check price on Amazon

Fastener	Torque	Size
Lug nut	83 ft-lbs (113 Nm)
Oil drain plug	22-29 ft-lbs (29-39 Nm)

2013 Nissan Altima Maintenance Schedule

2013 nissan-altima maintenance schedule

What is due at each mileage - 2013 nissan-altima

OEM-spec parts for the 2013 Nissan Altima

2013 nissan-altima torque specs

2013 nissan-altima oil life reset

Vehicle information display (steering-wheel arrow buttons)

Factory Reset (clears all maintenance reminders, not just oil)