Change the Engine Oil and Filter

An oil and filter change is the single most valuable service you can do on a Nissan Note Mk2 (E12) / Versa Note to keep the little three- or four-cylinder engine healthy. It’s a straightforward job with the car safely raised: drain the old oil, fit a new filter, and refill with the correct grade and amount. The figures below are for the petrol engines; the European 1.5 dCi diesel takes a different quantity and a low-SAPS oil, so check its handbook.

Oil, Grade and Quantity

• European 1.2 petrol (HR12DE / HR12DDR) — about 3.4 litres with a new filter. Sump drain plug torque 34.3 Nm.
• US 1.6 petrol (HR16DE) — about 3.2 litres (3⅔ US qt) with a new filter.
• Grade: Nissan specifies SAE 5W-30 for these petrol engines. Check your handbook — some low-emission builds call for a low-SAPS 5W-30. Always fill to the dipstick, not just to the litre figure.

How to Change the Oil and Filter

1. Warm the engine for a few minutes so the oil flows freely, then stop it and raise the front of the car on ramps or axle stands with the handbrake on.
2. Open the bonnet and remove the oil filler cap to help the oil drain.
3. Place a drain pan under the sump, undo the drain plug, and let all the old oil run out.
4. Remove the oil filter (spin-off cartridge) with a filter wrench, catching the spill. Smear a little clean oil on the new filter’s seal and fit it hand-tight plus about three-quarters of a turn.
5. Refit the sump drain plug with a new sealing washer and tighten to 34.3 Nm.
6. Lower the car. Add most of the specified oil, wait a minute, then check the dipstick and top up in small amounts to the MAX mark — don’t overfill.
7. Refit the filler cap, start the engine, and check the oil light goes out within a second or two and there are no leaks at the plug or filter.
8. Stop the engine, wait a few minutes, and re-check the level, topping up to MAX if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much oil does a Nissan Note E12 take?

With a new filter, roughly 3.4 litres on the European 1.2 petrol and about 3.2 litres on the North-American 1.6. Always finish by the dipstick rather than the quoted figure, as a little oil stays in the engine after draining.

What oil grade does it use?

SAE 5W-30 for the petrol engines in both markets. Some low-emission versions specify a low-SAPS 5W-30, so match what your owner’s handbook lists for your exact engine and year.

Do I need to reset a service light after an oil change?

The Note has a maintenance / oil-change reminder you can reset from the driver’s seat with the trip button once the work is done — see our service-indicator reset guide for the exact sequence.

How often should I change the oil?

Follow your service schedule, but many owners of the 1.2 and 1.6 change it more often than the maximum interval — every 10,000 km or 12 months, and sooner on lots of short, cold trips — because clean oil is cheap insurance on a small, hard-working engine.

Can I change just the oil and not the filter?

You can top up or do an interim drain, but a full change should always include a new filter — the old filter holds a cupful of dirty oil and its media is spent, so leaving it undoes much of the benefit.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information. Always follow your vehicle’s official service information and safety instructions. Perform repairs at your own risk.

If the oil-pressure or engine light stays on after a change, stop and investigate — you can look the code up on autodtcs.com.