1986 Nissan Sentra Oil Type & Capacity
The 1986 Nissan Sentra oil type depends on the engine: the Base, 2D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 2D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the Base, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the MPG takes 5W-30 (4.25 quarts qt with filter); the SE, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the SE, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 2D Hatchback, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 2D Hatchback, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 2D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 2D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter); the XE, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.4 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, 2D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- Base, 2D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- Base, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- Base, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- MPG: 5W-30, 4.25 quarts with filter
- SE, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- SE, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 2D Hatchback, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 2D Hatchback, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 2D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 2D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
- XE, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-30, 3.4 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 2D Sedan, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 2D Sedan, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| MPG — 1.7L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.25 QTS. | 3.40 QTS. | — |
| SE, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| SE, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 2D Hatchback, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 2D Hatchback, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 2D Sedan, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 2D Sedan, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 4D Sedan, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
| XE, 4D Wagon, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Preferred) (0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 3.40 QTS. | — | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Sentra
🛞 1986 Nissan Sentra Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1986 Nissan Sentra Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1986 Nissan Sentra Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1986 Nissan Sentra Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
5.63 quarts (5.32 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1986 Nissan Sentra take?
It depends on the engine: Base, 2D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, 2D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-30; MPG uses 5W-30; SE, Automatic uses 5W-30; SE, Standard uses 5W-30; XE, 2D Hatchback, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE, 2D Hatchback, Standard uses 5W-30; XE, 2D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE, 2D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; XE, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; XE, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1986 Nissan Sentra?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, 2D Sedan, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; Base, 2D Sedan, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter; Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; Base, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter; Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; Base, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter; MPG holds 4.25 quarts with filter; SE, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; SE, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 2D Hatchback, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 2D Hatchback, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 2D Sedan, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 2D Sedan, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 3.4 quarts with filter; XE, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 3.4 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1986 Nissan Sentra?
Most 1986 Nissan Sentra owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Nissan recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1986 Nissan Sentra?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1986 Nissan Sentra. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.