2002 Nissan Xterra Oil Type & Capacity
The 2002 Nissan Xterra oil type depends on the engine: the SE S/C, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the SE S/C, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the SE S/C, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the SE S/C, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the SE, 2.4 D takes 5W-30 (3.75 quarts with filter); the SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE S/C, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE S/C, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE S/C, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE S/C, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE, 2.4 D takes 5W-30 (3.75 quarts with filter); the XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter); the XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.5 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- SE S/C, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- SE S/C, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- SE S/C, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- SE S/C, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 2.4 D: 5W-30, 3.75 quarts with filter
- SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE S/C, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE S/C, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE S/C, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE S/C, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE, 2.4 D: 5W-30, 3.75 quarts with filter
- XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
- XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard: 5W-30, 3.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE S/C, 4WD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE S/C, 4WD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE S/C, RWD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE S/C, RWD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE, 2.4 D — 2.4L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.75 QTS. | 3.50 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE S/C, 4WD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE S/C, 4WD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE S/C, RWD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE S/C, RWD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE, 2.4 D — 2.4L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.75 QTS. | 3.50 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
| XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard — 3.3L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 3.50 QTS. | 3.15 QTS. | API - SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the ambient temperature is above 0Deg.F (-18Deg.C). |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-30 motor oil on Amazon2002 Nissan Xterra oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Xterra
2002 Nissan Xterra factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
11.6 quarts (10.97 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2002 Nissan Xterra take?
It depends on the engine: SE S/C, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; SE S/C, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; SE S/C, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; SE S/C, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30; SE, 2.4 D uses 5W-30; SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30; XE S/C, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE S/C, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; XE S/C, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE S/C, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30; XE, 2.4 D uses 5W-30; XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard uses 5W-30; XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic uses 5W-30; XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 2002 Nissan Xterra take?
Capacity depends on the engine: SE S/C, 4WD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; SE S/C, 4WD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; SE S/C, RWD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; SE S/C, RWD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; SE, 2.4 D holds 3.75 quarts with filter; SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; SE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; SE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE S/C, 4WD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE S/C, 4WD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE S/C, RWD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE S/C, RWD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE, 2.4 D holds 3.75 quarts with filter; XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE, 3.3 E, 4WD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Automatic holds 3.5 quarts with filter; XE, 3.3 E, RWD, Standard holds 3.5 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2002 Nissan Xterra?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2002 Nissan Xterra. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.