2008 Nissan Altima Oil Type & Capacity
The 2008 Nissan Altima oil type depends on the engine: the Base takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the Hybrid takes 0W-20 (4.88 quarts qt with filter); the S, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the S, 2D Coupe, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the SE, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the SE, 2D Coupe, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the SE, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the SE, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the SL, 2.5 A takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the SL, 3.5 B takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- Hybrid: 0W-20, 4.88 quarts with filter
- S, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- S, 2D Coupe, Standard: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 2D Coupe, Standard: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- SE, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- SL, 2.5 A: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- SL, 3.5 B: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base — 2.5L Eng,Gas | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| Hybrid — 2.5L Eng,Gas/Electric | API - SAE 0W-20 | 4.88 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | For warm and hot climates, if viscosity SAE 0W-20 oil is not available, viscosity SAE 5W-20 oil is also applicable. |
| S, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT — 2.5L Eng,Gas | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| S, 2D Coupe, Standard — 2.5L Eng,Gas | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT — 2.5L Eng,Gas | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.5L Eng,Gas | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT — 3.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| SE, 2D Coupe, Standard — 3.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| SE, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT — 3.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| SE, 4D Sedan, Standard — 3.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| SL, 2.5 A — 2.5L Eng,Gas | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
| SL, 3.5 B — 3.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 QTS. | 4.25 QTS. | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 2008 Nissan Altima
Everything you need delivered in one order. Pre-matched to your factory spec (5W-30, 4.5 quarts).
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices shown are real-time retail estimates.
Buy the right oil & filter for your Altima
🛒 Buy 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil (4.5 quarts needed) on Amazon🛒 Buy 0W-20 Full Synthetic Oil (4.5 quarts needed) on AmazonPopular Full Synthetic Brands (5W-30):
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More factory specs & repair guides for your Altima
🛞 2008 Nissan Altima Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2008 Nissan Altima Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2008 Nissan Altima Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2008 Nissan Altima Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
8.03 quarts (7.59 L) — 50/50 mixture of Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant and demineralized or distilled water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2008 Nissan Altima take?
It depends on the engine: Base uses 5W-30; Hybrid uses 0W-20; S, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT uses 5W-30; S, 2D Coupe, Standard uses 5W-30; S, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT uses 5W-30; S, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; SE, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT uses 5W-30; SE, 2D Coupe, Standard uses 5W-30; SE, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT uses 5W-30; SE, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; SL, 2.5 A uses 5W-30; SL, 3.5 B uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 2008 Nissan Altima?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base holds 4.5 quarts with filter; Hybrid holds 4.88 quarts with filter; S, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT holds 4.5 quarts with filter; S, 2D Coupe, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; S, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT holds 4.5 quarts with filter; S, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; SE, 2D Coupe, Automatic CVT holds 4.5 quarts with filter; SE, 2D Coupe, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; SE, 4D Sedan, Automatic CVT holds 4.5 quarts with filter; SE, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter; SL, 2.5 A holds 4.5 quarts with filter; SL, 3.5 B holds 4.5 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2008 Nissan Altima?
Most 2008 Nissan Altima 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 2008 Nissan Altima?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2008 Nissan Altima. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.