2012 Nissan Frontier Oil Type & Capacity
The 2012 Nissan Frontier oil type depends on the engine: the 2.5L takes 5W-30 (4.88 quarts qt with filter); the 4.0L takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Automatic Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans takes 5W-30 (4.88 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (4.88 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the SL, 4WD takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the SL, RWD takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter); the SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (5.38 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 2.5L: 5W-30, 4.88 quarts with filter
- 2.5L: 5W-30, 4.88 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- 4.0L: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Automatic Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans: 5W-30, 4.88 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 4.88 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- SL, 4WD: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- SL, RWD: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
- SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 5.38 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L — SV, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 2.5L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans, 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.88 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| 2.5L — SV, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 2.5L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.88 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| 4.0L — SV, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN A, 4WD, Automatic Trans, 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| 4.0L — SV, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN A, 4WD, Standard Trans, 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| 4.0L — SV, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN A, RWD, Standard Trans, 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| 4.0L — SV, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, 4.0L Eng VIN A, RWD, Automatic Trans, 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Automatic Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Standard Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.88 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 4.88 QTS. | 4.50 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| SL, 4WD — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| SL, RWD — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
| SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans — 4.0L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 | 5.38 QTS. | 5.13 QTS. | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 2012 Nissan Frontier
Everything you need delivered in one order. Pre-matched to your factory spec (5W-30, 4.88 quarts).
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices shown are real-time retail estimates.
Buy the right oil & filter for your Frontier
🛒 Buy 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil (4.88 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 Frontier
🛞 2012 Nissan Frontier Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2012 Nissan Frontier Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2012 Nissan Frontier Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2012 Nissan Frontier Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
10.0 quarts (9.46 L) — Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (Blue) or equivalent
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2012 Nissan Frontier take?
It depends on the engine: 2.5L uses 5W-30; 4.0L uses 5W-30; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans uses 5W-30; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Automatic Trans uses 5W-30; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans uses 5W-30; S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans uses 5W-30; S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans uses 5W-30; S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; SL, 4WD uses 5W-30; SL, RWD uses 5W-30; SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans uses 5W-30; SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans uses 5W-30; SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 2012 Nissan Frontier?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: 2.5L holds 4.88 quarts with filter; 4.0L holds 5.38 quarts with filter; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Automatic Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; PRO-4X, 4D Pickup, Standard Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Automatic Trans holds 4.88 quarts with filter; S, 4D Pickup Extra Cab, Standard Trans holds 4.88 quarts with filter; S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; S, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; S, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; SL, 4WD holds 5.38 quarts with filter; SL, RWD holds 5.38 quarts with filter; SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Automatic Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; SV, 4D Pickup, 4WD, Standard Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Automatic Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter; SV, 4D Pickup, RWD, Standard Trans holds 5.38 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2012 Nissan Frontier?
Most 2012 Nissan Frontier 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 2012 Nissan Frontier?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Nissan Frontier. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.