Nissan Murano Engine Oil Capacity: Complete Guide for Z50, Z51, Z52 Models

Changing the oil in Nissan Murano - a procedure on which the engine life directly depends. But even experienced owners sometimes get confused about the volume: they either overfill or underfill, risking facing oil starvation or excess pressure. This article will help you understand how much oil is required for each generation of Murano (Z50, Z51, Z52), what nuances to consider when replacing and how to avoid common mistakes.

We analyzed the official manuals Nissan, dealership data and owner reviews to gather up-to-date information. Here you will find not only dry numbers, but also practical advice: how to properly drain old oil, which filter to choose, and why the oil volume can differ even for the same engines. Let’s pay special attention to the common myth about “universal” volumes - let’s figure out why the VQ35DE engine (3.5 l) of the first generation Murano Z50 needs to be filled with 0.3 l more than the same engine in the Z51.

Official data: oil volume by generation and engine

Let's start with the exact numbers from the service manuals Nissan. Oil volume depends on three key factors: body generation, engine type And presence of an oil cooler (on some versions). Below is a summary table for all modifications Murano, produced from 2002 to 2021.

Generation	Engine	Oil volume (with filter), l	Notes
Z50 (2002–2007)	VQ35DE 3.5 l	4.8	Without oil cooler. For models with AWD - 5.0 l
Z51 (2007–2014)	VQ35DE 3.5 l	4.5	With oil cooler. For hybrid versions - 4.7 l
Z51 (2010–2014)	VQ25DD 2.5 l	4.3	For Japanese and Chinese markets only. Without radiator
Z52 (2014–2021)	VQ35DD 3.5 l	5.1	With direct injection system. Requires oil API SN or higher

Please note: volumes are indicated including oil filter replacement. If you are not changing the filter (which is not recommended!), subtract 0.2–0.3 liters from the indicated values. Also on some versions Murano Z51 with all-wheel drive (AWD) oil volume can increase to 5.0 liters due to the additional radiator.

Why is the difference between the Z50 and Z51 so noticeable? The point is the design of the oil pan: in the first generation it is deeper, and in the second it is wider, but less spacious. This is a typical example when the same engine requires different volumes of oil depending on the body.

Why may the oil volume differ from official data?

Even if you blindly follow the table, the actual oil volume when changing may differ by ±0.2 liters. Here are the main reasons:

• 🔧 Incomplete drainage of old oil. If you do not warm up the engine before replacing or drain the oil when it is cold, up to 0.3 liters of waste will remain in the sump.
• 🔄 Replacing the oil filter. Some filters (for example, Mann W719/45) have a larger internal volume than standard ones.
• 🛠️ Pallet modifications. On tuned or repaired engines, the pan could be replaced with a non-original one.
• 🌡️ Ambient temperature. When changing in hot weather (+30°C), the oil expands, and its level after filling may exceed the maximum on the dipstick.

How to avoid mistakes? Use a simple algorithm:

1. Warm up the engine to operating temperature (the temperature gauge arrow should be in the middle).
2. Drain the oil while the engine is hot - this way it will drain out as completely as possible.
3. Install a new filter, first filling it with ~100 ml of fresh oil (this will speed up the first lubrication after startup).
4. Fill 0.2 l less than indicated in the table, then fill to the halfway point between the marks MIN And MAX on the dipstick.

What oil to fill in Nissan Murano: viscosity and standards

Volume is only half the battle. It is equally important to choose correct oil for viscosity and tolerances. For Murano The official recommendations are:

• 📜 Quality standard: API SN or ILSAC GF-5 for engines up to 2014; API SP or ILSAC GF-6 for Murano Z52 (2014–2021).
• 🛢️ Viscosity:
  • For VQ35DE (Z50/Z51): 5W-30 (main recommended class) or 0W-30 for cold climates.
  • For VQ35DD (Z52): only 0W-20 or 5W-30 with permission Nissan Strong Save XE.
• 🏭 Manufacturer: Nissan does not tie to specific brands, but among the proven options - Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30, Idemitsu Zepro Eco Medalist 0W-20, Motul 8100 X-Clean 5W-30.

Important nuance: for engines with direct injection (VQ35DD) it is strictly not recommended to use oil with a viscosity higher 5W-30. This is due to the design of the lubrication system, where too thick oil can cause freezing of hydraulic compensators and increased wear of the timing chain.

⚠️ Attention: If you live in a region with frosts below −30°C, oil 0W-20 may be too fluid for cold starts. In this case, temporary use is allowed 0W-30 (For example, Liqui Moly Special Tec AA 0W-30), but with mandatory replacement with the recommended one at the first opportunity.

What happens if you fill in the wrong oil?

Using oil of the wrong viscosity (for example, 10W-40 instead of 5W-30) will increase the load on the oil pump and accelerate wear of the friction pairs. In the worst case, it can cause the crankshaft liners to rotate (especially important for VQ35DE with a mileage of over 200 thousand km).

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in Nissan Murano

If you decide to change the oil yourself, follow these instructions. It is suitable for all generations Murano, but taking into account the nuances for each engine.

Step 1. Drain the old oil

1. Raise the car on a lift or drive it into a viewing hole. An alternative is a jack with stops (but this is less safe).
2. Unscrew the oil filler cap - this will speed up draining.
3. Place a container under the drain plug (it is located at the back of the pan).
4. Loosen the plug with a 14mm wrench, then unscrew it by hand. Be careful - the oil will be hot!
5. Wait until it drains completely (at least 10 minutes). If the oil flows in a thin stream, the pan is empty.

Step 2: Replacing the oil filter

Filter in Murano located in front of the engine, cerca oil pump. To remove it:

1. Use a puller (such as a cup or chain puller). It is almost impossible to unscrew the filter by hand.
2. Before installing a new filter, lubricate the rubber O-ring with fresh oil.
3. Screw the filter in by hand until it stops, then tighten it 3/4 of a turn. Don't overtighten!

Step 3. Filling with new oil

1. Reinstall the drain plug with a new gasket (copper ring). Tighten to 30–35 Nm.
2. Pour oil through the neck using a funnel. Start with 4.0 L for VQ35DE or 4.5 l for VQ35DD.
3. Close the lid, run the engine for 30 seconds, then turn off.
4. After 5 minutes, check the level with a dipstick and add halfway between MIN And MAX.

⚠️ Attention: If after replacement the oil on the dipstick is black or has metal particles, this is a sign of serious problems (wear of liners, destruction of the turbine at VQ35DD). In this case, diagnostics are required, and not just a repeated oil change.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes when changing the oil. Here are the most common ones and how to prevent them:

• 🔨 Re-tightening the drain plug. This leads to shearing of the threads in the pan. Use a torque wrench (tightening torque: 30–35 Nm).
• 🛢️ Using flushing oil. For engines VQ35DE/VQ35DD Flushing is not recommended - it can clog the oil channels. It is enough to shorten the replacement interval to 7–8 thousand km when switching to new oil.
• 🔄 Late replacement. For Murano with a mileage of more than 150 thousand km, the oil change interval should be at least every 10 thousand km (or once a year).
• 🌡️ Ignoring level after replacement. Always check the level on the dipstick 5-10 minutes after filling - the oil should drain into the pan.

It is worth mentioning separately oil additives. In engines Nissan Murano It is strictly not recommended to fill them. Modern oils already contain all the necessary additives, and additional additives can upset the balance of detergent and antioxidant properties, which will lead to the formation of deposits on valves (especially important for VQ35DD with direct injection).

Another typical problem is oil leak after change. If you notice leaks from under the filter or plug, the reasons may be the following:

• The drain plug or filter is not tightened properly.
• The filter O-ring is damaged (for example, if it was skewed during installation).
• A low-quality plug gasket was used (only copper or aluminum rings should be used).

How to check the oil level correctly?

It would seem that what could be simpler than checking the oil level? But there are nuances here that many are not aware of. An incorrect check can show either false underfilling or overfilling - both options are dangerous for the engine.

Correct check algorithm:

1. Make sure the car is parked absolutely flat surface. Even a slight slope will distort the readings.
2. The engine must be turned off for at least 5 minutes (but not cold!). This time is needed for the oil to settle into the pan.
3. Remove the dipstick, wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth, and insert it back as far as it will go.
4. Pull the dipstick out again and check the level. He must be between the MIN and MAX marks, ideally in the middle.

What to do if the oil level:

• 🔴 Below MIN: Top up with the same type of oil that is in the engine. Do not mix different brands or viscosities!
• 🟡 Above MAX: This is more dangerous than underfilling! Excess oil causes foaming, which impairs lubrication. You need to pump out the excess with a syringe through the dipstick.
• ⚫ Black (even if the level is normal): This is a sign of severe contamination. An urgent oil change and possibly engine diagnostics are required.

⚠️ Attention: On engines VQ35DD (Murano Z52) the dipstick has two pairs of marks: MIN/MAX for cold oil and MIN HOT/MAX HOT for hot. Always look for the hot marks when the engine is warm!

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to use 5W-40 synthetic oil instead of 5W-30?

No, for engines VQ35DE/VQ35DD oil with viscosity 5W-40 too thick. This will result in:

• Increased load on the oil pump.
• Deterioration of lubrication during cold starts.
• Increased fuel consumption (up to 3–5%).

The exception is if you live in a region with extremely high temperatures (+40°C and above), but even in this case it is better to use 5W-30 with high temperature stability (e.g. Motul X-Clean 5W-30).

How much oil should I fill if I don't change the filter?

If you do not change the oil filter, subtract from the volume indicated in the table 0.2–0.3 l. For example:

• For Murano Z51 (VQ35DE): 4.5 l − 0.3 l = 4.2 l.
• For Murano Z52 (VQ35DD): 5.1 l − 0.3 l = 4.8 l.

However, remember that an unreplaced filter reduces the oil change interval by 30% — instead of 10 thousand km you will have to change it after 7 thousand km.

What oil should I fill in a Murano with a mileage of more than 200 thousand km?

For engines with high mileage it is recommended:

• Oil with increased viscosity on the hot side: 5W-40 (only for VQ35DE!) or 0W-30 (for VQ35DD).
• High content of detergent additives (e.g. Liqui Moly MoS2 Leichtlauf 5W-40).
• Shortened replacement interval: 7–8 thousand km.

Avoid oils with energy-saving properties (labeled EC) - they can accelerate the wear of old oil seals.

What should I do if the pressure light comes on after changing the oil?

If after changing the oil the pressure lamp on the dashboard comes on (oil pressure), possible reasons:

1. Insufficient oil level (check the dipstick!).
2. The oil filter is faulty (for example, the check valve did not open).
3. Air entering the oil system (you need to turn off the engine, let the oil drain and restart).
4. Worn oil pump (typical for VQ35DE with a mileage of 250 thousand km).

If the lamp does not go out after restarting - can't continue moving! Have the vehicle towed for inspection.

Is it possible to mix oils from different manufacturers?

Mix oils of different brands not recommended, but as a last resort it is allowed if:

• Both oils have the same viscosity (e.g. 5W-30).
• Both oils meet the standard API SN (or higher).
• You do not plan to drive the mixture for more than 1–2 thousand km.

The ideal option is to carry with you 1 liter of the same oil that is poured into the engine, in case of topping up.