Nissan Murano V6: engine oil volume, selection and replacement

Owners Nissan Murano with motor VQ35DE 3.5 l We are often faced with the question: how much oil to pour into the engine? An error in volume can lead to oil starvation or overfilling, which can lead to costly repairs. In this article we will look at exact oil volumes for all generations Murano (Z50, Z51), nuances of choosing lubricants and step-by-step replacement instructions.

Feature Nissan V6 engine — sensitivity to oil quality and replacement frequency. The manufacturer recommends an interval of 10-15 thousand km, but in Russian conditions (dust, traffic jams, low temperatures) it is better to reduce this period to 8-10 thousand km. We analyzed official manuals, owner reviews and expert recommendations to collect up-to-date information for 2026.

Technical characteristics of the VQ35DE engine in the Nissan Murano

Heart Murano - petrol V6 3.5 L (VQ35DE) - Known for its reliability when properly maintained. This engine was installed on both generations of the crossover:

• 🔹 Z50 (2002–2007) - first generation, power 234–245 hp.
• 🔹 Z51 (2007–2015) — restyling, power 265 hp. (since 2011)
• 🔹 Z52 (2015–present) - not officially in Russia, but found on the secondary market

Structurally VQ35DE has an aluminum cylinder block, a timing chain drive (lifetime 150–200 thousand km) and a variable valve timing system CVTCS. Engine Feature - dry sump in some modifications (for example, for the US market), but in Russian Murano a standard lubrication system is used.

Key engine parameters:

• 🔧 Oil volume (with filter): 4.5–4.8 l (see table below for exact details)
• 🔧 Oil viscosity: 5W-30 or 5W-40 (depending on climate)
• 🔧 Oil type: synthetic or semi-synthetic API SN/SP, ILSAC GF-5
• 🔧 Engine life: 300–400 thousand km with proper maintenance

⚠️ Attention: In engines Nissan Murano after 2011 (Z51) an updated version is used VQ35DE with a different oil pump. For them it is critical to use oil with approval Nissan KE900-90492 (original Nissan Motor Oil 5W-30).

Exact oil volume for Nissan Murano V6 by generation

Engine oil volume Nissan Murano V6 depends on the generation, type of oil filter and replacement conditions (with or without flushing). Below is a table with official data from service manuals Nissan:

Generation	Years of manufacture	Oil volume (with filter), l	Oil volume (without filter), l	Oil filter type
Z50 (pre-restayl)	2002–2005	4.5	4.2	15208-9F600 or equivalent
Z50 (restyle)	2005–2007	4.6	4.3	15208-9F60A
Z51 (until 2011)	2007–2010	4.7	4.4	15208-9F60B
Z51 (after 2011)	2011–2015	4.8	4.5	15208-9F60C
Z52 (US market)	2015–present	4.9	4.6	15208-9F60D

Important: when changing the oil and flushing the engine, you may need 0.2–0.3 liters more (up to 5.0–5.1 liters for Z51). This is due to the remains of old oil in the system channels.

What oil to fill in Nissan Murano V6: recommendations and approvals

Choosing oil for VQ35DE - a critical point. Manufacturer Nissan recommends using only certified products with approvals:

• 📋 API SN/SP - modern standard for gasoline engines
• 📋 ILSAC GF-5 - energy saving properties
• 📋 Nissan KE900-90492 — original approval (required for warranty cars)

In terms of viscosity, the optimal options are:

• ❄️ 0W-20 — for regions with frosts below -30°C (risk of burning at high temperatures)
• 🌡️ 5W-30 — a universal choice for most climatic zones of Russia
• ☀️ 5W-40 — for hot climates or severe operating conditions (towing, off-road)

Top 5 oils for Nissan Murano V6 according to reviews from owners and experts:

1. Nissan Motor Oil 5W-30 (original, article number KE900-90492) - ideal for cars under warranty.
2. Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 — low emissions, suitable for turbocharged versions (if available).
3. Liqui Moly Special Tec AA 5W-30 - German quality, approved Nissan.
4. Castrol Edge Professional A5 5W-30 - used on the conveyor Nissan.
5. Idemitsu Zepro Touring 5W-30 — Japanese oil with excellent cleaning properties.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in Nissan Murano V6

Changing the oil in Nissan Murano V6 requires care due to the location of the oil filter (it is located in an inconvenient place under the intake manifold). Here are the detailed instructions:

1. Preparation:
   • 🔧 Warm up the engine to 60–70°C (the oil will become less viscous).
   • 🔧 Raise the car on a lift or use a viewing hole.
   • 🔧 Prepare the tools: 14 mm wrench (for the drain plug), oil filter puller, working container (minimum 5 l).
2. Draining old oil:
   • 🛢️ Unscrew the drain plug (it is located on the pan, closer to the rear of the engine).
   • 🛢️ Wait until the drain is complete (10-15 minutes).
   • 🛢️ Check the condition of the sealing washer of the plug - if it is deformed, replace it (article no. 11026-01M02).
3. Replacing the oil filter:
   • 🔄 The filter is located on the right (in the direction of travel) next to the exhaust manifold. Use a puller as it tends to stick.
   • 🔄 Before installing a new filter, lubricate the rubber ring with fresh oil.
   • 🔄 Tighten the filter by hand - do not use a tool so as not to break the thread.
4. Filling with new oil:
   • ⛽ Pour 4.0–4.2 liters of oil through the filler neck (on the valve cover).
   • ⛽ Start the engine, let it run for 1-2 minutes, then turn it off.
   • ⛽ Add oil to the mark MAX on the dipstick (usually another 0.3–0.5 l is required).

Check the oil level on the dipstick|Buy oil with API SN/SP approval|Prepare a new oil filter (part number 15208-9F60C)|Warm the engine to operating temperature|Prepare a container for waste (minimum 5 l)-->

After replacement, be sure to reset the maintenance counter (if your version has one Murano). To do this:

1. Turn on the ignition (do not start the engine).
2. Press and hold the button TRIP on the dashboard.
3. After 5 seconds the display will show OIL RESET — release the button.
4. Click TRIP again to confirm the reset.

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the oil the light on the dashboard comes on CHECK ENGINE or OIL PRESSURE>, turn off the engine immediately! This may indicate:

• 🔴 Insufficient oil level (check the dipstick).
• 🔴 Incorrectly installed filter (check for leaks).
• 🔴 Malfunction of the oil pressure sensor (diagnostics required).

Common mistakes when changing oil and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when changing oil. Nissan Murano V6. Here are the most common ones and how to prevent them:

• 🚫 Oil overflow:

  Oil level too high (above MAX on the dipstick) leads to foaming and loss of lubricating properties. Consequences: increased wear of parts, leaks through seals. Solution: Always check the level 5 minutes after filling.

• 🚫 Using uncertified oil:

  Oils without approval API SN/SP or ILSAC GF-5 may cause deposits to form on valves CVTCS. Solution: Buy oil only from authorized dealers or trusted suppliers.

• 🚫 Untimely replacement of the oil filter:

  The filter becomes clogged with wear products and stops passing oil, which leads to the opening of the bypass valve and the supply of unfiltered oil to the engine. Solution: Change the filter at every oil change (see table above for part number).

• 🚫 Ignoring engine flushing:

  When switching from one type of oil to another (for example, from semi-synthetic to synthetic), flushing is required. Without it, old oil residues can react with new oil, forming sludge. Solution: use flushing oil Liqui Moly Oil-Schlamm-Spulung.

What happens if you fill in 10W-40 oil instead of 5W-30?

Use of oil 10W-40 instead of recommended 5W-30 will lead to:

1. Increased load on the oil pump during cold starts (especially in winter).

2. Increased fuel consumption (2–3%) due to increased friction resistance.

3. There is a risk of oil starvation in the first seconds after startup, since thick oil takes longer to reach the parts.

4. Possible sticking of rings (due to poor cleaning ability).

In critical cases, this can lead to rotation of the liners or wear of the camshafts.

Another typical problem is oil leak after change. It occurs due to:

• 🔧 Incorrectly tightened drain plug (tightening torque - 35–40 Nm).
• 🔧 Damaged thread on the pallet (repair or replacement of the plug is required).
• 🔧 Poor quality oil filter (saving on a filter costs more!).

How to check the oil level in a Nissan Murano V6: step-by-step algorithm

Checking the oil level in VQ35DE has its own nuances due to the design of the engine. Here is the correct algorithm:

1. 🅿️ Place the car on a flat surface (slope no more than 2°).
2. 🛑 Turn off the engine and wait 10-15 minutes (the oil should drain into the pan).
3. 📏 Take out the oil dipstick (it is located to the right of the engine, next to the intake manifold), wipe it with a clean rag and insert it back until it stops.
4. 📏 Remove the dipstick again and assess the level:
   • 🟢 Between marks MIN And MAX - the norm.
   • 🟡 Below MIN — topping up is required (100–200 ml).
   • 🔴Higher MAX - it is necessary to drain off the excess.

Important: on the dipstick Nissan Murano there are two pairs of marks - COLD (cold engine) and HOT (hot). Always focus on HOT, since the test is carried out after warming up.

If the oil level drops faster than usual (more than 1 liter per 1000 km), this may indicate:

• 🔥 Oil waste (typical for worn-out engines with mileage >200 thousand km).
• 💧 Leak through seals or gaskets (check the pan, valve covers, front crankshaft seal).
• 🔧 Malfunction of the crankcase ventilation system (clogged valve PCV).

💡

If the oil level in the Nissan Murano V6 drops without visible leaks, and the exhaust turns blue, this is a sign of wear on the oil rings or valve guides. In this case, a compression measurement and diagnostics at a service station are required.

Answers to frequently asked questions from Nissan Murano V6 owners

❓ How much oil to fill in Nissan Murano V6 3.5 l when replacing with flushing?

When replacing with engine flushing (for example, Liqui Moly Pro-Line) will require 0.3–0.5 liters more than the standard volume. For Murano Z51 (2011–2015) it will be 5.0–5.1 l, for Z50 (2002–2007) — 4.8–5.0 l. The flush is added after draining the old oil, allowing the engine to run for 10–15 minutes, then draining and adding new oil.

❓ Is it possible to use 0W-20 oil in Nissan Murano V6 for Russia?

Oil 0W-20 suitable for VQ35DE only in regions with extremely low temperatures (below -35°C). In most cases, viscosity is optimal for Russia 5W-30, since 0W-20 has:

• 🔹 Higher waste (up to 1 liter per 10 thousand km).
• 🔹 Less resistance to high temperatures (risk of loss of viscosity in traffic jams).

If you still want to use 0W-20, choose products with approval API SP and reduce the replacement interval to 7–8 thousand km.

❓ How often should you change the oil in a Nissan Murano V6 when driving on gas?

When operating on HBO oil in VQ35DE ages faster due to:

• 🔥 Increased gas combustion temperature (50–70°C higher than gasoline).
• 🔥 Lack of detergent additives in gas (oil oxidizes faster).

Recommended replacement interval - every 7–8 thousand km or once every 6 months. Use oil with a reinforced additive package, for example, Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 or Castrol Magnatec Gas 5W-30.

❓ What kind of oil should I fill in the Nissan Murano V6 after a major overhaul?

After capital VQ35DE It is critical to use oil with high detergent properties and extreme pressure additives. Optimal options:

1. Nissan Break-In Oil 10W-30 (special break-in oil, article number KE909-99932).
2. Liqui Moly MoS2 10W-40 (with molybdenum disulfide to protect new parts).
3. Motul 300V 10W-40 (for sports and forced engines).

For the first 1000 km after repair, avoid high speeds (more than 3500 rpm) and heavy loads. Then change the oil and filter, switching to standard viscosity 5W-30.

❓ Why does the pressure lamp light up in Nissan Murano V6 after changing the oil?

If after changing the oil the light on the dashboard lights up or flashes OIL PRESSURE, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔴 Insufficient oil level — check the dipstick and add if necessary.
• 🔴 Faulty oil filter - If the filter is of poor quality or installed incorrectly, it can block the flow of oil. Try replacing it with the original (15208-9F60C).
• 🔴 Clogged oil pump - if the lamp is on even after changing the oil again, diagnostics of the pump is required (part number 15210-4M500).
• 🔴 Faulty oil pressure sensor — sensor location: on the cylinder block, next to the oil filter (article no. 25070-3M600).

If the lamp is constantly on - use the car negatively! Immediately turn off the engine and contact a service station to check the pressure with a pressure gauge.