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Nissan Cube Engine Oil Change Guide
How to change the motor oil and oil filter in a 2009 to 2014 Nissan Cube equipped with the MR18DE 1.8L I4 engine.

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MR18DE 1.8L I4 Engine
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Remove Oil Filler Cap
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Raise Passenger Side
This automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the 3rd generation 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 Nissan Cube in replacing the motor oil and oil filter in the MR18DE 1.8 liter DOHC 16 valve inline four cylinder engine.

Owners of earlier 1998-2002 or 2002-2008 Nissan Cube vehicles with the 1.3L CG13DE, 1.3L CGA3DE, 1.4L CR14DE, 1.5L HR15DE, 1.5L HR15DE or 1.6L HR16DE engines may also find this guide to be helpful.

To complete this oil change, you'll need the following items: 5 quarts of new SAE 5W-30 oil, a new oil filter, a 10mm socket, a small flathead screwdriver, a 14mm socket, a floor jack, jack stands, an automotive funnel, a Lisle 63600 oil filter wrench and a used oil catch container.

A few compatible replacement oil filters with their part numbers are as follows: Mobil1 M1-108, K&N PS-1008, Bosch 3300, Royal Purple 10-2876, Bosch 3300, Fram PH6607, Pennzoil HPZ-37, Purolator PL14612 and Wix 51358.



 
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Engine Oil Pan
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14 MM Oil Drain Bolt
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Old Oil Filter
The first step is to warm up the engine for a few minutes to help suspend any contaminants within the old oil and help it flow out more quickly when you remove the drain plug.

Then turn off the engine, open the hood and remove the oil filler cap by turning it counter clockwise.

Raise the passenger side of the car with a floor jack and support it with the two jack stands.

Slide beneath the passenger side of the engine and locate the black oil pan and the black oil drain bolt.

The top of the oil drain bolt points towards the rear of the vehicle.

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Pry Out Pop Rivets
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Remove Two 10mm Bolts
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2 Rivets & 2 Bolts
To more easily access the old oil filter, you'll need to remove some of the fasteners holding the black plastic lower engine cover in place.

Pop out the two black plastic pop rivets using a small flathead screwdriver and remove the two 10mm bolts using a socket or wrench.

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Oil Filter Exposed
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Unscrew Drain Bolt
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Drain Out Old Oil
Next, move the used oil catch container to underneath the oil pan and remove the the oil drain bolt using a 14mm socket or wrench by turning it counter clockwise.

Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes before replacing the oil drain bolt and tightening it just past hand tight.

If you have a torque wrench, tighten the bolt to just past hand tight or between 22 and 29 ft lbs if you have a torque wrench.



 

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Twist Off Old Oil Filter
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Dip Finger In New Oil
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Lubricate Filter O-Ring
Then move the used oil catch container forward to underneath the old oil filter and twist if off by turning it counter clockwise.

If you have trouble removing the old oil filter, use a filter wrench such as the Lisle 63600.

Make sure that the rubber o-ring gasket from the old filter is not still attached to the engine.

I recommend buying the Mobil1 M1-108 oil filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

While some more oil is draining out from the oil filter receptacle, dip your pinky finger into some new oil and lubricate the rubber o-ring on the new oil filter.

This will help it form a better seal with the engine, prevent leaks and also make it easier to remove it during the next oil change.

Tighten the new oil filter to about 2/3 of a turn past hand tight.

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Tighten Oil Drain Bolt
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Twist On New Oil Filter
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Replace Two Pop Rivets
Double check that the oil drain bolt and new oil filter are securely in place before replacing the engine cover fasteners.
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Replace Two 10mm Bolts
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Pour In New 5W-30 Oil
Pop in the two black plastic pop rivets and tighten the two 10mm bolts to just past hand tight to secure the lower engine cover in place.

Then lower the car from the jack stands and move to the engine bay. Insert the automotive funnel into the oil filler hole and pour in 4 quarts of the new SAE 5W-30 motor oil.

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Engine Oil Dipstick
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Fill To 2nd Hole By "H"
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Replace Oil Filler Cap
The Nissan Cube with the 1.8L I4 engine requires 4 and 3/8 quarts (4.1 liters) of new SAE 5W-30 oil when replacing the old oil and also the old oil filter.

It's much better to have slightly less oil than necessary in an engine than too much. So don't pour in all of the oil at once.

After pouring in the first four quarts of new oil, run the engine for a few minutes and let it rest for a few minutes.

Then check the oil level on the yellow handled dipstick.

Slowly add the final 3/8 of a quart of oil and repeatedly check the dipstick until the level reaches the 2nd hole next to the "H" mark.

Once you are satisfied that the oil level is correct, re-insert the dipstick and replace the oil filler cap by twisting it on clockwise to just past hand tight.

I'd recommend checking the oil level on the dipstick at least a few times during the next week and watch your driveway or garage for any drops of oil that may indicate a leak from the oil drain bolt or the oil filter.

Be sure to also record the vehicle's mileage in your service record book.

For more, please visit my Nissan Cube Maintenance & Repair Guides page.
 

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