Nissan Frontier Oil Type & Capacity
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the Nissan Frontier takes 0W-20 engine oil, about 5.3 qt with a filter change, on 2020-2027 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2009-2019 models use 5W-30 (4.9-5.4 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
Oil by model year
| Model years | Oil type | Capacity | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2027 | 0W-20 | 5.3 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2009-2019 | 5W-30 | 4.9-5.4 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2005-2008 | 5W-30 | 5.2-5.4 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2004 | 5W-30 | 3.5-3.7 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 1999-2003 | 5W-30 | 3.5-4.1 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
Capacity is with a filter change and can vary by engine - open your exact year below for the per-engine figures and our sources. Shop links go to Amazon, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Every Frontier year
Frequently asked
What kind of oil does a Nissan Frontier take?
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the Nissan Frontier takes 0W-20 engine oil, about 5.3 qt with a filter change, on 2020-2027 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2009-2019 models use 5W-30 (4.9-5.4 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
How many quarts of oil does a Nissan Frontier take?
About 5.3 qt with a filter change on 2020-2027 models, and 4.9-5.4 qt on 2009-2019 models. Capacity varies by engine, so check your exact year for the per-engine figure - and finish on the dipstick rather than pouring in the full amount.
Does the oil type change by year on the Nissan Frontier?
Yes. We record 5 different factory specs across the years we cover - 2020-2027: 0W-20; 2009-2019: 5W-30; 2005-2008: 5W-30. Use the table above and confirm against your owner's manual.
Sources. The oil grade and capacity for 29 of 29 model years is checked against a cited source, most often Car Specs - Nissan Frontier oil capacity, cararac - Nissan Frontier and AMSOIL lookup guide - 2026 Nissan Frontier, 3.8L 6-cyl (VQ38DD). Each year page lists its own sources.
Last verified 2026-10-08. Maintained by Matan B., who runs GarageDex. How we verify.