2020 Nissan Altima maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.5L DOHC naturally aspirated 4-cylinder (188 hp) or 2.0L VC-Turbo variable compression turbocharged 4-cylinder (248 hp — SR, SL, Platinum VC-Turbo trims)SSRSVMSRP $24,300

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
5k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic (Nissan-approved; 5W-30 is NOT approved for 2020 Altima; 2.0L VC-Turbo also requires 0W-20 full synthetic — do not use conventional oil in the VC-Turbo engine) Inspect tire pressure Inspect all fluid levels
10k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Inspect brake pads and rotors Inspect cabin air filter Inspect windshield wipers Inspect all exterior lights
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — iridium long-life (do not replace at 30k; factory interval 105,000 mi for 2.5L; inspect only) Inspect CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid (Xtronic CVT; inspect color and level; normal is light red/pink — dark brown or burnt smell requires immediate service; NEVER use generic ATF or aftermarket CVT fluid in Nissan Xtronic) Inspect brake fluid — DOT 3; replace if contaminated Inspect battery and charging system Inspect fuel filter (integrated in tank — inspect for fuel trim codes P0171/P0174)	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 Xtronic CVT fluid (Nissan factory severe-duty schedule: every 60k for towing, stop-and-go, hot climate, or short-trip driving; normal schedule: inspect at 60k and replace by 120k — however most Nissan technicians strongly recommend 60k replacement to prevent premature CVT failure; the CVT cooler should be inspected for leaks and blockage at this interval) Inspect spark plugs — iridium (2.5L: factory change at 105k; 2.0L VC-Turbo: inspect at 60k — the variable compression mechanism places higher stress on plugs) Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 flush Inspect coolant — Nissan Long Life Coolant (blue or green; first change at 105k/10 years; inspect at 60k for contamination) Inspect AWD rear differential fluid (AWD models — GL-5 75W-90 synthetic; inspect level and condition) Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 2.5L iridium (factory 105k; replace at 90k preventively); 2.0L VC-Turbo: replace at 90k due to higher combustion stress from variable compression ratio cycling Replace CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 (second service if replaced at 60k; first service if skipped) Replace AWD rear differential fluid (AWD models — 75W-90 synthetic GL-5) Inspect serpentine belt — replace if any cracking or glazing observed Inspect all coolant hoses for softness, swelling, or cracking Inspect brake lines for corrosion (rust-belt markets especially) Inspect wheel bearings — sealed hub assemblies on 2020 Altima Inspect engine and transmission mounts	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 2.5L iridium second set (if first replaced at 90k); 2.0L VC-Turbo second set Replace CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 (third service cycle; CVT fluid condition is critical past 100k — fluid degradation accelerates clutch pack wear in the Jatco JF017E/JF018E units used in the 2020 Altima) Replace coolant — Nissan Long Life Coolant flush and refill Replace serpentine drive belt Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 full flush Replace AWD rear differential fluid (AWD models) Full brake inspection: pads, rotors, calipers, parking brake cables Inspect EVAP system and fuel cap seal Inspect CV axle boots and joints front and rear (FWD and AWD)	View →

Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.