# Nissan Altima 2013–2018 Maintenance Schedule & Cost to Maintain

Canonical: https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/cost-to-maintain/

> What routine maintenance costs on the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima, by mileage interval: what's due, why, independent-shop cost ranges, and which jobs are realistic DIY.

Case file · NISSAN-ALTIMA-2013-2018 · Cost ledger

# Nissan Altima 2013–2018 · Maintenance schedule & cost to maintain

CarCaseFile editorial · filed 06-27-2026 · updated 09-16-2026

Scheduled service only, not the documented problems (those are on the [case file's problem list](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#own), with their own cost calculator). Every interval and cost range below is sourced, not estimated.

Where the manufacturer publishes separate normal and severe-condition schedules, this ledger defaults to the **severe** interval and says so. That's not us padding the numbers: a manufacturer's own severe-duty list usually describes ordinary driving, things like short trips, stop-and-go traffic, extended idling, dust or road salt. But the list is written per manufacturer and sometimes per model year, and some are far narrower than others, so each item's "why" text names what *this* manufacturer actually wrote and gives the normal-schedule number alongside it. Read the item, not this paragraph.

[← Full case file](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/)

Track Nissan Altima 2013–2018

## What's due on MY 2013–2018 Nissan Altima right now?

Enter your mileage. We'll check it against this car's full schedule below.

Get a reminder before the next thing comes due. No account. Reply to the email anytime with your new mileage to keep it accurate.

Cumulative cost

## What routine maintenance adds up to, by mileage

Running total of the independent-shop cost ranges below. Each bar is everything due by that point, added to everything before it.

Solid bar = low estimate, tint = high estimate. This is a routine-maintenance floor, not a total cost of ownership. Fuel, insurance, tires, and any of the documented problems above are separate. Items that recur more than once per interval under a severe-duty schedule (an air filter due every 5k, say) are counted here at one occurrence, not the full repeat total. The real cumulative spend for a high-mileage severe-duty driver runs higher than this chart shows.

Parts below link to Amazon, and to eBay for tires. Those are affiliate
links, so we may earn a commission if you buy. Your price is the same
either way, and a commission never changes what this page says.

## Every 3,750–5,000 mi (oil service)

### Engine oil + filter (severe-schedule default)

$70–$120 DIY-realistic

Nissan's severe schedule is 3,750 miles, and it fits most real driving: short trips, stop-and-go, cold weather. The four-cylinder takes 0W-20 and just under 5 quarts, so one jug does it. The V6 takes a bit over 5 quarts, and the grade changed mid-generation, so check the cap.

Parts for this job: Motor oil, Motor oil, 3.5L V6, Oil filter.

Parts for this job

Motor oil

[★ Recommended Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 5 quart →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00JTUBTQG) [OEM Nissan 999PK-000W20N →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DNissan%2B999PK-000W20N)

Motor oil, 3.5L V6

[★ Recommended Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 (2015-2018) / Extended Performance 5W-30 (2013-2014) →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DMobil%2B1%2BExtended%2BPerformance%2B0W-20%2B%25282015-2018%2529%2B%252F%2BExtended%2BPerformance%2B5W-30%2B%25282013-2014%2529) [OEM Nissan 999PK-000W20N →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DNissan%2B999PK-000W20N)

Oil filter

[★ Recommended Fram PH6607 →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DFram%2BPH6607) [OEM Nissan 15208-65F0E →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00HKSM1A2)

[All options on the parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#part-oil-filter)

Sources: [2013 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual: p.9-2 capacities and viscosity (QR25DE 4-7/8 qt 0W-20 with footnote *9 permitting SAE 5W-30 conventional; VQ35DE 5-1/8 qt 5W-30 with footnote *7) and p.2-19 the customer-set Service oil/filter reminder](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/ManualsAndGuides/Altima/2013/2013-Altima-owner-manual.pdf), [2014 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual: p.9-2 capacities and viscosity, same 0W-20 / 5W-30 split by engine and the same conventional-oil footnotes as 2013](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/ManualsAndGuides/Altima/2014/2014-Altima-owner-manual.pdf), [2015 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual: p.9-2 one 0W-20 spec covering both engines, with SAE 5W-30 conventional permitted as an alternative that maintains the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, the one-year VQ35DE capacity misprint (4-7/8 qt printed against 4.8 L), and p.2-21 the customer-set Oil and Filter reminder](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/ManualsAndGuides/Altima/2015/2015-Altima-owner-manual.pdf)

## 10,000 mi

### Brake fluid flush (severe-schedule default)

$90–$160 Shop job

Nissan's own Service and Maintenance Guide for this platform lists brake fluid replacement as a standard-schedule item every 20,000 miles/24 months, but under the guide's severe-operating-conditions table (short trips, stop-and-go traffic, extreme heat/cold, dusty or salt-spread roads, towing), it recurs twice as often, every 10,000 miles/12 months. That covers most everyday US driving. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture regardless of mileage, so don't stretch this on a low-mileage car either.

Sources: [Nissan 2015 Service and Maintenance Guide (official booklet, applies across the L33 Altima lineup)](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/common/2015/2015-nissan-service-maintenance-guide.pdf), [Severe-duty service conditions, and the two-or-more test (Bumper)](https://www.bumper.com/car-advice/ownership/severe-duty-maintenance/), [Brake fluid flush cost, 2026](https://brakefluidchangecost.com/)

## 15,000 mi

### Cabin air filter

$20–$40 DIY-realistic

Nissan's guide lists the in-cabin microfilter (standard equipment on the Altima) for replacement at 15,000 miles/18 months first, then every 30,000 miles after (45k, 75k, 105k...). No distinct severe-condition mileage number is published for this item. The guide only says to replace it more often if you're driving extended periods in dusty conditions, without giving a specific figure. A clogged filter just weakens HVAC airflow and adds a musty smell; it's a 10-minute glovebox job most owners can do themselves.

Parts for this job: Cabin air filter.

Parts for this job

Cabin air filter

[★ Recommended Fram CF11776 →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB016XE8FZS) [OEM Nissan 27277-3JC1A →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00BFE1NIS)

[All options on the parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#part-cabin-air-filter)

Sources: [Nissan 2015 Service and Maintenance Guide (official booklet)](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/common/2015/2015-nissan-service-maintenance-guide.pdf)

## 30,000 mi

### Engine air filter

$30–$55 DIY-realistic

Nissan's guide lists engine air filter replacement every 30,000 miles as the standard-schedule item. No distinct severe-condition mileage figure is published for this generation. The guide only advises checking/replacing more often in prolonged dusty conditions without giving a number, so use 30,000 miles as the baseline and inspect sooner if you drive on unpaved or dusty roads regularly.

Parts for this job: Engine air filter.

Parts for this job

Engine air filter

[★ Recommended Fram CA11450 →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00GBRG4TC) [OEM Nissan 16546-3TA0A →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00BFE34L2)

[All options on the parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#part-engine-air-filter)

### CVT fluid service (proactive interval, earlier than Nissan's own factory number)

$150–$300 Shop job

This is the single most consequential item on this car, and the one place where simply following Nissan's own published number is a real risk. The factory guide's only explicit replace figure for CVT-equipped Altimas is 60,000 miles. Unusually, that number does NOT drop under Nissan's own severe/towing schedule the way brake fluid and other items do; the guide states the CVT fluid interval stays at 60,000 miles (or a dealer CONSULT deterioration check) regardless of towing or rough-road use. Given how well-documented this generation's CVT failure rate is, especially 2013–2015 (see the problem list above: shudder, overheating, and failure well within 100k miles for many cars), independent CVT specialists and Altima owner communities widely recommend cutting that in half: service the fluid every 30,000 miles, using only genuine Nissan NS-3 fluid, as cheap insurance against a $3,000–$5,000 transmission. Other Altima generations on this site cite a looser 30,000–60,000-mile band; on this one, with this failure history, take the 30,000-mile end and don't drift toward 60,000 just because the factory book allows it. To be clear about what 30,000 is: it is NOT an official Nissan severe-schedule figure. It's owner and independent-shop practice on a transmission with a known failure history, and this file says so plainly rather than passing it off as factory guidance.

Sources: [Nissan 2015 Service and Maintenance Guide: transmission fluid/CVT fluid explanation (official booklet)](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/common/2015/2015-nissan-service-maintenance-guide.pdf), [CVT fluid change cost, 2026](https://transmissionfluidchangecost.com/cvt-fluid-change-cost/), [Nissan Altima CVT fluid change cost guide, 2026](https://repairing.app/cars/nissan-altima/cvt-fluid)

## 40,000–70,000 mi

### Front brake pads (wear-based, not a fixed manufacturer interval)

$180–$320 DIY-realistic

Nissan's schedule only lists brake pads as a recurring INSPECT item, never a scheduled replace mileage. Pad wear depends on driving style, not the odometer. For an average city/highway mix on a car this size, front pads commonly need their first replacement somewhere in the 40,000–70,000-mile range, sooner if you're doing the stop-and-go driving that also puts you in severe-duty territory above. Inspect at this point rather than assume.

Parts for this job: Front brake pads.

Parts for this job

Front brake pads

[★ Recommended Akebono ACT1650 →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00TZ3BYJ4) [OEM Nissan D1060-3TA0A →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00BFE6K2C)

[All options on the parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#part-front-brake-pads)

### Serpentine (drive) belt (wear-based, not a fixed manufacturer interval)

$100–$220 DIY-realistic

The single accessory belt on both engines runs the alternator, power steering (where hydraulic), and A/C compressor. Nissan's guide only lists it as a recurring INSPECT item ('engine drive belts'), never a scheduled replace mileage. It's a normal wear item, not a documented failure. Inspect for cracking, glazing, or fraying starting around 60,000 miles and replace before it snaps and strands the car.

Parts for this job: Serpentine / drive belt.

Parts for this job

Serpentine / drive belt

[★ Recommended Gates K060563A →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB075M9C14N) [OEM Nissan 11720-3TA0A →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB00BFE2KQC)

[All options on the parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#part-serpentine-drive-belt)

Sources: [Nissan 2015 Service and Maintenance Guide (official booklet)](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/common/2015/2015-nissan-service-maintenance-guide.pdf), [Front brake pad replacement cost, 2026](https://empireautoprotect.com/blog/2026/04/30/brake-pad-replacement-cost/), [Nissan Altima serpentine belt replacement cost estimate](https://repairpal.com/estimator/nissan/altima/serpentine-belt-replacement-cost)

## 70,000–100,000 mi

### Front struts (wear-based, no manufacturer mileage interval)

$400–$750 Shop job

Nissan publishes no fixed replacement mileage for struts. They're a wear item, generically good for 50,000–100,000 miles depending on roads and driving style. Worn front struts cause uneven or cupped tire wear on their own, independent of alignment or the bushing wear covered below, so if you're chasing uneven tire wear on this generation, check struts AND control-arm bushings, not just the alignment. Struts are always replaced in pairs, and a wheel alignment is needed afterward. Budget it in, not as an afterthought (see the alignment item below).

### CV axle boots (inspect; full axle replacement if a boot has torn)

$300–$600 Shop job

CV boots are a wear item with no fixed manufacturer interval. Figure roughly 70,000–130,000 miles of life, and start visually checking for cracks or tears around 60,000 miles or 5 years old, sooner if the car sees curb strikes or off-camber parking. A torn boot flings grease that can contaminate the front brake pads and rotor on that side, turning a relatively cheap boot/axle job into a brake job too if it's caught late. Inspect boots at every brake service rather than waiting for a separate appointment.

### Front control-arm bushings (wear-based; see commonProblems 'Premature front suspension wear')

$280–$500 Shop job

This is the maintenance-cost side of the failure mode already documented in this file's commonProblems section: front control-arm bushings and ball joints on this generation wear earlier than expected, producing clunks and a loose or wandering front end. As noted there, the bushings usually aren't sold separately from the arm, so the real-world fix is a full control-arm replacement, not a bushing press-in. Generic wear life is 70,000–120,000 miles under normal conditions, 50,000–80,000 on rough roads or in harsh climates (road salt accelerates bushing failure). Treat the lower end as the realistic US-average number, not the upper. The interaction that matters: worn bushings mean an alignment won't hold even right after a fresh alignment job. If you're re-chasing an alignment problem on this car, check bushing condition before paying for a second alignment. Also confirm the 2013 suspension/transverse-link bolt recall (noted in commonProblems) was addressed by VIN. A loose bolt mimics the same symptoms.

Sources: [Nissan Altima strut replacement cost, 2026](https://strutreplacementcost.com/nissan-altima-strut-replacement-cost/), [CV axle / CV joint replacement cost, 2026](https://empireautoprotect.com/blog/2026/04/13/cv-joint-replacement-cost/), [How long do shocks and struts last (generic wear-life reference)](https://www.cars.com/articles/how-long-should-shock-absorbers-last-1420676937486/), [When to replace drive-axle (CV) boots (generic wear-life reference)](https://www.cars.com/articles/when-do-you-need-to-replace-drive-axle-boots-1420680689888/), [Nissan Altima control-arm bushings replacement cost estimate](https://repairpal.com/estimator/nissan/altima/suspension-control-arm-bushings-replacement-cost)

## 105,000 mi

### Spark plugs (2.5L QR25DE, 4 plugs)

$180–$280 DIY-realistic

Nissan's factory schedule lists spark plug replacement at 105,000 miles/126 months as a standard-schedule item. No distinct severe-condition number is published, so this figure applies regardless of driving pattern. The QR25DE uses long-life iridium plugs, which is why the interval runs this long; it's a genuine factory number, not padding.
[Shop this part on the case file's parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#parts)

### Spark plugs (3.5L VQ35DE, 6 plugs; significantly more labor than the 4-cylinder)

$450–$700 Shop job

Same 105,000-mile factory interval as the 2.5L, but budget for meaningfully higher labor on the V6: the front three plugs are easy to reach, but the rear three sit under the upper intake manifold, which has to come off to access them. That labor difference is why this is broken out as its own line rather than folded into the 2.5L figure above.
[Shop this part on the case file's parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#parts)

### Coolant (first service)

$130–$250 Shop job

Nissan's own explanation of scheduled maintenance items states the factory-fill coolant (Genuine Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant, Blue) has a first-service interval of 105,000 miles or 7 years, confirmed on Nissan's model-specific 2015 Altima maintenance-schedule tool as applying uniformly across the Standard, Severe, and Premium categories, so there's no distinct severe number to default to here. Don't assume a shorter generic 'Honda/Toyota-style' coolant interval applies. This generation's own published factory number is genuinely this long, and mixing in non-Nissan coolant or non-distilled water shortens it.

Sources: [Nissan 2015 Service and Maintenance Guide: spark plugs, coolant (official booklet)](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/common/2015/2015-nissan-service-maintenance-guide.pdf), [2015 Nissan Altima engine coolant interval (Nissan's official model-specific maintenance-schedule tool)](https://maintenance-schedules.nissanusa.com/maintenance-schedules/2015/altima/components/engine-coolant/?MakeID=67&RegionID=1&LocaleID=en_US), [Nissan Altima spark plug replacement cost estimate](https://repairpal.com/estimator/nissan/altima/spark-plug-replacement-cost), [V6 Altima rear-bank spark plug labor note (forum/how-to)](https://howtoo.com/guide/orion/how-to-replace-spark-plugs-on-a-2013-nissan-altima-v6-front-rear-bank-guide)

## Event-triggered (after new tires or suspension work), plus a ~12,000–15,000 mi / annual check

### Wheel alignment

$100–$200 Shop job

Not a fixed manufacturer mileage item. It's triggered by events, not the odometer. Get an alignment any time you install new tires, or right after any of the suspension work above (struts, control arms/bushings, or after a curb strike): skipping it wastes part of the money you just spent, since a misaligned car chews up new tires or re-loads the exact bushings you just replaced. Beyond that, a periodic check roughly every 12,000–15,000 miles or once a year catches drift before it shows up as uneven tire wear. If you're chasing a recurring alignment problem on this car specifically, check control-arm bushing condition first (see above). Worn bushings mean the alignment won't hold no matter how many times you pay for it.

### Tires: match the type to how the car is actually used

$500–$850 Shop job

The L33 Altima is a FWD commuter sedan, not an AWD or off-road vehicle, so a standard all-season (or all-season touring) tire is the correct fit. There's no upside to an aggressive all-terrain or mud-adjacent tire here, only worse wet/dry grip, more road noise, and shorter tread life for capability this car will never use. Two interactions worth knowing before buying: get the alignment checked right after installing new tires (see above), or the new tread wears unevenly fast; and if the car is high-mileage, check strut condition first. Worn struts cup new tires regardless of how correct the alignment is, wasting part of the tire spend. Factory sizes on this generation run 215/60R16, 215/55R17, or 235/45R18 depending on trim.

Sources: [Wheel alignment cost, 2026](https://wheelalignmentcost.com/), [2018 Nissan Altima tire sizes (SimpleTire)](https://simpletire.com/vehicles/nissan-tires/altima/2018)

## 150,000+ mi

### CVT fluid (ongoing service)

$150–$300 Shop job

Two cadences are in play here, Nissan's factory 60,000-mile figure and the proactive 30,000-mile interval recommended above given this generation's CVT failure history. Whichever one you follow, this isn't a one-time-and-done service. Keep it going for the life of the transmission; a car that's made it to 150k with documented on-schedule CVT service is a meaningfully safer used buy than one without records.

### Coolant (ongoing service)

$130–$250 Shop job

Repeat cadence from the 105k first service. Nissan's guide specifies every 75,000 miles or 5 years going forward for Genuine Nissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (Blue), not a one-time event.

Sources: [Nissan 2015 Service and Maintenance Guide (official booklet)](https://owners.nissanusa.com/content/techpub/common/2015/2015-nissan-service-maintenance-guide.pdf)

## 5 years (any mileage)

### Battery

$150–$280 DIY-realistic

Calendar-based, not mileage-based. A battery on a car driven 5,000 miles a year ages the same as one on a car driven 25,000. Average service life is 3–5 years; the practical guidance is to start load-testing around year 3 and replace proactively by year 5 regardless of what the odometer says, same logic as replacing a timing belt on age rather than waiting for it to actually strand you. What matters when buying a replacement: match the correct BCI Group 35 size and cold-cranking-amp rating for this generation (see the parts desk below). An undersized or wrong-CCA battery underperforms or may not fit the tray/hold-down correctly. Two things worth knowing before you pick a store, both documented rather than folklore. First, the same brand in the same group size is not always the same battery from store to store: a side-by-side of one Interstate group size found 600 CCA on the Costco version against 650 CCA at Pep Boys, with slightly different listed dimensions, so read the CCA on the actual listing instead of assuming the brand name settles it. Second, warranty structure differs by seller even for the same brand: that same comparison found Costco selling a 36-month term that is prorated (a refund scaled to time in service, not a new battery), against 30 months of outright free replacement at Pep Boys and Amazon. Longer term, weaker remedy. Decide which of those you actually want, keep the receipt, and buy from wherever you'll realistically go back to make the claim.

Parts for this job: Battery.

Parts for this job

Battery

[★ Recommended Interstate MT-35 →](https://carcasefile.com/go?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0B8B59SXN)

[All options on the parts desk →](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/#part-battery)

Sources: [Car battery replacement cost, 2026](https://www.ecostify.com/blog/car-battery-replacement-cost), [Prorated vs. non-prorated car battery warranty terms explained](https://www.youcanic.com/prorated-vs-non-prorated-car-battery-warranty/), [SlashGear, same Interstate group size compared across retailers: 600 CCA at Costco vs 650 CCA at Pep Boys, and Costco's 36-month prorated term vs 30 months free replacement at Pep Boys/Amazon](https://www.slashgear.com/2082435/interstate-batteries-from-costco-same-quality-other-retailers/)

Parts links go to Amazon, and to eBay for tires. Affiliate links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Confirm fitment against your VIN before ordering, mid-generation changes exist.

CarCaseFile.com/vehicles/nissan-altima-2013-2018/cost-to-maintain/ · Independent case files on used cars · We buy our own parts. Nobody pays for a verdict.