2002-2006 Nissan Altima - Common Problems, Repair Guides, & Vehicle Maintenance Instructions

Nissan Altima - Common Problems & Maintenance Guides
A list of the repair guides, and vehicle maintenance how-to instructions that I created while owning a 2002 Nissan Altima.

Engine Oil Change Guide	1. 2002-2006 Nissan Altima 2.5L I4 Engine Oil Change Guide One of the most basic automotive maintenance procedures that almost anyone can perform on a 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006 Nissan Altima is to regularly replace the motor oil in the engine. The standard interval is 3,000 miles but many modern car manufacturers recommend waiting at least 5,000 miles. Check your owner's manual for your vehicle's specific interval. The 2.5 liter inline four cylinder engine in the L31 generation (2002, 2003, 2004 ,2005, 2006) Nissan Altima requires 4.5 quarts of SAE 5W-30 new oil with an oil filter change.

Headlight Bulb Guide	2. 2002-2006 Nissan Altima Headlight Bulb Replacement Guide Replacing a burnt out low beam, high beam, or turn signal / parking light bulb in the 2002 to 2006 Nissan Altima is not as straight forward as the procedure in some other cars. A replacement headlight bulb for the 3rd generation is Sylvania part number H1 55 Watt. The other bulbs in the headlight assembly are the # 9005 high beam headlamp, and # 1157 parking / front turn signal bulb.

Tail Light Bulbs Guide	3. 2002-2006 Nissan Altima Tail Light Bulbs Replacement Guide Only a few simple tools are needed to replace one of the light bulbs in the tail light assembly of a 2002 to 2006 Nissan Altima. They include a flathead screwdriver, and an 8mm socket with ratcheting wrench. Replacement light bulbs are the following part numbers: Rear Turn Signal # 3156, Tail Light # 3157, Stop Light # 3157, Rear Sidemarker # 168, and Back Up / Reverse Light # 921.

Third Brake Light Bulb	4. 2002-2006 Nissan Altima Third (High Mount) Brake Light Replacement Guide If only the third or "high mount" stop light bulb in your 2002 to 2006 Nissan Altima stopped working, you'll need to replace the # 921 or # 922 light bulb. To access the old third brake light bulb just requires the gentle use of a flat head screwdriver or other device to pry up the plastic housing.

Camshaft / Crankshaft	5. Nissan Altima 2.5L Camshaft & Crankshaft Position Sensors Guide During the 60,000 mile service on our 2002 Nissan Altima, the careless mechanic caused an oil leak by neglecting to install a rubber o-ring on the new crankshaft position sensor before replacing it. If the 2.5 liter I4 engine in your Nissan Altima is running rough, doesn't idle well, vibrates, backfires, or hesitates, you should consider replacing the camshaft sensor and the crankshaft position sensor.

If you have a newer 4th generation (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) Nissan Altima, please click on the link below.
2007 To 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5S Maintenance & Repair Guides 2013 To 2015 Nissan Altima DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides