Changing the oil in Nissan Note - a procedure that requires precision not only in the choice of lubricant, but also in its quantity. Underfilling or overfilling of oil can lead to serious problems: from increased wear of parts to failure of the turbine (on diesel versions) or the oil pump. In this article we have collected official data on oil volumes for all generations Note (including restyled versions), taking into account the engine type, year of manufacture and even climatic operating conditions.

Feature Nissan Note — variety of power units: from economical HR12DE (1.2 l) to diesel K9K (1.5 dCi). Each engine requires not only its own volume of oil, but also specific tolerances for viscosity and standards (for example, API SN or ACEA C4 for diesel engines). We will also reveal nuances that are often missed: why in diesel Note E12 with a filter requires 0.3 liters more oil than without it, and how to correctly check the level for “cold” and “hot”.

Official oil volumes for Nissan Note by generation

The data in the table below is based on service manuals Nissan and are relevant for European, Japanese and Russian versions Note. Please note that the volume may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture (for example, after restyling in 2010 in Note K12 the oil pan has changed).

Generation/Model Engine Oil volume, l
(with filter change)		 Recommended viscosity Quality standard
Note K12
(2004–2013)		 HR12DE (1.2) 2.7 5W-30, 5W-40 API SL/SM, ACEA A3/B4
Note K13
(2012–2020)		 HR15DE (1.5) 3.2 0W-20, 5W-30 API SN, ILSAC GF-5
Note E12
(2016–present)		 HR16DE (1.6) 4.3 5W-30, 5W-40 API SN, ACEA A5/B5
Note E12 (diesel) K9K (1.5 dCi) 4.8 (with filter)
4.5 (without filter)		 5W-30, 0W-30 ACEA C4, API CF

⚠️ Attention: For diesel versions Note E12 with particulate filter (DPF) it is mandatory to use oil with low sulfur and phosphorus content (standard ACEA C4). Ignoring this requirement will lead to filter clogging and costly repairs.

In gasoline engines HR15DE And HR16DE Nissan recommends oils with energy-saving properties (for example, 0W-20 for Note K13). This is due to the variable valve timing system, which is sensitive to oil viscosity during cold starts.

📊 What engine does your Nissan Note have?
  • HR12DE (1.2 l)
  • HR15DE (1.5 l)
  • HR16DE (1.6 l)
  • K9K (1.5 dCi)
  • Other

How to properly check the oil level in Nissan Note

Checking the level is more than just removing the dipstick. B Nissan Note There are several nuances that affect the accuracy of measurements:

  1. Engine temperature. For gasoline engines, the check is carried out 5–10 minutes after stopping (the oil should drain into the pan). In diesel K9K level is checked only on a cold engine - This is due to the design of the oil pump.
  2. Vehicle position. Note must stand on a flat surface. Even a small slope of 2–3° will distort the dipstick readings by 0.2–0.3 l.
  3. Cleanliness of the dipstick. Before checking, the dipstick must be wiped lint-free with a cloth (for example, microfiber) so that old drops of oil do not distort the result.

On the dipstick Nissan Note there are two zones:

  • 🟢 "MIN" and "MAX" — operating range. The optimal level is in the middle between the marks.
  • 🔴 Above "MAX" - overflow, which leads to oil foaming and increased pressure in the system.
  • 🟡 Below "MIN" - critical level at which the oil pump begins to “grab” air.
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If after changing the oil the level is above "MAX", do not panic. Start the engine for 1–2 minutes (at idle speed) and turn off. Check the level again - the excess will go into the oil filter and system channels.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in Nissan Note

Changing the oil in Nissan Note does not require specialized equipment, but there are points that even experienced car owners often miss. For example, in diesel versions K9K it is necessary to first relieve the pressure in the fuel system, and in gasoline HR16DE — check the condition of the oil filter O-ring (it often “sticks” to the housing).

Drain the old oil (engine temperature 50–60°C)|Replace the oil filter (part number for HR15DE: 15208-ED00A)|Rinse the drain plug from metal shavings|Fill in new oil (see the table above for volume)|Check the level 5 minutes after filling-->

Important process details:

  1. Oil drain. Use a 14mm wrench for the drain plug. B Note E12 The plug is not located at the lowest point of the pan, so after draining it is recommended to tilt the car forward (for example, driving onto an overpass at an angle) to remove any remaining oil.
  2. Oil filter. On motors HR12/HR15 The filter is located on top, making replacement easy. On HR16DE And K9K the filter is located at the bottom - you will need to remove the crankcase protection (4 bolts of 10 mm).
  3. First launch. After replacement, start the engine and let it run for 30-40 seconds. Then turn off and check the level - it may drop by 0.1–0.2 liters due to filling of the oil channels.

⚠️ Attention: In diesel Note E12 with particulate filter (DPF) after changing the oil, an error may light up P2002 (clogged filter). This is normal if the oil meets the standard ACEA C4 — the error will reset after 50–100 km.

What kind of oil to put in Nissan Note: manufacturer's recommendations

Nissan does not produce its own oils, but cooperates with Total, Mobil And Idemitsu, recommending their products for their cars. For Note The following specifications are relevant:

  • 🔹 Gasoline engines (HR12/HR15/HR16). Optimal choice - 5W-30 with permission API SN or ILSAC GF-5. Suitable for cold regions (below –30°C) 0W-20.
  • 🔹 Diesel engines (K9K). Only low ash oils (Low SAPS), corresponding ACEA C4. Examples: Total Quartz INEO ECS 5W-30, Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30.
  • 🔹 For cars with mileage >150 thousand km. It is recommended to switch to an oil with a higher viscosity (for example, 5W-40) to compensate for piston ring wear.

At service centers Nissan for Note K13 (2012–2020) often use original oil Nissan Strong Save X 0W-20 (article KE900-90132). Its feature is improved detergent additives that prevent the formation of deposits on the valves of the variable valve timing system.

What happens if you fill in the wrong oil?

Using an oil with the wrong viscosity (for example, 10W-40 instead of 5W-30) will result in:

- Increased turbine wear in diesel engines K9K (due to slow oil pumping during cold start).

- An increase in fuel consumption by 3–5% in gasoline engines due to increased friction.

- Risk of jamming of hydraulic compensators in HR16DE (they are sensitive to the quality of the oil).

Common mistakes when changing oil and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that reduce engine life. Here are the most common ones:

  1. Not adding enough oil. B Note E12 with motor HR16DE underfilling by 0.5 liters leads to oil starvation during sharp turns (oil “leaves” from the pump intake). Always check the level after replacement!
  2. Using flushing. Nissan officially does not recommend flushing the engine when changing the oil. The exception is if you are switching from mineral oil to synthetic oil or changing brand.
  3. Tightening the drain plug. The tightening torque of the plug is 35–40 Nm. Over-tightening leads to cutting the threads in the aluminum pan (especially important for HR12DE).
  4. Ignoring the oil filter. B Note K13 the filter has a check valve that prevents oil from draining from the channels. If it is not replaced, a short-term oil starvation will occur when the engine starts.

⚠️ Attention: In diesel Note E12 After changing the oil, white smoke may appear from the exhaust pipe. It is normal if it disappears after 5-10 minutes - this is how the remaining detergent additives burn out from the new oil. If the smoke persists, this is a sign of oil getting into the cylinders (the valve stem seals may be worn out).

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The most common cause of premature engine wear Nissan Note — untimely oil change. The interval for gasoline engines is 15 thousand km or 1 year, for diesel engines - 10 thousand km or 6 months (depending on operating conditions).

Answers to frequently asked questions about oil in Nissan Note

Is it possible to mix oils from different brands?

Yes, but only if they have same basis (synthetic/semi-synthetic) and compatible tolerances. For example, in HR15DE can be mixed Mobil 1 5W-30 And Total Quartz 5W-30, if both match API SN. However, it is not recommended to mix oils with different viscosities (for example, 5W-30 and 10W-40) - this will impair fluidity at low temperatures.

How much oil is wasted in Nissan Note?

Normal oil consumption for waste:

  • 🔹 HR12DE/HR15DE: up to 0.3 l per 10 thousand km.
  • 🔹 HR16DE: up to 0.5 liters per 10 thousand km (due to higher speeds).
  • 🔹 K9K (diesel): up to 0.7 liters per 10 thousand km (the norm for turbocharged diesel engines).

Exceeding these values indicates a malfunction (wear of rings, valve stem seals or turbine).

What kind of oil to put in Nissan Note with HBO?

For cars with gas-cylinder equipment, an oil with increased cleaning properties and thermal stability is recommended. Optimal options:

  • 🔹 Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 (for gasoline engines).
  • 🔹 Motul Specific DEXOS2 5W-30 (suitable for HR16DE with HBO).

Important: the oil change interval on gas is reduced to 10 thousand km (due to the increased combustion temperature).

What should you do if the check light comes on after changing the oil?

In 90% of cases this is due to:

  • 🔹 Low oil level (check the dipstick).
  • 🔹 Poor quality filter (may not hold pressure).
  • 🔹 Air entering the system (if the oil has been drained for a long time).

Reset the error with a scanner (for example, ELM327) or disconnect the battery terminal for 10 minutes. If the check light comes on again, diagnostics are required.

Do I need to change the oil filter every oil change?

Yes, necessarily. The filter becomes clogged with wear products and loses throughput. B Nissan Note Filters with a paper element are used, which cannot be cleaned. An exception is if you change the oil after 5–7 thousand km (for example, under severe operating conditions), then the filter can be left for the second cycle.