What Kind of Oil Does a Nissan Rogue Take?

Recommended viscosity and oil capacity for every Rogue generation — and why using the right one matters.

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As a Nissan Rogue driver, you want the best for your vehicle. That means regular maintenance to keep it in top condition, which includes periodic oil checks and replacements. But what kind of oil does a Nissan Rogue take?

Using the wrong kind of oil can impact the performance of your engine and make it run less efficiently, costing you more money over time. It can even shorten the lifespan of your engine.

Let's take a look at Nissan Rogue oil options, including which you should choose and why.

The Short Answer

2008–2013 (first generation): SAE 5W-30, about 4.5 quarts for a full change.
2014–2016: mostly 0W-20, but some vehicles from these years still called for 5W-30 — check your manual. Up to 4.9 quarts.
2017–2020: 0W-20, fully synthetic only, 4.9 quarts.
2021–present (third generation): synthetic 0W-20 — 5.4 quarts with the 2.5L engine, 4.4 quarts with the 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder.
When in doubt, your owner's manual wins. It lists the exact viscosity, API rating and capacity for your specific vehicle.

Why the Correct Nissan Rogue Oil Type Matters

Engine oil has a number of aspects that can change from one type to another. Choosing oil with the correct qualities matters, as engines are built to work best with certain types of oil. Here's a quick rundown of the factors that change between oil types:

Viscosity

How thick or thin the oil is, and how it flows around the engine at different temperatures. It's shown as a two-part number — in 5W-30, the 5W describes how the oil flows in cold temperatures and the 30 describes flow at high temperatures. The "W" stands for winter.

Type

Oils are generally either synthetic or conventional, although some are a blend.

ILSAC Specification

Various specifications that give guidance on the performance and fuel economy of an oil.

API Rating

API stands for American Petroleum Institute and is a helpful classification system for both gasoline and diesel engine oil types. Always choose oil with an API rating recommended by your manufacturer's manual.

If you choose oil with the wrong viscosity, you might find that the lubricant effect is weakened, or that thick, viscous oil gums up engine parts, leading to inefficiency and breakages. Using the wrong type of oil can also cause efficiency issues. Buying the correct Nissan Rogue oil type minimizes the risk of these issues and keeps your engine running well for longer.

Nissan Rogue Oil Types: By Generation

There are several generations of Nissan Rogue, dating back to 2008 and all the way to the present day. Here's each generation and its recommended oil type.

First Generation

2008–2013

The recommended oil for these earlier models of Nissan Rogue is SAE 5W-30. SAE is the acronym for Society of Automotive Engineers and appears on many oil types, as they're involved with setting the standards for engine oil.

5W means the oil retains a fairly low viscosity in cold conditions. Oil must be able to flow quickly around your engine and its components when it's cold, because it's more likely to experience mechanical wear and tear in the minutes after you start the engine. The number 30 shows that at higher temperatures, when your engine has been running for a while, the oil has a thicker viscosity, creating a protective barrier between moving parts.

Recommended Oil: SAE 5W-30
Capacity, Full Change: 4.5 quarts

Second Generation, Part One

2014–2016

Although this is only a short time period in the Rogue's history, it's a little complex when it comes to choosing the right oil type. Nissan had shifted to recommending 0W-20 oil, which has very low viscosity to meet emissions regulations and to improve fuel economy.

But despite this, some models released during this time still used 5W-30 oil. The best advice is to check your manual, as this will confirm the exact oil type you need.

Recommended Oil: 0W-20 — some vehicles 5W-30
Capacity, Full Change: Up to 4.9 quarts

Second Generation, Part Two

2017–2020

By 2017, the 0W-20 oil was the standardized choice across the Rogue range.

Note: only fully synthetic oil meets the requirements for this generation of the Nissan Rogue.

Recommended Oil: 0W-20, full synthetic
Capacity, Full Change: 4.9 quarts

Third Generation

2021–Present Day

From 2021 to today, all Nissan Rogues require synthetic 0W-20 oil. Capacity depends on which engine you have.

If your SUV has the 2.5L engine, you'll need 5.4 quarts for a full oil change. The 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder option only requires 4.4 quarts.

Recommended Oil: 0W-20, full synthetic
Capacity — 2.5L: 5.4 quarts
Capacity — 1.5L Turbo: 4.4 quarts

Not sure which engine you have? Your owner's manual lists the exact oil specification and capacity for your vehicle, and it's the final word on both. Our service team can also look it up by your VIN — just call 920-309-5407.

Let Us Handle It

Oil Changes at Gandrud Nissan

For more advice on Nissan Rogue maintenance, or any other model of Nissan, give our friendly team a call here at Gandrud Nissan, Green Bay, WI. We have the experience and knowledge to help you out with Nissan Rogue oil type queries and a range of other servicing questions, and you can talk to us about our award-winning service options at our in-house service center.

Call us at 920-309-5407 for more details, or book your oil change online.

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Oil specifications and capacities listed here are provided as general guidance and vary by model year, engine, and configuration. Always confirm the correct oil viscosity, specification, API rating, and capacity for your specific vehicle in your owner's manual or with a qualified technician before adding or changing oil — your owner's manual is the authoritative source. Oil capacity figures refer to a full oil and filter change and are approximate. Using oil that does not meet Nissan's specification may affect performance and could affect warranty coverage. See Gandrud Nissan for complete details.