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First Oil change for me and the Versa.

Everything I've seen shows the filter removal done from the bottom side.
It always involve removing the 4 bolts retaining the engine undercover.
I didn't want to modify or remove this undercover.

So I simply pulled the coolant reservoir tank up and out of the way.
The reservoir is not bolted but held in place by a small top left tab released
by pushing it back and lifting the reservoir straight up. This allowed easy
access to the oil filter from the engine compartment.

Anybody else tried getting to the filter this way?

 

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Nice, I liked that you included so many part numbers in your "How to".

Having missed it before trying to change my oil, I didn't use jack stands
or bring the engine to operating temp as you indicated.

If the car had been off the ground I may have had a better chance at getting to the filter.
I wonder if the 1.6L access is the same as the 1,8L?
As it were, I didn't want to remove the undercover as the service manual indicated.

So I just moved the tab back on the coolant reservior and ......Voilà

Couldn't get the photo to post.

 

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I'm starting to think the 2011 undercover splash guard is different than yours.
Several members appear to have no trouble getting their hand on the oil filter
with the car on the ground. I'm just not one of them.

I'd give the removal from the top a try though. It was really easy and didn't
require me to hyper contort my arm........ At least on my car.

If anybody tries this let me know how it works for you.

 

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Here is the photo I tried to post. Simply press the tab (indicated by the arrow)toward the engine and lift up on the reservoir. Don't try this with a hot engine cause you could get scalded.

 

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I've always drained the oil when it's cooled or been sitting overnight since the hot oil always drains to the sump once the engine is tuned off. I don't mind if it takes a little longer for the oil to drain from the pan. By that point I'm usually trying to get the oil filter off anyway.

 

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I'd do a search on youtube "inside fram oil filter" before you use another.

 

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What do you use?

PureOne from Purolator or Nissan's oil filter. I personaly think PureOne is better
than Nissan's. The PureOne has the grip you like too.