How to get a wider aperture on Nikon D3100?

I have a nikon d3100, with a nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens on it, and I can only figure out how to get to a max of f5.6 for the aperture, but the lens website says its possible to get a 3.5, I've done it in the past but I can't remember how and I can't figure it out. Neither aperture settings or shutter settings or manual lets me, any help?

The widest aperture will vary with the focal length, zoom setting, you are using. A function of the optical design thst you can't alter.

You have to buy a lens with a wider aperture.

Your lens is an f/3.5 when you are using the lens at 18 mm and f/5.6 when shooting at 55 mm.

f/5.6 is NOT the maximum lens aperture for that lens. The smallest aperture is f/22

That should stand to reason if you have had any experience using a fully adjustable camera.

The cost of lenses with larger apertures may be greater than your budget.

For instance the Nikkor 17-55 mm f/2.8 lens costs $1, 540

With that lens the max aperture varies with focal length
At 18mm you get F/3.5 but at 55mm you only get F/5.6