The gearbox, like other parts of the car, needs quality maintenance. First of all, the smooth operation of the gearbox during operation depends on the condition of the transmission fluid. In this article, you will just learn the main points that relate to changing the lubricant, its choice and the cost of work.
Do you already know when to change the oil in your car's gearbox?
Tell me, when you searched for information on the request “gear oil change”, did you come across the statement that it does not need to be changed at all? There are a lot of misconceptions on the Internet about checkpoint maintenance, which are far from the truth. Practice shows that any lubricants lose their properties over time (oxidize, additives are depleted, fumes appear), and need to be replaced.
So, when does the very moment come when you need to buy and change the liquid in the box?
First you need to decide on the type of checkpoint:
automatic (automatic transmission);
mechanical or manual (manual transmission);
distributing (RK).
The manual, or technical manual for your car model, has data on lubricants for gearboxes. It indicates after what period of time or mileage to replace, how many liters of oil are in the box, and which gear oil to fill.
Often, box manufacturers recommend changing the lubricant every 60-90 yew. km, and in difficult operating conditions - 2 times more often. Also, the amount of oil in the gearbox is different, which can range from 1.2 liters to 15.5 liters, depending on the type of gearbox itself.
Do you have additional questions, how and when should the oil be changed in the transfer case, automatic transmission or manual transmission? Then contact our experts by phone and get practical recommendations for working with lubricants.
How much does an oil change in a box cost, and how to save the budget?
Now the issue of price is quite relevant for car owners, as the cost of lubricating fluids and maintenance has increased greatly. Replacement can be carried out both with your own hands and in a car service. If you want to do everything yourself, then you should be as careful as possible and follow the technology. Otherwise, you can only do harm. Be sure to keep an eye on the fluid level in the transmission. How many liters of oil have leaked, so much needs to be poured back so that the volume in the box remains the same. Fill in the originals, or high-quality analogues.
Important! If you carry out a partial replacement, then you need to know which oil is filled in the box so as not to mix different liquids.
If you do not want to waste time and your nerves, then feel free to go to the service station. Changing the oil in the box, the price of which depends on the method of replacement and the type of gearbox, must be carried out by certified specialists. In this case, you can be calm about the further performance of the box.
There are two ways to change fluid:
partial oil change in the box;
complete replacement of the device.
With a partial replacement, about 40-50% of the liquid is updated, which is considered acceptable. It is important to remember that this procedure must be carried out after the car has warmed up well (you can drive 10-15 km before replacing). The cost of car service for a partial replacement is about 400-800 rubles (in Moscow), excluding the liquid itself.
Complete replacement is carried out with a special apparatus. With the displacement and circulation method, 100% fluid renewal can be achieved. The price for such a service averages from 1500 rubles, depending on the type of gearbox, and how much gear oil is replaced. If you do not want to save on your car, we recommend changing the fluid completely.
What are you filling in? Which gear oil is best, and how to make the right choice.
Each motorist is wondering what kind of oil to pour into the gearbox of his car so that the price is affordable, the quality of the fluid is good and fully meets the requirements of the transmission. And the market has a fairly wide range of lubricating fluids. They can be divided into several categories.
mineral;
semi-synthetic;
synthetic;
hydrocracking.
By viscosity:
high viscosity;
low viscosity.
By type of gearbox:
for automatic;
for mechanical;
for variators.
Of course, these are not all categories, but these are the most important ones to make the right choice.
A few words about the manufacturer.
Have you noticed how different the cost of liquids depends on the name of the manufacturer? The difference can be very noticeable, sometimes the price of well-known brands is 2-3 times higher. And if you look at the composition and requirements that the liquids meet, it turns out that they are identical.
Of the most famous brands of lubricants that are considered the best for cars, are: Castrol, Mobil, Shell, Elf, Liqui Moly, Total and others.
Also, there are originals, for example: Toyota ATF Type T-IV, Honda CVT, Nissan CVT NS-2. What one, what others are made from base oils with the addition of additives. Additives, in turn, are made by several well-known manufacturers in the world, and are used in all types of lubricants. It turns out that when buying liquids of well-known brands, you simply overpay for the name of the manufacturer.
So what kind of oil to pour into the box so as not to overpay for the name of the manufacturer?
If you decide to focus on quality, then YOKKI liquids, made in Singapore, will be the best choice. 100% replacement of originals, meet the highest requirements of API and ILSAC, have the same color as original gear lubricants. They are universal, only 7 types, replace 96% of all liquids.
You can find out more information about this product on our website, as well as purchase YOKKI lubricants at competitive prices.
Pay only for the quality, not the brand name.
In this article, we have sorted out the basic information about the types of transmission fluids, pricing, when and how to change, how much oil is in the gearbox, and which one is better to choose.
Perhaps you have questions? Then contact our experts and get detailed answers to them.
Fuels and lubricants for vehicles are substances that provide functionality, extending the service life. Among them is gear oil. It has certain technical characteristics, physical parameters, component composition. Therefore, you need to know how to choose a gear oil so that it meets the requirements of the vehicle.
What is gear oil?
Transmission oil is a lubricant used for the normal functionality of the following vehicle components:
- mechanical and automatic transmissions;
- transfer boxes;
- main gears of driving axles;
- steering mechanism;
- reducer.
The substance plays an important role in vehicles, so you need to understand how to choose gear oil so that all systems where it was used work as correctly and properly as possible.
How to choose products?
To choose a truly effective tool, you should consider several important factors. The main one is the recommendations of the car manufacturer. The company's advice is written in the vehicle's instruction manual. Having lost it, you need to find the corresponding document on the Internet. It is necessary to try to select the material by analyzing the characteristics and parameters of the machine.
What do the numbers on the package mean?
The first digits and the English letter W indicate the temperature regime for the possibility of using the material in winter. The presence of the letter W indicates that the oil can be used in winter, for example SAE 80W. The SAE 80 indication says that the products are only suitable for summer, here is the SAE80W-80 option - all-weather.
Where and how much is poured
The design of front-wheel drive vehicles implies the location of the tank in front of the engine, connected to the transexel. Depending on the manufacturer of the vehicle that developed the transmission system, the material will need 1.5-2.5 liters (maybe 2.5-3 liters). Before filling the system with gear oil, drain the old used lubricant using the drain hole located at the bottom of the engine compartment of the machine.
When is it necessary to change?
Like, changing gear oil is mandatory. It is preferable to change the lubricant every fifty thousand kilometers. This rule contains exceptions depending on the mileage of the car, the way the driver drives, and the operating conditions of the vehicle. Before choosing a gear oil and pouring it into the system instead of the old one, the above factors should be taken into account so that in the future the machine will work as properly and correctly as possible.
How long is the product stored?
The shelf life does not exceed five years. It often changes in accordance with the storage conditions of the material. In certain cases, they do not comply at all with the rules defined by the manufacturer (high or low temperature). If this happens, the shelf life will be significantly reduced. This change is often half the period of the possibility of using lubricants in vehicle mechanisms of various designs.
Why does the color change?
Gear oil has the property of cleaning the internal surfaces of gearbox parts from various contaminants (plaque, stains, streaks, deposits). They paint the material with their own shades in certain colors. The operation process changes the shade of the lubricant - it becomes more and more dark, which indicates its work. Before choosing a gear oil, you should read its full characteristics, parameters, properties in order to select a product that functions correctly in the car's transmission system.
Why does gear oil foam?
Transmission oil may start to foam during operation. This happens when there is increased wear on internal components, mixing of different materials, excessive lubrication levels, leaks, long-term use without replacement. In any of the above adverse cases, you need to know how to choose gear oil and change it. Without this information, the vehicle will not operate properly and reliably. In the near future, without doing anything, breakdowns of the power unit occur.
Oil and auto chemical goods stores from the TAM.BY catalog offer to buy gear oil for any season from various manufacturers at an affordable cost.
The gearbox (gearbox) is one of the most important elements of the car. Its proper operation affects the overall performance of the vehicle, and therefore it is very important to monitor its condition. The main point here will be the correct and timely oil change.
Many motorists entrust this procedure to specialists, although you can change the oil in the gearbox with your own hands. But how to do this, we will talk in this article.
In general, the general process of changing the oil on different models and brands of cars is the same.
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Changing the oil in the gearbox on VAZ cars (manual transmission)
On the example of a car VAZ 2114
You'll need:
- Funnel;
- A fairly long (about half a meter) thin hose (a syringe can also be used);
- Clean rags;
Instruction
1) . First of all, we need to heat the oil in the gearbox. Therefore, you should drive a couple of kilometers, after which we drive either to the flyover or to the pit and put the car on the handbrake.
2) . Remove the protection and rubber cap from the breather. We clean it.
4) . We substitute the drain container under the hole and unscrew the plug with the “17” key. We wait until the oil is completely drained, after which, tightly close the hole with a cork.
5) . Next, using a funnel with a hose or syringe, fill in the required amount of oil through the dipstick hole (remember, the oil level should not be higher than the mark « MAX)» . We install the probe in its original place and close the breather with a rubber cap.
Video
Changing the oil in the gearbox on Renault cars (manual transmission)
On the example of Renault Logan
You'll need:
- Head "10" or socket wrench;
- Tetrahedral key "8 mm";
- Pliers;
- Metal brush;
- Waste liquid container;
- Blower or funnel with hose (about 0.5 m);
Instruction
1) . After driving a few kilometers, we warm up the fluid in the gearbox, after which we drive into the pit.
2) . With a “10” head or a key, unscrew the six bolts securing the crankcase protection.
3) . We clean the housing from dirt (in the area of the filler hole is mandatory).
4) . Unscrew the plastic fill plug. We do this work manually, but if it doesn’t work, then you can use pliers.
5) . Carefully unscrew the drain plug so as not to damage the gasket and drain the waste liquid into a previously prepared container.
6) . We inspect the drain plug and its magnetic part for the presence of metal particles. The reason for the formation of minor particles can be the natural wear of the mechanism. Larger particles, with traces of chips or hardening, can tell us about possible damage to the gears.
7) . We wash the drain plug and clean its magnetic part from metal particles.
8) . Replacing the gasket, wrap the drain plug.
9) . Insert the hose from the blower or funnel into the filler hole. In cases of using a funnel, we lower its hose from the engine compartment.
10) . Fill with liquid (approximately 3.3 liters). The hole through which the liquid is poured is also a control one, a leak from which tells us that the norm is filled.
11) . We wrap the fill tube.
12) . We remove drips from the gearbox housing, as they are concentrators of dirt accumulation during operation. We clean the crankcase protection from dirt and mount it in its place.
Video
Changing the oil in the gearbox on Ford cars (manual transmission)
On the example of a Ford Focus 2 car
You'll need:
- Hexagon "on 8";
- Funnel with hose;
- Heads "for 17 and 19";
- Capacity for draining the waste liquid;
Instruction
1). We heat up the oil, as in previous cases, after which we drive into a viewing hole or overpass.
3) . After removing the cover, you will see two turnkey plugs. One of them (on the filler hole) for the internal hexagon "by 8", and the other (drain) under the head "by 19".
4) . We loosen the filler plug, unscrew the drain plug and drain the oil into a prepared container.
5) . After all the oil has drained, screw the plug back on and unscrew the filler plug.
7). After draining the flushing oil, pour in (approximately two liters) gear oil until it starts to flow out. Then screw on the filler plug.
8) . Install the gearshift cover in place.
Video
Changing the oil in the gearbox on Nissan cars (manual transmission)
On the example of Nissan Tiida
Instruction
1) . We unscrew the drain plug of the gearbox, drain the oil into a previously prepared container. We wait until the oil is completely drained.
2) . We replace the sealing ring on the drain plug in order to further exclude the possibility of oil leakage during vehicle operation.
4) . Insert the syringe tube into the filler hole and pour the oil into the box. You will need up to 3 liters of oil.
5) . The filler hole is also the level of the oil volume, that is, we pour oil into the gearbox until it runs back from here.
Video
Oil change in Toyota gearbox (automatic transmission)
On the example of Toyota Corolla
You'll need:
- Funnel with a thin neck;
- A set of keys and heads;
- Selected ATF fluid for automatic transmission (preferably Toyota ATF Type T-IV or Toyota WS);
- O-ring and filter;
- Kerosene or gasoline;
- Wooden spatula;
Instruction
1) . We warm up the car engine, after which we drive into a viewing hole or overpass.
2) . Open the gearbox drain plug.
3) . We twist the bolts on which the pallet rests. The first two bolts must be unscrewed completely, and the opposite ones not completely.
4) . Next, using a wooden spatula (so as not to spoil the gaskets and not to bend the pallet), carefully remove the pallet. It should hang on two not fully unscrewed bolts. Make sure that the gasket remains on the box body or on the pallet itself.
5) . Raise the pan and unscrew the remaining bolts. Remember, due to warming up, the oil is hot, and therefore this work must be done very carefully.
6) . Unscrew the differential plug and drain the remaining oil.
7) . Thoroughly wash the magnetic plug, magnets and the inner surface of the pallet in gasoline or kerosene, after which we wipe the parts with a dry cloth.
8) . We also wipe the place for installing the gasket with gasoline or kerosene, but also the seal itself. If necessary, we also replace the pan gasket.
10) . We return the magnets to their places.
11) . After all the constituent elements have been replaced, we assemble everything in the reverse order: we twist the magnetic plug, put the pallet in place and tighten the bolts.
12) . Screw the drain plug into place.
13) . Now you can pour oil through the filler hole. We fill a little less than was drained. In case of need, a little later it will be possible to top up.
14). To warm up the engine to operating temperature, start the car.
15) . While the engine is running, we transfer the automatic transmission selector in turn to the R-N-D-2-L modes, and then in the reverse order. Between positions we take a break of about 10 seconds. We perform this operation three times.
16) . The oil level can be checked with a dipstick. It should reach the top mark on the dipstick. Remember, when checking the oil level, the car must be on a strictly flat horizontal surface.
Video
Changing the oil in the gearbox on Opel cars (manual transmission)
On the example of Opel Astra
You'll need:
- Syringe;
- Container for draining used oil;
Instruction
1) . We warm up the engine and drive into a viewing hole or overpass.
2) . We turn off the oil drain bolt and drain the old oil into a previously prepared container.
3) . After the old oil is completely drained, put the drain bolt in place and fill the oil through the filler hole (it is also the control hole), using a syringe. Pour until it flows from there.
Changing the oil in the gearbox on Skoda cars (manual transmission)
On the example of Skoda Octavia Tour
You'll need:
- Hexagon "17";
- Oil drain tank;
- Syringe for filling oil;
1) . First of all, we heat up the oil, in connection with which it is necessary to drive several kilometers.
2) . We drive the car into a viewing hole or onto a flyover.
3) . The gearbox has plugs for draining (from the bottom to the bottom) and for filling / checking the level. Using a “17” hexagon, unscrew the bottom plug, and drain the oil into a pre-prepared container.
4) . We twist it back, and using the same hexagon, unscrew the plug for filling and level control. It will be quite difficult to pour oil into the gearbox from a canister, and therefore it is better to do this with a special syringe, which can be purchased at an auto shop or using a funnel with a hose.
5) . Fill until it starts to flow out of the filler plug.
6) . We twist the cork.
Video
Conclusion
It is best to drain the oil within 15-20 minutes after the trip, so that it is warm and drains well!
Good day, dear motorists! Changing the oil in the gearbox is a serious and responsible issue. We always have two options for action: either change the oil in the box with your own hands, or contact the services of a car service.
The technology for changing the oil in a manual transmission or transmission fluid in an automatic transmission does not represent any special "wisdom". You just need to know. And, if you have half an hour of free time, oil in the gearbox and a desire, then change the oil yourself.
What should be done to extend the life of the gearbox?
Like any mechanism in which rubbing parts are operated in intensive mode, mechanical and automatic transmissions equally require attention and timely maintenance. Especially when it comes to lubricants.
How can you extend the life of your gearbox on your own?
- if you do not have a tuned car, but an ordinary standard copy, then the operation of the car should take place in the standard mode. Smooth acceleration, regular braking, economical (cruising) speed mode within 100-120 km/h. - this will by default increase the life of the gearbox;
- : in a manual gearbox - smooth gear shifting with a squeeze clutch, in an automatic gearbox - the implementation of the rules for switching the selector;
- check how much oil is in the gearbox every 10,000 km, contrary to sometimes sounding opinions that an oil change is not required at all in a gearbox. Traditionally, in manual transmissions, the oil level should be at the lower edge of the oil filler neck, in automatic transmissions, according to the pointer on the dipstick. The volume of oil or transmission fluid must be indicated in the manual for each gearbox model individually;
- pour oil into a manual transmission, and oil into an automatic transmission, only recommended by the manufacturer, or its analogues. Yes, by the way, do not forget that it is not oil that is poured into the automatic transmission, but a special transmission fluid with the abbreviation ATF (automatic transmission fluid)
- observe the terms for changing the oil in the gearbox, which are usually indicated in the manuals of your car models. If the numbers are missing, then it is recommended to change the oil in the gearbox: manual transmission - 100,000 km. mileage or every seven years, automatic transmission - 90,000 km. run or every six years. Whichever comes first.
- systematically check for oil stains or drops of oil under your vehicle. This is a signal for the need for serious checkpoint diagnostics.
How to change the oil in a manual transmission?
We will need a lift, although where it is in the garage. Then a repair (inspection) pit or overpass. A standard set of tools, containers for draining used oil and a syringe, because transmission oil cannot be filled from the standard container.
All this is there, then let's get started:
- before putting the car in for an oil change at the checkpoint, you need to make a small “march”, about 10-20 km, so that the oil warms up and has fluidity. After a trip, an oil change should be started within 10-15 minutes;
- install the car in the pit;
- unscrew the oil filler cap in order to facilitate the draining of the oil, by the way, immediately check the condition of the sealing ring on the cap. If necessary, replace it;
- unscrew the drain plug and drain the oil into a container;
- we wrap the drain hole;
- pour oil into the oil filler hole with a syringe to the level of its lower edge;
- screw in the oil filler plug. That, perhaps, is all.
How to change the oil in an automatic transmission?
When changing the transmission fluid in, the initial steps and tools are the same as when changing the oil in the gearbox. After installing the car in the pit:
- disconnect the supply hose from the automatic transmission fluid cooler fitting.
- we lower the hose into a pre-prepared container with a volume of at least 5 liters;
- we start the engine with the selector lever "N" and drain the working fluid. When draining, the engine can run for no more than one minute. Otherwise, the transmission pump may fail;
- "turn off" the engine;
- we turn out the drain plug and drain the remaining transmission fluid from the box;
- we wrap the drain plug, pour fresh working fluid into the filling hole at the top of the box crankcase with a syringe. We fill in 5.5 liters. After removing the liquid level indicator;
- then, with a syringe, through the supply hose, pour 2 liters of liquid;
- we start the engine, and drain 3.5 liters of liquid through the hose;
- “turn off” the engine and again fill it with a 3.5 liter hose;
- we continue the last two operations until liquid in the amount of 8 liters flows out of the hose;
- then pour the working fluid into the box in the volume specified by the manufacturer.
Important! Do not fill in the transmission fluid "in reserve". The automatic transmission should be filled with exactly as much working fluid as indicated in the service manual. No more, no less.
Then check the transmission fluid level. There is a mark on the level indicator. Then take a short trip and check the fluid level again. Accordingly, the liquid must be level. Top up if needed.
Good luck with changing the oil in the gearbox with your own hands.
The daily route of most motorists is so monotonous that when traveling from home to work and vice versa, crossing the same intersections, passing the same streets, stopping and starting in the same traffic jams, they practically do not think about the technical side of the trip. Such an illusion of constancy dulls attention, and the moment when something went wrong, when a subtle discord penetrates the familiar harmony of events, is not at all difficult to miss.
How to protect your car gearbox from damage
Experts recommend that during regular trips, do not forget to check the level and condition of the transmission fluid by removing the dipstick from after the car has been stationary for a while. Fresh fluid poured into automatic transmissions has a distinct petroleum odor and is bright red in color. If so, you can not worry about the technical condition and performance of the gearbox of your car. But if the dipstick shows a low level of fluid, or its color resembles the color of worn linoleum, and the smell has persistent burnt notes, you should take care of changing the transmission fluid as soon as possible, because in this case the gearbox is in serious trouble.
The first action to be taken is a general inspection of the automatic transmission. A low transmission fluid level may indicate a leak in the system. If the leak is not caused by external damage, but is due to the specifics of the gearbox, then by adding the required amount of transmission fluid, you can completely solve the problem. At the same time, it must be understood that the volume of transmission fluid to be filled is significantly lower than the amount of engine oil that is poured into the crankcase. Especially when it comes to topping up.
In most cases, it will be enough to add less than half a liter of liquid for the level to reach the desired mark. Often, having noticed a lack of transmission fluid in time and adding it to the desired level, problems in the operation of an automatic transmission disappear on their own. Confirmation that there are no serious problems will be a transparent red liquid of a sweet smell flowing from the dipstick removed from the automatic transmission. But if, when checking the transmission level, it turns out that the liquid in the box has acquired a dark or smoky color, and also has a burnt smell, topping up will not be enough, and the damage to the gearbox has most likely already been caused.
Almost all modern automatic transmissions, except for stepless variators, have a torque converter lock, which is directly involved in eliminating slip and providing fuel economy. This mechanism is usually controlled by a special module. Its operation is influenced by indicators such as current engine speed, operating temperature and throttle position. If the motor is running on the highway at 500 rpm or more, it is quite possible that blocking will not occur.
In addition to lowering fuel consumption, this can also have very unpleasant consequences due to overheating of transmission mechanisms. It is recommended to check the connection of the cable from the common wiring harness to the gearbox, including for damage.
Perhaps the main way to avoid costly repairs to such a complex unit as an automatic transmission is to regularly change the transmission fluid. Previously, it was believed that the oil in the gearbox should be changed only in extreme cases, and in automatic transmissions, the oil was not changed at all. But today, many automakers have abandoned 100,000 or more runs without changing the fluid in the transmission, indicating in the manual for manufactured cars the recommended interval between oil changes in the gearbox is 30 thousand kilometers. Such recommendations are especially relevant for those car owners who regularly tow or often operate their vehicle under full load.
Changing the transmission fluid in the gearbox
The process of changing the oil in the gearbox is not so complicated. This work can be done on your own, although for this you will need to perform several “dirty” procedures. Draining of the used liquid must be carried out in a special container, and you should wait until the maximum amount of old liquid flows out. The problem is that in this way it will not be possible to remove all the liquid, a considerable part will remain in the torque converter, clutch drums and other components of the gearbox. But the old transmission fluid contains burnt particles of the fluid itself and other contaminants. To effectively change the oil in an automatic transmission, you will have to resort to a more complex type of maintenance.
Having decided not to seek the help of car service specialists to change the transmission fluid and do the work yourself, you should carefully prepare. First of all, you need to securely jack up the car, but it is better to hang the car on a lift. Be sure to block the rear pair of wheels.
When unscrewing the lid of the pallet, it is best not to completely unscrew a few bolts on one side. At the same time, it must be understood that the used transmission fluid, having poured out of the gearbox into the gap formed, can splash outside the container installed for draining the fluid. To avoid a strong spill of the waste liquid, you can use a pump, the hose of which is immersed through the probe hole inside the box.
By pumping out the liquid with a pump, it is possible to significantly reduce the uncontrolled spreading of used oil when it is drained from below. Experts advise starting the car engine and letting it run for a few seconds to completely drive out the used fluid. Professionals increase the efficiency of the procedure by pouring fresh liquid into the box with the box tray loose. Thus, fresh transmission fluid will almost completely wash out the remnants of "working out".
Drain, you can completely detach the pan. This will be required not only to replace the filter element, but also to remove sediment and deposits in the pan itself. In addition, visually inspecting the elements of the automatic transmission, one can draw certain conclusions about the degree of deterioration of the box and its possible failure. The presence of metal shavings or other debris is a serious signal indicating an early repair or replacement of the gearbox.
When installing a new filter, it is necessary to change the sealing gasket. When tightening the pallet mounting bolts, it is necessary to tighten them crosswise with the same initial force. It is recommended to tighten the bolts by hand until they stop, without using a wrench.
Often the cause of a gearbox leak is the deformation of the pallet. In this case, you can try to tap it with a hammer or use a special cork gasket installed on a special sealant. However, it is impossible to “get carried away” with the use of sealant, since its excess can penetrate inside the pan and clog the gearbox elements.
Many auto services and even shops selling automotive oils and accessories offer an instant oil change service. For this, special machines are used. But it is not recommended to use this option, because during the express oil change procedure, a significant amount of used fluid and its deposits will remain in the gearbox, which, having dissolved in a freshly filled “transmission”, can cause even more harm than driving with an old transmission fluid in the box . The pallet must be completely cleaned.
