When to change the oil in the gearbox? Advice of specialists

If the engine lubricant fluid is clear, then the question is when to change the oil in the gearbox and whether it should be done at all, for many motorists is still open. It seems that everything is airtight, there are no soiling inside, so there seems to be no need to replace it. Moreover, some manufacturers claim that the oil they fill will be sufficient for the entire life of the vehicle.

So do I change the oil in the gearbox or ride and do not worry about it?

Why you need a replacement

The composition of both motor and transmission oils includes base and additives. Based on this, their properties are revealed, and additives also improve performance by performing various functions.

In addition to lubricating, gear oils accomplish another important task: they remove heat from gears that are in mesh.

On average, the temperature in the checkpoint is kept at a level of one hundred and fifty degrees, and in the gearing itself it reaches three hundred. With such high loads, the grease naturally begins to foam and lose its useful qualities. In automatic gearboxes, it also plays the role of working fluid, transferring the torque from the motor to the gears.

If it comes to foamed grease, the machine simply can not go. In this case, even special radiators designed to cool the liquid will not help. However, the situation is saved by special additives that are part of the oil.

When to change oil in the gearbox

So, replacement can be required because of the fact that additives over time lose their functionality. They cease to reliably protect friction parts, because of which the latter are subject to rapid wear. Foam oil can cause a bully of the main gear.

As a result, the gears begin to hum. And in half a hundred kilometers the process of their destruction will begin. It all ends up wedging the box, and it will be impossible to drive. This is typical for front and all-wheel drive. For rear-wheel drive vehicles with a manual gearbox, there are no strong temperature loads of oil. Therefore, it can be used up to twenty thousand kilometers longer than with an automatic transmission. Usually when the time comes, when changing the oil in the gearbox is necessary, and the period of oil change in the gearbox. The procedure is carried out in order to remove the dirt and shavings that are released during the operation of the gears, which come out together with the lubricant.

To ensure that the mechanism wears less and lasts longer, usually manufacturers designate the time, after which to change oil in the gearbox, equal to fifty to sixty thousand runs, and under extreme conditions of operation, even less - from thirty to forty thousand.

However, there are a number of models in which the transmission grease is poured for the duration of operation. In such cases, there is not even a drain plug and dipstick to check the level.

Variatory automaton

Separately it is necessary to say about the automatic transmission, namely the variator variants. To understand when to change the oil in an automatic transmission of this type, you need to study their operating principle. The fact is that they are not arranged in the same way as conventional transmission, although they belong to the class of automatic transmissions. The mode of their functioning is more rigid, therefore the lubrication for such boxes is required special. It is recommended to change once in fifty thousand kilometers, and if usually the ride is of an intense nature, then once in thirty thousand. Periodicity of such a replacement must be strictly followed, since in such conditions the additives lose their properties much faster.

As for whether to wash the unit when replacing it or not, just like in the case of engine oil, there is no consensus among the specialists. I just want to say that if this is done, it is best to use the same oil, which will be filled in the future. Such washing will ensure the stable and long-term operation of the transmission in the future.

Checking

The oil level in the manual transmission is usually checked after the machine has been idle for the night. The longer she stood with a muffled motor, the more accurate the results will be to understand when to change the oil in the gearbox.

To do this, wipe the crankcase, where the speedometer drive is located. The bolt is turned out, the fasteners are removed, and then the assembly is removed. The bolt itself, of course, it is better to water it with a "vedeshka" and be careful not to tear the head.

The check is carried out by the drive gear of the speedometer. A slight excess of the level is permissible. But its shortage should not be in any case.

Replacement

If the recommended mileage is passed, and the time has come when to change the oil in an automatic or manual transmission, or if you came to the conclusion that you need to do this urgently, the process starts on a preheated engine.

Draining is performed by unscrewing the plug located in the base of the crankcase. It is pre-wiped and replaced with a container. After leakage, the thread is wiped off, a new washer is put on, and the plug is fixed in place.

It should be noted that the automatic gearbox can not completely drain the oil. However, it will be enough to remove the abrasive from inside.

What kind of oil should I pour

It is important not just to know how often to change the oil in the gearbox and follow it, but also to use exactly the lubricant that is suitable for your car. Acquire a liquid that is prescribed by the car manufacturer. However, if the operation manual is not preserved, then follow the general recommendations.

Oils, both motor and transmission, are mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic.

Mineral is usually used only in individual trucks and domestic rear-wheel-drive cars.

Semisynthetics is also shown to our cars and those foreign cars that are operated at low revs. It is inexpensive and has better characteristics than mineral water.

Synthetic oils are the most expensive, but they are equipped with the best package of various additives, the properties of which last much longer. Therefore, the period after which to change the oil in the gearbox, when using synthetics will increase.

For an excellent work CAT is better, of course, do not spare money for oil and use synthetics. ATF (oil for automatic transmission) can often be used for mechanics: it has better characteristics in comparison with those oils that are recommended for manual transmission.