There are often thematic forums on the Internet where disputes between motorists regarding the choice of engine oil do not subside. Some people only pour what is approved by the manufacturer, while other drivers do not adhere to such strict limits. A completely similar situation has arisen around the question of which gear oil is best for a particular car model. We will try to understand this issue in this article.
What do you need to know?
The purpose of transmission oil is approximately the same as engine oil, with minor differences. Such oil should evenly and effectively lubricate the rubbing components of the gearbox. This is needed for additional cooling and reducing the coefficient of friction. Many motorists never change the oil in the gearbox at all, which subsequently leads to the need to overhaul it.
In this article we will look at the line of domestic cars with a manual transmission. An automatic is a different topic for discussion, since everything is arranged differently there, but the oil also needs to be changed. First of all, let’s figure out whether it’s worth following the manufacturer’s recommendations. In addition, we will consider reviews from motorists regarding this or that brand of gear oil. In general, we will try to cover this issue as best as possible.
Tools and accessories
To change the oil in the “six” yourself, you will need the following tools and materials:
- wrench 17 (if the fasteners do not give in, an extension wrench may be required);
- a 12mm hex wrench, preferably also with a long tube, to increase the leverage of the applied force;
- waste container with a volume of 2 liters;
- a special syringe characterized by a curved end (a regular medical syringe is also suitable; instead of a needle, a hose about 25 centimeters long is attached to it);
- rags.
Which gear oil is better for VAZ-2107
Most motorists adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations. It is certified transmission oils with the necessary approvals that can ensure long-term and uninterrupted operation of the 2107 gearbox. Among the most popular lubricating fluids, the following are worth highlighting:
- Lukoil TM-5 85w-90.
- TNK Hypoid 80w-90 or 85w90.
- Spectrol 80w-90.
These are not all transmission oils suitable for use in the VAZ-2107 gearbox, but they have been tested and are considered to be of sufficient quality. However, not everyone adheres to these recommendations. Many experienced drivers recommend not to worry too much when choosing a transmission and stick to a more or less affordable option.
Instructions for changing and topping up oil in the gearbox of a VAZ-2106 car
Having first appeared in 1975, the VAZ “six” turned out to be a long-liver, and with figures close to record ones: it was produced until 2005, that is, 30 years, and during this time about 4 million copies rolled off the assembly line. It is safe to say that this model is one of the most popular models in the global automotive industry.
It is not surprising that today the VAZ-2106, along with all its modifications, is a frequently encountered car on the roads of post-Soviet countries. Relatively low cost, availability of spare parts and ease of operation, maintenance and repair are the main advantages of this model. Most car repair and maintenance operations can be done on your own, including changing the oil in the VAZ-2106 gearbox.
Gear oil group
In order to understand in more detail which gear oil is best for the VAZ-2107, it is necessary to consider several important characteristics of the lubricant. In particular, this applies to the group of lubricant compositions, which are:
- GL-4 – oils with a large number of additives. Excellent for use in boxes whose operating modes do not require high torques. There are also oils that, on the contrary, are more suitable for high torques;
- GL-5 is a group of oils intended for hypoid gears. If the car is equipped with a gearbox with a hypoid gear, then only GL-5 can be filled into the gearbox.
It is extremely important to choose the right oil group. This will ensure long-term operation of the gearbox even in difficult conditions. At the same time, do not forget about regular replacement, but we will talk about this a little later.
What kind of oil should I put in the box for VAZ 2101-VAZ 2107?
Welcome! What kind of oil should be poured into the gearbox on the “Classic”? How much oil is included in the box? We are asked these questions very often, but not all people usually know the answer to them, and therefore, especially for such people, we will cover these questions in more detail in the article.
What kind of oil should be poured into the box?
If we talk about cars of the “Classic” family with 4 and 5-speed gearboxes, then only special transmission oil is poured into it, which will lubricate all the gears that are in the boxes during their operation.
From what we read above, we understood that only transmission oil is poured into the box, and what is the viscosity class of this oil and what group should it be, you ask? For classics, the oil group should be either “GL-4” or “GL-5”. And the viscosity grade should be designated “SAE75W90”, or “SAE75W85”, or “SAE80W85”.
What do all these symbols mean and where are they located?
These designations are usually written on the boxes in which the oil is located, and they mean the viscosity class of this oil and the group to which this or that oil belongs, let’s look at it in more detail:
GL-4 - these oils contain a high content of additives. Basically, this type is used only on cars with step transmissions, which operate at high speeds but with low torque, and also at low speeds but with high torque.
GL-5 - these oils are created for use in “Hypoid gears are gears in which two gears rotate at an angle, see the photo below for an example of such a gear.” At the moment, on classics, the hypoid gear is located only in the gearbox and therefore, as you already understood, only oils of the “GL-5” group must be filled into the gearbox. But this group of oils has also found its application in gearboxes, but basically this group is used only for gearboxes that constantly operate under difficult operating conditions.
SAE75W90 is, as such, an oil viscosity class, and this abbreviation means that the oil is semi-synthetic or simply synthetic; such oil is also commonly called all-season oil, because if you look at the numbers at which the oil either freezes or boils, then these numbers come out beyond +35 and -40, in this regard, such oil can be used on cars that are used in Russia, because such a climate is considered practically the norm for our country.
SAE75W85 - this viscosity class is also used for so-called all-season oils, and the temperature at which the oil will solidify goes beyond -40 and should not exceed +45, otherwise the oil may boil.
SAE80W85 – and the last type of oil viscosity, 80W-85, which boils at degrees above +35 and does not freeze down to -30 degrees.
How much oil is included in the box on a classic?
Many people are accustomed to asking this question in exactly this form, but in fact this is an incorrectly posed question, because the oil is located in the transmission crankcase as such, and therefore it would be correct to ask your question this way: “How much transmission oil will go into the box crankcase? »
In fact, this is not so important, the essence remains the same anyway, so let’s move closer to the answer to the question posed, and it will sound exactly like this: If a 4-speed gearbox is installed on a car, then only 1 .35 liters of transmission oil, and if the gearbox is 5-speed, then all 1.6 liters!
How to change oil in boxes?
- How to change the oil in a box - on a classic?
About viscosity grade
If we talk about models such as VAZ-2106, 2107, then for these cars they most often choose a lubricant with a viscosity of 75w90. This is a synthetic or semi-synthetic base. This gear oil is excellent for use in harsh weather conditions. The temperature range at which this lubricant can be used is from -40 to +35 degrees Celsius.
In addition, oils with viscosity 75w85 and 80w85 are widely used. These are all-season lubricants that are also excellent for use in low temperatures. It is worth noting that the manufacturer recommends using these viscosity grades. In general, oils such as TNK or Lukoil of the corresponding group and class can be poured into domestic classics.
What kind of oil should be poured into the box?
If we talk about cars of the “Classic” family with a 4-speed and 5-speed gearbox, then only special gear oil is poured there, which will lubricate all the gears that are in the boxes during their operation.
From the above, we understand that only transmission oil is poured into the box, and what viscosity grade does this oil make and what group should it be, you ask? For classics, the oil group should be either “GL-4” or “GL-5”. The viscosity grade must be designated “SAE75W90”, or “SAE75W85”, or “SAE80W85”.
Which gear oil is best for Kalina?
Very often there are opinions from motorists that the oil in the gearbox does not need to be changed throughout the entire life of the car. But in reality this is somewhat different. After all, such a composition loses its performance characteristics over time, so it needs to be changed periodically. As for the Lada Kalina car, most owners of this car recommend using TNK TRANS KP Super. Transmission oil from this manufacturer makes the gearbox quieter and gear shifting smoother.
But there are some nuances here too. Firstly, it is advisable to give preference only to original lubricants. Secondly, after a major overhaul or during break-in, you can pour the simplest TAD-17 oil. As for the replacement interval, you should not wait longer than 150 thousand kilometers. If the replacement is made untimely, the service life of the box will decrease. Therefore, it is not recommended to delay this issue.
How to check the oil level in a box with topping up
It is recommended to check the transmission oil level in the VAZ-2106 gearbox on a cold car. If the procedure is carried out immediately after a trip, you must wait at least 10 minutes (depending on the time of year and ambient temperature) for the oil to drain from the gearbox parts into the crankcase.
The level is checked not using a dipstick, as on an engine - it is filled to the upper edge of the filler hole located on the side plane of the gearbox.
The algorithm for checking and topping up the oil level in the gearbox is extremely simple:
- unscrew the oil filler plug, clean it of dirt, if necessary
- use a metal brush and wipe it dry;
- checking the oil level - visual: if there is more than needed, it will flow out of the hole, if less, it needs to be added using a syringe;
- screw the oil filler plug into place;
- Wipe away transmission fluid leaks with a rag.
What and when to pour into the VAZ-2110 gearbox?
The box, which is used in the domestic “ten”, is quite durable and hardy. But this is only subject to proper operation and timely replacement of transmission oil. The most suitable for the VAZ-2110 gearbox can be considered a synthetic base. This is especially true for cars that are operated in extreme conditions. True, synthetics have one drawback, which is their high cost. But, given the replacement interval, you can spend money. As a last resort, it is permissible to use semi-synthetic oils. But you can’t mix synthetics and semi-synthetics. You shouldn't forget about this.
If we talk about which gear oil is best for the VAZ-2110, then the first thing you need to decide on is the viscosity. There are summer, winter and all-season transmission oils. The latter are the most popular due to their versatility. True, the price tag for such a lubricant is a little higher, but it’s worth it. The manufacturer recommends TM-14-2 oil, which is what needs to be poured into the box. There are better analogues, such as Lukoil-Super. True, the base here is mineral, so it is not suitable for gears, but it supports the operation of synchronizers perfectly. Valvoline SynPower is a Dutch synthetic oil. It is expensive, but the performance characteristics are at the highest level.
Replacement instructions
Changing the lubricant in the VAZ 2106 transmission may be required when purchasing a used car. Having bought a used car, you should check the condition of the lubricant and its level. If it is not known what kind of oil was used, it is better to replace it. The lubricant should also be changed if it is coffee or black in color or if it contains silver dust.
How much to pour?
The VAZ 2106 lubricant should be checked every 10 thousand kilometers. In this case, its level should reach the lower edge of the drain hole. The check should be carried out with the car sitting for some time at rest so that the liquid drains from the walls. To check, unscrew the filler cap and see what level the oil is at. If the level is insufficient, the liquid should be added.
The VAZ 2106 gearbox oil can be filled with 80W-90, 85W-90 from any manufacturer. The quality of the transmission fluid determines how the car will start at sub-zero temperatures. If you have the financial opportunity, it is better to use synthetics or semi-synthetics. How much oil to pour depends on the gearbox. About 1.6 liters are poured into a five-speed gearbox, and 1.35 liters into a four-speed gearbox. The grease is poured with a syringe until it flows over the edge.
Tools
To carry out the replacement procedure, you will need the following tools:
- open-end or socket wrench size 17 (if the part is stuck, you can use a head with a knob);
- 12 hex with a longer tube to increase the lever of action;
- two-liter container for waste liquid;
- a special syringe for filling lubricant, the end of which has a curved tube, or a regular syringe with a hose about 20-25 cm long attached to it;
- clean rag.
It is better to carry out the replacement in an inspection pit, overpass or lift - it is more convenient to drain the lubricant.
Replacement steps
It is better to change it when the car is warm, preferably after a trip.
First, you should unscrew the drain plug on the VAZ 2106 gearbox housing. To do this, use a wrench or hexagon. Having torn the plug from its place, you can then unscrew it by hand
Be careful when doing this as the liquid is hot. Place a container under the drain hole to drain the old lubricant.
The used lubricant is poured into a container
After all the fluid has been drained from the gearbox, wipe the seat and drain plug with a clean rag. Then the drain plug is screwed back in, without applying much effort, so as not to strip the thread.
At the next stage, use a 17 key or a socket to unscrew the plug on the filler hole. The traffic jam is located on the right side in the direction of travel of the car.
The filler plug is unscrewed
Filling is done using a special syringe. Remove the cap on the syringe, add oil, then screw the cap back on. After this, the curved end of the syringe is inserted into the filler hole. Using the handle, the lubricant is squeezed into the hole. You can make a filling device with your own hands. To do this, take a large plastic syringe, put a thin hose on it, securing it with tape.
The syringe usually has a volume of 0.5 liters, so the procedure must be repeated several times. Fill the lubricant until it begins to flow over the edge; this determines the level of the poured oil.
After filling in the liquid, pull out the syringe and tighten the filler plug without any effort.
At the last stage, the presence of smudges and leaks is checked. If there is a leak under the drain cover, tighten it. If the leak does not stop after this, the gasket or cap should be replaced.
After draining the used oil, you need to examine it for the presence of metal chips. If it is found, then the gearbox requires repair. When changing the lubricant, you should check the box for cracks and there should be no leaks on it. All detected leaks must be repaired before changing the oil.
If the drained fluid is very contaminated, it is advisable to flush the gearbox housing before adding new lubricant. To do this, prepare a mixture of 30% diesel fuel and transmission fluid in a volume of approximately one liter, or use a ready-made special flushing fluid. This mixture is poured into the transmission and one rear wheel is jacked up. Start the engine, engage forward gear and let the engine run for several minutes. Then the mixture is drained and new oil is added.
It is important to monitor the quality of transmission oil throughout the entire operation of the VAZ 2106. As soon as it gets dark, it needs to be changed. This way you extend the life of your car
Checkpoint "Niva Chevrolet"
The domestic SUV is extremely passable and reliable, but requires careful maintenance. In particular, this applies to a manual transmission. It is allowed to use oil of group GL-4/GL-5 or GL-5. For normal operation of the unit, oils with the following viscosity are best suited: SAE 75W-90, 80W-85 and 80W-90. If you comply with all the above requirements, the box will work much quieter and longer.
Among motorists, a rating of proven transmission oils has long been formed. It is best to pay attention to them. If you are asking the question: “Which gear oil is best for the Chevrolet Niva?”, then you should definitely try Eneos 80W90 Gear GL5. This lubricant showed excellent performance at low temperatures, maintaining acceptable fluidity. True, it is sold only in 4-liter cans, which is not very convenient. Also, many motorists advise trying Castrol Syntrax Universal Plus. This is an expensive transmission that provides impeccable softness of gear shifting with a long replacement interval - 300 thousand kilometers.
Recommendations for choosing oil
Any oil with viscosity values 75W90, 75W85, 80W85, 80W90, 85W90 is suitable for filling into a mechanical five- or four-speed VAZ gearbox. Questions arise when it is necessary to solve the dilemma of which oil is better to fill in the VAZ-2106 gearbox: mineral water, semi-synthetic or synthetic.
An important and at the same time practically the only advantage of mineral water is its low cost, which is one and a half to two times lower than synthetics or semi-synthetics. This is due to the composition of such a lubricating fluid, which does not contain any additives. At the same time, the lubricating properties of mineral oil are quite decent, allowing you to operate a car without changing the oil for 60 - 75 thousand kilometers. A significant disadvantage of mineral water is a decrease in viscosity in severe frost, which makes it difficult to change gears on a cold engine.
The only drawback of semi-synthetic and synthetic gear oils is their high cost. But they have more than enough advantages: excellent manufacturability, the presence of wear-reducing additives for gearbox parts, and the possibility of trouble-free operation in a wide temperature range.
Total Transmission Dual 9 FE 75W90
Among some car enthusiasts, there is an opinion that the use of synthetic oil in the VAZ-2106 gearbox contributes to squeezing out the oil seals, which leads to their leakage. In reality, such problems have nothing to do with the type of transmission fluid used; their cause lies in the wear of parts and components of the gearbox.
What is best for the Priora checkpoint?
Approximately 90% of owners of this sedan prefer to pour exactly what the manufacturer recommends. The whole point is that Priora is advised to fill it with Lukoil TM-412. This is a relatively inexpensive, but at the same time high-quality lubricant, which is available in all car dealerships. However, there are many other suitable gear oils. For example, Rosneft, Castrol, Motul, etc. are often used. The last two options are the most preferable. True, their cost is much higher than their domestic counterparts.
It is better not to use mineral-based oils. This lubricant oxidizes much faster and therefore requires more frequent replacement. In addition, there will be uneven wear of the rubbing parts, which will ultimately lead to physical vibrations and deterioration of the operation of the unit as a whole. Therefore, it is advisable to fill in high-quality synthetic all-season gear oil. If you observe the intervals and do not overload the gearbox, then it will work for a long time and properly. Which gear oil is best for Priora? Usually, high-quality TM-412 lubricant is sufficient, but more expensive analogues can also be used.
Tuning VAZ 2106 → How to choose the right gear oil
The name does not mean that any unit related to a car transmission is lubricated with gear oil.
For most front-wheel drive passenger cars, manufacturers require that engine oil be poured into the gearbox combined with the main gear. The gears in such units are only cylindrical, so the risk of scuffing is low. Neither transmission nor engine oil is suitable for automatic transmissions. These devices are specific; their operation requires a low-viscosity fluid, which in international practice is commonly called ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). As for ordinary cars and trucks with a classic layout, as well as all-wheel drive and some front-wheel drive, their units use exclusively transmission oils. “Synthetics” or “mineral water” in relation to gearbox gears, in principle, does not make much difference from an economic point of view - “mineral water” is more profitable.
When choosing oil for transmission components, they are usually guided by two criteria:
* specific loads acting in the mechanism; * relative sliding speeds.
Depending on this, oils are selected that differ in viscosity and amount of additives, primarily extreme pressure. The latter, as a rule, contain sulfur compounds, which cause chemical changes (modification) of the metal in critical conditions. The surface layer of the material does not tear out, forming scuffs, but turns into a thin film, which subsequently becomes a wear product. Despite the fact that the metal is chemically “corroded”, the overall wear and tear under difficult operating conditions is less.
There is a small caveat to this reasoning: chemical modification can reduce wear on steel or cast iron. Non-ferrous metals from which synchronizers are made do not get along well with sulfur compounds and, as a rule, wear out faster in their presence.
Today, passenger cars use transmission oils of two groups: GL-4 and GL-5 according to the foreign classification or TM-4 and TM-5 according to the domestic one.
GL-4, according to the API classification, is suitable for front-wheel drive VAZ models, GL-5 - for all other domestic cars. There is also a universal oil - GL-4/5.
The type of oil for foreign cars can be easily clarified in the catalog or in the operating manual.
Contrary to popular belief that GL-5 oils are of higher quality than GL-4 oils, this is not the case.
These classes are simply different - one cannot say that one of them is worse or better. For example, the use of API GL-5 oil in a VAZ 2109 gearbox can be detrimental to synchronizers, while API GL-4 oil is recommended by VAZ for use in such gearboxes.
“Transmission units” of the GL-5 type can be divided into three subgroups:
* SAE 85W90 - mineral “Norsi”, “Rexol”. * SAE 80W90 - “mineral water”, but less thick “Spektrol-Forward”, “Vels TM”, Mobil Mobilube HD, Texaco Geartex EP-C. * “semi-synthetics” and “synthetics” (class according to SAE 75W-90). Domestic manufacturers have ceded this niche to foreign products: BP Energear SGX, Teboil EP, Motulgear, etc.
The TAD-17I transmission oil, well known to several generations of car enthusiasts, is now a thing of the past - it has been replaced by an analogue TM5-18. Containers with old markings have been left in storage or are counterfeit.
But choosing according to the level of performance properties is not everything. It is also necessary to determine the viscosity of the lubricant purchased. The following reasoning applies here.
Oils whose viscosity at 100°C is not lower than 24 mm2/s, i.e. class “140” according to SAE (and even more so “250”), are preferable only for hot southern climates. In the moderate temperature zone, it is better to focus on class “90”. And since it is more rational to use “all-season” oil, we can talk about varieties with indices 75W-90, 80W-90 and 85W-90. The latter is not very suitable for any harsh winter. Oil class 80W-90 according to SAE is quite universal, and 75W-90 allows you to not experience any difficulties.
The best choice for domestic classics
Mechanical gearboxes, which are installed on domestic cars, have several irrefutable advantages. Firstly, this is an extremely reliable unit that does not require expensive maintenance. Even if there is a need for major repairs, it will be relatively inexpensive.
However, regular maintenance should not be neglected. It is advisable to purchase lubricant from trusted places and not skimp. The replacement interval is 3-4 years or 150 thousand kilometers, whichever comes first. This is not motor oil that needs to be changed every 8-10 thousand miles. An excellent choice would be Castrol or Motul. From budget and high-quality, I can recommend.
Reviews from motorists
It is also necessary to pay attention to the opinions of experienced drivers. The fact is that sometimes it is not advisable to buy expensive gear oils, because some domestic ones have no worse performance characteristics. For example, many people ask the question: “Which transmission oil is best for the VAZ-2106?” The manufacturer recommends filling with Rexol T Hypoid or Lukoil TM-5. But motorists do not always pour these exact oils.
This is especially true for drivers who love and care for their cars. In this case, very often preference is given to more expensive foreign analogues, such as Castrol or Shell. Liquid Moly is very popular. Two liters of lubricant costs about 1,000 rubles. It may seem expensive to many, but it's worth it. This is a synthetic transmission that is simply perfect for domestic gearboxes.
What and how much oil should be poured into the Fiat (Polonaise) gearbox of a VAZ Classic.
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GL-5. These oils are intended for use in Hypoid gears. these are gears where two gears rotate at an angle, like looking at the photo a little lower.” At the moment, the hypoid gear is only in the gearbox on the classic, and, as you already understand, the gearbox needs to be filled with GL-5 oils. But this group of oils has also found its application in the box, but mainly this group is used only for the box, which constantly operates under difficult operating conditions.
Let's sum it up
So we figured out what kind of oil to fill in different car models. Currently, the choice of gear oils is simply huge. Therefore, you can find a suitable option for both the Niva and the VAZ-2114. What gear oil is best to fill? Definitely original. The fact is that today fakes are quite common. Therefore, you should buy only in trusted places, preferably from a dealer. But this applies to foreign oils. Domestic ones are counterfeited very rarely, due to their low cost.
From all this we can draw a simple conclusion that you just need to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Especially if you prefer a confident driving style. If the box is regularly subjected to increased loads, then it is advisable to use appropriate oils. In general, the gearbox of domestic cars is very reliable, but do not forget about its maintenance. In this case, you can count on a very long service life of the gearbox. Typically, it lasts about 300,000 kilometers before a major overhaul with moderate driving. If you turn the engine up to 5 thousand revolutions, then you should not expect more than 100 thousand kilometers.
Complete oil change
Since checking the oil level is not required, it is advisable to change it when the car is warm. Sequencing:
We install the car on a pit, overpass or blocks to gain access to the drain hole located on the bottom of the box housing. We place the prepared container under the drain hole. We unscrew the drain plug using a hex wrench, being extremely careful as the oil is hot. When the waste stops dripping, thoroughly clean the drain hole and seat from dirt, tighten the drain plug without being too enthusiastic (so as not to strip the thread). Using a socket or wrench 17, unscrew the filler plug located on the side wall of the box on the right along the direction of the car. Filling with fresh transmission oil is done using a special syringe with a curved end, although it is quite possible to use a regular large-volume syringe by attaching a rubber or plastic hose 15–25 cm long to its lower end using tape. Since the volume of a special syringe is 500 cm 3, and it is also quite difficult to find a syringe of a larger volume in pharmacies, filling should be done several times, and quite slowly. When liquid begins to flow out of the filler hole through the top, this means that the required level has been reached. We tighten the plug, also without applying excessive force. We check for the presence or absence of leaks, first of all - from the drain hole
If necessary, tighten the plug.
After completing the procedure, we check the used oil for the presence of metal shavings, crumbs and microparticles. If any, this indicates the need for transmission repair. We visually inspect the housing for cracks and leaks; if they are present, it is necessary to eliminate the detected defects.
If the waste is black in color, indicating that it is heavily contaminated, it is advisable to flush the gearbox housing before using a VAZ model 2106. For this procedure, you will need to mix 0.7 liters of transmission fluid and 0.3 liters of diesel fuel (you can use a ready-made flushing mixture sold in auto chemical departments). We pour the resulting liquid into the box, jack up one of the drive wheels, start the engine, and let the engine run in one of the forward gears for several minutes. Drain the flushing fluid and fill in new one.
Regular oil quality will help determine whether it needs to be replaced ahead of schedule. If the transmission fluid becomes very dark, an unscheduled replacement should be carried out, which will help extend the life of the manual transmission.
