How to change the oil in a Lada Vesta box

All car owners know about the need to change the engine oil of the Lada Vesta. Replacement is regularly done every 8 - 10 km. What can you say about changing the oil in the Lada Vesta gearbox? The first thing you need to do is decide on the type of transmission on a particular car. The Lada Vesta may have two of them, since the new one didn’t come out. In domestic manual transmissions and AMTs, transmission oil is filled in accordance with the regulations at the appropriate maintenance facility. But in a new Lada Vesta gearbox, the oil would not need to be changed at all. Is it so? And how to check the oil level in a manual transmission? Read the article - we will try to figure it out.

Does Vesta need to change transmission oil?

According to the technical regulations for the imported GFL13 box, oil is filled for the entire service life. However, experienced owners claim that the factory transmission oil of the Lada Vesta needs to be replaced after break-in (5000 km). Fans of Logan and other owners of the same Renault JH3 510 MT gearbox claim that with the “original” lubricating fluid, the gearbox is noisy and does not engage gears well. Most often, the semi-synthetic “French” is replaced with the fully synthetic Castrol Syntrans Transaxle (75w-90 GL4+), as well as the semi-synthetic ELF Tranself NFJ 75w-80.

In any case, no one has canceled the laws of physics. Any liquid wastes its potential. The Lada transmission loses its viscosity, protective, temperature and other properties. During operation of the machine, the lubricant becomes contaminated with decay products of rubbing pairs, which begin to act on the mechanism as an abrasive. The following factors indicate that an oil change is necessary:

the box begins to operate noisily for no other apparent reason;
The gears switch on and off indistinctly.

Top 2. TOTACHI ATF NS-3

Rating (2021): 4.73

The most affordable for CVTs The price of 1 liter of this oil is 200 rubles lower than the next ranking position. If the box is completely replaced, the difference will be 1,400 rubles.

Characteristics
Average price: 901 rub./l
Country: Japan

Synthetic Japanese oil for continuously variable transmissions is liked by drivers for its combination of performance and affordable cost. This is the most affordable fluid of NS-3 specification, which is required for Lada Vesta Jatco JF015E CVTs. It reliably protects gears, drive chains, bearings and seals under high temperature and high pressure conditions. Drivers note that with this oil the variator operates smoothly and silently. It retains its performance characteristics for a very long time and extends the life of the gearbox. The manufacturer claims that under normal operating conditions, the oil does not need to be changed at all. But still, most drivers play it safe and fill in a new one after 60-80 thousand km. The only drawback of the product is the lack of recommendations from the box manufacturer for its use.

Advantages and disadvantages

Affordable price
Excellent box protection
Smooth and silent operation of the variator
Lasts a long time

No manufacturer recommendations Jatco

What kind of oil to pour into the gearbox

In this matter, the principle “more expensive means better” does not work. It is important to know what oil manufacturers recommend for each specific box. To do this, we first determine the Lada Vesta gearbox index using the VIN code:

GFL13 indicates the discontinued Renault JH3 510 MT - and only the number 3 indicates this;
GFL11 is the designation of the VAZ-21807 manual transmission;
GFL12 – automated transmission of Lada Vesta.

Now, according to the index, we will select the fluid for each transmission:

GFL11 – for the Vesta manual transmission, the recommended lubricants are ZIC GFT 75W-85, TRANSELF NFJ 75W-80, Hochleistungs-Getriebeoil 75W-90, ZIC G-FF 75W-85;
GFL12 – suitable for the Lada Vesta robot are SHELL TRANSAXLE OIL, ROSNEFT KINETIC, LUKOIL TM-4, TNK TRANS KP SUPER;
GFL13 – no replacement.

Help: if you want to fully understand the decoding of the VIN Code on the Lada Vesta, then read this article

Review of Manufacturer Prices

Name / article / viscosity grade	Price in rubles (liter)
Mobile 1 SHC (75W/90)	From 650
Lukoil TM-5 (75W/90)	From 370
Castrol Suntrans Transaxle (75W/90)	From 550
Mobile GX (80W)	From 600
Lukoil TM-5 (85W/90)	From 350
Lukoil PSNT (75W/90)	From 350

Read also: DVR operating instructions
*prices are as of 03/11/19.

Is washing necessary, which one to choose?

It is necessary to flush an automatic transmission:

after long-term operation with old oil;
when replacement deadlines are delayed;
frequent use of equipment under load.

Tranself 75W-80

In all other cases, it is enough to limit yourself to the usual replacement according to the “drain-fill” principle. However, the manufacturer does not prohibit washing the “robot” every time the fluid is changed. The decision is made by the car owner individually.

How to check the oil level in an AMT and manual transmission box

Every 15 thousand kilometers you should check the transmission fluid level of the Lada Vesta box. To do this, use a 17-size wrench to unscrew the level control plug. It is located on the top of the gearbox housing near the junction of the gearbox input shaft with the flywheel. Simply put, there are no other traffic jams there, you won’t get confused.

The lubricant level should reach the bottom edge of the filler hole. If it is significantly lower, the transmission fluid should be added to the level. Note that the Lada Vesta gearbox is filled with TM-4-12 SAE 76W-85 GL-4 at the factory.

Top 1. NISSAN NS-3

Rating (2021): 4.75

The best according to the automaker This synthetic oil is recommended by the manufacturer of Jatco CVTs, which are installed on the modern Lada Vesta. This is what is poured at the factory.

Characteristics
Average price: 1120 rub./l
Country: Japan

Synthetic working fluid with excellent technical properties. A balanced additive package maintains an optimal set of characteristics at low and high temperatures. The oil does not thicken in the cold and does not oxidize during use. It prevents the formation of corrosion on the metal parts of the box. The liquid is gentle on seals and prevents seals from stretching and cracks. Therefore, the risk of leaks is minimal, and the oil’s properties last for an average of 60,000 km. With it, drivers experience smooth gear shifting, quiet operation of the transmission and absence of vibrations. However, the price of the working fluid seems high to many.

Why do you need to change transmission fluid?

Lada Vesta transmission oil consists of a petroleum base and special additives, which, over time, not only cease to perform their intended functions, but also disintegrate. This process is accelerated by an aggressive driving style, abrupt or untimely gear shifting. “Waste” oil ceases to protect the parts of the Vesta gearbox and cool friction pairs. In addition, metal shavings settling at the bottom are carried throughout the mechanism, which can contribute to the occurrence of scuffing and rapid wear of the main pair.

It is recommended to change the transmission fluid on domestic Lada gearboxes once every five years, or, with active driving, every 75,000 km. If the lubricant has not been changed for too long, the gearbox should be flushed before adding fresh oil.

Top 3. Ravenol CVTF NS3/J4

Rating (2021): 4.70

Best for cold winters The pour point of this oil is minus 57 degrees. It behaves well even in the northern regions.

Characteristics
Average price: 1624 rub./l
Country: Germany

Synthetic oil for CVTs is based on polyalphaolefins. It contains a complex of additives and inhibitors that are responsible for the stable operation of CVT continuously variable transmissions. The liquid retains excellent lubricity in severe frosts, has a high viscosity index and demonstrates good oxidation resistance. The oil perfectly protects gearbox parts from wear, cools, and resists corrosion and foaming. Car owners are satisfied with the quality of the product, its performance in severe frosts and the smooth operation of the variator. However, the price of this transmission fluid is significantly higher than the cost of oils from other popular brands.

Advantages and disadvantages

Low pour point
Reliable box protection
Corrosion resistance

High price

Factory oil

The Lada Vesta, produced by AvtoVAZ from the factory, is filled with transmission fluid TM 4-12 Tatneft Translux 75w85 API GL-4. This is a semi-synthetic liquid that operates in a wide temperature range - from -40 to +45 degrees, which is optimal for Russia. If you plan to change the lubricant, then it is advisable to do this not immediately, but not after 100 km. It is better to change the gearbox oil after the car has driven 4 or 5 kilometers.

The planned replacement of lubricant in the VAZ-21807 gearbox, as well as in the AMT, is due after 75,000, with aggressive driving after 35,000.

Replacing fluid in manual transmission Lada Vesta

On a warm Lada Vesta we drive onto a pit or lift. The used liquid must be drained immediately, because when it cools down it becomes more viscous and leaks worse.

First, we de-energize the Lada by removing the terminal from the battery;
We remove attachments that obstruct the path to the filler hole: air filter, pipes;
We unscrew either the control plug with a size 17 wrench, or the reverse switch, having first removed the wires from it (wrench 22). The location of the switch is more convenient for filling oil.
We go down, dismantle the technological hole for draining the oil from the gearbox or completely remove the engine protection (key 14 or 17);
We substitute a container for “working off” with a volume of 2.5 liters (2.2 to be precise);
Using a 17 wrench, unscrew the drain plug in the crankcase;
We wait for some time, let the liquid drain completely;
Screw the plug into place;
We insert a hose with a clean funnel into the switch or control hole, change the oil to the lower edge of the control plug or, more simply, until lubricant flows out of it;
After all the manipulations, close all the holes and check them for leaks. Then we install the protection in place. We remount the VF Frets, the removed pipes and terminals.

Replacing fluid in automatic transmission robot Lada Vesta

We drive 5-10 km;
We fix Vesta on an overpass, inspection hole or lift;
We remove the technological hole or protection of the vehicle’s internal combustion engine;
We disconnect the battery terminals, the clamps of the air pipes, and remove the air filter to the side;
We unscrew the transmission fluid control plug of the car’s automatic transmission;
We take a container for old oil with a volume of more than 2.5 liters;
Using a size 8 square wrench, unscrew the drain plug with the rubber seal;
We drain the liquid completely, to do this you should wait a little;
Screw the plug into the drain hole;
Using a clean 20 mm long hose and a funnel, pour transmission oil to the lower mark of the Vesta control window. Please note that the lubricant that is poured into the Lada robot is different from the mechanics;
We install the level control plug in place;
We assemble the attachments and put the car engine protection in place.

How to change oil fluid

Changing the fluid takes about 20 minutes. Warmed grease is easier to drain, so it is recommended to drive 5-10 km before the operation. The driver will need: keys, screwdrivers, a container for old substances, a hose and a funnel. The car should be placed on an overpass.

Disconnect the negative connection to the battery.
Remove the air filter.
Disconnect the reverse wires.
Having unscrewed the plugs with a key 17, drain the oil into the container.
Insert the hose into the reverse hole. The new substance must be poured through a funnel.
Having completely filled the tank, connect all terminals and wires, close all plugs.

If the quality of the drained oil is very poor (there are metal particles), the gearbox must be washed with a liter of flushing fluid, warming up the gearbox in second gear for 5-6 minutes.

The official Vesta maintenance regulations do not include the item of updating the transmission oil. Many motorists can agree with the factory that there is no need for this - the filled oil should last throughout its entire service life. But there are also many who believe that an oil change in the Lada Vesta gearbox is necessary even after the first maintenance. Whether it is necessary to do this - read our article.

Flushing the Lada Vesta gearbox

This operation is recommended when using the “old” fluid for too long, as well as when the condition of the old lubricant is assessed as: “very dark” or “with metal particles”. Cleaning is not difficult:

We drive into the inspection ditch, turn off the engine, remove the terminal from the battery;
Remove the protection, air filter and pipes;
We remove the lubrication control plug from the Vesta gearbox;
We unscrew the drain bolt and drain the old transmission;
Screw in the bolt;
Through the control hole, fill the gearbox with flushing fluid with a volume of 1-1.5 liters, close the hole;
We lift one or two driving wheels at once, while the machine must be firmly fixed;
We start the engine, engage second gear for 5 - 10 minutes;
Drain the liquid by unscrewing the drain plug and let it drain;
Close the drain hole;
Fill the box with new lubricant to the lower edge of the control window;
We screw in the bolt (plug), install the VF and its pipes in place, and put on the terminals.

Replacing the transmission fluid of a Lada 2180 is not a tricky matter, however, it is very important. If you know how and when to change fluids correctly, what lubricant to use, and most importantly, apply all this in practice, then the 2180 gearbox will serve you for a long time and properly.