Changing the oil in the VAZ gearbox of Lada Granta, Kalina, Priora, Vesta and XRAY

December 18, 2020 Lada.Online 160 338 28

Lada Granta, Lada Priora and Lada Kalina 2nd generation cars are equipped with the same type of gearbox. If we are talking about “mechanics” (manual transmission 2180 and 2181). An automated transmission (AMT or “robot”) is also built on this basis. Let's look at the process of changing gearbox oil in detail.

Gearbox model	Installed on the car
Manual transmission 2112	Lada Priora
Manual transmission 1118	Lada Kalina
Manual transmission 1119	Lada Kalina
Manual transmission 2180	Lada Kalina 2, Lada Granta, Lada Priora
Manual transmission 2181	Lada Kalina 2, Lada Granta
Manual transmission 21807	Lada Vesta
Manual transmission 2190	Lada Granta
AMT (based on manual transmission 2180)	Lada Priora, Granta, Kalina, Vesta, Lada XRAY

Changing the gearbox oil (AVTOVAZ instructions)

Changing the oil in gearboxes 21820, 21809.

Place the car on a two-post lift, apply the parking brake and turn off the ignition (two-post lift type P3.2G with a lifting capacity of 3.2 tons).

Disconnect the ground wire terminal from the battery.

Remove the engine splash guard.

Unscrew plug 1, Figure 4-2, and drain the oil from the 3rd gearbox (ring key 17, installation type 24164 f. "ALFA" (Italy) for collecting used oil).

Figure 4-2 – Hole plugs for changing the oil in the gearbox: 1 – oil drain plug; 2 – oil filler plug; 3 – gearbox

Degrease the threads in the gearbox housing and on the plug, apply sealant to the threaded part of the plug (white spirit, application rate 2 g; PS-1 sealant, application rate 1 g).

Screw plug 1 into the oil drain hole in the 3rd gearbox housing. The tightening torque of the plug is 29…46 N.m (2.9…4.6 kgf.m) (replaceable head 17, knob, torque wrench).

Unscrew plug 2 for filling oil (ring key 17, installation type 24164 f. "ALFA" (Italy) for collecting waste oil).

Pour oil into the gearbox. The control oil level should be at the lower edge of the filler hole (filling unit S-223-1 for transmission oils, transmission oil GL-4 according to API classification, consumption rate - 2.25 l).

The oil level in a gearbox without an oil level indicator should reach the lower edge of the filler hole.

The oil level in gearboxes with an oil level indicator must be between the “F” and “L” marks of the level indicator, Figure 54 (filling unit type C-223-1 for transmission oils);

Figure 54 – Oil level indicator in gearboxes 2180, 2182

Screw in the filler plug (if any) (replaceable head 17, extension, wrench, torque wrench).

Install the oil level indicator (if equipped) into the hole in the gearbox housing and secure with a bolt. Bolt tightening torque 4…6 N.m (0.4…0.6 kgf.m) (replaceable Torx E8 head, extension, torque wrench).

Install the engine splash guard (replaceable head 10, knob).

Connect the earth wire terminal to the battery.

Change frequency and types of oil used

According to the manufacturer's instructions, transmission oil in old Grants should be changed approximately every 70,000 kilometers, or once every five years (whichever comes first). In the case of gearbox 2181, the oil will have to be changed almost three times less often - once every 200,000 kilometers. Another important aspect regarding gearbox maintenance is checking the oil level and its consistency. For older boxes, a period of 15,000 kilometers between checks is set, and they have a special dipstick for checking the level. Box 2181 does not provide for oil level control, so there is no dipstick in the design.

In addition, in boxes 2181 and 2190 the volume of the transmission oil sump is significantly different - in old boxes it is 3.3 liters, in new ones it is 2.2. Be sure to remember this when changing the oil - an insufficient oil level (as well as an excessive one) will definitely not benefit the gearbox.

As a rule, the factory oil that is poured into Grant boxes is semi-synthetic and belongs to the GL-4 class. Below is information about the types of factory oil being poured (this does not mean that this is what you should fill in - there are better options on the market, but this information may be useful if you decide to add oil rather than make a complete replacement):

— For box 2190: LukOil TM-4 and ROSNEFT KINETIC 80W85 (these brands of oils were used for a short time, for several months from the start of production of the Lada Grant), TATNEFT TRANSLUX markings TM-4-12, 75W85 (used since 2012);

— For box 2181: TATNEFT TRANSLUX and ROSNEFT KINETIC marking 75W85.

Changing the oil in manual transmission and AMT (photo report from the owner)

About the volume of oil in the gearbox . Depending on the type of manual transmission, different amounts of gear oil may be required:

Manual transmission with traction control drive - 3.1 liters.
Manual transmission with cable control drive or AMT (robot) - 2.25 liters.

You will need : a set of keys, new gear oil, an empty container, a funnel and a hose. Warm up the oil in the gearbox (drive 5-10 km) so that it becomes less viscous.

Procedure (author Vladim74):

We find the drain hole on the gearbox housing from the bottom of the car and unscrew it using a “17” wrench.
We drain the old gear oil into an empty container, which we place under the drain hole.
We fill in new transmission oil through a hose that we insert (depending on the type of manual transmission): instead of a dipstick (for convenience, the air filter housing can be unscrewed and moved to the side), or instead of the reverse switch, which we unscrew with a “22” key.

Add oil to the gearbox

conveniently through the yellow plug. Only the air resonator needs to be removed (for Lada Vesta/XRAY). The plug itself is attached to one bolt with a TorX head, which can also be unscrewed with a regular head (photo author):

Attention! If the oil drained from the gearbox is dark in color and metal particles are visible in it, the gearbox should be washed. Pour 1-1.5 liters of special flushing oil into the box crankcase. With one of the front wheels hanging, start the engine and shift into gear. After 5-7 minutes, drain the flushing oil and fill with clean transmission oil.

Automatic transmission "Grants"

The manufacturer installs a Yatko box on cars. It was possible to create an automatic transmission that is practically immune to difficult operating conditions. The automatic machine is installed mainly on models in the “Lux” configuration. Cheaper models have a “robotic” gearbox. A car with this transmission is capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 13.3 seconds. Maximum speed – 173 km/h. This is quite enough for the city and traveling on the highway.

Among the features of the automatic transmission, one can highlight the lever. It is made in a classic form, but in the form of a ladder - this made it possible to save the driver from possible problems. The automatic transmission drive is cable. This is an old but reliable scheme. The box has protection against erroneous switching on. If the car is moving in any gear, it will not be possible to change into another. An electronic unit controls the operation of the mechanism.

There is also protection against overheating. If the car is operated at low temperatures, then it is better to warm up the gearbox by holding the car on the brake with the gear engaged. If you do not perform this action, certain problems may arise. Until the automatic transmission warms up, the torque converter will be blocked and it will not be possible to engage the gear.

What transmission fluid to buy

Stores may offer you different options for transmission fluid, but not every one is suitable for the updated manual transmission of the Lada Granta. At the factory, Tatneft Translux with a viscosity of 75-85 is poured into it. We recommend that you choose oils with a viscosity of 75 to 90, as this is the best option for our climate.

In the store, it is important for you to find original oil of one of the brands:

Trans KP from TNK (you can purchase something similar, but marked Super);
Konenic;
Shell Transaxle Oil;
Rosneft;
Lukoil TN4;
Novoil Trans KP;
Trans KP2 from TNK.

Timing for replacing the engine oil in Lada Granta Liftback

The manufacturer, in the operating instructions, indicates the following maintenance intervals:

Maintenance – 1 (technical inspection): 2000 – 3000 km;
TO – 2: 15000 km;
TO – 3: 30,000 km;
TO – 4: 45,000 km;
TO – 5: 60,000 km;
TO – 6: 75,000 km;
TO – 7: 90,000 km;
TO – 8: 105,000 km.

Engine oil volume in Grant Liftback Regardless of the engine modification: 8, 16 valve, the amount of fluid is 3.5 liters. 3.30 liters are poured directly into the engine, and 100 - 150 grams into the oil filter during the process of replacing consumables.

Type of engine oil (8 and 16 valves) What kind of oil to fill in Granta Liftback: since the range of engines complies with Euro - 4 standards, the minimum acceptable class is semi-synthetic, viscosity 10W - 40. However, the manufacturer does not prohibit filling “synthetics” with viscosity index: 0W – 40, 5W – 40. As necessary, the owner can fill in seasonal, winter, summer oils, abandoning the all-season type 10W – 40.

Preparing for replacement

First, you need to warm up the gearbox so that the oil warms up a little and acquires the desired fluidity (by the way, this is why it is not recommended to change the oil in winter - it thickens too much at low temperatures). In order to warm up the transmission, you should run it in a little - drive about 10-15 kilometers in a quiet mode so as not to overload the box. Such a procedure not only heats up the oil, but also lifts various wear products from the bottom of the crankcase, which inevitably appear after operation. Next, you need to put the car on a lift or pit, wait about 5-10 minutes for the oil to cool a little (if you drain it immediately after running in, you risk getting burned) and climb under the bottom of the car.

New gearbox "Grants" and "Kalina": traction to the cable

The new product, which is installed on the “Norma” and “Lux” versions, is based on the same gearbox that appeared on the VAZ-2108 and, with minor upgrades, has survived to this day. Its weaknesses are well known: difficult activation, large lever strokes, smeared switching pattern, low vibration comfort.

Figuring out what and how we could improve, we agreed on one thing: not to touch the gear part, namely the shafts, gears, and synchronizers. Otherwise, huge financial costs will be required to launch a new gearbox into production - without high-precision equipment, it will not be possible to ensure the proper quality of engagement, operation and synchronization.

So what's new in the box with the VAZ-2181 index?

Main elements of the VAZ-2181 gearbox:

1 - main gear drive gear;
2 - secondary shaft;
3 - input shaft;
4 — fifth gear fork;
5 — fork for selecting third and fourth gears;
6 — reversing light switch;
7 — clutch housing;
8 — gear shift mechanism;
9 - central lock.

Our information

The volume of oil poured into the VAZ-2181 gearbox has decreased by a third. Moreover, with the launch of the series, they switched from mineral water to semi-synthetic water, which retains its performance properties down to -42 ºС.

Moreover, this applies to both the new box and the old one (it is still installed on cheap “Standard” modifications). The lubricant does not require replacement for the entire service life of the vehicle, that is, for five years or 200 thousand.