The front-wheel drive passenger car VAZ Lada Granta is a variant of a budget car. The manufacturer installs three types of transmissions on cars: a 5-speed manual transmission, a 4-speed automatic with torque converter and a 5-speed robot.
All of these transmissions require periodic replacement of working fluids, that is, you need to know which gear oil is best for Grants. Next, we will look at which Lada Granta gearbox oils are optimal to use, as well as what to pay attention to when selecting transmission oils for the Lada Granta.
When do you need to change the oil in a Lada Granta gearbox?
The answer to this question is a frequent subject of debate. The car manufacturer claims that the transmission oil is filled for the entire service life of the car. This period means 5 years of operation. Converting to mileage, it turns out to be about 100,000 kilometers.
But this period is too long, especially for gear oil. Let's try to figure out when it would be better to change the lubricant in the gearbox
First, let's remember where the Lada Granta gearbox originates. This car itself is a relative of the first Soviet front-wheel drive car - the VAZ 2108, and it was from the G8 with minor upgrades that it got this gearbox.
According to the regulations, at TO-5, with a mileage of 75 thousand kilometers, the gearbox of a VAZ 2108-2115 must be replaced with gear oil. Therefore, this regulation is also applicable to Lada Granta.
In fact, in order to extend the life of the gearbox, it is necessary to replace it a little earlier - after a mileage of 60 thousand kilometers. This is exactly what most car owners do.
Possible difficulties with changing oils
Some Lada Granta owners may have difficulty purchasing Tatneft gear oil. But if it is not sold in a given region, you can safely switch to the chemistry of any other of the previously mentioned manufacturers. For automatic transmissions, it is not advisable to purchase NISSAN Matic D if it is impossible to buy NISSAN Matic Fluid S. In such a situation, ATF NISSAN Fluid Matic J is suitable.
Possible difficulties with changing oils
In addition, the problem of counterfeit auto chemicals has not yet been resolved in our country. Such transmission fluids are especially dangerous for a robot or automatic machine. Therefore, you should buy chemicals from trusted places. In this case, you can check with the seller for the availability of documentation for the product confirming its authenticity.
Possible difficulties with this procedure also include the eternal struggle of some owners with howling in the manual transmission. There is no point in solving this problem by pouring “mineral water” or oil thicker than recommended. On the contrary, it is worth pouring good quality synthetic fluid. This will help reduce the noise a little. But there is no need to add additives and apply other tips from the Internet without the recommendation of a specialist. It has been proven that these sounds have virtually no effect on the service life of the unit. They basically only cause acoustic discomfort to the car owner.
Sometimes partially replacing the fluid in a machine at a technical center is not cheap. But this procedure can be performed independently if you have a garage and some experience.
What kind of oil can be poured into the Grants gearbox?
The most important parameter that determines the oil in a gearbox is its class. In this case, the Grants gearbox allows the use of GL4 class oils. At the same time, semi-synthetics are poured from the factory:
- For gearbox 2190 – Lukoil TM4 80W85.
- For gearbox 2181 – RosNeft Kinetic 75W85.
The last numbers with the letter (75W85) determine the viscosity of the transmission oil and its ability to operate in low temperature conditions. The viscosity of 75W85 is sufficient for proper operation of the box at temperatures from -40 to +40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, this viscosity is well suited for almost all regions of Russia.
By and large, it doesn’t matter which brand is chosen among the manufacturers, the most important thing is that the oil is not fake. It is this factor that determines the long service life of transmission oil.
The best gear oil manufacturers
Transmission oils are produced by various factories. The Lada Grant manual transmission at AvtoVAZ is filled with Lukoil and Tatneft Translux; for automatic transmissions, the plant recommends choosing Genuine EJ-1 ATF or NISSAN ATF Matic-S. But on the market there are quality products from other brands that are suitable in terms of characteristics and properties.
Lukoil.
A universal oil that is filled at some car factories, and until 2012 it was filled at the AvtoVAZ plant. Excellent characteristics, wide temperature range and affordable price make the brand’s products universal.
Rosneft
. The products recommended by AvtoVAZ for manual transmissions fully comply with the requirements for oil. And the affordable price is especially relevant for owners of budget Lada Granta cars.
Elf.
French oils of this brand retain their properties for a long time. An ideal option for those who do not plan to update their transmission oil frequently.
TOTAL.
French-made products balanced in price and quality. Widely distributed among foreign automakers and fits perfectly with the modern Grant.
ZIC.
Affordable oils demonstrate high quality. The lubricating fluid is made on the basis of its own oils and is characterized by high adhesion to box parts.
NISSAN.
Expensive, but high-quality products recommended by AvtoVAZ for Lada Granta automatic transmissions. Manufactured under strict quality control and ensures flawless operation of the transmission.
How much oil should be poured into a Granta box?
The answer to this question depends on what gearbox is installed in the car. The Grant uses two types of manual transmission:
- Old-style grants with a VAZ-2180 gearbox have a 3.1-liter crankcase.
- New model grants with gearbox 2190 (2181) have an oil volume of 2.3 liters.
To distinguish the old box from the new one, just look at the control drive. The latest gearboxes have a Japanese cable control drive. And on old boxes, rods (links) were used to select gears.
How to change the oil in a Lada Granta gearbox
Conventionally, the oil change operation involves the following actions:
- draining old oil;
- refilling with new fluid;
But preparation is also an important part. After all, first you need to acquire everything you need. First of all, you need a garage with an inspection hole or a lift. The second is a standard set of tools for car repair - sockets, ratchets, open-end and box-end wrenches, as well as screwdrivers.
In addition, you will also need auxiliary materials, for example, a filler funnel with a hose and a container for draining used oil.
Draining the old oil on the Lada Granta and filling it with new one
First, warm up the car to operating temperature and after 5 kilometers, return to the repair site. The oil in the gearbox will be warmed up and reach the required fluidity. Follow this procedure:
- Place the car on the pit and jack up its right side. This is necessary to completely drain the old oil, but this method can be neglected.
- Place an empty container under the drain hole and unscrew the plug using a 17 key. If there is protection under the engine compartment, it will have to be removed.
- To completely drain the used oil, you need to wait about 15-20 minutes. During this time, you can free up access to fill in new oil. First of all, dismantle the air filter housing or simply move it to the side, having first disconnected the mass air flow sensor connector.
- Remove the dipstick to check the oil level.
- Screw on the drain plug and insert a hose with a funnel through the hole under the dipstick.
- Pour the required amount of oil into the funnel.
- Make sure there are no leaks from the drain plug.
- Reassemble all elements in reverse order. Don't forget to check the oil level.
Preparing for replacement
First the box needs to be warmed up. Then they place the car on the pit, stop it and try to remove one plug. We are talking about the control plug (key “17”).
If nothing happens with the plug, you will have to change the oil without supervision. This is no longer good. Try unscrewing the switch located on the top of the crankcase.
The oil volume in the Lada Granta gearbox is known to everyone - it is 2.3 liters. But it is still better to perform the replacement with control. Filling is done either through the control hole or through the switch hole. Access to the latter is blocked by a filter.
Filter housing operation
First, disconnect the “negative” terminal (key “10”). Then you can use a regular Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the mounting screws.
The first two dismantling steps
The thin clamp that secures the expansion tank hose is also removed (see photo).
Disconnect a couple of connectors: the mass air flow sensor and the adsorber valve connector. The first of them is oval (photo below). And the second one is turned off like this: tighten the tongue, remove the terminal block.
The filter housing can be moved to the side in the final step. There is no need to disconnect it from the corrugation.
Rubber fasteners can be defeated this way: the rubber band is held with pliers, and the body is pulled back (to the left, forward). Start with the right front support.
Reconnaissance in force
We are trying to remove the reverse switch. We look for a plastic connector on the crankcase (see photo) and immediately disconnect it.
View of the gearbox housing from under the hood
Using a 22mm round wrench, try to unscrew the switch housing. Cancel the replacement if nothing can be done - neither unscrew the “top” plug, nor remove the switch.
When the switch is returned to its place, the threads are treated with sealant. The tightening torque should be 28-45 N*m.
Is it worth it to flush the gearbox?
Many car owners are supporters of flushing the engine or gearbox of the Lada Grant and not only. They believe that in order to get rid of old oil residues, contaminants and to avoid mixing incompatible oils, the unit must first be washed with a full-fledged flushing oil or for five minutes.
In fact, it’s definitely not worth doing anything like that. The best flush is the most common oil.
It already contains all the necessary additives. In addition, you can completely drain the oil from the system by simply waiting a little. And after flushing, in any case, traces of the flushing fluid will remain in the crankcase, and they may be incompatible with conventional lubricant.
Types of oils
With the huge selection of oils that the market provides, there are not many recommended for use in winter. Below are all the brands for the winter period and the temperature at which they should be used. Follow the recommendations and your car will serve you for a long time. So, there are these options:
Probably, almost all motorists know that synthetics are much better than mineral water in a number of parameters:
- Lubricating properties;
- Cleaning properties (thanks to them, there is no sediment left on the parts in the form of metal particles or other debris);
- Starting in severe frost is much easier than using mineral oil or semi-synthetic oil.
The only drawback is the high cost. But in order for the car to work stably and smoothly, it may be worth spending money on such expensive oil.
Lubricant
The most important question that car owners ask is what kind of oil should be poured into the Lada Granta box. There is no clear answer to this. The manufacturer recommends the use of lubricant, taking into account the region in which the vehicle is constantly operated. However, this does not mean at all that this type will be considered the only correct solution. It is better to get recommendations from your mechanic to understand what kind of oil to buy to put into the transmission.
The main assistant in choosing the right lubricant will be a good consultant in the store or a service station employee. They can provide comprehensive information regarding the parameters, the possibility of its use based on the characteristics of operation, the year of manufacture of the car, weather conditions in the region, as well as storage conditions of the car.
It should be noted that the Lada Granta is a completely unpretentious car in terms of lubrication, but, like other cars, it requires care and attention.
A wide range of lubricants will be suitable for the parts and crankcase installed in it. If the car has an automatic transmission, in this case the choice should be more careful, since this is a more capricious mechanism. Particular attention should be paid to the oil viscosity level. It must be purchased exclusively in full accordance with the established parameters from the manufacturer.
How to check the level and condition of the oil in the gearbox in Grant
Lada Granta gearboxes have a dipstick for checking the oil level. To check this parameter, place the machine on a flat surface, wait 3-5 minutes and remove the dipstick.
The oil should be between Min and Max. Maximum level allowed. The most important thing is that it is not minimal or lower.
On the dipstick, you can assess the condition of the lubricant. A brownish tint to the oil is acceptable, the most important thing is that it is not dark gray or black. In this case, the TM is seriously worn out and dirty. This means it needs urgent replacement.
Factory oil
According to official data, Lada Granta leaves the assembly line already with oil. Often this is a Russian product Lukoil TM 4 with a certain viscosity class, which depends on the Russian region with a particular climate. There are such viscosity classes - 75W-80, 80W-90, as well as 75W-85, 75W-90 and 80W-85.
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