Some drivers do not consider it necessary to check and change the oil in the Kia Rio 3 manual transmission, arguing that this procedure is not prescribed in the maintenance regulations.
Of course, a manual transmission is reliable, but its resource is not unlimited. It can be extended by timely replacement and monitoring of the lubricant level.
Let's talk about how to do it yourself and what kind of oil to use.
Selection of class and viscosity
All manual transmissions used the same oil.
Manual
Note! Class GL-4! Not GL-5! The latter is considered unsafe for synchronizers and is recommended for axles, gearboxes and loaded gearboxes.
In practice, clients are different. Many people use five. I’ll note right away that I didn’t see any disconnected synchronizers. Perhaps they wear out a little faster, because... When shifting quickly, the clarity of gear engagement deteriorates. GL-5 is worse when forced out of synchronizers.
There is a marking: GL-4/5. This is a five with an additional package of additives for manual transmission. This can be used.
Fits
Let's move on to viscosity: the first two digits are responsible for the negative temperature, the ones after W - for the positive one. In the manual, only 75W85. For hot regions, the range can be expanded to W90.
Oil classification, API standard
On the highway at temperatures above +30 degrees, 75W90 has a more optimal viscosity characteristic, liquefying less than W85. In addition, our box does not have an oil cooling circuit.
Materials for a complex change
To completely change the lubricant in the 2012 Kia Rio and other modifications, you must prepare the following materials:
- new oil filter;
- sealant, only quick-drying and new rubber bands for the pan cover;
- oil - several liter cans;
- a container with measurements into which the driver will pour out the produced liquid;
- watering can;
- lint-free cloth;
- spanners.
Once these items are prepared, you can proceed to the full shift procedure.
What oil should I fill?
Here are the brands used in our work. Articles and numbers of 1 liter canister are given. How to save money when buying online, see the section below.
Several times I came across a situation where the seller offered the GL-5 as a full-fledged replacement for the four when the GL-4 was not available in the store.
Factory oil 04300-00140.
04300-5L1A0 original with extended temperature range.
ZIC 132626.
Shell Spirax, article number: 550027967.
Rosneft Kinetic and Lukoil TM-4. Some people distrust these brands. And in vain: there are many cars in taxi fleets, they have already exceeded 500 thousand km.
75W90-40817932, 75W85-40817132
Article: 19531
Hyundai XTeer 1011435. Has nothing to do with the original, despite the general word.
I would also like to say something about Castrol and Liqui Moly. The prices have become somewhat unreasonable. The difference reaches 2.5 times for the above listed brands. In my subjective opinion, the price does not include improved properties and characteristics, but simply a premium for the name.
There are no laboratory tests specifically for the transmission. The conclusion was formed while studying the results of motor oils at the Oil Club. I could be wrong, of course, but we no longer use these brands.
When to change? Replacement and inspection periods
Let's look at the manual. What is noteworthy is the recommendation to check the oil level at 60,000 km or after 48 months.
The level only goes down in cases of problems with the drive or input shaft seals. This happens rarely and only on long runs.
It is enough to periodically look under the car and inspect the drive and the junction of the box with the engine. There is no fogging - the level has not gone away.
Inspection places
Let's move on to the replacement period. The frequency in our conditions is every 120,000 km.
Oil change intervals for manual transmissions
Over time, wear products from gears, bearings and synchronizers accumulate in the oil. If you don't change it, the bearings are the first to suffer. The box begins to howl. This only happens at high mileage and only in the absence of maintenance.
Old oil at 120 thousand km
What manual transmission is on the Kia Rio 3
The third generation Kia Rio was equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox Hyundai M6CF1, which appeared in 2010 and replaced the five-speed M5CF1 gearbox. This gearbox model is installed on a large number of Kia and Hyundai models with front-wheel drive and a transverse internal combustion engine. Before us is a classic two-shaft transmission unit with cable drive. The design of the Hyundai M6CF1 also provides double-cone synchronizers in the first three gears, and single-cone synchronizers are used in the remaining gears.
Disadvantages and cost of the M6CF1 box
- leakage along the input shaft oil seal, as a result of which the leak spreads to the driven clutch disc, which can cause slipping. To replace this seal, you will have to completely disassemble the box.
- low clutch reliability in harsh conditions, although the resource of this unit can reach up to 100 thousand kilometers, and the release bearing has a much shorter service life
- bearing humming may be associated with active use in city traffic jams or off-road. The component can hum at 150 thousand km, but in a gentle mode of use their resource can reach 250 thousand
- lubricant leaks through the wires, and this is especially true for gearboxes in the first years of production of the Kia Rio 3. A recall campaign was still carried out regarding this issue. It affected cars with manual transmission, and the defect was corrosion of the input shaft
- The gearbox drive requires periodic adjustment
- The service life of the M6CF1 box is 180 thousand km, and its cost on the secondary market ranges from 25 to 60 thousand rubles. For a contract version abroad they ask for 500 euros, and the cost of a new product is 75 thousand rubles.
How to change oil. Text and video
The work is elementary. Before replacing, it is better to drive a little, especially if it is cold outside. Prepare a container with a volume of at least 2 liters and unscrew the drain bolt with a 17mm wrench.
Don't rush to screw it back in. Another 100-150 ml will flow through a thin stream.
There is a sealing washer under the bolt; it is recommended to change it. Article 17511-16000. No? We leave the old one.
New oil can be added through one of two holes. Top or bottom. If you don’t have a syringe, it’s more convenient to fill it from above from the engine space. For convenience, you can remove the air filter housing.
Top hole, view from engine compartment
Hose and homemade funnel
Lower filler, view from under the car
How much oil does the box need? For all gearboxes the same, fill 1.9l. We wait 3 minutes and unscrew the control hole to check the level.
Bottom view
Poured? The excess will simply drain away. If you didn’t top it up, not even a drop would appear from the control hole. Top up. A thin stream runs or a drop forms, everything is ok. You can screw it in and finish the job.
Bottom view
I’ll add our video if something is unclear or if it’s just more convenient to watch the video.
Hydro power steering (power steering)
Hydraulic power steering is an important element responsible for vehicle controllability. Every modern car is equipped with it. Like many other mechanical components, it requires high-quality and timely maintenance.
Replacement interval
The manufacturer does not regulate the replacement of power steering fluid. According to reviews on Internet forms, Kia Rio owners change the power steering fluid only when it begins to change its color to dark. This may happen after 20 and 30 thousand kilometers.
Check what color the liquid is in your tank. Remove the lid and take a couple of drops.
Which oil to choose
The transmission fluid in question for Rio must be rated PSF-3 or PSF-4. The cap on the power steering reservoir can also tell us this. For the first generation of Rio, you can safely take PSF-3. For later models it is better to take PSF-4.
The choice of a specific brand is not important; you can buy any.
For example, you can choose HYUNDAI PSF-3 80W.
What happens if you mix liquids with classes PSF-3 and PSF-4 in a tank - read the FAQ (frequently asked questions) at the end of the article.
Filling volume
To completely replace the Kia Rio power steering fluid, you will need 0.7-0.8 liters.
How to change
The power steering fluid is changed by pumping it out of the “return” (return hoses from the reservoir) and simultaneously adding new fluid. For this work, you will need an assistant who will rotate the steering wheel left and right.
Typically, the wheels are suspended in the air to facilitate the task of rotation. Some car enthusiasts come up with and simplify methods. For example, in the video below, the man put laminate under the wheels, thereby greatly reducing the grip of the tires on the road.
