Changing the oil in the gearbox and transfer case of Renault Duster

Changing the oil in the axle

What and how much oil to fill in the axle and transfer case of Duster 4x4

According to the manufacturer, the oil in the transfer case and axle cannot be replaced and is refilled for the entire service life of the vehicle.

But underfilling the transfer case and axle with oil is a fairly common occurrence on Renault Duster. In this case, it was only 2 cm short of the level, it’s not a big deal, but I had to change it to calm things down.

Since it is not clear what kind of oil was poured in, I had to play it safe and buy a new transmission oil, Total Syn Fe 75W-90, an oil recommended by Renault, which hardens at temperatures below 50 degrees.

To change the oil in the transfer case and axle of a Renault Duster, 1 liter is enough. In this report, it took 1 liter and 50-100 grams, this is when filling to the maximum, to the level of the drain holes and taking into account the complete draining and washing of the rear gearbox and transfer case.

• We start with the rear gearbox
• You don’t have to lift the car; if you lie on the ground, there is enough space.
• Use a hexagon to unscrew the drain plug (bottom)
• Drain the oil, the oil will be quite black, this is normal.
• Screw the plug back in, don’t forget about the gasket

The oil will not all drain out, so you can use a vacuum hose to completely drain the oil.

The hose is a vacuum hose, because the walls do not compress. We insert one end of the hose into the filler hole of the gearbox, resting the hose against the bottom, the other end of the hose to the vacuum pump (or create a vacuum with our lungs), take the hose long so that oil does not get into the pump or be swallowed.

You can also wash the gearbox and drain the flushing fluid completely using this method. The oil drains well from the transfer case; there is no need to rinse it.

It is convenient to pour oil into the rear gearbox using this device

We insert the hose and pour new oil into the filler hole (upper), oil must be filled to the very edge of the hole.

We tighten the top plug on the gearbox and wipe off any traces of oil with a rag after replacement.

Let's move on to the transfer case

We remove the right front wheel (passenger side), you can simply turn it out if it is convenient.

The transfer case is located on the passenger side directly behind the wheel. See photo below.

We find the filler hole, which is also the control hole.

Transfer case oil level was normal.

To access the drain plug, you will have to partially remove the protection by unscrewing the six fastening bolts so that the protection hangs only on the front ones. The transfer case drain plug is indicated by an arrow.

The oil drains well from the transfer case; there is no need to rinse it.

Drain the oil and tighten the drain plug. We assemble the protection in reverse order.

The oil was poured everywhere exactly along the edge of the filler hole (it even spilled out a little).

The control and filler hole of the box is located in the same way as the dispensing hole, but on the left side.

The oil in the box was not changed, only the level was checked - almost level with the edge.

Categories of products that may be of interest to you based on the article “Changing the oil in the gearbox and transfer case of Renault Duster”:

Spare parts, maintenance

Products from the Dustershop77 range that may be of interest to you:

Replacement mode

The instructions for the car indicate that an oil change is not required throughout the entire service life. However, the Russian climate and roads are quite harsh, so you should adhere to the following recommendations for changing the oil:

• Carry out a scheduled replacement every 75 thousand kilometers.
• Under difficult driving conditions and aggressive driving conditions, do this every 25,000–30,000 km.
• Top up or change completely if the fluid level drops and there are leaks on the rear axle and transfer case.
• Carry out maintenance regularly and follow the recommendations of professionals.

List of works for mileage 90,000, 150,000 km

1. All work that needs to be done during maintenance 1 and maintenance 2 is repeated.
2. Replacing brake fluid. The filled fluid must comply with the DOT4 standard. The cost of the original Elf Freelub 650 DOT4 brake fluid (product code 194743) is 800 rubles.
3. Replacing the working fluid in the clutch hydraulic drive. Replacing this fluid must be done simultaneously with changing the brake fluid in the hydraulic brake drive.
4. Replacing the coolant. The original coolant GLACEOL RX (type D) is poured. Catalog number of the liquid (green) 1 liter, Renault 7711428132 – 630 rubles. KE90299945 – price per 5 liter canister. – 1100 rub.

Choosing oil

According to the manufacturer's recommendation, the replacement oil must meet the API GL-5 standard . It has the following characteristics:

• Has good anti-scuff properties.
• Provides protection when exposed to high loads.
• They have a complex of anti-corrosion additives.

At production, Renault fills the car with Total 80W90 mineral-based oil (works down to -27°).
This temperature regime is more suitable for European countries or the south of the country. For our climate, it is better to use semi-synthetic liquid Total Syn Fe 75W-90 (pour point -50°). It is also possible to use analogues with similar characteristics, but only when performing a complete oil change.

Car owners prefer to use two types of oil, separate for the gearbox and transfer case. , Elf Tranself Universal FE 80W-90 GL-5 is popular , and for the gearbox - Shell SPIRAX X 75W-90 .

For a complete replacement you need a 1-liter canister . About 750 ml goes into the gearbox, and 250 ml of oil goes into the dispensing mechanism. When carrying out the operation by a beginner, it is better to take 2 liters, as there is a risk of overflow.

For cars of recent years of production, it is better to use synthetic oil, and for older years of production - semi-synthetic or mineral.

For 1.5 diesel engine

To fill a 1.5-liter diesel engine of a Renault Duster, use:

• Elf Evolution 900 SXR viscosity 5W40;
• Castrol Edge C3 viscosity 5W30;
• Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech viscosity

Elf Evolution 900 SXR 5W 40

Original Elf engine oil is used for initial filling into the engine at the factory. The lubricant protects the parts of the crank and gas distribution mechanisms from wear.

The additives included in the composition remove contaminants from the crankcase of the power unit. Elf Evolution is resistant to oxidative processes and elevated operating temperatures. According to the manufacturer's measurements, the liquid solidifies when cooled to -42°C, and vapor flashes at temperatures above 230°C.

The oil contains an additive based on phosphorus, zinc and boron, which holds dirt particles in the liquid in the form of a suspension. When lubricant is supplied to the fine filter, foreign impurities are separated.

Calcium-based detergents with low sulfur content are provided. The disadvantage of 900 SXR oil is its increased viscosity when cold, which increases fuel consumption.

Castrol Edge 5W 30 C3

The lubricant is based on a synthetic hydrocracking base with the addition of titanium-based additives (using Titanium FST technology), which retain the oil film on the rubbing surfaces of the engine.

The oil layer reduces the shock loads that occur when the engine operates at high speeds. The resulting film does not break when the rotation speed of parts changes or under alternating overloads.

Additional additives remove tar deposits from the crankcase, providing an accelerated engine response to pressing the gas pedal.

The use of Castrol EDGE 5W-30 reduces fuel consumption (the result is confirmed by tests of cars with gasoline and diesel engines). The material complies with Renault RN0700 and RN0710 standards, and also meets ACEA C3, API SN/CF and BMW Longlife-04 requirements.

The pour point is -42°C, the liquid ignites when heated to 204°C.

Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech 5W 40

Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech synthetic oil is resistant to oxidative processes and aging. The lubricant can be used in engines with a turbocharger, providing bearing protection at elevated temperatures.

The liquid helps remove deposits from the engine crankcase, but the surfaces are covered with a yellow varnish coating, which does not have a negative effect on the performance of the power unit.

The pour point is reduced to -44°C (according to the manufacturer); in order for the lubricant to ignite, it must be heated to 222°C. The oil complies with the API SM/CF standard; the manufacturer has not tested for compliance with the Renault RN standard.

The lubricant contains additives based on zinc, calcium, phosphorus and boron. The characteristics of the engine oil provide protection for the parts of high-performance engines with a 4-valve valve timing system.

Normal way

To change the oil in the gearbox, you need to lift the car or place it on an inspection pit/overpass. After this, the drain plug is unscrewed. A hex wrench is used for this. The cork is marked in the photo. Before unscrewing, it is necessary to place a waste container with a volume of at least 2 liters under the hole.

Old oil may be darker in color, even black, because over time it can decompose into fractions and change its properties during operation. You also need to immediately stock up on a new O-ring so that you can install it immediately after replacement. Otherwise, a leak may appear in this place.

The gearbox on the Renault Duster is designed in such a way that during the replacement process it is not possible to drain everything completely, without using a vacuum hose. Therefore, you need to take a hose, rest one end against the gearbox, and connect the other end to a vacuum pump (or suck air through your mouth). You need to use a hose of sufficient length, and also have time to turn off the pump in time so that no oil gets into it.

The recommended hose length is at least 2-3 meters.

It is also important to remember that cold oil has a high viscosity, and draining it will be problematic. Therefore, it is better for the Renault Duster transfer case to warm up; to do this, you need to drive the car for 10-15 minutes at low speed.

We wash the distributor.

To do this, it is better to use a special washing liquid. It drains in the same way.

Fill in new oil.

This is best done with a long hose and funnel. Oil is poured until its level reaches the edge of the drain hole. After this, you need to immediately screw in the plug and wipe away any traces of leaks.

Alternative way

This method may seem more complicated to some, but it allows you to do without a lift and inspection hole. A large syringe is used for this. It is sold in pharmacies and its usual purpose is to rinse the ears.

Work order:

1. First you need to remove the front wheel or turn it all the way to the left to gain access to the filler plug.

2. After this, you need to unscrew several bolts that hold the gearbox protection.

3. After this, the oil is drained through a special hole. This method allows you to completely remove oils, so washing is not required.

4. After changing the oil, you need to change the seal on the plug.

conclusions

As can be seen from the above, you can easily change the oil in the transfer case and rear gearbox on your own. The main thing is to adhere to these recommendations.

Renault Duster is a compact crossover built on the Renault Logan platform with a wheelbase increased by 40 mm. The Duster is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive scheme is borrowed from the Nissan concern; the driver, using a three-position switch, selects one of the operating modes: Auto (automatically engaged all-wheel drive), Lock 4x4 (with a locked center clutch) and 4x2 (front-wheel drive to reduce fuel consumption). The car is equipped with modern safety systems: Bosch ABS 8.1 with electronic brake force distribution EBV and emergency braking system EBA. The Duster version with a diesel engine is optionally equipped with ESP exchange rate stabilization system with understeer control and ASR traction control function.

The trunk volume is 475 liters, and can be increased to 1600 liters with the rear row of seats folded down. The car has good geometric cross-country ability, which is ensured by small overhangs and ground clearance: the approach angle is 30 degrees, the departure angle is 35 degrees. The Duster's suspension is a bit harsh, but very energy-intensive. Its travel is sufficient for normal driving over rough terrain. Obviously, the creators wanted to find a compromise between a car for city use and a suburban one, and it looks like they succeeded.

Changing the oil in the transfer case

The operation itself does not require special skills. For this you will need:

• Eight hex key.
• Syringe.
• Container for used oil.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• Remove the back part of the protection.
• We dismantle the front right wheel (you don’t have to remove it, but it will be more difficult to get to the transfer case).
• Remove the drain and filler plugs.
• Drain the used oil.
• We install the drain plug in place and change the gasket.
• We fill the transmission fluid.
• We screw on the protection.
• Install the wheel.

Changing the oil in the gearbox

If you have a certain skill, then you can change the transmission fluid yourself, without even lifting the car. For this you will need:

• Ten hexagon for plug.
• Device for filling oil (syringe).
• Containers for waste material.

Sequencing

Drain the oil. Remove the protection from the box, if any. We find holes for drain and fill. Using a hex wrench, unscrew the filler plug and inspect the rubber washer. If damaged, it must be replaced. After this, check the oil level.

For a complete replacement, unscrew the drain plug and empty the gearbox into a container. Use a vacuum to remove any remaining oil from the bottom.

When removing the filler plug, be careful not to damage the delicate rubber gasket.

We wash the part. This procedure is mandatory when switching to another brand of transmission fluid. Flushing can be purchased at a specialty store. The draining procedure is carried out similarly to the previous one.

Add oil. We install the drain plug in place. Through the filler hole, using a syringe with a long tip, fill the transmission to the edge. Screw the plug and remove any leaks that have formed. This completes the process.

Manufacturer's Recommended

The manufacturer recommends using materials produced by the oil company Elf (a structural division of the Total concern), which has been a partner of Renault since 1968.

Motor oils are divided into RN standards, which differ according to the type of fuel used.

Renault Duster uses fluids of standards RN0700 and RN0710 (for gasoline and diesel engines), which comply with international API and ACEA requirements.

The car owner independently decides which oil to pour into the engine (taking into account the requirements of the Renault plant).

The RN0700 series of lubricants are full-ash oils that comply with ACEA A3/B4 and A5/B5.

Liquids are distinguished by the introduction of antifriction additives that reduce friction and wear; additional impurities ensure stability of characteristics when heated. By reducing the friction force, fuel consumption is reduced.

The specification applies to naturally aspirated diesel engines with a particulate filter, which are not installed on the Renault Duster.

For a 1.5-liter diesel engine, full-ash lubricant of the RN0710 standard is used with an improved ratio of viscosity and temperature stability.

The composition includes an additive package that prevents the rings from sticking in the grooves made on the pistons.

The lubricant has a low volatility coefficient and is designed for an extended service interval. The standard allows the use of oil in spark-ignition engines equipped with a turbocharger.

Tuning Renault Duster (Renault Duster)

For the most part, Duster is produced in fairly budget trim levels, and of course, many owners want to improve and modify this car. You can tune the Duster and improve its appearance: install alloy wheels of increased diameter, install off-road tires, hang a body kit all around. As for the interior, you can change it for the better: change the instrument panel lighting, cover the interior plastic with vinyl film, install comfortable seats with lateral support. You can also tune the engine to improve its performance, although the Duster is not a racing car, it is quite possible to reduce fuel consumption.