There are often thematic forums on the Internet where disputes between motorists regarding the choice of engine oil do not subside. Some people only pour what is approved by the manufacturer, while other drivers do not adhere to such strict limits. A completely similar situation has arisen around the question of which gear oil is best for a particular car model. We will try to understand this issue in this article.
What do you need to know?
The purpose of transmission oil is approximately the same as engine oil, with minor differences. Such oil should evenly and effectively lubricate the rubbing components of the gearbox. This is needed for additional cooling and reducing the coefficient of friction. Many motorists never change the oil in the gearbox at all, which subsequently leads to the need to overhaul it.
In this article we will look at the line of domestic cars with a manual transmission. An automatic is a different topic for discussion, since everything is arranged differently there, but the oil also needs to be changed. First of all, let’s figure out whether it’s worth following the manufacturer’s recommendations. In addition, we will consider reviews from motorists regarding this or that brand of gear oil. In general, we will try to cover this issue as best as possible.
What tool will you need?
Advice. It is best to change the oil in an inspection pit or on an overpass. It just won’t be pleasant when hot oil pours on you lying under the car!
Tools
- 17-size open-end or socket wrench (if the filler plug sticks, you can use a head with a knob, if convenient),
- a 12mm hexagon (for unscrewing the drain plug) and a tube to it, so that there is more leverage,
- container for oil. It is enough to take a container of 2 liters, since the oil in the gearbox should be 1.6-1.7 liters (5 tbsp), but in fact there is usually less of it.
- syringe for filling oil. If you have a special syringe with a curved tube at the end, that’s just fine,
- if there is none, then you can use a regular syringe with a longer hose attached to it,
- Well, if this is not possible, then you can take a long hose of a suitable diameter, lead it into the engine compartment and pour oil through a watering can.
Note: with this method, the oil must flow well (have a sufficient temperature), otherwise it simply will not reach its destination - the gearbox.
- oil for filling. You will need 2 liter canisters of it - you will still have some left over for lubricating other parts. Oil is filled with 80W-90 brand of any desired manufacturer (or selected by price). Usually the price for oil is not high.
Which gear oil is better for VAZ-2107
Most motorists adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations. It is certified transmission oils with the necessary approvals that can ensure long-term and uninterrupted operation of the 2107 gearbox. Among the most popular lubricating fluids, the following are worth highlighting:
- Lukoil TM-5 85w-90.
- TNK Hypoid 80w-90 or 85w90.
- Spectrol 80w-90.
These are not all transmission oils suitable for use in the VAZ-2107 gearbox, but they have been tested and are considered to be of sufficient quality. However, not everyone adheres to these recommendations. Many experienced drivers recommend not to worry too much when choosing a transmission and stick to a more or less affordable option.
What kind of oil to pour into the VAZ 2106 gearbox
In order for the unit to always function properly, it must be lubricated.
If the transmission oil level is low enough, the fluid has expired and you are sure that it is not working efficiently, then it needs to be changed. For gearboxes of classic VAZ models, in particular 2106, the use of lubricants marked 75w90, 80W-85 and 85W-90 is allowed. In practice, the use of liquids with this viscosity classification is the most optimal, since the car will start without problems in cold weather. If possible, it is better to use a semi-synthetic or synthetic “transmission”. As for directly choosing the brand itself, everything depends solely on your preferences and financial capabilities. According to data from the manufacturer AvtoVAZ, the main thing is that the consumable material complies with the GL-4 class. You can use foreign-made liquid if your wallet allows it, but domestic cars can also be filled with Russian-made products. Such transmission fluids include LADA Trans for gearboxes, Lukoil TM 4-12, Nordix SuperTrans, Slavneft, etc. In practice, many use Lukoil or liquid from the manufacturer itself - LADA Trans, as reviews from Internet users show, such oils cope well with the tasks assigned to them.
Many car enthusiasts also recommend using Castrol or TNK. If you believe consumer reviews, in the cold season on such a TM you can even start the engine without the clutch depressed. As for the total volume, by purchasing one canister of transmission lubricant you can fill both the gearbox itself and the gearbox. On average, the filling volume is about three liters. In any case, the lubricant must meet standards and be of high quality; it is strictly not recommended to use counterfeit and suspiciously cheap products, as you will later encounter more serious problems. Also, before adding new lubricant, it is necessary to flush the gearbox so that the remains of all the “working off” are removed from the unit.
Gear oil group
In order to understand in more detail which gear oil is best for the VAZ-2107, it is necessary to consider several important characteristics of the lubricant. In particular, this applies to the group of lubricant compositions, which are:
- GL-4 – oils with a large number of additives. Excellent for use in boxes whose operating modes do not require high torques. There are also oils that, on the contrary, are more suitable for high torques;
- GL-5 is a group of oils intended for hypoid gears. If the car is equipped with a gearbox with a hypoid gear, then only GL-5 can be filled into the gearbox.
It is extremely important to choose the right oil group. This will ensure long-term operation of the gearbox even in difficult conditions. At the same time, do not forget about regular replacement, but we will talk about this a little later.
About viscosity grade
If we talk about models such as VAZ-2106, 2107, then for these cars they most often choose a lubricant with a viscosity of 75w90. This is a synthetic or semi-synthetic base. This gear oil is excellent for use in harsh weather conditions. The temperature range at which this lubricant can be used is from -40 to +35 degrees Celsius.
In addition, oils with viscosity 75w85 and 80w85 are widely used. These are all-season lubricants that are also excellent for use in low temperatures. It is worth noting that the manufacturer recommends using these viscosity grades. In general, oils such as TNK or Lukoil of the corresponding group and class can be poured into domestic classics.
Which gear oil is best for Kalina?
Very often there are opinions from motorists that the oil in the gearbox does not need to be changed throughout the entire life of the car. But in reality this is somewhat different. After all, such a composition loses its performance characteristics over time, so it needs to be changed periodically. As for the Lada Kalina car, most owners of this car recommend using TNK TRANS KP Super. Transmission oil from this manufacturer makes the gearbox quieter and gear shifting smoother.
But there are some nuances here too. Firstly, it is advisable to give preference only to original lubricants. Secondly, after a major overhaul or during break-in, you can pour the simplest TAD-17 oil. As for the replacement interval, you should not wait longer than 150 thousand kilometers. If the replacement is made untimely, the service life of the box will decrease. Therefore, it is not recommended to delay this issue.
Tools and accessories
To change the oil in the “six” yourself, you will need the following tools and materials:
- wrench 17 (if the fasteners do not give in, an extension wrench may be required);
- a 12mm hex wrench, preferably also with a long tube, to increase the leverage of the applied force;
- waste container with a volume of 2 liters;
- a special syringe characterized by a curved end (a regular medical syringe is also suitable; instead of a needle, a hose about 25 centimeters long is attached to it);
- rags.
To change the oil, it is advisable to place the car in a pit or overpass; to top up the transmission fluid, this is not necessary.
What and when to pour into the VAZ-2110 gearbox?
The box, which is used in the domestic “ten”, is quite durable and hardy. But this is only subject to proper operation and timely replacement of transmission oil. The most suitable for the VAZ-2110 gearbox can be considered a synthetic base. This is especially true for cars that are operated in extreme conditions. True, synthetics have one drawback, which is their high cost. But, given the replacement interval, you can spend money. As a last resort, it is permissible to use semi-synthetic oils. But you can’t mix synthetics and semi-synthetics. You shouldn't forget about this.
If we talk about which gear oil is best for the VAZ-2110, then the first thing you need to decide on is the viscosity. There are summer, winter and all-season transmission oils. The latter are the most popular due to their versatility. True, the price tag for such a lubricant is a little higher, but it’s worth it. The manufacturer recommends TM-14-2 oil, which is what needs to be poured into the box. There are better analogues, such as Lukoil-Super. True, the base here is mineral, so it is not suitable for gears, but it supports the operation of synchronizers perfectly. Valvoline SynPower is a Dutch synthetic oil. It is expensive, but the performance characteristics are at the highest level.
Do-it-yourself oil change in a VAZ 2106 gearbox
Why is it necessary to change the gearbox oil? How to do it yourself? Which oil to choose and how much of it will be needed? Are there any features that you should pay special attention to when changing gearbox oil?
Answers to these frequently asked questions can be found in this article:
- Reasons for changing the oil
- What tool will you need?
- The process of changing the oil in the gearbox of a VAZ 2106 car
- Special moments or "notes"
Checkpoint "Niva Chevrolet"
The domestic SUV is extremely passable and reliable, but requires careful maintenance. In particular, this applies to a manual transmission. It is allowed to use oil of group GL-4/GL-5 or GL-5. For normal operation of the unit, oils with the following viscosity are best suited: SAE 75W-90, 80W-85 and 80W-90. If you comply with all the above requirements, the box will work much quieter and longer.
Among motorists, a rating of proven transmission oils has long been formed. It is best to pay attention to them. If you are asking the question: “Which gear oil is best for the Chevrolet Niva?”, then you should definitely try Eneos 80W90 Gear GL5. This lubricant showed excellent performance at low temperatures, maintaining acceptable fluidity. True, it is sold only in 4-liter cans, which is not very convenient. Also, many motorists advise trying Castrol Syntrax Universal Plus. This is an expensive transmission that provides impeccable softness of gear shifting with a long replacement interval - 300 thousand kilometers.
What is best for the Priora checkpoint?
Approximately 90% of owners of this sedan prefer to pour exactly what the manufacturer recommends. The whole point is that Priora is advised to fill it with Lukoil TM-412. This is a relatively inexpensive, but at the same time high-quality lubricant, which is available in all car dealerships. However, there are many other suitable gear oils. For example, Rosneft, Castrol, Motul, etc. are often used. The last two options are the most preferable. True, their cost is much higher than their domestic counterparts.
It is better not to use mineral-based oils. This lubricant oxidizes much faster and therefore requires more frequent replacement. In addition, there will be uneven wear of the rubbing parts, which will ultimately lead to physical vibrations and deterioration of the operation of the unit as a whole. Therefore, it is advisable to fill in high-quality synthetic all-season gear oil. If you observe the intervals and do not overload the gearbox, then it will work for a long time and properly. Which gear oil is best for Priora? Usually, high-quality TM-412 lubricant is sufficient, but more expensive analogues can also be used.
The best choice for domestic classics
Mechanical gearboxes, which are installed on domestic cars, have several irrefutable advantages. Firstly, this is an extremely reliable unit that does not require expensive maintenance. Even if there is a need for major repairs, it will be relatively inexpensive.
However, regular maintenance should not be neglected. It is advisable to purchase lubricant from trusted places and not skimp. The replacement interval is 3-4 years or 150 thousand kilometers, whichever comes first. This is not motor oil that needs to be changed every 8-10 thousand miles. An excellent choice would be Castrol or Motul. From budget and high-quality, I can recommend.
Reviews from motorists
It is also necessary to pay attention to the opinions of experienced drivers. The fact is that sometimes it is not advisable to buy expensive gear oils, because some domestic ones have no worse performance characteristics. For example, many people ask the question: “Which transmission oil is best for the VAZ-2106?” The manufacturer recommends filling with Rexol T Hypoid or Lukoil TM-5. But motorists do not always pour these exact oils.
This is especially true for drivers who love and care for their cars. In this case, very often preference is given to more expensive foreign analogues, such as Castrol or Shell. Liquid Moly is very popular. Two liters of lubricant costs about 1,000 rubles. It may seem expensive to many, but it's worth it. This is a synthetic transmission that is simply perfect for domestic gearboxes.
How much oil is in the manual transmission of a VAZ 2106
First generation 2106, 1976-2006
The new sixth model sedan went into production in 1975, when it replaced the VAZ-2103. Compared to its predecessor, the car stood out with updated bumpers, modified front fascia and new rear lights. The interior has been slightly transformed due to a different finish on the door cards, as well as an alarm button. One of the basic versions 2106 (21063) had a 63-horsepower 1.3-liter unit under the hood, as well as a 78-horsepower 1.6 engine, based on the 1.5 engine from the VAZ-2013. In 1987, sales of the “six” with a 5-speed manual transmission began, and in the early 90s the car received improved design outside and inside. By the end of the 90s, it became possible to install electric windows. One of the most expensive versions, called VAZ-21065, was distinguished by different seat upholstery, the presence of a contactless ignition system, a heated rear window and a five-speed manual transmission. The latest batches of the “six” were offered with an 80-horsepower 1.6-liter injection engine.
Also read: Oil for manual transmission Hyundai Elantra
Let's sum it up
So we figured out what kind of oil to fill in different car models. Currently, the choice of gear oils is simply huge. Therefore, you can find a suitable option for both the Niva and the VAZ-2114. What gear oil is best to fill? Definitely original. The fact is that today fakes are quite common. Therefore, you should buy only in trusted places, preferably from a dealer. But this applies to foreign oils. Domestic ones are counterfeited very rarely, due to their low cost.
From all this we can draw a simple conclusion that you just need to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Especially if you prefer a confident driving style. If the box is regularly subjected to increased loads, then it is advisable to use appropriate oils. In general, the gearbox of domestic cars is very reliable, but do not forget about its maintenance. In this case, you can count on a very long service life of the gearbox. Typically, it lasts about 300,000 kilometers before a major overhaul with moderate driving. If you turn the engine up to 5 thousand revolutions, then you should not expect more than 100 thousand kilometers.
Reasons for changing the oil
Changing the gearbox oil on a VAZ 2106, or indeed any car, can have several reasons:
- Basically, the gearbox oil is changed when the car has driven 35,000 kilometers or after 3 years of operation, as the oil loses its properties.
- One more point - after purchasing a used car, it is highly advisable to replace or at least check the oil level in the units, including the gearbox.
- If, when checking the oil level, it turns out that it is not enough, then a replacement is necessary. You can simply add oil, but ONLY if you know what kind of oil is filled and if the oil in the gearbox is in good condition. If the oil is black or coffee-colored, this is also a sign that it needs to be changed.
Also, after repairing the gearbox, it is not advisable to refill with the same oil - it is much better to replace it with new one. Now let's start changing the oil ourselves and start with tools and accessories.
