How to check the oil level in the gearbox on a VAZ 2114: Where is the dipstick located

How often should you check the oil level?

Once every two to three weeks, at least its level should be checked.
Although for some car owners, time is not the best control measure. If so, then you can focus on the car’s mileage: check if everything is in order after every seventy thousand kilometers. Negative consequences of a leak:

Noises in the gearbox.
Premature depreciation of parts.
Significant costs for overhauling the gearbox.

It is worth distinguishing between two similar, but nevertheless different questions: “how to check the oil level in the gearbox” and “how to check its level in the engine.” These are completely different concepts and procedures. We are interested in the first.

There are two options for checking the oil level. It all depends on the presence of a dipstick in the car. We will tell you what this is a little later. Just keep in mind that until 2003, VAZ 2114 cars were produced without a dipstick.

Replacement process

Specialists at a service station are ready to offer you replacement of transmission fluid. They are well versed in such technical issues, so they will carry out the replacement without difficulty. However, you should be prepared for the fact that you will have to pay a significant amount of money for such a service. We suggest that you do things differently, initially arm yourself with our recommendations, purchase all the necessary materials, and then begin the practical replacement of the transmission fluid.

How often should you change the oil?

Recommendations from the manufacturer of your vehicle help us figure out how often the TM needs to be changed. In particular, if you own a domestic VAZ-2114 car, then it is necessary to replace the transmission fluid every 60 thousand kilometers. However, let us hasten to make small adjustments. If you operate your car in difficult conditions, forcing you to travel long distances on poor quality roads, then it is best to fill in new oil in the gearbox after a run of 30 thousand kilometers.

We also recommend learning to hear your own car. Listen for any sounds that were not previously apparent when shifting gears. If you begin to notice suspicious squeaks, if every attempt to change gear is accompanied by even minor difficulties, then it’s time to change the TM. Replacement will also be required in cases where the clutch does not work.

Checking the oil level in the gearbox

Even if you recently filled in new oil, we recommend checking its level from time to time. Even a slight decrease in the permissible volume can provoke a technical failure, as a result of which the gearbox will stop functioning normally. Inexperienced drivers do not always know how to properly check the oil level in a VAZ-2114 gearbox, so we provide you with ready-made recommendations.

First, open the hood and visually inspect the engine compartment to determine where the dipstick is located. Remove the dipstick and wipe it thoroughly with a rag to completely remove old oil traces. We recommend using lint-free rags. Otherwise, these fluffs may remain on the surface of the dipstick and then end up in the transmission oil.

Now simply return the dipstick to its original position, wait a few minutes, remove it again and carefully look where exactly the oil mark is located. On the surface of the dipstick you will find marks for the permissible maximum and minimum. It is recommended that the oil trail necessarily reach the permissible maximum mark, since the manual gearbox has a gear that is responsible for the operation of the fifth gear; it is located above the other components of the gearbox. To ensure the normal functioning of this particular gear, it is important that the oil level is always at the maximum level.

Which gear oil to choose

Now we invite you to familiarize yourself with what gear oil needs to be poured into the VAZ-2114 gearbox. Here, too, mistakes cannot be made, since transmission fluid that does not match the technical parameters of a specific gearbox will not only not be able to ensure the correct operation of the box, but, on the contrary, may cause its breakdown. So, we suggest you figure out which oils recommended by the manufacturer you need to look for in car dealerships. By the way, the manufacturer recommends that car owners take into account several factors in this matter:

under what weather conditions do you most often have to operate the car?
what type of gearbox is installed on the car: manual or automatic;
installed on a car injector or carburetor;
what additives are preferred?

In auto stores you will be offered mineral, semi-synthetic and synthetic TM. We recommend avoiding mineral oil as it is associated with poor performance. Synthetic oil copes well with technical tasks, which is why most car owners purchase this particular type of oil.

Unfortunately, synthetics have a high cost, so not everyone can easily purchase them. As an alternative, it is better to purchase semi-synthetic oil, which has an affordable price and very acceptable technical parameters. Experienced motorists recommend purchasing either 75w-90 synthetics or 85w-90 semi-synthetics. It is forbidden to purchase oil with high viscosity, as it will prevent sufficient lubrication of the rotating gears.

How much to fill

Before going to a car store, it will be useful for you to know how much oil fits in a VAZ-2114 box. This is indeed useful information, since it is unwise to purchase an insufficient number of liters of oil, since it will not be possible to achieve a high result from such a procedure. But purchasing an excess amount of TM will provoke unjustified extra expenses.

The manufacturer recommends purchasing 3.3 liters of gear oil. However, in the auto shop you will find containers that hold 1, 3 or 5 liters. Decide for yourself what volume you will purchase. You can take two containers (1 and 3 liters), or you can buy a five-liter canister at once, and always carry the rest in the trunk, so that if necessary, you always have TM on hand, topping it up in time when a deficiency is detected. By filling in a sufficient amount of oil, you ensure the successful functioning of the gearbox, the operation of the valves and the breather, which relieves pressure.

What tools are needed?

You have almost already prepared for the upcoming procedure; you have purchased the right oil. All that remains is to prepare the necessary tools, without which the upcoming actions will be difficult. Let us immediately note that you do not need to prepare many tools:

a container in which the waste can be collected;
keys to "8" and "17".

How to add oil to a gearbox

Adding oil to the gearbox is not difficult, it is only important to initially figure out how much is missing. To do this you will use a feeler gauge. You just need to add oil into the filler hole, which you have stored and carry with you in the trunk. If there is no such stock, then you will need to urgently visit a car store to buy a minimum container of TM.

Preparation for the procedure

Option one, if there is a dipstick, then the car needs to be placed on a flat horizontal surface.

If there is no dipstick, then, on the contrary, the car needs to be installed on an overpass, a lift, or an inspection hole.

Helpful advice: before starting the test, you need to wait ten to fifteen minutes. This interval is necessary after stopping the engine so that the liquid we are testing cools down and drains from the shafts and gears into the gearbox housing.

Reasons for changing gear oil in a VAZ 2107 gearbox

The gearbox is a unit with a lot of rubbing parts. The frictional force particularly intensely affects the gear teeth in the box, so they become very hot. If the impact of the friction force is not reduced in time, the teeth will begin to collapse, and the service life of the box will be very short.

The five-speed gearbox of the VAZ 2107 is replete with rubbing parts that need lubrication

To reduce friction force, special gear oil is used. But it also has its own service life, after which the oil loses its properties and ceases to perform its functions. The only solution to this problem is to fill the box with a new portion of lubricant.

Transmission oil change intervals

If you look at the operating instructions for the VAZ 2107 car, it says that the transmission oil should be changed every 60–70 thousand kilometers. The problem is that these figures are only valid when the operating conditions of the car are close to ideal, which is not the case in practice. Why? Here are the reasons:

low quality gear oil. The reality is that the modern car enthusiast often has no idea what exactly he is pouring into the gearbox. It's no secret that fake gear oil is found all the time. Products of well-known brands are especially often counterfeited, and the quality of the counterfeits is often such that only a specialist can recognize them;
low quality of roads in the country. When driving on bad roads, the load on the gearbox increases significantly. As a result, the lubricant life is developed faster. In addition, the driver’s driving style has a significant impact on the oil life. For some car enthusiasts it is softer, for others it is more aggressive.

Taking into account the above, it is recommended to change the transmission oil after 40–50 thousand kilometers, and it is advisable to buy lubricant only in specialized stores that are official dealers of the selected lubricant brand. This is the only way to minimize the likelihood of purchasing counterfeit gear oil.

Verification procedure

The easiest way to monitor the oil level in the gearbox is with a dipstick. But where is the oil level dipstick in the VAZ 2114 gearbox and what is it?

Location of the gearbox oil level dipstick on a VAZ 2114

The probe looks like a metal strip at one end of which there is an o and “max”, and at the second, opposite end, the part ends with a black rubber ring.

Checking the oil level using a dipstick:

Place the car on a flat surface.
We wait the required fifteen minutes.
We stock up on rags.
Open the hood.
On the side of the driver's fender we are looking for the black rubber ring of our part. It is located on the gearbox directly under the air filter tube for air purification.
We take out the found ring.
Wipe it dry with a rag prepared in advance.
Carefully, without touching the walls, put the dipstick back until it stops.
We take out and inspect the marks on the dipstick.

Transmission oil level

The optimal oil level in the VAZ 2114 gearbox shows about. If the actual level is below this mark, then the oil should be added.

Helpful advice: if you can’t get to the dipstick with the air filter attached, you can remove it.

Well, how to check the oil in the box of a VAZ 2114 if there is no such dipstick in it?

Test procedure without dipstick:

We install the machine over an inspection hole or on an overpass.
We free the bottom from the protective devices.
We remove (unscrew) the plug from the gearbox.
Place your finger there.
Determine the oil level by touch.

It is necessary that the oil in the hole reaches the lower border and that your finger can feel it.

HOW TO ADD OIL TO THE TRANSMISSION

Any self-respecting car enthusiast should know how to care for his vehicle, and in particular, how to add oil to the gearbox. Let's consider the moment when its level is at or below the minimum level. The hole from which the dipstick was unscrewed is the inlet for the lubricating fluid.

To regularly add oil to the gearbox, you need a special tool that you can make yourself. To do this, you will need a large funnel with a capacity of 500-750 grams with a spout and a hose up to half a meter long. The diameter of the hose should fit easily but tightly onto the spout of the funnel, and also fit freely into the inlet of the PP box. Fix the hose on the spout so that it does not jump off.

This tool is built to last and should be kept in the trunk of your car along with your other tools.

Take a funnel with a hose,
insert its lower end into the hole in the box,
Start pouring oil from the bottle, periodically checking the level with a dipstick.
As soon as you reach the optimal level, take a break, give the liquid time to spread throughout the box, filling the empty spaces between the parts.
After about five minutes, check the level again with the dipstick. If it drops to the bottom line, add a little more.

What oil to add is up to you to decide, based on what the market offers. But it is recommended to add lubricant of the same brand (or close to it) that is already used in your car. When replacing it completely, you should take into account the recommendations of the manufacturer, which prescribes in the instructions which gear oils should be used. So, for cars such as the VAZ 2115, the GL 4 brand should be used, which is classified in Russia as TM 4. The manufacturer recommends using Lukoil TM 4-12 SAE 80W85.

How to add oil if its level is low?

If there is a dipstick, oil is poured into the same hole where it went down. For convenience, you can use a rubber hose with an appropriate connector and a homemade funnel made from a plastic bottle attached to it. And then check again with a dipstick. Experienced car owners recommend pouring a little more oil, about five millimeters above the maximum mark. This is important for those who often use fifth gear. After all, she is higher than her predecessors and may not have enough oil. Additional millimeters of oily film at the dipstick mark will eliminate the hum when switching to fifth gear, and will also protect it from rapid wear. However, here it is also important to know when to stop: if you overfill the oil, the gaskets and seals may deteriorate, and the consumption of the replaced fluid itself will increase. Although, debates about the correctness of such a warning are still ongoing among car owners.

In the second option, when there is no dipstick, oil is also poured through the hole, but using a special syringe for filling transmission units. Attention! A medical syringe is definitely not suitable for such a procedure. And in order for there to be enough oil to use fifth gear, the car must be installed at an angle on an overpass. So, much more fluid will get into the gearbox.

Changing the oil

Changing the oil in a VAZ 2114 gearbox

Typically, the lubricant change procedure begins with draining the old fluid. An inspection hole or overpass is best suited for this procedure. Having gained full access to the bottom of the car, this replacement will be much easier. But before starting work, you need to warm up the machine, which will greatly simplify draining the viscous liquid, the fluidity of which is significantly improved by heating.

After this, you can begin to dismantle the plug on the drain hole. But before this, it is worth preparing a container for the waste substance in advance.

Tools

Despite the fact that changing the oil in a VAZ 2114 engine is a fairly simple procedure and does not require professional skills, it is still worth preparing for it in advance.

To do this, you will need a number of tools available to every motorist, which are also necessary to replace the pressure sensor:

First of all, buy a sufficient amount of motor lubricant. Typically these are containers with a volume of 5 liters or more;
Rags;
Lubricant filter;
17mm wrench. For convenience, it is best to have both a socket and a socket version. This can make DIY changing procedures much easier. You should choose a high-quality tool, since the drain plugs are usually tightly tightened and considerable effort will be required to remove them;
A container of sufficient volume to drain the waste substance. Usually a 5-liter canister is enough for this type of work. But to avoid inconvenience when draining, the neck of the tank must be of sufficient diameter;
Funnel;
Oil filter removal wrench.

After preparing all the tools, you can start working.

Step-by-step instruction

The procedure for changing the lubricant yourself consists of several steps described below in the instructions:

Using a 17 wrench, the drain plug in the tank is removed. In some cases, a regular wheel wrench may be suitable for this purpose. You must be careful when removing the cover, because if it has not been opened for a long time and is difficult to remove, then its edges can be torn off. This will lead to an increase in the price of maintenance costs;
After the plug has given way and unscrewed 60 percent of the entire thread, you need to prepare a canister in advance into which the waste liquid will be drained. Also, do not put your hands under the lid, as the substance will still be hot and can burn the skin;
Carefully remove the plug and wait for the draining to finish. It is worth waiting at least 10 minutes;
Next, the filter is removed. It is usually located on the passenger side (see photo on the right). To dismantle it, additional tools are usually not required, but if difficulties arise, it is best to use a special key. To better know the location of this element, you can see the photo of the engine compartment structure. The images will also help to dismantle and replace the pressure sensor;
After removing the old filter, you can begin installing the new one. To do this, you need to pour 200 grams of new lubricant into it, and you also need to lubricate the rubber gasket with it. Then you can put on a new filter. To secure it, 5-6 turns are enough. At the end, you need to screw the drain pan plug back on;
Now you can start pouring new lubricant into the engine. For this, the neck on the engine is used, it is located on the valve box cover itself. To avoid overflow, it is best to use a wide funnel.

How to determine the required amount of oil for a VAZ 2114 gearbox?

According to official data, the transmission volume in VAZ 2114 cars is 3.5 liters. But in practice, the amount of fluid to be replaced can be 3.3 liters. This is due to the fact that when the used lubricant is drained, a certain amount of oil remains in the gearbox on the pulleys and walls.

If, during replacement, the transmission unit is flushed or a major overhaul is performed, 3.5 liters of fluid will be required. It must be taken into account that during the operation of the car, natural wear and tear of parts occurs, which leads to an increase in the oil level. This is due to the fact that the constituent elements of the gearbox and its housing lose a certain volume. But the level of substitution in this case will be no more than 50-100 grams.