Changing the oil in the Lada Vesta gearbox - instructions with tips

All car owners know about the need to change the engine oil of the Lada Vesta. Replacement is regularly done every 8 - 10 km. What can you say about changing the oil in the Lada Vesta gearbox? The first thing you need to do is decide on the type of transmission on a particular car. The Lada Vesta may have two of them, since the new one didn’t come out. In domestic manual transmissions and AMTs, transmission oil is filled in accordance with the regulations at the appropriate maintenance facility. But in a new Lada Vesta gearbox, the oil would not need to be changed at all. Is it so? And how to check the oil level in a manual transmission? Read the article - we will try to figure it out.

Does Vesta need to change transmission oil?

According to the technical regulations for the imported GFL13 box, oil is filled for the entire service life. However, experienced owners claim that the factory transmission oil of the Lada Vesta needs to be replaced after break-in (5000 km). Fans of Logan and other owners of the same Renault JH3 510 MT gearbox claim that with the “original” lubricating fluid, the gearbox is noisy and does not engage gears well. Most often, the semi-synthetic “French” is replaced with the fully synthetic Castrol Syntrans Transaxle (75w-90 GL4+), as well as the semi-synthetic ELF Tranself NFJ 75w-80.

In any case, no one has canceled the laws of physics. Any liquid wastes its potential. The Lada transmission loses its viscosity, protective, temperature and other properties. During operation of the machine, the lubricant becomes contaminated with decay products of rubbing pairs, which begin to act on the mechanism as an abrasive. The following factors indicate that an oil change is necessary:

• the box begins to operate noisily for no other apparent reason;
• The gears switch on and off indistinctly.

Manual transmission Lada Vesta. Technical data

The manual transmission installed on Lada Vesta cars was developed by the Renault-Nissan concern and is designated JH3. The gear shift mechanism is driven by a cable. The weight of the box is 35 kg. When installing this gearbox on Renault cars, the manufacturer recommends using Elf Tranself TRJ 75W-80 or Elf Tranself NFJ 75W-80 oil, but since this brand is not easy to find on the shelves of our car stores, you can always use another proven oil with similar characteristics.

The technical documentation indicates the recommended oil, which must meet the quality requirements of GL-4 according to the American Petroleum Institute (API) classification. Oils of the GL-4 standard must contain about 4% additives that prevent scuffing of the gearbox mechanisms.

As for viscosity, it is important to take into account the climatic conditions of the area where the vehicle is used.

What kind of oil to pour into the gearbox

In this matter, the principle “more expensive means better” does not work. It is important to know what oil manufacturers recommend for each specific box. To do this, we first determine the Lada Vesta gearbox index using the VIN code:

• GFL13 indicates the discontinued Renault JH3 510 MT - and only the number 3 indicates this;
• GFL11 is the designation of the VAZ-21807 manual transmission;
• GFL12 – automated transmission of Lada Vesta.

Now, according to the index, we will select the fluid for each transmission:

• GFL11 – for the Vesta manual transmission, the recommended lubricants are ZIC GFT 75W-85, TRANSELF NFJ 75W-80, Hochleistungs-Getriebeoil 75W-90, ZIC G-FF 75W-85;
• GFL12 – suitable for the Lada Vesta robot are SHELL TRANSAXLE OIL, ROSNEFT KINETIC, LUKOIL TM-4, TNK TRANS KP SUPER;
• GFL13 – no replacement.

Help: if you want to fully understand the decoding of the VIN Code on the Lada Vesta, then read this article

Review of Manufacturer Prices

Name / article / viscosity grade	Price in rubles (liter)
Mobile 1 SHC (75W/90)	From 650
Lukoil TM-5 (75W/90)	From 370
Castrol Suntrans Transaxle (75W/90)	From 550
Mobile GX (80W)	From 600
Lukoil TM-5 (85W/90)	From 350
Lukoil PSNT (75W/90)	From 350

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*prices indicated as of 03/11/19.

Is washing necessary, which one to choose?

It is necessary to flush an automatic transmission:

• after long-term operation with old oil;
• when replacement deadlines are delayed;
• frequent use of equipment under load.

Tranself 75W-80

In all other cases, it is enough to limit yourself to the usual replacement according to the “drain-fill” principle. However, the manufacturer does not prohibit washing the “robot” every time the fluid is changed. The decision is made by the car owner individually.

How to check the oil level in an AMT and manual transmission box

Every 15 thousand kilometers you should check the transmission fluid level of the Lada Vesta box. To do this, use a 17-size wrench to unscrew the level control plug. It is located on the top of the gearbox housing near the junction of the gearbox input shaft with the flywheel. Simply put, there are no other traffic jams there, you won’t get confused.

The lubricant level should reach the bottom edge of the filler hole. If it is significantly lower, the transmission fluid should be added to the level. Note that the Lada Vesta gearbox is filled with TM-4-12 SAE 76W-85 GL-4 at the factory.

How to check the oil in the box

The engine must be cold during the test. The measurement is taken through the filler channel on the side of the crankcase. The hole is closed with a plastic or metal lid with a sealing gasket.

Changing the oil in the Lada Vesta box

Unscrew the plug (plastic - by hand, metal - with a key set to “17”). There is no dipstick, so you put your finger or a screwdriver into the neck. Filling to the bottom edge of the filler tube is considered correct.

Why do you need to change transmission fluid?

Lada Vesta transmission oil consists of a petroleum base and special additives, which, over time, not only cease to perform their intended functions, but also disintegrate. This process is accelerated by an aggressive driving style, abrupt or untimely gear shifting. “Waste” oil ceases to protect the parts of the Vesta gearbox and cool friction pairs. In addition, metal shavings settling at the bottom are carried throughout the mechanism, which can contribute to the occurrence of scuffing and rapid wear of the main pair.

It is recommended to change the transmission fluid on domestic Lada gearboxes once every five years, or, with active driving, every 75,000 km. If the lubricant has not been changed for too long, the gearbox should be flushed before adding fresh oil.

Reviews

№	Positive
1.	Vasily , 34 years old (drive2.ru): changed the lubricant on the mechanics for the first time at 20,000 km. The color is brown, there are not a lot of metal shavings. I filled in the same thing - factory semi-synthetic from Lukoil.
2.	Dmitry Mikhailovich , 46 years old (prom.ua): the mileage of the Lada Vesta is 52,000 km, the condition of the manual transmission lubrication is still good, but it is advisable to “update”. I bought three liters of Rosneft, semi-synthetic, as part of the promotion.
3.	Alexey , 36 years old (drom.ru): I have no complaints about the machine, it works properly. Total mileage 35,000 km. I regularly visit service stations, carry out diagnostics, and buy original consumables.
4.	Petrovich , 47 years old (rozetka.ua): I renewed the lubricant for the first time at 2000 km, after purchasing it from the dealership. The color of the liquid was natural, there were practically no shavings. After filling it with Rosneft on a synthetic basis, my comrades advised.
5.	Vyacheslavovich , 48 years old (Auto.ru): did not wait for 75,000 km, as recommended by the manufacturer, updated the “lubrication” in the mechanics already at 50,000 km. The box is working normally, there are no comments.
6.	Semyon Vasilyevich , 44 years old (Auto.Mail.Ru): for three years of active use of the car there were no breakdowns, only scheduled technical inspections. I take good care of my equipment, observe the replacement intervals for consumables, and have a moderate driving style.
7.	Dmitry Stepanovich , 47 years old (drive2.ru): The Lada Vesta is five years old and has never changed the oil in the box. The manufacturer recommends I won’t wait at 75,000 km, I’ll update at 60,000 km. I don't think it will get any worse.
8.	Andrey Sergeevich , 49 years old (drive2.ru): I have an old Vesta, still mechanically from the French. Over five years of active use, I replaced the transmission fluid twice. There are no complaints about the manual transmission, it works normally.
Negative
9.	Gennady Dmitrievich , 53 years old (prom.ua): a rustling sound appeared at idle, after diagnostics in the workshop they said that it was necessary to replace the bearing in the box. The car is only three years old, but it already requires investment.
10.	Vladimir , 48 years old (Bibika.ru): problems with the transmission began after several thousand miles. There was noise when moving, slight vibration. I will go to a service station for diagnostics followed by repairs.
11.	Boris Sergeevich , 48 years old (drive2.ru): over the four years of using the car, I have already contacted the service center several times to troubleshoot the machine. Frequent delays (pauses) when switching, vibration when moving.
12.	Sergey Vasilievich , 47 years old (Avtodispatcher.ru): changed the oil unscheduled, at 30,000 km. Already at that time the grease was dark brown in color. Which indicates the low quality of the oil. I filled it with imported Mobile, my garage mates recommended it.

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Factory oil

The Lada Vesta, produced by AvtoVAZ from the factory, is filled with transmission fluid TM 4-12 Tatneft Translux 75w85 API GL-4. This is a semi-synthetic liquid that operates in a wide temperature range - from -40 to +45 degrees, which is optimal for Russia. If you plan to change the lubricant, then it is advisable to do this not immediately, but not after 100 km. It is better to change the gearbox oil after the car has driven 4 or 5 kilometers.

The planned replacement of lubricant in the VAZ-21807 gearbox, as well as in the AMT, is due after 75,000, with aggressive driving after 35,000.

What kind of oil is poured into

The privilege to supply lubricant to the Lada Vesta manual transmission box was given to Tatneft and the French ELF.

and its properties

Vesta comes off the AvtoVAZ assembly line with a lubricant that is well compatible with gearbox elements and is suitable for the Russian climate.

What is poured into the “mechanics” at the factory:

• Rosneft: Kinetik SAE 75W-85 API GL-4 is a mineral-based semi-synthetic oil with additives that increase oxidation resistance and high temperature-viscosity characteristics. Designed for heavily loaded gears. Having a specific density of 875, it hardens at -42 °C, and the flash point is +210 °C. The product is resistant to foaming, prevents mechanical wear and scuffing of unit components, and protects against corrosion.
• ELF: TRANSELF NFJ 75W80 - mineral-based manual transmission oil for Lada Vestas, but with the inclusion of synthetic components - ensures stable operation of the gearbox, does not oxidize, does not foam, and does not age for a long time. Used in JH3 510, TL4, where noise and vibration of parts are excluded.
• "Tatneft": TM 4-12 Translux 75w85 API GL-4 is a semi-synthetic product with additives that ensure thermal stability and minimal volatility of the substance.

All Vesta stock all-season lubricants have high anti-corrosion properties. This quality is important for VAZ manual transmissions, which, according to owners, have vulnerable parts, including a brass synchronizer blocking ring.

Replacing fluid in manual transmission Lada Vesta

On a warm Lada Vesta we drive onto a pit or lift. The used liquid must be drained immediately, because when it cools down it becomes more viscous and leaks worse.

• First, we de-energize the Lada by removing the terminal from the battery;
• We remove attachments that obstruct the path to the filler hole: air filter, pipes;
• We unscrew either the control plug with a size 17 wrench, or the reverse switch, having first removed the wires from it (wrench 22). The location of the switch is more convenient for filling oil.
• We go down, dismantle the technological hole for draining the oil from the gearbox or completely remove the engine protection (key 14 or 17);
• We substitute a container for “working off” with a volume of 2.5 liters (2.2 to be precise);
• Using a 17 wrench, unscrew the drain plug in the crankcase;
• We wait for some time, let the liquid drain completely;
• Screw the plug into place;
• We insert a hose with a clean funnel into the switch or control hole, change the oil to the lower edge of the control plug or, more simply, until lubricant flows out of it;
• After all the manipulations, close all the holes and check them for leaks. Then we install the protection in place. We remount the VF Frets, the removed pipes and terminals.

Replacing fluid in automatic transmission robot Lada Vesta

• We drive 5-10 km;
• We fix Vesta on an overpass, inspection hole or lift;
• We remove the technological hole or protection of the vehicle’s internal combustion engine;
• We disconnect the battery terminals, the clamps of the air pipes, and remove the air filter to the side;
• We unscrew the transmission fluid control plug of the car’s automatic transmission;
• We take a container for old oil with a volume of more than 2.5 liters;
• Using a size 8 square wrench, unscrew the drain plug with the rubber seal;
• We drain the liquid completely, to do this you should wait a little;
• Screw the plug into the drain hole;
• Using a clean 20 mm long hose and a funnel, pour transmission oil to the lower mark of the Vesta control window. Please note that the lubricant that is poured into the Lada robot is different from the mechanics;
• We install the level control plug in place;
• We assemble the attachments and put the car engine protection in place.

Changing the oil in automatic transmission (AMT) Lada Vesta

1. We warm up the car, drive a few kilometers, and place it on an inspection pit (hydraulic lifting mechanism).
2. We dismantle the engine protection.
3. We remove the terminals from the battery, remove the air filter and pipes.

4. We first unscrew the control plug, then the drain plug, and grind off the waste.
5. We wait for the oil to drain and tighten the plug.
6. We fill the automatic transmission with new fluid in a volume of 2.5 liters. We use a hose and funnel.
7. We assemble attachments.

Flushing the Lada Vesta gearbox

This operation is recommended when using the “old” fluid for too long, as well as when the condition of the old lubricant is assessed as: “very dark” or “with metal particles”. Cleaning is not difficult:

• We drive into the inspection ditch, turn off the engine, remove the terminal from the battery;
• Remove the protection, air filter and pipes;
• We remove the lubrication control plug from the Vesta gearbox;
• We unscrew the drain bolt and drain the old transmission;
• Screw in the bolt;
• Through the control hole, fill the gearbox with flushing fluid with a volume of 1-1.5 liters, close the hole;
• We lift one or two driving wheels at once, while the machine must be firmly fixed;
• We start the engine, engage second gear for 5 - 10 minutes;
• Drain the liquid by unscrewing the drain plug and let it drain;
• Close the drain hole;
• Fill the box with new lubricant to the lower edge of the control window;
• We screw in the bolt (plug), install the VF and its pipes in place, and put on the terminals.

Replacing the transmission fluid of a Lada 2180 is not a tricky matter, however, it is very important. If you know how and when to change fluids correctly, what lubricant to use, and most importantly, apply all this in practice, then the 2180 gearbox will serve you for a long time and properly.