Checking the oil level in the gearbox is one of the simplest and at the same time important operations. It is recommended to check the oil level once every 3 weeks, as it may unexpectedly leak due to damage to the box body. Then the question arises about repairing the gearbox. Find out how you can check the oil in the gearbox and what steps you need to take to do this.
Automatic transmission
First you need to warm up the gearbox. To do this, drive about 10 km and stop the car on a level area. Then you should take out the dipstick, which will be used to check the oil in the automatic transmission. You need to wipe it, then lower it again all the way into a special pipe and pull it out again. Sometimes the dipstick may have lower marks that can be used to check the oil level and cold box. However, such marks are intended as a rough guide only. But the final oil level will still have to be checked when the oil is warm. You should know that it is very low level oil is dangerous because the pump captures air along with the oil, which results in an air-oil mixture that is compressed and has low heat capacity and thermal conductivity. As a result, the pressure in the system will drop, the automatic transmission will overheat, and the rubbing parts will be poorly lubricated. Therefore, the car can break down very quickly. Due to the rotation of automatic transmission parts, when the level is exceeded, the oil may foam. Moreover, this process does not begin immediately after turning on the engine, but during the driving cycle. The foamed oil increases its volume, after which it is released into the box automatically through the breather. To check this, you should look under your car. If the oil foams, the box will be covered in oil.
Manual Transmission
How to check the oil in a box in this case? This can also be done with or without a probe.
Checking the oil level with a dipstick
It is necessary to place the car on a flat surface and wait for the oil to settle. This takes about 10-15 minutes. Then you need to open the hood, find the manual transmission dipstick, pull it out, wipe it with a cloth and put it back. If you cannot get the dipstick, you need to remove air filter. Now you need to pull out the dipstick again and look at the readings on it. If the oil level does not reach max marks, then it is necessary to add oil of the same brand through the dipstick hole. After this, you need to let it settle and check the readings again. It is worth noting that the oil in the gearbox should be slightly above the maximum mark. The thing is that in the car the fifth gear is higher than the rest, so the level is not always enough. Therefore, in order to avoid fifth gear hum, you should fill the oil above this mark.
Checking the oil level without a dipstick
First you need to place the car on the overpass and remove the protection. Then you should unscrew the filler box and stick your finger in there. You should feel the oil. It should be up to the bottom border filler plug. If there is a need to add oil, this should be done using a special syringe. In order to pour in a larger amount of oil above the max mark, you should place the car on an overpass at a slight incline. This will add much more oil. After this, you need to tighten the plug and put everything in reverse order.
In some cases, you may need a long tube with which to fill the oil, since in some car models the filler hole is very difficult to reach. Also, if there is a need to add oil, but you do not know what brand it is in the box, then it is better to change everything at once.
The manual transmission of front-wheel drive VAZ cars is simple in design, but nevertheless requires a certain amount of attention, sometimes no less than robotic and hydromechanical boxes transmissions of foreign cars. First of all The VAZ-2114 gearbox suffers from the quality of the lubricant and its quantity. That is why it is important not only to fill in high-quality transmission oils, but also to monitor their level.
We check the oil level in the gearbox in VAZ-2114 of different years of production
Gears, shafts and synchronizers, as well as gearbox bearings work in very difficult conditions and experience significant stress. The temperature in the gearbox sometimes rises above 150 degrees and the mechanism requires not only active lubrication, but also cooling. Except transmission oil nothing cools the box, which is why it is necessary to monitor the oil level in the gearbox housing.
Once the oil level drops below normal, gears and bearings wear out very intensively, which leads to premature repair and replacement of synchronizers, gears and bearings.
Without dipstick
IN front wheel drive cars VAZ produced before 2003 simply did not have a dipstick for checking the oil level, therefore, in such Samaras it is somewhat more difficult to check the oil level, but no one has canceled this procedure. This is done as follows:
The oil level in the gearbox without a dipstick must be such that it is completely cover of the first phalanx of the finger . Not the most technologically advanced verification method, but nevertheless it is the only one.
It is important to remember: before checking the oil level in the gearbox of a VAZ-2114 of any year of manufacture, the car must stand for at least 15-20 minutes with the engine turned off on a flat surface so that the transmission drains from the walls of the gearbox and gears. Only then will the test results be objective.
Transmission oil level with dipstick
Checking the oil level with a dipstick is much easier, and the process will greatly simplify. The fact is that the gearbox dipstick is located just under the filter on the side driver's door, although it can be reached without removing the air cleaner housing.
The dipstick is secured in the gearbox housing using a plug with a thick rubber ring. It has two labels showing the minimum and maximum level oils
Two marks on the level. The level is almost at its maximum. This is what some VAZ-2114 owners from our community recommend
To objectively assess the level of transmission oil in the gearbox housing, it is also necessary to let the car stand for at least fifteen minutes on a flat surface with the engine turned off.
According to the manufacturers themselves, they are equipped with so-called maintenance-free gearboxes. In other words, this means that the transmission fluid is filled at the factory and is designed to last for the entire life of the vehicle.
It turns out that the regulations do not provide for changing the oil in a maintenance-free gearbox and is carried out only if it is necessary to disassemble and repair the transmission. It is for this reason that many gearboxes do not have a dipstick for checking the oil level and assessing its condition, as well as special holes.
As for older versions of transmissions, as a rule, most automatic transmissions have such a dipstick, and manual transmissions are structurally designed to have special inspection holes.
In any case, it is important to understand that the concept of “maintenance-free box” is more marketing ploy. To put it simply, often without changing the oil the unit is capable of running warranty period on a new car, but after 100-150 thousand km. problems may start. To prevent premature breakdowns and increase oil, the oil needs to be changed and its level and condition regularly monitored.
Read in this article
How to check the oil in a manual transmission
As a rule, if we're talking about O mechanical box gears, there is no separate dipstick for checking the oil level in such a transmission. In this case, in order to determine the oil level in the manual transmission, you will need to unscrew the special inspection hole plug, which is located in the side of the gearbox housing.
- To check, you need to warm up the box (it is enough to drive the car 5-15 km). Then you need to place the car on a flat surface (it is optimal to drive the car onto inspection hole or lift on a lift), and wait about 10-15 minutes for the oil to drain into the pan to obtain accurate results. Additionally, the car body can be tilted slightly to the right (no more than 2-3 degrees) by placing cargo in the passenger compartment or trunk.
It is also recommended to study the vehicle operating manual separately in order to accurately determine the location of the inspection hole plug and the type of key for unscrewing it. After the plug has been unscrewed, you need to assess what the oil level is in the gearbox. To do this, you can follow the bottom edge of the hole, or you can take a metal rod or screwdriver to accurately measure the level in the pan.
If the level is below normal, you will need to add oil. This can be done in several ways, but most often a hose and funnel are used for topping up. The hose is inserted into the control hole, the oil is carefully and slowly added to the level.
At the same time, you can take oil from the gearbox to assess its condition. For this you will need a syringe. It is recommended to place a few drops on a sheet of clean white paper. If the oil is relatively clean and transparent, a spot with a clear boundary forms on the paper, there is no obvious cloudiness, impurities, chips or foreign odors, then the lubricant is suitable for further use.
Natural darkening of the oil is also allowed, which indicates that the additives are working and partial loss of properties and contamination are occurring. In this case, a complete loss of transparency, the presence of metal shavings, noticeable changes in viscosity (the gearbox oil is too thick or thin) indicates the need mandatory replacement transmission fluid in a manual transmission. In some cases, severe contamination of the oil is also the basis for pre-flushing the manual transmission before replacing the lubricant.
When reassembling, it is important to tighten the plug drain hole at the right moment. Typically, the tightening torque (force) is indicated separately in the vehicle manual. Also, on some cars, it may be necessary to replace the seal of the transmission inspection hole plug. Such a seal must be purchased separately before testing.
How to check the oil level in an automatic transmission
Automatic transmission, unlike manual transmission. The reason is that the oil in an automatic transmission is not just a lubricant, but also performs a number of additional functions.
Such functions mean the transmission of torque to, supply of fluid under pressure to actuators, which allows you to control the operation of the automatic transmission and change gears in automatic mode.
Naturally, any deviations from the norm (overflow or decrease in level) lead to the fact that, etc. are possible.
Even taking into account the fact that automakers claim that automatic transmissions do not require maintenance, the manufacturers of such boxes themselves recommend checking the fluid level regularly ( ATP oils), evaluate color, smell and condition. If necessary, the fluid needs to be changed, in parallel it is produced (if necessary), carried out.
- So, to check the level and condition of the oil in the automatic transmission, you need to find a special automatic transmission oil dipstick. The vast majority of older versions and a large number of modern automatic transmissions have such a dipstick.
To check, you need to study the manual separately to clarify how the oil level is checked on a particular car model, depending on the type of automatic transmission, etc. IN general outline, you often need to first warm up the box (drive 5-15 km), then put the car on a flat surface, put it in position P, in most cases you do not need to turn off the engine.
Next, the area around the dipstick needs to be wiped to prevent dirt from getting into the hole. Then you will need to remove the automatic transmission dipstick, wipe it with a clean lint-free cloth, insert it back, wait 3-5 seconds and remove it again. Normally, the oil on the dipstick should be at a mark between COLD and HOT, and when hot, it should be closer to the HOT mark, but not higher than it.
By the way, COLD is an indicator of the oil level in an unheated (cold) automatic transmission. This is a service mark that is used when replacing the fluid as an initial indicator, after which additional adjustments must be made after the machine has warmed up. There should also be no visible traces of oil foaming in the automatic transmission (accumulation of bubbles on the dipstick).
When assessing the condition, attention should be paid Special attention not only the level, but also the color of the automatic transmission oil, as well as its smell and degree of contamination. Fresh liquid ATP is usually reddish in color, transparent, with a characteristic odor. Darkening is allowed during operation, but the oil should still remain transparent. At the same time, the presence of a burnt smell in the automatic transmission oil is not allowed, which indicates serious problems with automatic transmission.
A burnt smell, chips, cloudiness and impurities indicate that the oil in the machine needs to be changed urgently. Also, the gearbox may require additional diagnostics and/or automatic transmission flushing. It is quite possible that the unit requires repair, that is, simply replacing the transmission fluid and automatic transmission filter will not solve the problem.
Let us add that in the case of automatic transmissions without an oil dipstick, it is somewhat more difficult to accurately check the level yourself. In this case, it is recommended to contact a service, official or third-party, which specifically specializes in repair and maintenance various types Automatic transmission.
The condition of the oil on such machines can also be assessed in a garage. The main thing is to get some liquid out of the box for analysis. This can be done by unscrewing any of the drain plug(if equipped), removing the pipe from the automatic transmission cooling radiator, etc.
It is also recommended to collect in advance necessary information before performing any manipulations. This is necessary so that when removing certain automatic transmission elements, there will be no problems with sealing in the future, and the risks of breaking terminals, clamps, latches, etc. threaded connections, destruction of gaskets, seals, etc.
As you can see, checking the oil level in a manual transmission often involves removing the engine protection, unscrewing the control plug, etc. For this reason, you should prepare in advance necessary tools, keys, seal, etc. The oil in such a box should be checked every 15-20 thousand km, provided there are no leaks or any malfunctions, as well as complaints about the operation of the box.
In the case of an automatic transmission, it is recommended to check the fluid much more often, especially if there is a dipstick. If there is no probe for verification, then it is optimal to evaluate ATF status in automatic transmission every 10-15 thousand km. Finally, we note that it is advisable to change the oil in a manual transmission every 60 thousand km. or once every 4-5 years (whichever comes first), whereas in automatic transmissions, replacement ATF fluids and the filter should be done every 40 thousand km. or once every 3-4 years.
In this case, for each type of gearbox you need to use only ones that comply with all tolerances and recommendations of the vehicle and/or transmission manufacturer.
Read also
Checking the oil level in an automatic transmission: how to check ATF level. What else to pay attention to: color, smell, ATP contamination, etc.
The gearbox is an intermediate unit between power plant and wheels. With its help, the rotation speed is adjusted main couple, and the torque is set. Like any mechanical component, the gearbox needs lubrication. We will tell you in detail how to check the oil in any box and understand that it needs topping up or replacement.
In addition, in an automatic transmission, the fluid performs not only a lubricating role. In a traditional automatic transmission, gears are activated using a complex valve system.
Additional hydraulic fluid is not filled, the transmission is the only consumables in automatic transmission. The same composition is used in the torque converter, which acts as a clutch.
In mechanics, oil can also be used for other purposes direct purpose(not just for lubrication). The so-called “wet” clutch requires the presence of working fluid.
Transmission oil level
In addition to oil quality control and its timely replacement, you need to monitor the level. Despite the tightness of the gearbox, fluid can gradually leave the mechanisms. This happens for a reason normal wear and tear seals, leaky gaskets, and even cracks in the gearbox housing.
By regularly checking the oil in the box, you maintain its performance and extend the life of the mechanisms. Excess fluid is no less dangerous than its lack.
Mechanical and automatic transmission, in fact, are powerful gearboxes with variable gear ratios. There is no universal indicator of the amount of lubricant or its level.
Depending on the type of gears, the lubrication method also differs:
Excess oil in the gearbox housing leads to disruption of this lubrication system. In addition, excess fluid increases rotational resistance.
In relation to an automatic transmission: a lack or excess of fluid can cause loss of performance. Control occurs using valves.
For correct shift gears must be provided with a calibrated number hydraulic fluid Therefore, regular checking of automatic transmission oil is vital.
How to check the oil in the box?
Most gearboxes (both manual and automatic) are equipped with a special dipstick - a level indicator. As a rule, this is a strong cable with an indicator at the end. 
The gearbox is located deep in the engine compartment, and in cars with rear wheel drive and completely under the cabin. It is for this reason that the probe is made in such an unusual way.
The measurement process itself is simple: you need to remove the indicator, wipe it with a clean rag, then insert and remove the dipstick again. Assess the level according to the instructions for routine maintenance car (the fluid mark is located between the MIN and MAX marks), and visually determine the condition of the oil. 
Before measuring, you should prepare the gearbox - perform a number of simple procedures.
Checking the automatic transmission oil
Some indicators have marks for checking the level “cold” and “hot”. However, in most cases it is necessary not only to warm up the gearbox, but also to fill all channels and valves with transmission fluid.
To do this, you need to start the engine and warm it up for 5-10 minutes. Then, keeping the brake pedal pressed, move the automatic transmission lever alternately to all positions for 15-30 seconds. Return the selector to the “parking” position, turn off the engine and let the oil settle for 10 minutes.
If the transmission is not equipped with a dipstick (this happens if the manufacturer considers the automatic transmission maintenance-free), you can estimate the transmission fluid level by looking at the filler hole.
To do this, simply unscrew the plug and check for the presence of oil with your finger or a cotton swab. The liquid should be along the bottom edge of the hole. Instructions for checking oil in 4x step automatic transmission
How to check the oil in a manual transmission
- video Before measuring the level, the gearbox must be warmed up. You need to drive 3-5 km, or let the engine run for 10-15 minutes.. After which, with the clutch pedal depressed, it is necessary to change several gears and return the lever to “neutral”.
Checking the oil level in the manual transmission - video
After turning off the engine, you need to let the oil drain to the bottom of the crankcase for 10 minutes. You can check the level using any of the following methods: with a dipstick (if available) or using a filler plug.
Helpful information
If, when checking the oil in the box, you find a “shortage”, in addition to restoring the volume, you need to find the reason. Most often it is enough to make visual inspection gearboxes Leakage is localized by replacing seals, gaskets, and restoring the integrity of the housing.
To assess the condition of the lubricant by color, you need to compare the sample on the level indicator with a drop of fresh transmission oil. The liquid should not contain soot, solid particles, or water emulsion.
Checking the fluid level in the gearbox is quite simple - it does not take much time and effort, but the life of the manual transmission or automatic transmission depends on the timeliness of this procedure. We decided to indicate the sequence of measurements.
The fluid level must be checked every three weeks or every 10 thousand mileage of the car. If a lubricant leaks, negative consequences arise:
- noise in gearbox
- premature wear of box parts
- wedge during gear shifting.
- turning off the transmission by itself.
You can determine whether a given car model has a dipstick for measuring oil by looking under the hood of the car; the presence of one bright handle indicates: this measuring element is not provided for measurements, so to check whether there is enough lubricant in the box you need:
- Place the car on an overpass or inspection hole.
- Clean the filler plug from dirt with a brush or rag.
- Take a 17 key and carefully loosen the filler plug.
- Manually unscrew the plug completely.
- Find the sealing washer under the plug; if it is damaged, it’s time to replace it with a new copper washer.
- Place your finger into the filler hole.
- Determine the lubricant level by touch.
If there is enough liquid, you can feel it with your finger; if the results are different, add more lubricant up to normal. This procedure must be carried out at temperatures above 0 0 C.
How to find out the oil level in the gearbox - video
Vehicles with dipstick
Most automatic transmissions, unlike manual transmissions (manual transmissions manufactured before 2003), have a dipstick with which you can check the oil level. It is presented as a metal strip with serifs on one side, and on the other end there is a rubber ring. Look at Figure 1 with a bright orange dipstick for checking the oil level in the box.
Figure 1 Location of the dipstick for measuring transmission fluid
Most front-wheel drive cars are equipped with a dipstick located on the left side in the direction of travel of the car. Automatic transmission dipstick rear wheel drive cars located in the gap between the rear wall of the drive and engine compartment, it is quite difficult to find.
When checking the gearbox oil level with a dipstick, follow the sequence:
- Drive up to 20 thousand km before taking measurements. This is necessary to heat the engine to a temperature of 90 0 C.
- Place the machine on as level a surface as possible.
- Let the car sit for 10 minutes to allow the oil to drain.
- Remove the dipstick. If you can't get it out, unscrew the air filter and try again.
- Look at the “maximum” and “minimum” marks on the dipstick; the mixture level should be between them. If the oil is below the “minimum” mark: add lubricant to the box.
When taking measurements, look at the condition of the oil, apply a small amount of lubricant to a napkin, if the mixture smells like burning, has dark color, plus small particles are visible - it should be replaced.
