Changing the oil in the Lada Kalina gearbox: which one to choose

December 18, 2020 Lada.Online 139 304 28

Lada Granta, Lada Priora and Lada Kalina 2nd generation cars are equipped with the same type of gearbox. If we are talking about “mechanics” (manual transmission 2180 and 2181). An automated transmission (AMT or “robot”) is also built on this basis. Let's look at the process of changing gearbox oil in detail.

A little about oil

The Lada Kalina has a conventional five-speed manual transmission . It has been set since the days of the “nines”. Not long ago, Avtovaz released a VAZ-2180 with a cable drive . Oil is poured into the pan, it does not splash out and is not pumped up by the pump. Lubrication occurs in this way: the gears of the intermediate are dipped into the bath during rotation , thereby ensuring lubrication of the rubbing elements. Transmission fluid also provides heat removal, otherwise the box will quickly overheat . If the gears run dry, a large amount of wear . After this, it accumulates a brown tint over time . Therefore, it is necessary to keep level in the gearbox under control . For this procedure, Kalina has a special probe . If the oil level is below the average mark, it is better not to use , but to add transmission fluid.

How much oil is in a manual transmission of a Lada Kalina car?

First generation 1118, 2004-2018

When creating the Kalina, AvtoVAZ used 3D virtualization for the first time, which not only made it easier to design, but also improved aerodynamics and speeded up development. In addition, the new production technology had a positive effect on the quality of painting, welding and subsequent assembly of the car, which was very important for mass production and cost reduction. Kalina had three trim levels - Standard, Norma and Lux. Thus, for some versions they offered air conditioning, parking sensors, an audio system and other modern options, and power steering was already included in the basic package - for the first time in the history of AvtoVAZ. The restyled Kalina of 2013 was distinguished by a new front design, as well as a more modern front panel in the cabin - with a 7-inch multimedia display, Bluetooth and USB, improved climate control and additional options. The updated model was also equipped with an ABS system with emergency braking and an ESC stabilization system.

Oil in manual transmission 2181: volume - 2.2 liters with partial replacement (for gearbox 1118 and 1119 - up to 3.5 liters)

Choosing the best

At the factory, TNK TRANS KP oil is poured into the car's gearbox , but the overwhelming number of car owners prefer to fill in fluids from other brands , most often foreign-made. Usually, when switching to oils from other brands, the noise coming from the gearbox is reduced service life , and even fuel consumption .

To select oil for the Lada Kalina gearbox, you need to focus on viscosity . The following list will help you here:

• Viscosity grade: 75W80 withstands temperatures from -40 to +35
• Viscosity grade: 75W85 can withstand temperatures from -40 to +35 (but in terms of characteristics it is slightly ahead of the competitor)
• Viscosity grade: 75W90 withstands temperatures from -40 to +45
• Viscosity grade: 80W85 withstands temperatures from -26 to +35
• Viscosity grade: 80W90 withstands temperatures from -26 to +45
• Viscosity grade: 85W90 withstands temperatures from -12 to +45 and above

Types of gear oil

There are three main types of lubricant:
For Lada Kalina, it is recommended to purchase an original lubricant product or its equivalent. High-quality material cannot be cheap. Some car owners do not trust original oils from the manufacturer, but this does not mean that they are of poor quality. Their cost is not as high as that of foreign analogues. For Lada Kalina, semi-synthetic oil from Lukoil has proven itself to be excellent. Judging by the reviews, the car can travel up to 300,000 km without the need for major repairs or transmission replacement.

If you need to reduce box noise, it is recommended to use a THK Magnum transmission. It can also be used in low temperature conditions; the gears will shift smoothly and quickly. Do not pay attention to additives; they should not be taken into account for either engine or transmission oil. Modern lubricants have all the properties to increase the service life of components and assemblies; additives are no longer of fundamental importance. The Lada Kalina is equipped with not only a manual transmission, but also an automatic Jatco from Nissan. It is recommended to use only two types of oils for this gearbox:

• Nissan ATF Matic-S;
• Genuine EJ-1 ATF.

When replacing, it must be taken into account that at least three liters of fluid will be required. When measuring the volume of the drained product, allowance should be made for the temperature - when heated, the liquid expands.

Oil is poured into a heated gearbox, only clean equipment and tools are used, the machine is extremely sensitive to dust.

Transmission oils recommended by AvtoVAZ

Experts recommend using oil with a viscosity of 70W80 to 80W85.

Manufacturers:

• Rosneft
• Shell
• Liqui Moly
• Lukoil
• Castrol
• Mobile

It is also worth mentioning that the ZIC has also succeeded in the production of transmission fluids and is gaining a lot of positive reviews.

The Lada Kalina car manufacturer recommends using the following brands of oil:

• Lukoil TM4 with viscosity grade: 75W-80, 75W-85, 75W-90, 80W-85 and 80W-90
• NOVOIL TRANS KP with viscosity class: 80W-85
• Rosneft KINETIC with viscosity grade: 80W-85
• TNK Trans KP with viscosity grade: 80W-85
• TNK Trans KP SUPER with viscosity class: 75W-90
• Trans KP-2 with viscosity class: 80W-85
• Shell Transaxle Oil 75W -90

The use of oil from TNK is justified in cases where the car has a low annual mileage (no more than 20 thousand kilometers).

The best motor oil. does it exist?

For example, with the following “risk factors”:

• Frequent driving on bad and dusty roads, including off-road
• Operation in harsh climatic zones - with sudden changes in temperature (precipitation, cold snap - warming, dirt and slush, high humidity)
• Regular driving at cruising speeds, high engine speeds, engine overheating
• The driver makes mistakes when shifting gears, the transmission overheats

The above factors help to shorten the replacement interval, since the oil becomes unusable before the scheduled time. As a result, it turns out that the optimal frequency in such conditions is about 30 thousand kilometers. In any case, it is still advisable to regularly monitor the volume and condition of the oil.

Self-replacement of transmission fluid in the gearbox

If for some reason you cannot or do not want to carry out work at a service station , you can carry out this procedure yourself . To do this you will need the following tools :

• a wrench set to “17” (preferably a box-type one);
• funnel with a tube , which you can make yourself or purchase at the appropriate store. (no more than 50 cm in length);
• the transmission fluid itself ;
• containers for waste;
• jack - it will help if you need to flush the manual transmission.

Checking the oil level

We place the car on a pit or a lift.

1. Open the hood .
2. Remove the air filter.
3. Find the gearbox housing the dipstick from it to check the oil level. To get to it, you will have to stick your hand between the battery and pipe , which goes down from the air filter.
4. Clean the dipstick rod from oil, then put it back in place until it stops.
5. Take out the dipstick and check the level; it should be in the middle of the Min and Max , which are located on the rod.
6. If the level is normal, put the dipstick back and replace the air filter.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil

Replacing transmission fluid, regardless of its type, begins with preparatory work. To do this, the Lada Kalina 2 car is placed on a flat horizontal surface. You can use a lift, a viewing hole, or drive onto an overpass. The car must be warmed up before starting. Most of the procedure is carried out from below the car.

Automatic transmission oil change

1. First you need to remove the protective cover or boot.
2. Then unscrew the drain plug with a 19 key. It is located on the pallet.
3. We substitute a reservoir for waste liquid.
4. There is an overflow plug under the drain plug - remove it and drain the oil.
5. For a better replacement, you can remove the pan and clean it from the inside. To do this, unscrew the bolts with a 10mm wrench and carefully remove the part. We clean the tray and the magnets located on it.
6. We install the pallet in place.
7. The new lubricant must be poured through the dipstick hole. The dipstick plug is located near the engine block, under the bellows of the air filter. If access to the filler hole and dipstick is difficult, you can remove the corrugation along with the air filter cover. To remove the corrugation, you need to unscrew the 4 bolts securing the filter cover, remove the air flow sensor and the air pipe. The pipe and corrugation are secured with clamps.
8. We take out the dipstick plug and, using a hose with a funnel, pour in the same amount of new oil as was drained.
9. To distribute the lubricant in the gearbox, you need to start the engine and shift the gearbox selector through all gears. The selector must be held in each position for several seconds.
10. Check the level of the filled working fluid. We lower the dipstick plug with the wiped tip into the filler hole and remove it. The oil level should be between o and “MAX”.
11. Having brought the lubricant level to the optimal level, close the dipstick plug and install the air filter bellows (if it has been removed).

Replacing the working fluid in the automatic transmission of Lada Kalina 2 has been completed.

We drain the waste

Drive onto a pit or overpass and use the handbrake or using improvised means to secure your car in place and pre -warm the engine .

1. We place a pre-prepared container under the drain hole, where the used oil will drain
2. Take a 17 key and unscrew the drain plug
3. Wait for the used oil to drain, this can take up to 40 minutes .
4. Then tighten plug .

Note: if the used fluid is dark in color , it means it contains metal dust , sediment and other gearbox wear products. washing liquid into it . Then you need to jack up one of the drive wheels and start the engine by engaging first gear . Wait about 10 minutes, turn off the engine and drain the filled flushing fluid.

How much to fill

The optimal volume of oil for the Lada Kalina gearbox, according to the instructions, is at least 3 liters. It is necessary to fill the liquid until it begins to flow out of the oil filler neck. It is also advisable to adjust the level with a dipstick. And finally, it is important to say that this volume of oil is introduced after the procedure for completely cleaning the transmission from the remnants of the old fluid has been completed.

For normal and stable operation of the gearbox on Kalina, it requires regular maintenance in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturer's regulations. One of the most important components of the functioning of the gearbox is engine oil. According to the regulations, changing the oil in the gearbox on Kalina is provided every 75,000 km. However, under conditions of intensive use of the car, we recommend replacing it more often, for example every 40-50 thousand km.

Filling with new oil

1. Remove the dipstick , since you will be pouring oil through the hole for the level indicator.
2. Take a pre-prepared funnel and insert one end into the box.
3. Fill in about three liters of gearbox oil. At the same time, check the oil level on the dipstick; it should be between the min and max marks.

Now you need to drive 10-15 kilometers and look at the oil level indicator . If necessary, add the required amount of liquid.

Advice for changing the oil in a car

Transmission oil has a high viscosity, and even in a heated state during draining, it leaves the crankcase reluctantly. Some waste inevitably remains on the internal walls of the unit. Here, the owners of LADA Kalina recommend “spilling” some of the lubricant.

The procedure looks like this:

1. Before changing the gearbox oil, you need to make sure that the drain plug should not be installed.
2. We pour about 150 grams of new lubricant into the unit and wait for it to completely drain from the drain hole. First, we observe the release of a blackened liquid, and then a lighter-colored substance.
3. Having completed this manipulation, tighten the plug and perform the replacement procedure discussed above.

This action is also very useful when filling a new product from another manufacturer.