Drop test: how to understand that it is time to change the oil in the variator
The variator has many advantages, as well as disadvantages. And in order for a gearbox of this type to serve faithfully for a long time, it must be serviced. And first of all, it is necessary to change the transmission fluid in it. How to determine its wear and when is it better to change the oil so as not to miss the moment, the AvtoVzglyad portal figured out.
A variator is a fairly common type of transmission that is responsible for transmitting torque from the engine to the wheels. Such a gearbox today can be found on a huge number of cars from both Japanese and European manufacturers. It is distinguished from the "automatic" by economy, soft, jerk-free operation, higher dynamic performance and, most importantly, relative cheapness. Thanks to all these advantages, CVTs fell in love. But, of course, like any other unit in a car, a CVT requires some care. And there are a number of limitations in its operation.
As a rule, depending on the car model, it is recommended to change the oil in the variator at a range of 40-60 thousand km. However, there are exceptions when changing the transmission fluid is required more often. For example, severe operating conditions of a car. This may be frequent driving on dusty country roads or in mountainous areas. Or just hard operation with sharp accelerations, braking and slipping. Short distance trips are just as bad, not just for the CVT, but for the engine as well. Frequent driving on snow-covered roads and roads treated with reagents. Towing heavy trailers. Difficult climatic conditions with large temperature fluctuations. In general, everything that we see every day on our roads and in the daily operation of the car. But then how often do you need to change the oil in the variator?
In order to determine the moment of changing the transmission lubricant, and at the same time check the health of the variator, you can conduct a simple test or the so-called drop test. To do this, you need to get to the oil dipstick of the box and drop a little oil on a clean sheet of white paper.
A cloudy lubricant indicates that it contains a large amount of friction dust and other wear particles of transmission elements. What could be the threat? Yes, at least the fact that at some point the oil channels in the box can simply become clogged, like human vessels from an abundance of fat and cholesterol. And what happens then? First, the efficiency of the solenoids decreases. And then - expect trouble.
The nasty burnt smell is also not good. A burning-smelling transmission fluid indicates that the box has been overheated. This can be either improper operation and prolonged slippage, or problems with the cooling system or low pressure in the lubrication system. In general, here it is not only necessary to change the oil, but also to look at the condition of the box. And at the same time, reconsider and rethink your approach to car operation, if, of course, you keep an account of your money.
If self-diagnosis of the condition of the lubricant in the variator is not about you, then entrust this matter to professionals. As a rule, all of the above negative factors that accelerate oil wear are the truth of the life of a car in Russia. Therefore, it is better to look into the variator of your car more often.
An easy "drip test" won't take a lot of money out of your wallet, and transmission diagnostics won't either. But if you give up on this, then buying a new variator or repairing it will cost a very decent amount.
