The frequency and cost of changing the oil in the variator
Content
Why is it necessary to strictly observe the timing of changing the oil in the variator?
The variator is not the most difficult type of transmission from a technical point of view. It is easier to understand the principle of operation of the variator than, for example, a conventional automatic transmission.
Briefly, the operation of the variator looks like this. Torque is transmitted through a torque converter to the drive sliding pulley. Through the chains or belt, the torque is transmitted to the driven pulley. Due to automated control, the diameters of the pulleys change and, accordingly, the gear ratios change. The pulleys are controlled by hydraulics, which receives signals from an automated hydraulic plate. All mechanisms are lubricated with the same oil, through which the variator is controlled.
The CVT transmission oil is subjected to enormous loads during operation. It works with high pressures, removes heat and protects loaded friction surfaces between the pulleys and the belt (chain)... Therefore, strict requirements are imposed on ATF-fluid for the variator.
- The fluid must accurately and instantly transfer pressure to the desired circuit. The hydraulically controlled pulleys expand and slide synchronously. And here even a slight deviation of the required pressure from the norm or a delay will lead to a malfunction of the variator. If one of the pulleys decreases its diameter, and the second does not have time to increase, the belt will slip.
- The fluid must lubricate well and at the same time create a reliable engagement in the friction pair. That is, to have, at first glance, contradictory tribotechnical properties. However, in fact, the adhesion properties of the oil appear only under strong pressure, which is characteristic of the chain / pulley friction pair. Slipping of the belt or chain on the discs causes overheating and accelerated wear.
- The oil should not quickly degrade, contaminate or lose working properties. Otherwise, the CVT simply would not have entered the market if it had not been provided with an acceptable duration of its operation without maintenance.
If the timing of the oil change is violated, this will first lead to malfunctions in the variator (jerking the car while driving, loss of power and maximum speed, overheating, etc.), and then a decrease in its resource.
How often do I change the oil in the variator?
The oil in the variator must be changed at least as often as required by the car manufacturer. For example, if the operating instructions say that the oil must be changed after 60 thousand km, then it must be replaced before the onset of this run.
Pay attention to footnotes and emphasis in the accompanying documentation. Many manufacturers divide the vehicle operation modes into heavy and normal. Driving around the city, frequent standing in traffic jams or operating a car with sharp accelerations and acceleration to speeds close to maximum, automatically classify the car's operating mode as heavy.
Today, there are variators with interservice runs prescribed by manufacturers from 40 to 120 thousand km. Service station specialists recommend changing the oil in the variator 30-50% more often than the recommended time, even if the machine is not under heavy load and is operated in a sparing mode. The cost of an oil change is disproportionately small compared to repairing or replacing a variator.
The price of changing the oil in the variator box
The cost of replacing the ATF fluid depends on the device of the variator, the price of spare parts and oil, the work expended, as well as the number of procedures separately included in this operation. Service stations often calculate separately the price of services for each stage and their complexity:
- full or partial oil change;
- replacement of filters (in the box and in the heat exchanger);
- installing a new sealing ring on the plug;
- replacement of the gasket under the pallet;
- cleaning the variator with a flushing compound or mechanically;
- removal of dirt from the pallet and chips from the magnets;
- reset of the service interval in the on-board computer;
- other procedures.
For example, a complete oil change in the variator of a Nissan Qashqai car, together with filters, a sealing ring and zeroing the service mileage, costs (excluding spare parts) about 4-6 thousand rubles in an average service. Partial lubrication renewal without replacing filters will cost 1,5-2 thousand rubles. This is only the cost of the work. With spare parts, flushing, original oil and filters, the replacement price rises to 14-16 thousand rubles.
Changing the oil in the Mitsubishi Outlander variator is somewhat more expensive, since the procedure itself is technologically more complicated. Also, the price of consumables for the third Outlander is higher. A complete oil change with all consumables in the case of this car will cost about 16-18 thousand rubles.
