Remember the oil in the box

When asked about a gearbox oil change, drivers probably won't be able to give a date. And the oil in the gearbox performs the same important function as in the engine.

When asked if you remember how to change the oil, most drivers will answer in the affirmative, referring to the oil in the engine. When asked about changing the oil in the gearbox, they probably won’t be able to indicate its date. And the oil in the gearbox performs the same important function as in the engine.

Changing the oil in the gearbox often escapes our attention, because even in older cars, the intervals between changes are quite long. On the other hand, in most cars produced today, the oil in manual transmissions does not need to be changed during the entire service life. The situation is completely different with automatic transmissions. Almost all such boxes require periodic oil changes. The frequency is very different: from 40 to 120 thousand. km.

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When to change the oil?

Regardless of which gearbox you have in your car, you need to check the oil level periodically. Ideally, when changing engine oil, as with manual transmissions, the oil level can only be checked after you step under the car. Oil at the correct level should reach the filler plug. This plug is easy to find, as it stands out for its size (diameter approx. 15 – 20 mm) among the many screws. On the other hand, in automatic transmissions, the oil level is checked with a checker, almost the same as that used to measure the oil level in the engine. The level in vending machines works differently. Some cars have a cold box, some have a hot box, and some have a running engine.

Gear oils are used for gearboxes and are divided according to quality and viscosity grades. Gear oils according to API classification are marked with the letters GL and numbers from one to six. The higher the number, the oil can work in more severe conditions. The viscosity classification tells us at what temperatures an oil can operate. Multigrade oils are currently used and 75W/90 or 80W/90 are recommended in our climate zone. However, some manufacturers require engine oil to be filled into the gearbox (for example, all Honda models a few years ago). The use of too thick, thin or different type of oil may result in poor shifting or premature transmission wear.

Automatic transmissions require an ATF type oil, which must additionally meet the specifications and standards of the vehicle manufacturer. Using the wrong oil will have dire consequences.

When changing the oil, remember that some drain plugs have a magnet that needs to be cleaned thoroughly. To fill the oil, you need a large syringe. An average of about 2 liters of oil is poured into the gearbox of a front-wheel drive car. In contrast, in most automatic transmissions, the oil is filled through the dipstick to check the level. It should be remembered that only about 40 percent of the car is replaced. the oil that is in the box because the rest stays on the bus.