Changing the oil in the gearbox, or how to care for the gearbox in a car

The oil in the gearbox performs a function similar to the fluid in the engine. Therefore, it is responsible for the lubrication of the elements during the operation of the drive unit, which leads to a decrease in the friction force. Thanks to this, the service life of parts such as bearings or gears can be extended. 

It doesn't end there. It is also necessary to change the oil in the gearbox, as impurities constantly accumulate in the fluid. Of course, this agent can only perform its function if it has the right parameters. Check for yourself how to change the oil in the gearbox!

Driving on used gear oil - what does it lead to? 

Changing the gearbox oil is extremely important, but many drivers forget about it. What are the consequences of postponing this procedure? Mostly with worse gear performance, including:

• cranking of the connecting rod bearing shells - one of the most common causes of this problem is irregular oil changes. The lack of lubrication makes this element more susceptible to stress, the consequences of which are deplorable;
• clogged oil filter - used oil has different pressures, which can lead to clogging of the oil filter. This leads to contamination of the pumping system, and in extreme cases, even to engine jamming;
• turbocharger wear - using a car with old oil leads to the destruction of the impeller. As a result, the shaft and housing are damaged, and the bearings fail. This is not the end - used oil leads to the fact that the channels responsible for lubricating the turbine become clogged. The result can be a sticking of the turbocharger itself.

When should the gearbox oil be changed?

Even before answering the question of how to change the oil in the gearbox, it is worth mentioning how often this should be remembered. Unfortunately, changing the oil in the gearbox is a process whose frequency depends on many factors. This is influenced by both technological and operational aspects. In most cases, the first gear oil change is necessary between 60 and 100 kilometers. As you can see, the specific recommendations of manufacturers are very different from each other, so you should read them carefully. 

After that, the oil change in the gearbox should be carried out approximately every 40 thousand kilometers. You won't be surprised to know that the more often you do this process, the less likely you are to experience any transmission problems. 

The situation is somewhat different with an automatic transmission. It will not only be more difficult, but also ... more expensive! Learn how to change the oil in an automatic transmission!

Dynamic oil change in the gearbox - what is worth knowing?

If your car has an automatic transmission, changing the gearbox oil will be much more difficult. Of course, you can unscrew the drain plug and let the grease drain on its own, but this solution is very inefficient. Up to 60% of the substance will remain in the tank. Therefore, the liquid will not be replaced, but only refreshed. 

The solution to this problem is dynamic. changing the oil in the gearbox. It is offered by most workshops, and without a special pump it is impossible to carry it out. This device is responsible for sucking oil out of the transmission, cleaning its interior and adding new specifics to it. This is why, if you have an automatic transmission car, you should have a mechanic change the gearbox oil. 

Gearbox oil change - steps

The answer to the question of how to change the oil in the gearbox step by step is quite simple. Of course, we are talking about a manual transmission, which is much less complicated than its automatic counterpart. 

1. Place the car on a jack and level it carefully.
2. Locate the drain plugs - some models may have up to three. 
3. Unscrew the lids and wait until the entire spread pours itself into the bowl you have prepared. 
4. Remember that a do-it-yourself gearbox oil change should also include the installation of a new gasket, which will make the process more efficient. 

Have no idea how to change the oil in the gearbox if you live in the city? Go to the mechanic.

Changing the gearbox oil in the workshop - what you need to know?

Although you know the answer to the question of how to change the oil in the gearbox, not everyone has the opportunity to do it on their own. Someone lives in an apartment building, someone does not have a garage, someone has time to change the oil in the gearbox on their own. This is not a problem, because almost every car repair shop offers this type of service to its customers. 

As you might expect, cars with automatic transmissions are much more expensive to maintain than cars with classic manual transmissions. Checking and changing the oil in the gearbox in the workshop costs about 10 euros An automatic transmission requires much more work, so the price is correspondingly higher and even amounts to 50 euros, and if you add a cleaning agent and a filter, the cost can even increase to 120 euros.

How to change the oil in the gearbox? How often should this be done? How much does a workshop replacement cost? The answers to these questions are just a drop in the ocean of what you have learned today. If you want to avoid additional costs, follow the tips above and your car will serve you for many years to come.