How to add oil to an automatic transmission yourself: instructions, recommendations

As you know, today new cars are overwhelmingly equipped with automatic transmissions (automatic transmissions, CVTs or robotic transmissions). At the same time, manual transmission (manual transmission) is often installed only on budget versions of cars and some sports cars.

It is important to understand that although automatic transmissions are quite reliable, such transmissions require regular and qualified maintenance. This applies to a greater extent to automatic transmissions and CVTs, since these types of gearboxes are very demanding on the quality, condition and level of transmission oil.

In other words, the owner himself must periodically check the oil in the automatic transmission during operation. Next we will talk about what to do if the transmission fluid level is low, that is, how to add oil to the automatic transmission.

Tips and tricks

As you can see, when choosing transmission oil, it is important to avoid mistakes if you plan to change the oil in a manual transmission.
First of all, you should study the manual, based on the recommendations indicated by the vehicle manufacturer. It is recommended to select a lubricant taking into account the oil base and viscosity. You also need to make allowances for the temperatures at which the car will be used, what loads the transmission experiences, etc.

It would also be a good idea to seek help from specialists at service stations, since the fuel and lubricants market is developing, manufacturers of oils for engines and gearboxes are constantly offering new solutions, improved oils, and using modified additive packages.

Regarding the question of how often you need to change the oil in a manual transmission, and also what to consider when changing it, on average, it is recommended to change the lubricant in a manual transmission every 60 thousand km. You should also remember that when changing the oil in a manual transmission, it is not possible to completely drain the oil.

This means that old and new oil are mixed, that is, you need to pay attention to the compatibility of the products

For example, mixing a mineral base with a synthetic one is strongly discouraged; negative consequences are possible after mixing “mineral water” and semi-synthetics, etc.

If the owner switches from one type of oil to another, attention should be paid to this when selecting a lubricant for the gearbox

Transmission oil change interval

If you do not change the lubricant in time, it will lose its properties. This leads to overheating. And overheating, in turn, destroys rubber seals, gaskets, and clutches. Destruction of the breather leads to oil leakage. Destruction of the clutches leads to clogging of the filter device with the adhesive base.

Read

Transmission oil ATF SP IV

This is why changing the oil is so important. An untimely change will lead to repair of the automatic transmission. Although many manufacturers say that the oil on modern automatic machines does not need to be changed, do not listen to them. This is a marketing ploy. The more automatic transmissions are broken, the more money they will make by selling a new one.

So, if you just purchased a car with an automatic transmission or a CVT, then you don’t have to change the oil in the automatic transmission until you’ve driven 150,000 kilometers. Then do a full shift of working out.

After the first full change, the oil is changed at the following intervals:

30 thousand kilometers – partial change;
60 thousand kilometers - full.

If you change the lubricant at a service station, they will leave a note on the automatic transmission at which kilometer you need to change the lubricant.

Why do you need to check the oil in an automatic transmission?

avtoexperts.ru Can I change the oil in a Kia Rio automatic transmission?
Let's start with the fact that any gearbox (manual, robotic, hydromechanical or CVT) requires the use of gear oil. In the case of “mechanics” or “robots,” transmission oil acts as a lubricant, protects loaded parts, washes away wear products from surfaces, etc.

If we talk about a hydromechanical automatic transmission, in such a box ATF fluid does not just lubricate the elements, but is a working fluid. In a nutshell, the transmission fluid in the automatic transmission transfers torque from the engine to the torque converter, which leads to a lot of heat.

The oil also circulates through the channels of the valve body under pressure, thereby forcing the desired gears to engage due to the effect of the fluid on the clutch packs (this is how the automatic transmission is controlled).

It is quite obvious that in a hydromechanical gearbox the requirements for the level and quality of oil are significantly increased. In this case, the owner must constantly monitor both the ATF level in the gearbox and the condition of the fluid.

Ignoring these recommendations can lead to a shortened service life, the appearance of jerks and kicks when changing gears, as well as unexpected failure of the automatic transmission.

It is important to understand that most automatic transmission malfunctions occur as a result of a decrease in the oil level in the box. Also, a situation often arises when the level exceeds the permissible norm, which also has a detrimental effect on the condition, quality of operation and service life of the automatic transmission. In this case, in some cases the culprit is a banal error or incorrect measurement of the oil level in the automatic transmission

In other words, you need to know how to check the oil in an automatic transmission, and do it correctly

In some cases, the culprit is a simple mistake or incorrect measurement of the oil level in the automatic transmission. In other words, you need to know how to check the oil in an automatic transmission, and do it correctly.

How to properly add oil to an automatic transmission

First you need to determine the ATF level, after such a check you can begin the process. To check the level, the car engine must be well warmed up and in working condition. But with some automatic transmissions, the oil level can only be checked with the engine turned off. Such nuances can be found out in the manual.

To warm up the machine, you should drive at least 10-14 km, and then stop the car on level ground. The oil level is checked using a special dipstick, but for some car models the inspection is carried out visually through the inspection hole.

If there is a dipstick, then do the following:

The probe is lowered into the hole, but before it is removed, you need to switch all modes of the machine (PRND), and you should linger in each position for 4-5 seconds. Such manipulations will force the fluid to flow through the hydraulic system, then the level will be determined more accurately.
After this, the dipstick must be removed and wiped with a simple rag. Then place it back into the hole until it stops and remove it again.
The normal level is usually determined by the COLD and HOT or ADD and FULL marks. If the oil line is located just between them, then everything is in order and adding oil is not required. The main thing is that the mark is not higher than the NOT value.
You should pay attention to the COLD indicator; this does not mean that the check is carried out only with a cold engine. This is just an approximate service figure.

Is it possible to cure automatic transmission problems by changing the oil and filter?

What happens if you pour oil into an automatic transmission Consequences

If the car starts to twitch, the automatic transmission shifts poorly, sounds uncharacteristic of its operation are heard, then the car owner often has a desire to solve the problem by changing the oil and filters.

In this way, it will be possible to partially and only temporarily solve this problem, but no more.

The fact is that the automatic transmission has already started the process of wear of parts (bushings, clutches, gears, Teflon rings, valves, etc.) and replacing the working fluid will no longer help here; the car’s transmission, unfortunately, cannot self-heal according to the principle of wound healing in humans.

There is only one way out - to change worn out parts by overhauling the automatic transmission, and the sooner this is done, the better.

Useful tips

How to add oil fluid if the measurement shows a low level? If the car does not have a dipstick, but only has a control hole, it must be installed above an inspection hole or driven onto an overpass. Topping up is preceded by the following actions:

set the automatic transmission selector to “P”; do not turn off the engine, let it run at idle; To be sure, tighten the handbrake again.

With a dipstick, things are simpler. The oil liquid is poured through the neck, which serves as a seat for the dipstick. A hose is inserted, at the other end of which there is a funnel. Fill with ATF in small portions until the dipstick shows a normal level. The engine is running all this time. After this, sequentially, with the brake pressed, switch the automatic transmission selector several times and then measure the fluid level again.

Replacement features

How long does it take to change the oil in manual and automatic transmissions?

Now we proceed directly to the procedure for changing the transmission oil. The task is not difficult, but it is not worth approaching this issue lightly.

Always have a dry cloth ready to wipe the dipstick when removing it from the boat;
Before checking the lubricant level, warm up the car and change 1-2 gears;
It is necessary to check the lubricant level before and after replacement;
If your VAZ 2109 is not equipped with a dipstick, use the lower edge of the oil filler hole as a guide. The liquid should reach this edge, but not be higher or lower than this mark.

For a gearbox, under-lubrication is just as bad as over-lubrication. Always try to find a middle ground so that the gearbox can operate as efficiently, long and reliably as possible.

Fill the oil through the dipstick

But filler necks are not always found on automatic transmissions, and then the oil is filled using other methods. If your machine is equipped with a dipstick for checking the oil level, then fresh oil is poured through the hole in which this dipstick is located. You found out his location in the car, right? It is often located under the hood of the car, where the engine dipstick is. But there are often other options for its location, so read the manufacturer’s manual.

We believe that the dipstick has been found, and if you did not previously know its location, then you are not tired of searching. Now we take out the dipstick and insert a funnel into the hole where it was just located. This is where we will pour our oil. As for the funnel, by the way, it is unlikely that you will be able to carefully pour oil into the small hole of the dipstick without it; you will need it. If we don’t have one at hand, then if we have decided to do everything on our own, let’s build a funnel with our own hands - from a thin hose and a cut from the neck of a plastic bottle. Scotch tape will help you! And now we fill in the oil using our simple device, after which we return the dipstick to its rightful place.

Types of transmission oils

It is necessary to add oil of the same brand as was

To ensure that the transmission system does not lose its operating properties, a car with an automatic transmission should be filled with oil of the appropriate class. As a rule, ATF fluid is used for this type of transmission. It is possible to purchase synthetic, semi-synthetic, and mineral oils. Car owners have a demand for the first of these types of transmission fluids.

Advantages of synthetic oils:

Ensuring high-quality lubrication of rubbing parts.
Optimal viscosity.
Resistant to sub-zero temperatures.

Mineral oils, when compared to synthetic ones, have poor performance characteristics. Semi-synthetic ones provide an antioxidant effect and do not lose their properties when used at low temperatures. Thanks to the properties of synthetic oils, long-term operation of gearboxes is ensured.

For each specific version of the car, the transmission fuel replacement interval is individual. However, in most cases, automatic transmission fluid replacement is necessary at 60,000 km. Every 15,000 km the oil level should be checked. Premature replacement may be due to the fact that the driver systematically violated the basic rules for operating a car, towing, etc.

For most modern cars, GL-4 (5) class oils are suitable. It’s worth figuring out how to add oil to an automatic transmission and checking its quantity in the box.

Measurement procedure

The algorithm by which you need to measure the volume of transmission lubricant is as follows:

Place the car on a level surface.
Move the selector through all modes without moving. This will allow the oil to disperse throughout the unit, which will ensure maximum accuracy of readings.
Open the hood lid, find the handle of the dipstick, which is located in the machine. Do not confuse it with the engine dipstick. In front-wheel drive vehicles, the transmission dipstick is usually located near the axle box.
Before measuring the amount of car oil, remove the dipstick and wipe it with a cloth to dry it.
Put the dipstick back, take it out again, and inspect it carefully. The place where it becomes dry is the mark. Evaluate how it is located relative to o. If you see that the lubricant has not reached the minimum mark, add oil. It is best if the mark that shows the volume of petroleum product is located at the same distance from “ADD” and “FULL”.
If you measure the volume of oil fluid without warming up the car, take into account that the difference in readings compared to a heated transmission will be approximately six to seven millimeters.

Transmission dipstick

We recommend: The clutch on a VAZ-2107 has gone missing - what to do and how to fix the problem

Using a compressor

The task is to pump fresh ATF oil into the system and at the same time pump out waste oil.

For this:

Take a plastic canister with a volume of at least 10 liters and cut two holes in its upper part for the diameter of the hoses that will be connected to the system;
Prepare a second container of similar volume to drain the waste;
Pour new oil into the canister;
Insert the hoses so that one touches the bottom of the canister and the second is above the oil;
Seal the holes with sealant or equivalent;
Find the drain pipe (goes from the radiator to the automatic transmission pan) - disconnect it from the system;
Connect the hose lowered into the working fluid to the pipe leading to the automatic transmission pan;
Connect the second hose to the compressor;
Lower the drain hose into the waste container;
Ask your partner to start the car and start the compressor at the same time;
Thanks to the compressor, under pressure, fresh oil will flow into the automatic transmission pan, where the pump will pump it through the system to the radiator, replacing the used fluid;
The operation must be carried out until clean liquid flows from the drain hose.

You can connect this way.

Box without dipstick

Controlling the amount of liquid using a dipstick is quite simple. Every car owner can handle this procedure. But how to check the oil in an automatic transmission if the factory dipstick is missing?

If an automatic transmission does not have a dipstick, this often means that there is no need to change the transmission fluid during the entire life of the car. Or the automaker thus limits independent maintenance of the transmission system, transferring this function to service centers that have the appropriate certificates.

Automatic transmissions without a dipstick have 2 openings - oil filler and oil drain. There cannot be an excess amount of oil in an automatic transmission of this type, since it is equipped with a tube through which the excess goes into the pan during operation of the vehicle. But monitoring the decrease in emulsion levels is not so easy. If you doubt that you can do this yourself correctly, contact a specialist.

Let's look in more detail at how to check the oil in an automatic transmission:

Drive the vehicle a few kilometers to bring the transmission up to operating temperature.
Place the car in a hole so that you can examine its bottom. Leave the engine running and switch to Parking mode.
Locate the drain hole on the bottom of the car near the engine location and unscrew its plug. If there is enough emulsion, it will flow out of the opening slightly. If there are not even a couple of drops, then its level is unacceptably low.
If there is too little transmission fluid, add it through the oil filler hole with the engine running. When oil begins to flow out of the drain hole, this will be a signal that you have filled it enough.

When determining the emulsion level, pay attention to how it looks. If there are particles of slag or impurities in it, then it’s time to change the oil. Every driver should know how to check the oil in an automatic transmission with their own hands

If you master this skill, you will not have to regularly go to a car service for such a procedure. This will greatly help you save additional money.

Every driver should know how to check the oil in an automatic transmission with their own hands. If you master this skill, you will not have to regularly go to a car service for such a procedure. This will greatly help you save additional money.

What happens if there is too much oil or not enough?

Each automatic transmission configuration has its pros and cons. This explains why changing the amount of transmission fluid affects the assembly.

What volume should be in the checkpoint

Cars of different brands and models differ in their design, and accordingly there are differences in the structure of the boxes. Different models of different cars use different amounts of oil. Find a clear answer to the question “how much oil should be in the box?” You can only read the manual or operating instructions for the car, or find out this at a service station. When replacing, it is worth remembering that there are differences in their compositions and types. You should always buy with a small reserve (0.5 - 1 liter) so that you can top up if there is a leak during replacement.

There are three types for gearbox:

synthetic;
semi-synthetic;
mineral.

Synthetic

It is considered the most modern, it is well cleaned and enriched with additives that maximally protect mechanisms from corrosion. It is mainly poured into automatic transmissions or manual transmissions of high-end cars. In automatic transmissions it should be changed every 50 thousand km. mileage In mechanical ones - every 60-70 thousand km. mileage In terms of cost, this type is the most expensive, but also the best. But this does not mean that it can be poured into the boxes of old cars: they may simply not be designed for this!

Semi-synthetic

Semi-synthetic is used in most budget foreign cars, in the entire range of the 10th AVTOVAZ family (Lada Kalina, Priora). It contains a number of chemical additives that protect gears, synchronizers and other mechanical parts from wear. It is worth replacing such oil every 40-50 thousand km. mileage The biggest plus is the price-quality ratio.

Mineral

The mineral is used in axles and gearboxes of rear-wheel drive vehicles. For example, in the entire line of AVTOVAZ classics or similar cars, as well as in some trucks. The mineral one is purified less than all the others; accordingly, it degrades faster and requires replacement quite often - every 35-40 thousand km. mileage

Types of transmission fluids

Car owners who use the services of service companies often do not know what kind of oil is poured into the gearbox by service station mechanics.

To add oil to a classic gearbox, it is recommended to use a special synthetic, semi-synthetic or high-quality mineral lubricant.

To find out what kind of oil to fill the box with, indicators such as the relative sliding speed at the engagement point and the specific loads acting on the transmission are determined. Based on the data obtained, oils are selected that differ in the degree of viscosity, quantity and quality of additives. Depending on the chemical composition of the oil, additives can be either mineral or synthetic.

Consequences of overflow

When using a car for a long time, its owner may encounter problems such as difficulty shifting gears. This is often due to the fact that the filled oil has lost its working functions. It is imperative to check the gears and transmission teeth.

Thus, one of the types of automatic transmission repair is adding new gear oil. This procedure can be carried out independently. How to add oil to the box? Especially for this, it is necessary to warm up the vehicle, arm yourself with a filling syringe, and prepare new fluid. It is possible to determine the lubricant level using a dipstick. Oils differ in viscosity and temperature. The car owner should take this into account when making a purchase.

Checking ATF Level

It is necessary to periodically check the oil level. This should be done with the transmission and engine warm. If this procedure was preceded by a long trip, you need to stop the car and let the engine run at idle speed. This will reduce the transmission fluid temperature to an acceptable level. Some probes have a Cold mark, that is, the measurement seems to be able to be performed on a cold power unit. Experts recommend not doing this, since such a measurement can lead to an error, which will result in underfilling or overfilling of oil. As a rule, a cold machine shows a level higher than the real one by about 6–7 mm. In fact, the lubricant level of a heated box may be lower than required.

It makes sense to drive at least 10 kilometers, then the indicators will be as accurate as possible. After the trip, you need to set the car on a level place if there is a dipstick under the hood that allows you to check the ATF level. Many models do not have such a dipstick, but there is a control hole located near the bottom of the automatic transmission. Therefore, such cars should be driven onto an inspection hole or overpass.

After the car has been placed on level ground, the machine needs to be driven through all selector positions. The engine should be running at idle speed. This will help move the liquid through the system so that when measuring the level is optimal. Next, the dipstick is removed (do not confuse it with the motor one) and wiped dry. After this, it is reinserted into the control neck. Then you can see the real ATF level. The boundary between the dry and wet zones should be somewhere in the middle between the Add and Full marks. If the level is lower, you will need to add oil to the box.

If there is no dipstick, you will have to unscrew the control plug and try to assess the level visually by illuminating the hole with a flashlight. If necessary, adding oil will also have to be done through this hole.

What kind of oil is poured into the automatic transmission?

For flawless operation of the automatic transmission, you should use the transmission oil specified in the operating instructions.

Options for high-quality transmission oils for use in automatic transmissions:

Original ATF. The packaging of such oils shows the logo and brand name. Most major automakers have their own gear oil, produced taking into account the operating mode and adapted for these types of gearboxes.
Original OEM. They are manufactured to order in reliable factories and undergo multi-stage quality checks. Additional checks are carried out in the laboratories of car manufacturers.

Without in-depth knowledge of the range of OEM oils and manufacturer’s approvals, or without qualified assistance from specialists, it is recommended to purchase original gear oils, or alternatively, contact official dealers or the automaker’s service center.

Preparation

In order to understand how to properly fill an automatic transmission with oil, you first need to read the manual for your car, find out the model of your transmission, since automatic transmissions and automatic transmissions are different. Your machine may have a very different layout, on which our further actions will depend. Find out whether your gearbox has a dipstick for checking the oil level, or whether it is dipstickless, such as the Aisin 09G automatic transmission on the Skoda Octavia or the five-speed Mercedes 722.6, where the check is carried out through a special sealed tube only with a separate long service dipstick.

It is also necessary to understand where the old oil from your automatic transmission is drained. If your transmission has a drain plug that opens from the bottom, great, but if there is not one at the bottom, and your transmission is one of the “non-service” ones, then the oil will have to be drained from it by removing the pan from your transmission.

Let's look at all these options and their subtleties in more detail and get to work.

Purpose of gearbox lubrication

The gearbox is the largest gearbox in a car transmission. Thanks to a stepwise change in the gear ratio, the driver has the opportunity to combine two ranges - wheel speed in the range of 50 - 1500 min-1 and engine crankshaft speed 800 - 8000 min-1. Depending on the type of transmission, the gears of the gearbox are lubricated in the following ways:

cylindrical - oil bath with immersion of low-speed wheels to a third of the diameter, high-speed wheels to a depth of h = 5m;
bevel - crankcase lubrication with the entire lower tooth of the gear immersed in oil;
planetary - the high-speed stage is immersed in an oil bath to the entire depth of the inner tooth.

Spur gear box

Planetary gearbox

Manual transmission drain hole

Information about what kind of oil to pour into a manual gearbox is relevant when repairing components and assemblies associated with the gearbox (for example, replacing the clutch) when the life of the lubricant itself is exhausted.

Transmission filler hole

The gearbox traditionally belongs to units with high operating loads. In addition, passenger car manufacturers use different gear designs in different car models, so the frequency of oil changes in manual transmissions is required in the manual.

The user should note that changing the oil in a manual transmission has nuances:

with a minimum maintenance budget (filling with mineral oil), operating costs will increase as the lubricant life will decrease;
when purchasing expensive synthetics, on the contrary, the initial investment will increase, but the service life of such oil is longer and the replacement frequency is greater than in the previous case;
Semi-synthetics have a rational ratio of lubricant quality and cost.

Mineral oil

Synthetic oil

Semi-synthetic oil

Thus, oil in a manual transmission solves several problems simultaneously:

lubrication and reduction of friction of gears;
heat removal from friction pairs;
removal of metal filings from the surfaces of wear parts of the gearbox;
protection of gears and gears from oxidation and corrosion.

The cost of 3 liters of gear lubricant is significantly lower than replacing a manual transmission or breaking a gear while driving.

How it works and works

The first automatic transmission was installed on a car in 1930 by European manufacturers. It had its own name - “Kotal”. Since then, the operating principle of the automatic transmission has not changed - only some components and parts have changed to improve the performance constructively.

Since such boxes were initially unreliable, designers began to experiment with controls. A successful result was the work that was the first to use a torque converter and a fluid coupling to transmit torque from the engine. That is, servos and electromechanics have been replaced by hydraulic controls.

The role of a conventional clutch, which you are used to with a manual gearbox, is performed by the torque converter assembly. It transmits torque from the engine crankshaft to the wheels of the car. It consists of a driving pump wheel and a driven one - a turbine. The reactor is located between them. The wheels are not mechanically connected to each other. Torque is transmitted from the driver to the driven by the ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) transmission fluid, simultaneously lubricating all components and parts of the automatic transmission.

The gear ratio changes automatically in the box, depending on the speed and engine speed. This function is performed by a planetary gear set, similar in function to a manual gearbox. Components such as the front and rear clutches, as well as the brake band, change gears. They block certain elements of the planetary gear, changing the gear ratio. All this equipment is controlled by an electronic control unit through a hydraulic control system. The reactor and overrunning clutch, located between the pump and turbine in the torque converter assembly, also vary torque delivery according to driving conditions. As it turns out, there is no rigid coupling between the motor, planetary gearbox and wheels. This is why a car can stop with the engine running.

Replacing and topping up transmission fluid in an automatic transmission

Now that every reader of the article knows how to properly check the oil level in an automatic transmission, it would be useful to get answers to a number of other questions:

How to change the oil in an automatic transmission?
When to change automatic transmission oil?
After how many kilometers should you change the oil in an automatic transmission?
How to add oil to an automatic transmission?
How many liters of oil do you need to fill in the automatic transmission?

Fortunately, the answers to them are simple and quite understandable to every motorist who has at least a little knowledge of automotive repair issues. First you just need to understand when changing the oil in the box will be necessary. Today there is a similar need if:

based on the results of the check, it was revealed that the oil did not correspond to normal values (the exception is incorrect pressure; in case of this problem, it is worth checking the operation of the oil pump of the box, it is often the culprit);
The service life of the lubricant declared by the manufacturer has expired, therefore a complete oil change in the automatic transmission is simply inevitable;
the old oil in the box has already covered about 50,000 kilometers, because this mileage is already the maximum possible for any transmission fluid.

Let's say one of the noted points exists specifically in your situation. How should I proceed? Next, you need to prepare some tools for changing the oil, the list of which includes:

a wrench of the required size to remove the drain screw from the box;
a container for drained liquid, the volume of which should be about 10-15 liters;
rags to remove possible contamination;
directly oil for automatic transmission.

The procedure for changing transmission fluid can be entrusted to professionals at a service station, or you can do it yourself. For readers of our resource, changing the oil in an automatic transmission with your own hands will be considered in as much detail as possible:

Firstly, the transmission fluid and its pressure in the box are checked as described above; Then the automatic transmission is examined in detail (this is necessary in order to find the drain plug); After this, a prepared container is installed under the unit

At this stage, it is important to decide which oil change method will be used. At the moment, there are two main ones: Complete or hardware oil change in the automatic transmission, the essence of which is to drain all the transmission fluid from the box and fill it with completely new one; Partial oil change in an automatic transmission, based on the fact that for some time the car owner drains ¼ of the total volume of fluid from the box and pours exactly the same amount back. We won’t talk about which is the best way to change the oil, because both options have advantages and disadvantages

Note that, according to the regulations of many automatic transmission manufacturers, it is necessary to carry out timely and complete replacement of the transmission fluid;

Changing the oil itself begins with draining the old one. To do this, you just need to unscrew the drain plug with a wrench of the required size; Having drained the old transmission fluid, all that remains is to fill in the new one through the corresponding hole in the box structure. We determine exactly how much oil needs to be poured into the automatic transmission: either based on the amount of fluid drained (during a partial replacement); or based on the volume of the box and the amount of oil that the manufacturer recommends pouring into it.

Before adding oil, do not forget to install a new filter element in the drain plug and put it in place.

Oil change methods

Let's look at how to correctly change the oil in an automatic transmission, partially or completely, in what order the actions are performed and where to fill in the new fluid. Understanding the peculiarities of the process, it will be easier to decide whether to do the work yourself or contact a car service.

Partial oil change in automatic transmission: instructions

Modern automatic transmissions contain 6-8 liters of ATF, depending on the make and model. Partial replacement is considered a “refreshment” of the composition, since with this method it is possible to add only 30-40% of new transmission fluid. It's more affordable than a full replacement and takes about 60 minutes. But the effect does not last long - the procedure must be repeated every 15–20 thousand km.

Let's look at the procedure for changing the oil in an automatic transmission in step-by-step instructions:

The engine starts and the car is driven for 10–20 minutes so that the internal combustion engine and gearbox reach operating temperature. This will help increase the fluidity of the lubricant.
The car drives into a pit.
The underbody protection is removed.
Use a square wrench to unscrew the plug in the pan.
Place a container and drain the old grease.
The pan is dismantled and the old filter is removed from it. The magnet is cleaned.
A new filter and gasket are installed. The pallet returns to its place.
New ATF fluid is poured through the dipstick hole or breather to maintain atmospheric pressure. The level is set between the minimum and maximum marks.

After removal, the tray needs to be cleaned

Recommendations for car enthusiasts. To set the level correctly, you need to “drive” the box through all gears. This will fill the couplings with ATP fluid and expel the air.

The advantages of this method: you can do everything yourself, it will take 1 hour, a volume of 3-4 liters of transmission fluid for an automatic transmission is inexpensive. The disadvantages include: the need to repeat the process after 15,000 km, there may be delays during switching, hum, the life of the box is extended, but only slightly.

How to change the oil in a manual transmission and flush the manual transmission when replacing

Draining oil in manual transmission

First you need to drain the old fluid through the drain plug. Next, flushing oil is poured through the manual transmission filler plug using special blowers or syringes. After this, you need to start the car and let the engine run for a while, changing gears without putting too much load on it. This is necessary so that all moving parts are washed. Typically, the purchased flushing oil comes with detailed instructions for its use.

Next, you need to drain the flushing oil, paying attention to whether scale, pieces of metal, or shavings fall out. If this is observed, then this indicates a lot of wear on the gearbox parts.

In this case, you need to seek diagnostics. It is especially worth paying attention to the drain plug; in particularly difficult cases, it can be covered with metal shavings (if the plug is equipped with a magnet). This indicates that there has been a lot of wear and tear on the inside of the box. If the flushing fluid looks normal, then there is no cause for concern. You also need to check for leaks at the joints of the crankcase halves, the gearbox housing, and at the shanks where the seals are installed. If there are no problems with this, then you can fill in new oil in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the season.

Oil color

Due to the fact that transmission parts rotate in the unit at high speeds, the lubricant foams. Consequently, car oil becomes unable to cope with its main task. Spare parts are not lubricated properly, they burn out, and the gearbox has to be replaced. Also, foamed oil often leaks through the breather.

It is possible to roughly assess the condition of the automatic transmission by how the transmission oil looks. If it is reddish in color, then everything is fine. If the oil is black/brown and smells like burning, then there is a problem with the unit. Small black particles floating in the lubricant indicate that the friction layer of the brake bands or other parts of the unit has been destroyed. These particles can be seen if you inspect the dipstick.

If water or coolant enters the automatic transmission, the oil fluid turns light pink. In this case, you need to carefully diagnose the automation by removing the pan.

History of appearance and operating principle of automatic transmission

Automatic transmission is one of the main components of the transmission of a modern car. The main task of this unit is to create balance between the running engine and the spinning wheels. This work is carried out by finely selecting the gear ratio for each mode of engine operation. The main difference between an automatic transmission and a manual transmission is its fully automatic operation, which does not require driver intervention.

The first prototype of an automatic transmission appeared at the Henry Ford plant in the 20s of the last century. It was different from modern units, but the rudiments of modern machines were already present in them. More advanced units began to be produced after one decade -. They were operated on the principle of a servo drive, which is a mechanical gearbox with automatic state correction through negative feedback.

At the end of the 30s, the Chrysler organization introduced an innovative development that included a fluid coupling and a torque converter. This machine was a breakthrough in the automotive industry.

A more or less similar automatic transmission was developed in the early 50s by American engineers. It consisted of 3 parts:

electronic;
hydraulic;
mechanical.

The development began to be actively used only in the 80s, during the period of rapid progress in microprocessor technologies.

The operating principle of the machine comes down to automating gear shifting. Before we consider in detail the structure and operating features of automatic transmissions, it is worth highlighting their varieties:

variable speed drive;
robotic gearbox;
An automatic transmission equipped with a torque converter is considered a standard automatic transmission.

The design works thanks to the close interaction of electronics, mechanical parts and hydraulics. These elements are represented by the following details:

A torque converter that receives torque from the engine and transmits it to the shaft.

A gearbox that receives force from a torque converter and drives the wheels through a gearbox.
Control devices that regulate the head control of the unit and are responsible for the mechanics of the box.

The role of the driver in an automatic transmission is assigned to the control devices. Since an automatic transmission is more complex than a manual transmission, the oil for it is selected more carefully.