Russian motorists are familiar with the Jatco JF414E automatic transmission from cars such as the Lada Granta. This four-speed transmission has become popular among small car owners. It all started in 2012. Everything about this automatic transmission: troubleshooting the torque converter, proper operation, as well as the opinions of supporters of this transmission - will be told to the reader further.
Automatic transmission "Jatco"
The Jatco JF414E transverse automatic transmission belongs to the Mini class. Designed for front-wheel drive vehicles with an engine displacement of no more than 1.6 liters. It was created and developed in the country of Japan, and the company that manufactured this transmission is called “Jatco”. The name is an abbreviation for “Japanese Automatic Transmission Co.”, which translated into Russian means “Japanese Automatic Transmission Plant.”
The JF414E model is not just a set of letters. It also has its meaning.
- “f” means front-wheel drive;
- the number “4” indicates 4 gear stages;
- “14” – serial number of the modification;
- “e” – electronically controlled.
Test drive results
The transmission in question is capable of quickly responding to sudden braking and rapid acceleration. This dynamics is achieved in the “Lux” configuration due to reliable automation and a powerful engine. The automatic transmission is not equipped with manual and sport modes. At the same time, it easily eliminates all the disadvantages of its mechanical counterpart. The installed transmission allows you to accurately select the required gear at the current speed. This feature is convenient when driving in a traffic jam.
Granta received positive reviews due to its low fuel consumption. Per 100 km in the combined cycle this figure is 7.8 liters. A test drive showed that on a suburban highway the fuel consumption is 6.5-7 liters. AvtoVAZ recommends refueling your car with AI-95 gasoline. The dashboard of the new product remains unchanged.
A modern climate system is capable of efficiently cooling and heating the interior, while producing low noise. The windshield is heated quickly and evenly. The brake system of the Lada Granta with an automatic transmission received negative reviews. Tests have proven that the car does not quickly decelerate after acceleration. At the same time, the braking distance of a public sector employee exceeds the norm by 30%.
The brake system installed on a VAZ should automatically increase pressure (after pressing the corresponding pedal). The luggage compartment, which has a volume of 480 liters, has received positive feedback from customers. It opens with a special button installed inside the machine. The figure increases by lowering the rear seat.
What cars was it installed on?
It was the Jatco automatic that AvtoVAZ chose in 2012 for the Lada Granta manufactured by that time.
The gearbox can be seen on the following car models:
- Lada "Granta";
- Lada "Kalina2".
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The reader, of course, will be interested in what other foreign brands of cars, besides the Russian Grant and Kalina, are equipped with the Jatco JF414E automatic transmission.
The following is a list of Japanese car models:
- Datsun On-Do;
- Datsun Mi-Do;
- Nissan March;
- Nissan Almera;
- Nissan Ad Van.
Recently, Jatco has been producing V-belt variators in addition to automatic transmissions. Cars with such a transmission are not afraid of snow and dirt. An example is the Nissan Xtronic CVT on the Xtrail model.
Review of feasibility of repairs
The manual transmission and automatic transmission of the Lada Granta have good maintainability. The mileage between major repairs is 250-400 thousand km.
Purchasing a new or contract transmission is advisable if the mileage of the original unit has exceeded a million km. Also, the purchase is justified if the installed unit has severe deformations caused by overheating or significant mechanical stress. The cost of a new manual transmission is 26-333 thousand rubles. For the contract option you will need to pay from 12 thousand rubles. A new machine costs 50-65 thousand rubles. Prices for a contract automatic transmission start from 18 thousand rubles.
Tips for use
But no matter how unpretentious this transmission may be, it is necessary to operate it, like any other thing, correctly.
There are certain rules that any owner of a car with a Jatko automatic must adhere to:
- Checking the level and changing the oil.
- Correct driving.
- Proper towing.
Proper driving with Jatco automatic transmission
The Jatko automatic transmission is reliable and durable. The key feature is the ease and smoothness of gear shifting. But in any case, it is recommended to warm up the car before driving in winter. And in the summer - cool.
No need to pull the shift knob. The automatic transmission itself adapts to your driving style. The driver only needs to enjoy the ride with this transmission. And also the automatic does not like long driving at high speed.
Towing a car
In order to tow a car with a Jatco automatic, the following recommendations should be followed:
- Tow for a distance of no more than 40 km.
- Do not exceed the speed when towing – 35 km/h.
- Move the transmission rocker to the neutral position.
- Avoid jerking when towing. This may render the Jatco automatic transmission unusable.
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Shift modes: gear shifter
As with all cars with an automatic transmission, Jatco has the following rocker positions:
- P – parking;
- N – neutral;
- D – forward movement;
- R – backward movement;
- 1 – movement only at first speed;
- 2 – start moving in 1st gear, then automatically switch from first to second gear. The automatic transmission will not accelerate the car beyond 2nd gear.
The model is also equipped with “M” mode – mechanical. The driver will be able to independently increase or decrease gears. And it has “A” - automatic mode. Switching will occur using an actuator block.
Description of winter mode “W”
The most popular among car enthusiasts is an additional program called “winter mode”.
Possible winter mode designations:
When using this program, the car on a snowy track starts moving in second gear without slipping. Subsequent gear changes are made at lower engine speeds. This is designed to avoid sudden skidding and acceleration of the car. In summer, this program is not used, because in “Winter” the automatic transmission receives additional heating due to increased loads. At subzero ambient temperatures, the oil in the transmission cools quickly, so additional heating does not pose a threat to the transmission.
It is not advisable to use the “Snow” mode when driving on clean highways inside the city, where there is relatively good coverage. It is more in demand for driving on dirt country roads in winter conditions. The most dangerous use of the winter program is when the car is slipping. It is recommended to avoid places where the car’s wheels can get stuck (slippery areas under loose snow, deep puddles on dirt roads, etc.).
Features of automatic transmission maintenance
Jatco transmissions do not require close attention. They are easy to maintain.
Automatic transmission parts are similar to its relatives:
- RE4F03A;
- JF403E.
This makes it cheap to repair. The design characteristics are simplified as much as possible, since it is installed on budget cars.
The oil change in a Jatco automatic transmission can be done by the car owner himself or by specialists at service stations.
Checking the oil level and condition in the Jatco automatic transmission
You can use any lubricant for automobile automatic transmissions. In addition, analogues such as Dexron 6 can be poured into it.
Checking the presence of transmission fluid in the Jatco automatic transmission is done using a dipstick when the engine is warm. Some experts advise checking the level and condition of the oil using the overflow tube by removing the plug from the bottom of the pan.
After traveling 200 thousand kilometers, experts recommend installing an external fine filter. This is done in order to avoid small debris from entering the valve body, which appears due to wear of the clutches. Since the metal mesh, which is an internal filter, will not be able to contain these particles.
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Attention! It is recommended to do the first change of transmission fluid in JF414E automatic transmissions after driving 80 thousand kilometers. And the subsequent ones - after 60 thousand kilometers.
Replacing transmission fluid in a Jatco automatic transmission
If the owner decides to change the oil himself, then below are instructions on the correct procedure for changing the transmission fluid.
- Unscrew the transmission fluid drain plug “JF414E”.
- Place a container to drain and wait until the oil is drained.
- Remove sixteen pan mounting bolts.
- Using napkins, clean the inside of it from old oil.
- Remove the oil filter.
- Clean the filter element.
- Reassemble the pallet in the same sequence and put it in place.
- Pour 1.5 liters of transmission fluid into the place where the dipstick is inserted.
- Insert the dipstick. Start the engine.
- Drive the car until the oil warms up to 80 degrees Celsius.
- Drive onto a level area and check the level.
- If necessary, add oil.
Mechanical oil change
Changing the oil on manual transmission 2181 is carried out according to the instructions below.
- Unscrew the drain plug.
- Drain the oil into a container.
- Screw in the drain plug.
- Fill with fresh oil through the inspection hole.
Changing the oil on manual transmission 2190 differs from 2181. It is performed according to the algorithm below.
- Unscrew the drain plug.
- Drain the oil.
- Open the hood.
- Remove the air filter.
- Clean any dirt around the filler hole.
- Unscrew the dipstick.
- Add oil.
- Check the lubricant level.
- Reinstall the air filter.
The filling volumes of manual transmissions 2190 and 2181 are different.
Signs of a Jatco automatic transmission failure
Frequent malfunctions of the Jatco automatic transmission are:
- oxidation of solenoid contacts. The latter quickly fail if the owner ignores the advice on installing an external filter;
- violation of wire insulation. The electrical part of the automatic transmission is afraid of voltage surges and therefore the electrical board often burns along with the wires if it is not properly “lit” from the battery;
- rupture of wires and connecting clamps.
The hydraulic unit may also fail. This happens mainly due to the fact that when changing the oil, the pan was not cleaned of old transmission fluid or low-quality cheap oil was filled in.
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The main cause of oil leakage in a Jatco automatic transmission can be old rubber gaskets. Therefore, it is recommended to change oil seals and gaskets in a timely manner, preventing them from drying out or aging. Since this will cause the problem of low transmission fluid level. And oil starvation can damage the bushings.
Pros and cons of Ladas with automatic transmission
The Lada Granta automatic, having accelerated, cannot quickly reduce speed. This can be a serious problem on the road. The braking distance, compared to mechanics, is 30% higher. A tangible difference. Although, considering that the machine has BAS and ABS, this defect is surprising. Of course, over time you can adapt to this feature of the Grant and even get used to it, but at first, especially if you moved to a VAZ from a foreign car, it will not be easy.
Another disadvantage of the Automatic Grant is its higher price. Knowing all the features of this modification, AvtoVAZ produces the machine in small trial batches in order to make sure that the car will be in demand and will not sit idle on the market for years. At the moment, the Grant machine costs approximately 410,000 - 470,000 rubles. So, what are the features of the Lada Granta automatic? The positive aspects are as follows:
- the car is easy to operate;
- excellent dynamics;
- good maneuverability;
- controllability is at a high level.
- the cost of an automatic system is more expensive than a standard mechanical one;
- some engine elements with an automatic transmission fail faster;
- If a car with manual transmission breaks down, you can still somehow start it “from the pusher”. In the case of an automatic transmission, this cannot be done; you will have to call a tow truck;
- automation is very sensitive to the quality of lubricants, that is, oil.
As you can see, the pros and cons are divided in half, so here the driver makes a choice, having previously watched video test drives of the car and based on his preferences and needs. Good luck!
To tell the truth, there have been attempts to equip the cars of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant with automatic transmissions before, but it was still not possible to bring them to a victorious end: those transmissions were either structurally unsuitable and were designed for more powerful engines, or they turned out to be too expensive, which in the end greatly increased the cost of the car itself. But a suitable box was still found. It was a four-stage “hydromechanics” from the Japanese company Jatco. Economical and simple, it has been installed on Nissan passenger cars for more than two decades (!) and has proven itself well during this time. But Lada is not Nissan. For now, at least.
The photographs do not deceive: the neat handle of the “automatic machine” is equally pleasant both to look at and to the touch. And you can handle the lever itself with confidence: even if you accidentally move the selector from position “D” to “R” while driving, the box will not break and will engage reverse gear only after a complete stop.
How will a Japanese automatic transmission behave in our car? With this thought in mind, I approached the test car, which I managed to identify from several Grants only by pressing the key fob button - the “automatic” Lada Granta is modest and outwardly no different from its analogues with “mechanics”. And inside, contrary to expectations, there were very few visible changes. It differs from the Lada Granta Norma, which Kolesa.Ru already tested in the winter, only in the addition of a front passenger airbag, air conditioning and an “automatic” set in the form of two pedals and a Logan transmission selector. Otherwise, everything is familiar: the same high and invariably upright driver's position, the same flat springy seats, which even on a flat road, for unknown reasons, make passengers jump funny; motor vibrations with noise, and they retained their signature frequencies. In general, even with an automatic transmission, the Lada Granta will not let the driver get bored and relax. But what about the “box” itself?
It’s hardly noticeable, but the ground clearance of the “automatic” Grant has been reduced by two centimeters (to 140 mm). This event even forced me to give up the idea of climbing onto a high curb for the sake of a spectacular photo, which greatly upset our photographer.
Automatic transmission diagnostic methods
To calculate the transmission problem, it is necessary to conduct computer diagnostics. Since this model of gearbox most often does not remember errors that occurred in it while using the car.
Service station specialists often use a trick to avoid having to go around with the owner looking for troubleshooting. They drive it onto the lift so that the wheels hang freely in the air and start the engine. And then they start looking for problems.
Electronic control system
The electronic control system rarely fails. If the firmware fails, then the technicians reflash the computer unit of the automatic transmission.
Mechanical and hydraulic part
The check occurs visually:
- If, when checking the oil, the owner found many black specks, this means that the friction linings have become unusable. Therefore, the sooner the car is sent to a service station, the lower the chance of a complete automatic transmission replacement.
- A jammed pan cover can damage the transmission's mechanical parts and cause oil loss.
- reading codes that appear on the dashboard. The explanation of fault codes is in the manual for this transmission model.
Review of manual transmission on Lada Granta
Initially, the Lada Granta was equipped with an intermediate manual transmission model 2190. It can be found on cars manufactured in 2011-2013. The transmission turned out to be extremely unsuccessful, so it was almost immediately replaced by the new model 2181.
The main disadvantages of the 2190 gearbox include low reliability and increased vibration. The box makes a lot of noise, and the clarity of gear shifting leaves much to be desired. Over time, it becomes more and more difficult to switch gears.
Oil leaks often appear on the 2190 box. Ignoring them leads to increased wear of gears and synchronizers.
Manual transmission VAZ 2190
Realizing the failure of the VAZ 2190 transmission, management set the engineers the task of developing a new manual transmission. Box 2180 was taken as the basis. The new unit was named 2181.
Transmission 2181 is a manual transmission with cable drive. This design solution made it possible to reduce the level of vibration in the body. Gear shifting has become much clearer. The car owner no longer needs to search for the desired lever position.
A significant drawback of the 2181 gearbox of the first releases was that the gearbox made a noticeable howl when the car was moving. The company had to respond to a huge number of complaints about car owners. Box 2181 has been modified. Its modernized version with improved technology for processing gears and shafts appeared on assembly lines in the summer of 2014.
In manual transmission 2181 it was necessary to increase the clutch diameter to 215 mm. This affected the location of the starter. It was moved from the box to the engine. The crankcase also needed to be replaced.
Jatco box design
The design of the Jatco automatic transmission, like other transmissions, consists of:
- torque converter;
- planetary part;
- valve body
Torque converter
The torque converter is both the clutch and the fluid coupling of the Jatco box. It converts torque from the engine and transmits it to the input shaft.
Planetary gear
Planetary gear includes:
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- sun gear;
- satellites that are attached to the planetary carrier;
- clutch;
- band brake.
Clutches and steel discs
The automatic transmission's clutches and steel discs serve as elements for engaging the clutch and transmitting torque. Essentially, friction clutches are steel discs, only friction tape is glued onto them. Pressing against the steel discs, the clutches connect the two rotating shafts of the automatic transmission.
All this is controlled by a computer, and the hydraulic unit presses on the pistons of the drums, squeezing the clutches in shifts.
Hydraulic unit
The automatic transmission valve body of the 414 e model is reliable and rarely fails. Most often, the owner has to replace solenoids. They are a consumable element of the transmission.
Advice from experienced car owners and mechanics
Reviews of the Jatko automatic machine from most car owners are positive. For novice car enthusiasts, experienced drivers and repair specialists advise the following:
- When wiping the internal blocks of the automatic transmission, use lint-free cloths. It is also recommended to wipe the dipstick with a clean, thick, smooth cloth. Since fluff can get stuck in the throttle holes and damage the electronic control systems of the machine.
- When removing the oil filter cover, mark each bolt and its location with a felt-tip pen to avoid confusion. Because the bolts are of different lengths.
- It is not recommended to use an automatic transmission with a low oil level or, conversely, with a high one.
