VAZ 2108: changing the gearbox oil, checking the level and topping up

Manual transmissions of domestic cars, unlike some other components and mechanisms, turned out to be quite reliable. In particular, on a VAZ 2109 car, the gearbox has a large margin of safety, and if you do not violate the operating mode and maintain it in a timely manner, it can easily cover runs amounting to hundreds of thousands of kilometers.

You can read more about what kind of oil to pour into the gearbox here.

One of the important points in servicing a manual transmission on the car in question is changing the transmission oil. It is worth paying tribute to the AvtoVAZ designers: they designed the gearbox in such a way that changing the oil in it with your own hands is quite possible.

This does not require any special devices or specific knowledge. Read about how to fill new oil into a VAZ 2109 gearbox in our material.

What you need to change the oil

To replace it yourself, you will need at least the following:

• jack, inspection hole or lift;
• wheel bolt wrench;
• open-end or socket wrench 17;
• empty waste container;
• a syringe or other device for pouring oil;

• clean rags.

When preparing for a replacement, there are a few things to consider.

1. It is necessary to take into account how much oil is in the VAZ 2109 gearbox. That is, the container for the old lubricant must be selected appropriately, so as not to subsequently collect spilled waste. If you are the only owner of the car, are replacing it for the first time and are sure that there have been no unqualified interventions before, then the maximum volume of oil in the box will not exceed 3.3 liters. Accordingly, a 4-5 liter canister is quite suitable for this purpose. If the box has a dipstick, you can first check the lubricant level. Often a plastic 5-liter bottle of technical liquids is used as a waste container.
2. It is necessary to take care of safety. Changing the oil in a manual transmission requires a person to partially remain under the front wheel arch. Therefore, it is important to follow at least two basic rules: securely stop the car and install a safety stand in case the jack falls.

Synthetics

When choosing synthetic gearbox oil, the motorist needs to pay attention to the temperature conditions for which the purchased product is designed. These are the last two digits in the encoding

The main advantages of synthetic oil are that it prevents the formation of toxins, reduces power loss when the engine warms up, and ensures efficient operation of the car in the long term. Buy synthetic lubricants only from trusted sellers, since by saving a few hundred rubles you can run into a fake and spend much more money on eliminating the damage caused. The best synthetic oil for the VAZ-2114 is Castrol Edge Titanium FST.

How often should you change the oil?

According to technical regulations, the oil in the VAZ 2109 gearbox must be changed every 75 thousand kilometers or once every 5 years. The parameter that occurs first is taken into account.

Mineral gear oil is poured into the gearbox from the factory. This means that its service life is relatively short . And excessive loads on the manual transmission and other negative factors can significantly reduce the scheduled operating period.

Let's consider several situations when the lubricant needs to be changed, regardless of how much time or mileage is left before the next replacement:

1. The gear shift lever becomes stiff or slurred. Often the cause of this is degraded lubricant. The switching mechanism on a VAZ 2109 car is located in the box itself and is washed with transmission oil.

2. In winter, when starting the engine in neutral, the car jerks a little. Mineral oil, in addition to its natural tendency to thicken in winter, after a certain period of time becomes even more sensitive to low temperatures.
3. The appearance of extraneous sounds from the manual transmission. This factor indicates that the process of destruction of manual transmission parts has already begun. But often a prompt oil change eliminates noise and extends the life of gears and bearings for quite a long time.
4. Oil leak. There could be many reasons for this. Faulty manual transmission ventilation system, damage after hitting an obstacle, poorly tightened drain or control plug, axle flange seals, etc. If there is not much time left before the replacement period, it is better to change the transmission lubricant completely instead of topping up.

What tools will we use?

Changing the lubricant in the VAZ 2109 gearbox is carried out using tools such as:

• a syringe for pouring liquid or a funnel;
• capacity from 4 liters;
• a set of keys;
• jack.

DIY oil change process

To change the oil in a VAZ 2109 manual transmission, lubricants of the GL-3 or GL-4 class are suitable. Viscosity is selected depending on climatic operating conditions.

For example, for northern regions you will need a thinner lubricant with a viscosity of 75W-80, 75W-85 or 75W-90. For warmer climates, you can fill in 80W-85 or 80W-90.

It is not advisable to use thick transmission oils with a winter viscosity index of 85W, since in winter this will create an additional load on the manual transmission and cause excessive fuel consumption.

It is also recommended to use semi-synthetic oil. It is rightfully considered the most rational option if we consider the price-quality ratio.

Advice.

There is no point in experimenting with other classes or viscosities. Today the market is replete with lubricants of all types and types. And even in remote areas you can easily find the necessary option.

How much oil should I put in the box? Based on the fact that a little more than three liters should be drained, you need to purchase at least this volume. Today, many manufacturers produce gear oil in 4-liter containers. This amount is just enough. And a little more will remain in reserve in case of topping up or another unforeseen situation.

We drain the old little

Before changing the oil in the box, it is advisable to warm it up. To do this, in summer it will be enough to drive 5-10 km, in winter a little more. After this, we put the car in a pit or raise the left front part on a jack and remove the wheel.

There are two bolts on the lower left side of the manual transmission. One covers the drain hole. The second is control-filling. Place an empty container under the box.

First, the top bolt is unscrewed. You need to remove it carefully, as there is a spring valve installed underneath it. Sometimes the ball gets stuck in the hole. In this case, you need to pick it up with a screwdriver or any other suitable object. Some oil may drain from the top hole.

After this, the bottom bolt is unscrewed. The main volume of used lubricant exits through the drain hole. If there is a probe on the box, then the control bolt does not need to be unscrewed. It is enough to remove the dipstick so that a vacuum of air is not created and the draining process is not delayed.

Filling with new oil

Before changing the lubricant, shake the canister thoroughly. Some additives may partially settle to the bottom.

On a VAZ 2109 manual transmission, transmission oil can be filled in two ways, depending on the design features. If a probe is provided, it is more convenient to fill through it. If there is no dipstick, filling is carried out through the control hole on the box.

For this operation you will need a syringe or a special watering can with a hose. It can be made from a plastic bottle and a tube with a diameter of up to 10 mm.

Feel free to add 3 liters of oil. After this, we check its level using a dipstick or by removing the filler tube from the control hole on the manual transmission.

There are marks on the dipstick. It’s not worth exceeding the level, contrary to the advice of “experienced” people. If you accidentally fill in 1-2 mm more, it’s not a big deal. But if the level is significantly higher than permissible, this will negatively affect the effectiveness of the lubrication and the service life of the oil.

In the case of a control hole, it is necessary to fill until the lubricant begins to flow out through it.

Adding oil to the gearbox VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099

We advise you to check the oil level regularly (every 5 thousand km) and top up if necessary.

Make sure the car is parked on a level, level surface. Check the oil level using the dipstick. Make sure there are no oil leaks.

You need to know this when adding oil to the gearbox:

• Add the same brand of oil that you used previously. It is forbidden to mix with others.
• During operation, try to keep the oil level at maximum or 3-5 mm higher.
• If the oil level is at the minimum mark or below, get ready for problems with the gearbox.

To check the oil level, remove the dipstick, wipe it with a clean cloth and insert it back until it stops. Removing the dipstick again will show the actual oil level in the gearbox.

About types of transmission oils

For VAZ 2109 vehicles, it is recommended to use the following types of gear oils:

1. API GL-4
2. SAE

Let's talk about each of these types in more detail.

API GL-4

These gear oils are suitable for use in a variety of conditions from light to heavy and are used in synchronized gearboxes.

SAE

The most popular classification of transmission oils. The following types are suitable for the VAZ 2109 box:

1. Mineral 85 W This type of oil is perfect for gearboxes with high mileage. It has good lubricating properties in hot weather due to its good viscosity and thickens at low temperatures.
2. Semi-synthetic 75 W Lubricating properties at a high level. In warm climates it remains quite viscous. In winter it warms up quickly. Reduces noise during gearbox operation
3. Synthetics 75 W In summer, due to high temperatures, it becomes liquid. Particular attention should be paid to the gearbox seals; oil leaks are likely; it does not thicken in the cold.

Author's advice: When choosing gear oil for a VAZ 2109 gearbox, you should take into account your financial capabilities and the recommendations of specialists.