How to check the oil in a VAZ 2114 box (with and without dipstick), how to top up the level

Checking with a dipstick

The correct oil level in the VAZ 2114 box ensures its correct operation and lubrication of parts and mechanisms. If there is a lack of fluid, the elements of the assembly are not lubricated.

Useful : What kind of oil should I fill in the VAZ 2114 gearbox?

This leads to their abrasion and rapid failure. Therefore, it is impossible to operate a manual transmission without oil. You can check the oil level in the VAZ 2114 box if there is a dipstick:

1. Place the car on a flat surface. If the machine has been recently used, allow it to cool slightly. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
2. Open the hood and find the oil level dipstick. It is located near the fuel filter and air pump tube.

3.Take out the dipstick, wipe it with a dry, clean cloth and put it in place;

1. Take it out again and estimate the amount of transmission fluid using the marks. Ideally, it should be on o. But some experts and car enthusiasts advise using a little more oil. This is necessary to ensure high-quality lubrication of the fifth gear of the car. Its gears are set slightly above the maximum. Therefore, parts may experience oil starvation. It leads to their breakdown and the appearance of a hum when this gear is engaged.
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Step-by-step replacement instructions

Essential Tools You'll Need

LIQIUI MOLY for gearbox

1.5 l bottle

Bottle 5 l

Key 8 Key 17 Knife

1. Oil to replace.
2. The key is 17 (we will use it to unscrew the drain plug).
3. The key is 8 (we use it to unscrew the air filter).
4. Plastic bottles of 1.5 and 5 liters.
5. Knife.

We stocked up on tools, then we need to drive the car onto an overpass and change the oil.

Stages (step by step instructions)

Stage 1-2

Stage 3

Stage 4-8

Stage 9-13

1. Using a knife, cut off the neck of a 5-liter container and the bottom of a 1.5-liter container and set them aside for now.
2. Using a 8mm wrench, unscrew the air filter and remove it so that it does not get in the way.
3. We remove the gearbox dipstick from the hole to change the oil.
4. We go under our car.
5. Remove the protection (if any).
6. We find and unscrew the drain plug of the gearbox using a 17 key. No difficulties should arise here, everything is extremely simple. ATTENTION! Be careful, when you unscrew the plug, oil will rush towards the front left wheel. As soon as the pressure weakens a little, we substitute our large container and pour everything into it.
7. When everything is drained, tighten the drain plug.
8. We get out from under the car.
9. Insert a funnel into the oil change hole from which you removed the dipstick.
10. Using a 1.5-liter container, pour 3 liters of oil into the funnel. You need to pour it slowly so as not to accidentally spill it.
11. Temporarily put the bottle aside, take the dipstick and check the level. If it reaches the MAX mark, great, if not, add a little more.
12. We wipe and put the dipstick in place.
13. Ready! Replaced. The gearbox of your VAZ 2114 has found a new life.

Take care of your car's transmission, use only the correct and high-quality oil, replace it on time and do not forget to check its level. Then you will not have any problems, and the gearbox will serve you for many years.

Checking the oil level without a dipstick

Some “fours” were equipped with boxes from the factory that were not equipped with a dipstick. If you have such a checkpoint, you can check the level like this:

• Place 2114 on a lift or overpass;
• Remove the crankcase protection;
• Remove the transmission filler plug;
• Insert your finger into the hole and estimate the amount of liquid. It can be felt to the touch. Normally, the oil should be at the level of the lid or slightly lower. Sometimes when opening it it may leak. Therefore, the check should be carried out carefully.

This method allows you to evaluate not only the quantity, but also the condition of the oil. When you open the cover, you may see deposits, discoloration, cloudiness, or the appearance of impurities in the transmission fluid. This indicates the need to replace it, even if the planned date has not arrived. These signs can sometimes indicate the use of low-quality chemistry or a faulty unit. If they recur regularly, it is advisable to have the gearbox diagnosed within a reasonable time. If you have no experience in transmission repair, this must be done at a car service center.

Useful : 4 reasons why reverse gear on a VAZ 2114 does not engage

For manual and automatic

Yes, that’s absolutely right - if there are different types of boxes, then you need to pour different technical fluid into them.
Without going into complex technical and chemical terms, this can be explained by the fact that they should have different viscosities. For our reliable, unpretentious VAZ 2014 and VAZ 2015, with a mechanical gearbox, gear oil certified according to GOST: SAE or API is best suited. Among domestic motorists, the first gradation is more in favor. What is it like? Conventionally, transmission oils are divided into three types:

• 80-250W - reliable oil for car operation in summer or in hot climates;
• 70-85W – perfect for preparing your car for winter;
• all-season fluids preferred by most drivers.

Which one to choose - everyone can test it in action, and then decide for themselves.

It’s much more difficult with automatic transmissions on foreign cars. In them, the liquid serves not only to lubricate all units, but also itself enhances the torque. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you carefully study the manufacturer’s instructions, which indicate suitable brands of oils, and strictly follow them.

How to add oil to a VAZ 2114 gearbox?

If checking using any of the methods described above showed that there is not enough oil in the “fourteenth” box, it needs to be added. This operation is necessary if the planned replacement is still far away. To top up, remove the crankcase protection and unscrew the filler cap. The fluid should be added to the maximum value on the dipstick. You can also navigate by the plug if the dipstick is missing.

If the transmission has to be topped up too often, it is worth checking the tightness and serviceability of the system. Perhaps it is leaking somewhere. This often happens at hose connections. You can usually detect and fix leaks yourself. But, if this cannot be done, you must urgently contact a service station. You cannot operate a car without transmission fluid. This may lead to damage to the manual transmission.

Preparation for the procedure

Option one, if there is a dipstick, then the car needs to be placed on a flat horizontal surface.

If there is no dipstick, then, on the contrary, the car needs to be installed on an overpass, a lift, or an inspection hole.

Helpful advice: before starting the test, you need to wait ten to fifteen minutes. This interval is necessary after stopping the engine so that the liquid we are testing cools down and drains from the shafts and gears into the gearbox housing.

How much oil is in a VAZ 2114 box?

The manufacturer recommends pouring 3.3 liters of transmission fluid into the gearbox of cars of this model. This is written in the instruction manual. But when replacing, you need to understand that sometimes you may need a little less of it. This is due to the fact that the old oil was not completely drained. Often, a little more of it may be needed to ensure lubrication of the fifth gear. But this difference is small.

To extend transmission life, owners should periodically check the oil level. It is advisable to do this at least every 5,000 kilometers or several times a year. The amount of fluid should be checked if a hum or other extraneous sounds appear in the gearbox or if there are difficulties when shifting gears. The transmission must be replaced according to regulations every 60,000 km or more often if the car is often used in difficult conditions. To replace and top up, you should use only chemicals with parameters recommended by AvtoVAZ.

Synthetic or mineral water

There are no restrictions on the choice of base. From the point of view of characteristics, as well as operational properties, there seems to be no difference. However, using the example of the same motor oils, we know that stable properties are retained for a long time only by synthetic bases, or oils created on the basis of semi-synthetics.

Mineral water works well at medium loads and in temperate climates. In extreme heat, the base quickly “burns out”, ceasing to be a reliable link for additives.

And operation at temperatures of -25°C and below is difficult due to the tendency to thicken in the cold. It is synthetic transmission oils that force you to start the car in winter with the clutch pedal depressed. Otherwise, you can quickly damage the starter.

Synthetics are devoid of these disadvantages, have a longer service life, but the cost is corresponding. VAZ owners often prefer cheaper oils and shorten their service life. The savings are negligible, but there is always fresh oil in the box.

As usual, the truth is in the middle. The best solution is a compromise semi-synthetic. The service life and wear resistance are almost like pure synthetics, and the price is close to mineral water. The same Lukoil TM 4 - 12SAE80W-85 is produced on a mixed basis.

And the price is reasonable, and the characteristics are normal. If you do not trust the domestic oil industry, purchase foreign analogues on the same basis. A little more expensive, and no negative emotions.

Main characteristics of gear oil

When choosing oil for a VAZ 2114 gearbox, the driver should be guided by such important factors as:

• climate and current weather conditions (this mainly relates to air temperature in the summer and winter seasons);
• type of gearbox (manual or automatic) and its maximum loads, especially at maximum engine speeds;
• required oil viscosity (which usually depends on the two factors above).

In addition, when choosing gear oil for the VAZ 2114, you should take into account the presence of additional additives and inhibitors in it, which can have a beneficial effect on the operation of the metal elements of the box.

Fluidity of oil for gearbox VAZ 2114

The most suitable oil for the 14th model is GL4 type lubricant (according to the domestic classification - TM4). AvtoVAZ itself recommends the use of TM4-12 SAE80W-85 oil, since it has the most suitable fluidity and viscosity indicators for the conditions of the Russian climate. It should be taken into account that the specified brand of gear lubricant is not all-season, and at temperatures below -26 C, critical thickening may occur.

Transmission oil

In order to avoid this (which is especially important for drivers living in the middle and northern regions of the country), it is recommended to use all-season oils such as SAE75W80 or SAE75W90. They have a lower operating temperature of up to -35 C and are perfect for working in winter in the vast majority of regions of Russia.

According to the advice of many experts, 10W40 motor oil can be a good alternative to all-season gear oil.

At the end of the conversation about the right choice of oil, it is worth noting one extremely important thing - you should absolutely not fill the gearbox of a front-wheel drive car (which is the 14th) with high-viscosity oils, for example SAE85W-90.

Even at summer temperatures, they will complicate the normal operation of the transmission, and at strong subzero temperatures, its gears will be subject to colossal overloads. The same rule applies to motor oils poured as transmission oils, for example 10W50 oil.