Oil in the Lada Kalina box: how to select and replace

Thanks to the optimal set of consumer qualities, the Russian budget segment small car Lada Kalina has become an enviable success among buyers. This car is quite common, which is facilitated by its low cost and maintainability. The vast majority of owners of a practical “Russian car” service this car independently. Such common maintenance and repair activities as:

• changing the gearbox oil;
• changing filters and spark plugs;
• replacement of other technological fluids and much more,
• Today, almost no one raises questions or difficulties.

Sometimes you may encounter this fact when owners pay little attention to the Lada Kalina transmission unit, neglecting to change the oil in a timely manner. This measure is one of the mandatory procedures of the maintenance regulations and neglect of it creates a threat of premature failure of the specified structurally complex unit.

Today we will look at the features of such a procedure as changing the oil in the gearbox in a Lada Kalina. The procedure itself is not particularly complicated, and any caring owner should be aware of the algorithm for its implementation. We will also answer the questions: what kind of oil should I use? how much oil is in the gearbox?

Characteristics of the Kalina gearbox

For its Lada Kalina model, the manufacturer used a classic mechanical unit. In its arsenal there are five stages, not counting the “reverse” gear. This box’s roots go back to the 80s, when the owners of its “ancestors” were the “nines” that were fashionable at that time.

Then the developers significantly modernized the unit, after which the VAZ-2180 gearbox, equipped with a cable drive, was released. Many components of this transmission have undergone significant changes, but the principle of its lubrication remains almost identical to its progenitor. In the pan of the unit there is a certain amount of lubricant, the process of supplying which to the units of the unit occurs in a natural way. This means that the oil is not supplied by a pump or other forced lubrication mechanism, but is captured by shafts and gears and distributed along the internal perimeter of the unit. By the way, some owners are not familiar with this principle.

In addition to providing a lubrication effect, the working fluid has another and quite important function - it is the removal of heat generated during operation of the box. It is here that if the oil level is insufficient, the unit overheats. Gears are subject to increased wear due to dry operation. Then the chips accumulate in the working fluid and subsequently settle on the magnets, and the oil itself acquires a dark shade with the presence of a characteristic odor. These factors require periodic and timely monitoring of the lubricant level in the transmission. For these purposes, the manufacturer purposefully provided for the presence of a special probe. When the level is below the middle mark of the dipstick, operation of the unit is contraindicated.

How to check the oil level in the Lada Kalina gearbox

To check the condition and level in the gearbox, the manufacturer provides several methods depending on the type of gearbox:

1. Old manual transmissions use a classic plastic dipstick, which is located directly on the box body in the engine compartment. It contains risks that indicate the current level of the transmission. With its help, you can determine both the level of the liquid itself and its condition. There is also a special sensor installed on the instrument panel, which will provide information when the overall production level decreases.
2. On modern mechanical products and automatic transmissions there is no such dipstick; instead, there is a control plug, the state of which determines the current level. The disadvantage of such a plug is the inability to check the actual condition of the oil, its color and consistency. In addition, there is a low level indicator on the instrument panel, which, if it drops too low, will light up and emit an audible signal indicating a lack of product.

Resource of transmission lubricant and engine oil

According to the regulations, the frequency of changing transmission lubricant is significantly different from the interval for changing engine oil in Lada Kalina. The manufacturer recommends that owners follow this procedure at least every 75 thousand km. Experienced professionals advise reducing the replacement period to 60 thousand km. The initial oil change in the gearbox in a new car should generally be carried out after 30 thousand km.

New parts during the joint lapping process form small chips, which are subsequently suspended in the lubricant, which is extremely undesirable. Further operation involves inevitable exposure of the oil to various temperature changes. Although after a 30,000-mile run the production intensity decreases significantly, this does not indicate that this phenomenon will completely cease. The quality of factory lubricant leaves much to be desired, so it is recommended to give preference to products from trusted brands during initial and subsequent replacements.

What kind of oil to pour into the box on the Lada Kalina automatic

Lada Kalina cars produced after 2013 are equipped with a domestically developed robotic gearbox with index 2182. There is no hydraulic control in such a box, since the box is controlled using electrical mechanisms. As a result, an oil change is only required for the interior of the gearbox housing.

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The manufacturer recommends using a “transmission” brand TM-4-12 SAE 75W-85 and corresponding to the GL4 standard according to the classification of the American Petroleum Institute (API). You can deviate slightly from the recommended viscosity in favor of the most appropriate operating conditions. For example, in northern latitudes it is better to choose oil with a lower viscosity, and in southern latitudes and under heavy loads (for example, operation in the mountains) it is better to give preference to oil with higher viscosity parameters.

What to buy as oil for the Kalina engine?

A reasonable question: what kind of oil should I use? The sales network today can offer a wide range of transmission oils recommended for the Lada Kalina box. Experts have put forward a recommendation to use a lubricant with the following temperature and viscosity parameters: from “70-W80” to “80-W85”. Regarding manufacturers, we note the products of the following companies:

• Rosneft and Lukoil (domestic);
• “Shell” (famous imported analogue);
• “Zic” (growing popular Korean oil).

Well, everyone will decide for themselves what kind of oil to pour.

What happens if you don't change the oil on time?

As you know, the gearbox wears out over time under the influence of various climatic and road conditions. At the same time, over time, it is necessary to be more attentive to the maintenance of the gearbox - perhaps fill up the oil more often, since worn parts already need better lubrication. Untimely oil change is fraught with the following consequences:

1. Failure of gears and shafts - this problem can arise after 150 thousand km, when the need arises for the first oil change. If this is not done, the used oil will lose its properties and will no longer be able to provide effective cooling and lubrication of parts. As a result, the shafts and gears will overheat due to increased friction, which will lead to premature wear
2. Loss of chemical properties after 150-160 thousand kilometers can cause metal shavings to accumulate in the oil, which can damage not only gears, but also bearings

Oil change tools and accessories

Changing the gearbox oil, what you will need:

• container;
• key to "17";
• jack;
• rags;
• thin hose and watering can.

Let's start changing the engine oil

1. Before the actual procedure, we warm up the LADA Kalina transmission unit. This requires a trip.
2. Raise the left front side of the car using the designated jack. Don't forget to install safety stands and wheel chocks.
3. We approach the drain plug of the unit and use the key set to “17” to unscrew it (not yet completely).
4. Place a container under the drain hole.
5. We unscrew the plug and drain the waste. You will have to spend about 20 minutes on this process so that almost the entire volume of oil leaves the crankcase.
6. Immediately tighten the plug and use a rag to remove any remaining grease on the unit body.
7. Open the hood and look for the filler hole. It is not included in the Kalina box, so we will fill it through the dipstick hole.
8. We connect the watering can with the hose, remove the dipstick and immerse the newly invented “filling device” into the indicated hole.
9. We slowly fill in the lubricant, after which we immerse the dipstick in its original place.

This completes the gearbox oil change.

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Selection of oil for manual transmission and automatic transmission of Lada Kalina

There are many types of lubricants, including for Lada cars. To choose a quality product, you should follow some recommendations:

1. Take into account the manufacturer's requirements. The operating manual clearly describes the parameters by which transmission oil is selected. Viscosity is usually indicated, and, as in engine oil, it may differ for summer or winter.
2. When purchasing a used car, you should ask the former owner what product was used. If you used mineral oil, you cannot fill it with synthetic oil without first flushing it.
3. The best option is semi-synthetic oil. Similar products are found mainly in Russia and the CIS. Essentially, this is the same mineral lubricant that has undergone hydrocracking. Semi-synthetics can be used after mineral oil.

The choice of gear oil is an individual decision for each car owner. It depends on the mileage, the condition of the gearbox, and the type of gearbox.

Advice for changing the oil in a car

Transmission oil has a high viscosity, and even in a heated state during draining, it leaves the crankcase reluctantly. Some waste inevitably remains on the internal walls of the unit. Here, the owners of LADA Kalina recommend “spilling” some of the lubricant.

The procedure looks like this:

1. Before changing the gearbox oil, you need to make sure that the drain plug should not be installed.
2. We pour about 150 grams of new lubricant into the unit and wait for it to completely drain from the drain hole. First, we observe the release of a blackened liquid, and then a lighter-colored substance.
3. Having completed this manipulation, tighten the plug and perform the replacement procedure discussed above.

This action is also very useful when filling a new product from another manufacturer.

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Comments 27

-25 the car spends the night on the street, the gearbox switches smoothly)

I filled it with ZIK semi-synthetic, I don’t remember the numbers, a friend of mine recommended it, the box started clicking like new)

I changed my Castrol from new for the first time to 80 thousand and filled it with Castrol again, no problems

I filled it with Mobile 1 synthetic. I don’t see any point in bothering about the cost, because... replacement is very rare

I tried Castrol, (in the BZ there is) Zik 75w90, and Lukoil PS. When draining Lukoil, the oil was somewhat cloudy, Castrol and Zik were transparent, but it seemed to me that the transmission was noticeably quieter on Castrol. But tsuko is expensive (

Castrol blue 75w90, before that LM semi.s, Onion mineral water. I like it on Castrol for the 3rd year.

I was also puzzled by this question. For now I’m leaning towards Lukoil TM-4 75w-90 semi-synthetic. I read a thread on the Lada Kalina forum with the same question. They write that it is working itself out. And AvtoVAZ itself recommends it. Well, does it make sense to pour more expensive? Everyone decides for themselves. The choice of oil does not in any way affect the howling of the box and the trolley performance.

The transmission is one of the most complex systems in a car. Most of the parts are moving; during operation, friction is created, which increases the temperature. The gearbox must use oil to lubricate and remove excess heat, preventing the transmission from overheating. In automatic transmissions, the lubricant acts as an additional working fluid, transmitting torque from the engine to planetary gears.

Methods that are not recommended

Liquid can be poured into the crankcase of box 2181 through a separate hole, which is closed by the reverse switch. The part in question will be clearly visible if you open the hood and remove the filter box:

Dismantling this part is not easy. First, disconnect the connector, and to loosen the fastening, you will need a special socket wrench with a high head. The key size is 22mm hex.

You can gain access to the internal volume of the gearbox in another way, which is not discussed here. Together with engines 21126 and 21127, a speed sensor is used, mounted on the top of the box casing. It will be easy to dismantle this unit, but after reinstallation the tightness is broken.

The oil level in the gearbox is controlled as follows: the standard filler plug must be unscrewed, and as soon as the liquid begins to leak out onto the casing, topping up is stopped. It is advisable that the car be installed on a level surface. And it’s even better if the body is tilted to the right - excess transmission fluid has never hurt anyone.

Types of gear oil

There are three main types of lubricant:

1. Mineral. It is characterized by unstable fluidity, is produced faster and is characterized by mediocre parameters.
2. Synthetic. Stable under thermal and chemical stress. It has the longest service life, but the main disadvantage is the high price and increased consumption.
3. Semi-synthetic. Something between mineral and synthetic in price and characteristics. Optimal for used cars.

For Lada Kalina, it is recommended to purchase an original lubricant product or its equivalent. High-quality material cannot be cheap. Some car owners do not trust original oils from the manufacturer, but this does not mean that they are of poor quality. Their cost is not as high as that of foreign analogues. For Lada Kalina, semi-synthetic oil from Lukoil has proven itself to be excellent. Judging by the reviews, the car can travel up to 300,000 km without the need for major repairs or transmission replacement.

If you need to reduce box noise, it is recommended to use a THK Magnum transmission. It can also be used in low temperature conditions; the gears will shift smoothly and quickly. Do not pay attention to additives; they should not be taken into account for either engine or transmission oil. Modern lubricants have all the properties to increase the service life of components and assemblies; additives are no longer of fundamental importance. The Lada Kalina is equipped with not only a manual transmission, but also an automatic Jatco from Nissan. It is recommended to use only two types of oils for this gearbox:

• Nissan ATF Matic-S;
• Genuine EJ-1 ATF.

Choosing the best gearbox oil

First, you need to take note and understand that for Lada Kalina, as for any other car, it is better to purchase original lubricant - it is more reliable and safer. Particular attention should be paid to this. The fact is that there are now a lot of manufacturers on the market producing counterfeit products. Therefore, it is necessary to approach the issue of changing the oil with special care.

Experienced motorists who are familiar with the Lada Kalina device recommend using THK Trans KP Super lubricant. Indeed, the Lada Kalina gearbox with this oil is noticeably quieter and produces less vibration. You should also use a dipstick and regularly check the fluid level.

Let's name a few more oil manufacturers approved by the manufacturer, as well as suitable parameters for them:

1. Lukoil TM 4. SAE viscosity grade – 75W-80, 75W-85, 75W-90, 80W-85, 80W-90; API Group – GL-4
2. Rosneft Kinetic. Viscosity grade according to SAE – 80W-85, API – GL-4
3. Tatneft Translux TM4-12. SAE – 75W-85, API – GL-4
4. THK Trans KP. SAE – 80W-85, API – GL-4
5. THK Trans KP Super. SAE – 75W-90, API – GL-4
6. Trans KP-2. SAE – 80W-85, API – GL-4
7. Shell Transaxle Oil. SAE – 75W-90, API – GL-4/5

Results

As a result, we can say that the modern Russian market offers a wide range of transmission oils for any car. Among all the products, it is important to choose exactly the lubricant that is ideal for you. After a little comparative analysis, or by trusting the opinion of the majority of motorists, you can easily make the right choice. When purchasing, you must take into account the certification of the product. This is very important in order to be confident in the quality of the purchased oil.

Source

How to choose an oil

So what kind of oil should be poured into the gearbox of the Lada Kalina? It is simply impossible to give an unambiguous universal answer to this question. There are several criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing.

Mainly attention is paid to price, viscosity, chemical composition, as well as the popularity of the manufacturer’s brand. In fact, everything is not as complicated as it seems at first glance. However, when purchasing, you should pay special attention to the availability of GOST and product certification. This is very important, because if you purchase a product that does not have all this, you may encounter not only low quality oil, but also further deterioration of the transmission.

Let's sum it up

Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that selecting and replacing Lada Kalina gearbox oil is not a complicated process. The main thing is to choose the right oil viscosity. It is also better to use more expensive synthetic oils as an analogue for replacement. In this case, in winter, the gearbox will operate more quietly and the gears will shift more clearly and smoothly.

Finally, we note that constant monitoring of the level and quality of the lubricating fluid allows you to promptly identify problems, as well as assess the condition of the gearbox oil in order to decide on the need to replace it.

How and where to store transmission fluid

Before use, make sure that the oil has not yet expired. To do this, refer to the label on the container. To keep your gearbox fluid in optimal condition, you will need to follow these instructions:

• Close the cap of the bottle or canister tightly. The product must be stored in airtight packaging.
• Do not leave containers in the sun or direct light. A suitable place for storage would be a cellar, attic, garage, etc.
• Check the expiration date.
• Do not store lubricant containers in a room with temperatures above 24 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the chemical elements of the oil may change and harm the box.
• Do not allow excess moisture to get inside the liquid container.

We will tell you what kind of oil to fill into the Kalina gearbox later, and now we’ll look at where to store the canister of lubricant.

The ideal storage location is a heated basement, garage or shed with low humidity levels. In it you will protect the container from sunlight, sudden climate changes and other harmful factors.

Another useful tip - we do not recommend pouring the composition from the canister into other containers. The original packaging consists of durable plastic, which allows you to protect the liquid from poor storage conditions.

Do not use oil that is more than 12 months old. It will negatively affect the operation of the box. In the best case, you will need to replace it again; in the worst case, you will need to completely repair the gearbox or replace the unit. As you can see, it’s easier to check once than to overpay later.

In our store you will always find fresh transmission compounds from the Hessol brand. German lubricant is distinguished by its versatility, quality and cost. At Chirol you can purchase the composition at the lowest prices. If you need advice on selection, please contact us by phone or come to our office. Our manager will answer all your questions in detail.