Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 manual transmission oil, how much and what kind is required?

Checking the condition of the transmission of a Chevrolet Lacetti is carried out after 15 thousand kilometers or once a year. If necessary, the inspection is accompanied by cleaning, repair and topping up of technical fluids. In a Chevrolet Lacetti, changing the gearbox oil is not provided by the manufacturer. However, the need for maintenance arises when switching to another viscosity class, major repairs, or long-term operation. If you have the necessary tools and minimal experience, changing the oil in a Lacetti manual transmission can be done at home.

Procedure for changing transmission oil

Changing the oil in a Chevrolet Lacetti gearbox is not a complicated procedure, but it requires strict implementation of the algorithm of actions.

• We warm up the transmission fluid of the gearbox to standard operating temperature - about 70 - 80 ° C. To do this, just drive a few kilometers or let the engine idle for 10 - 15 minutes.
• We install the car on a flat horizontal platform, it is best to use an inspection hole, overpass or lift. We brake the car with the parking brake and place chocks under the wheels.
• We unscrew the filler and control hole plug for better atmospheric pressure. This will help the waste fluid flow out of the gearbox more easily. The filler plug functions as a breather. Therefore, when reassembling, you need to clean its channels.

Note. The control plug is sealed with a rubber gasket. We replace the pressed, hardened and torn gasket with a new one.

• At the bottom, if there is protection, it can be removed to provide access to the pallet. Use the “13” socket to loosen the mounting bolts of the pallet. We place an empty container under it to collect waste liquid. Use a screwdriver to pry up the pan, the oil will begin to drain.
• After the main volume of oil has drained, you can completely unscrew and remove the pan to clean the old gasket and sealant.

Note. The pan gasket must be replaced each time the bottom cover is removed. When buying a new gasket, you need to take into account the number of crankcase cover mounting bolts. There are pallets with 10 and 11 bolts, depending on the year of manufacture of the car.

• Reinstall the bottom cover and fill in new oil. On a Lacetti, manual transmission oil can be filled in two ways: through the control hole using an oil pump or through the filler plug using a watering can with a long funnel. When the oil begins to flow out of the control hole, tighten the control and filler plugs.

After successfully completing the required operations, you need to start the engine and inspect the pan for leaks. At this point, the oil change for the Lacetti manual transmission is completed; all that remains is to periodically check its level in accordance with the vehicle service regulations.

Instructions for changing the oil in a Chevrolet Lacetti manual transmission yourself

The Chevrolet Lacetti manufacturer implies that replacing the transmission lubricant is necessary only in case of transmission repair. There is not even a drain hole in the pan. But the experience of car enthusiasts suggests that severe operating conditions, for example, driving on rough roads, traffic jams and low temperatures, quickly wear out the lubricant. As a result, the oil loses its protective properties, and the gearbox mechanism begins to collapse. This affects operation by poor gear shifting, knocking and noise from the gearbox.

Therefore, timely replacement of lubricant is a necessary measure in order to prevent malfunctions and extend the service life. An incorrectly performed procedure will result in damage to the transmission unit. Changing the oil in a Lacetti box can be done either at a service station or independently if you have a little skill.

Replacement frequency

Mechanics recommend changing the gearbox oil every 60 - 70 thousand kilometers or after 2 years. Lacetti manual transmission oil wears out faster during prolonged driving in winter conditions. It is also necessary to perform this procedure if functional problems occur with gear shifting in a Chevrolet Lacetti and if the amount of lubricant is significantly reduced.

Checking the oil level and condition

You need to check the oil level of the Chevrolet Lacetti manual transmission at every maintenance, as well as if there are signs of deterioration in performance. The check must be performed on a cold gearbox. To do this, place the car on an inspection hole, overpass or lift. The engine protection is removed. The inspection hole is located between the rear support of the power unit and the wheel drive on the right side. Use a 13 mm socket wrench to unscrew the plug and assess the fluid level in the transmission. It is considered sufficient to lower the level no more than four millimeters from the edge of the hole. If there is insufficient oil, you need to figure out the cause of the leak and add the required amount.

Which oils are better to choose?

The decision to change the old fluid immediately can cause the problem of choosing a new one. The fact is that the manufacturer does not indicate what original oil is poured into the manual gearbox. What kind of oil should I use? Dealers' opinions on this matter vary. Most experts recommend using Ravenol 75W90 API Gl-4 liquid. If this type is not available, fill in analogues: GM 75W90, Castrol Syntrans 75W90. We use only synthetics in the mechanics for good transmission performance. In this case, the transmission oil will last for a longer period of operation.

How much oil to fill

To perform the procedure correctly, you should know how much oil is required in a manual transmission. According to the instructions, 1.8 liters of lubricant should be placed there. But you can completely change the lubricant only when repairing the gearbox. When the liquid is manually drained, about 300 grams remains in the part of the structure where the gears are located. Therefore, when removing only the bottom cover, an oil volume of about 1.5 liters will be required.

Required Tools

To carry out the procedure, you will need a standard set of car keys and sealant. Also, to change, you will need a syringe for filling oil or a device in the form of a funnel with a hose, a 13mm wrench, and an empty container. Work must be carried out wearing protective gloves.

Checking the oil level

While the machine is operating, periodically (every 15,000 km) you need to check the condition of the transmission fluid. Since the design of the unit does not include a dipstick, the lubricant level in the Lacetti gearbox is monitored using a control hole.

To complete the work, a certain algorithm of actions is required.

• Place the vehicle on a flat horizontal surface.
• Using a socket “13”, unscrew the hole bolt for checking the lubricant level. This bolt is located on the right side of the crankcase along the direction of the car in the area of ​​the CV joints.
• At a normal level, the lubricant will be at the edge of the hole or at its lower edge.

If the lubricant level cannot be monitored, topping up is necessary. You need to pour oil into the Lacetti gearbox the same way you did when replacing it.

Important. You need to add oil that has the same technical characteristics as the oil in the gearbox.

Recommended volumes and principle of lubricant selection

Chevrolet Lacetti cars are equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission. For each type of transmission, the manufacturer provides a specific brand and volume of oil to be filled.

The recommended oils shown in the table are typical of currently manufactured products. In the future, they may change in accordance with the requirements of the automaker.

Selecting transmission oil

When choosing transmission fluid, you must consider the following basic principles:

• SAE specification - determines the thermal stability of the oil. The temperature-viscosity qualities of the oil depend on the ambient temperature. The SAE indicator determines in what temperature range the composition can be used for efficient operation of the unit.
• ·API tolerances – detailed recommendations on the applicability of products to a transmission of a certain type and transmission mechanism.
• Type of lubricant – mineral water, semi-synthetic, synthetic.

The following brands of oils are suitable for changing the oil in a Chevrolet Lacetti manual transmission:

• Mobil ATF 3309. Used in automatic transmissions with controlled slip lock. Maintains manual transmission cleanliness at factory condition.
• ISU DEXRON III. Suitable for most Chevrolet Lacetti automatic transmissions with servo drive and anti-slip lock. Meets and exceeds the latest requirements of the world's leading DEXRON manufacturers from GM.
• Castrol Manual EP SAE 80W-90. Transmission oils based on mineral oils purified by catalytic hydrocracking.
• Mobil ATF LT 71141. Semi-synthetic ATF product for robotic, automatic transmissions. Optimal frictional properties of the fluid ensure smooth gear shifting.

Oil filter

Along with replacing the hydraulics, you need to change the oil filter. Its service life coincides with the fluid change interval. Disposable product. External metal case, paper filling inside. Passing through the paper, the liquid is cleaned, metal shavings and impurities settle, clean oil circulates inside the system.

Note to the driver!!! There are three types of cleaning elements that are installed on a Chevrolet Lacetti: full-flow, partial-flow, combined. The main difference between each is the filtration mechanism.

Best manufacturers:

• SCT: the products of the German manufacturer have proven themselves well in the domestic market. The product is resistant to mechanical damage, with a good filter element inside;
• Union: Japanese manufacturer famous for introducing modern technologies. Cleaning filters are certified according to the requirements of the international standard ISO 9002;
• Mann: a German manufacturer that produces high quality filters at an affordable price for the Chevrolet Lacetti.

Oil change intervals

Changing the oil in the Lacetti box is not provided by the manufacturer. This means that the transmission fluid is filled for the entire period of operation of the car. But the manufacturers do not specify that the service life of the car is a relative value and amounts to 150 thousand km or 5 years of operation (the period before major repairs). Therefore, of course, it is necessary to change the oil in a Chevrolet Lacetti manual transmission, preferably without waiting for repairs.

The frequency of changing the transmission depends on the following factors:

• Lubricant quality. For original products, the established service life is within 100 - 150 thousand km. When using cheaper analogues, replacement must be carried out every 75 thousand kilometers.
• Operating mode. An aggressive driving style, increased load, and driving in “start-stop” mode leads to premature oxidation and thickening of the transmission oil.
• Climatic features of the region. Sudden temperature changes, harsh climatic conditions, and high humidity significantly reduce the service life of the oil.

Properly selected transmission fluid increases the efficiency of the gearbox, reduces fuel consumption, and ensures smooth gear shifting.

General Motors says practically nothing about the need to change the oil in the Chevrolet Lacetti gearbox. There is not even a drain hole in the gearbox pan, which means changing the oil only when absolutely necessary after repairing the gearbox. Nevertheless, transmission oil, like motor oil, loses its properties over time - viscosity, detergent properties, lubricating properties. It turns out that an oil change in the Lacetti gearbox is still necessary. Which oil to choose, how to check the level, when to change, let’s figure it out together.

How to control the oil level in a Lacetti automatic transmission

Finding out how much oil is in the Lacetti is not easy for a novice car owner. The ZF 4HP16 automatic transmission does not have a dipstick installed, so you will have to use a drain plug.

1. Drive the car into the pit.
2. Leave the engine running and warm up the Lacetti automatic transmission to 60 degrees Celsius.
3. The speed selector lever must be in the “P” position.
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Unscrew the bolt from the drain neck, first placing a container under the drain hole.
6. If the liquid runs in an even medium stream, then there is enough oil. If it doesn’t run, then it needs to be topped up. If it runs with strong pressure, you need to drain it a little. This means that there was an overflow of transmission fluid.

Attention! Too much oil level in a Lacetti automatic transmission is just as dangerous as too little oil.

Read

Reviews on the operation and repair of an automatic transmission on a Chevrolet Lacetti

Along with the level, it is necessary to check the quality of the liquid. This can be determined visually. If the oil is black or has inclusions of different colors, then it is better for the car owner to replace it.

Algorithm for changing the oil in a manual transmission on a Chevrolet Lacetti

In the process of changing the oil in the manual transmission.

In addition to the standard set of tools and a container for draining the oil, you will need to use either a filling syringe or a special funnel with a long hose for filling.

First you need to warm up the engine!

Before draining the old oil, the engine must be warmed up to operating temperature and the vehicle must be placed on an overpass or inspection hole. The process of changing the oil in a Lacetti manual transmission is no different from replacing the transmission on other cars, the only difference is that there is no drain hole, so to drain it you will have to unscrew the transmission pan.

Replacement is performed in the following sequence:

1. We install the warmed-up car on an inspection hole or on an overpass (lift).
2. Open the hood, find the breather and unscrew it. This is necessary to ensure that the oil drains as much as possible.

Oil leaked from the manual transmission.

The pallet has been removed. You can inspect the inside of the box.

We apply sealant. You don't need much.

Pour oil into the filler hole.

Over time, after a short mileage, you need to make sure that the pan gasket does not allow new oil to pass through. The oil change is complete, all that remains is to check its level every 15 thousand km and rest assured about the gearbox for 80–90 thousand. Good luck with the replacement and smooth gear shifts!

Is it worth changing the oil in the Lacetti gearbox?

This question is the most important. The opinions of car owners are divided - some change the oil in the gearbox, others fundamentally do not do this. There is no definite answer here and there will not be, and everyone decides for themselves what to do with their car. I will just write my opinion, and the choice will be yours.

At this point in time, we have clear instructions from the manufacturer that oil is poured into the gearbox for the entire service life of the vehicle, and, accordingly, cannot be replaced. Which, by the way, is evidenced by the absence of a drain plug in the gearbox. The manufacturer also clearly explained that it is necessary to check the oil level every 15 thousand kilometers and, if necessary, top up. It is also said that if the gearbox is repaired, the oil must be changed. But, in turn, it is not specified what, in their opinion, “car service life” means.

According to unofficial data, the service life of a car in the West is approximately seven years (35 thousand kilometers per year). Then these cars end up with us and we are incredibly happy that we managed to buy an almost new car for pennies))) And this car will drive around our country for another twenty to thirty years! And only God knows what will happen to this oil.

The argument that lubricant production technologies have gone far ahead is somehow hard to believe when you take a can of oil and read that the shelf life is 5 years! And this is a shelf life, not a service life. Based on this fact, we can conclude that it is certainly advisable to change the oil without waiting for repairs.

Moreover, each oil has its own service life. For example, synthetic oil can last 120-150 thousand km, while it is advisable to change mineral oil after 50-60 thousand km. Semi-synthetic options are somewhere in the middle.

Therefore, any car owner who respects his car should change the gearbox oil regularly.

After the replacement, it immediately became noticeable that the box worked easier, especially in cold weather. But this largely happened not just from the replacement, but from the fact that I filled in oil with a different viscosity index.

Oil change and control standards

Almost every package of gear oil indicates its expiration date; on average, it is 5–6 years.

Appearance of old dirty manual transmission oil.

General Motors, for its part, says that the oil is poured into the box for the entire life of the car and must be replaced only if the gearbox is repaired.

Capacity and volumes

The Lacetti gearbox holds about 1.8 liters of oil, but the factory recommends filling no more than 1.6 liters , explaining that the load on the seals will be too high, and this can lead to their leakage and failure.

Checking the oil level

In this case, it is necessary to check the transmission level at least once every 15 thousand km.

Most Lacetti owners still prefer to change the oil in the box with a period of 80–90 thousand km. On average, once every two years.

Now all that remains is to check the oil level. This can only be done on a lift or on a viewing hole.

• The inspection hole is located on the side of the crankcase in the area of ​​the constant velocity joint on the right side.
• The plug is unscrewed, after which oil should appear or begin to flow out of the hole. In this case, the level is considered normal.

How to check the volume and condition of the oil

To check the level of the remaining fluid that was added on the factory conveyor, you need to use a dipstick. There are two marks on the dipstick - Min and Max. If the oil is between them, then the volume can be considered quite sufficient. If the oil print does not exceed the Min level, or is below it, then the volume is insufficient. In this case, add oil until it reaches the norm. Overfilling is extremely undesirable, otherwise you will have to crawl under the car and drain the oil.

Please note that this procedure is only relevant for low mileage, or when the oil has not yet expired. However, with a sufficiently high mileage, suspicions may arise that the oil has actually become unusable. This can be understood by three signs - the oil began to stink, deposits in the form of soot and dirt appeared in it, or the oil darkened and became cloudy. In such a situation, it is highly recommended to change the oil.

Which oil to choose for a manual transmission on a Lacetti?

Liqui Moly is very popular among Chevrolet Lacetti owners.

Any transmission oils can be classified according to two standards - SAE and API . According to the first classification, the transmission is designated by two numbers: the first shows the minimum temperature index at which the box is lubricated, the second is the maximum temperature index at which the oil does not lose viscosity.

For example, 75W-80 oil can operate normally in the temperature range from -40 to +35 degrees, and the operating range of 85W-90 oil is from -12 to +45 degrees.

Transmission synthetics should be chosen from the point of view of climatic conditions . In addition, it must be taken into account that it is undesirable to use a more fluid oil after a more viscous one, since this can cause leaks of oil seals and gearbox gaskets.

You will also need a pan gasket.

According to the API standard, transmission oils for manual transmissions are indexed with the letters GL and one number from 1 to 5. Each oil has different extreme pressure and anti-wear additives.

Factory recommendations

For the Chevrolet Lacetti, General Motors recommends using oils that meet GL4 quality standards.

Castrol oil has proven itself to be excellent.

of SAE 75W-90, API GL4 standards is quite suitable for the Lacetti manual transmission . The oil manufacturer does not play a special role; here you can choose at your own discretion.

For example, they speak well of oils:

• Castrol TAF-X, Ravenol 75W90 GL4,
• branded factory GM 75W-90
• Castrol Syntrans 75W90.

In addition to changing the oil, you will need to buy a new gearbox pan gasket (depending on the year of manufacture, the gasket may have either 10 or 11 holes), as well as sealant and find a container where the oil will be drained.

Video on the topic

Motor and transmission oils are classified according to API and SAE systems. The indicators of the last group are important - viscosity. The service life of the gearbox depends on how the owner selects the transmission correctly. The rule applies to automatic transmissions and manual transmissions of Chevrolet Lacetti.

You can distinguish winter-type liquid from summer-type liquid by the letter “W”. It is always indicated next to the number. For example: 75W, 85W, 90W. Also distinguish between automatic and manual transmission oils. The presence of AT symbols indicates use in automatic transmissions.

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To avoid damaging the transmission mechanism, always fill with oil marked as specified in the manufacturer's operating instructions. Of course, fill in: Mobil ATF 3309, ATF DExron-3/Mercon, Eneos ATF 3. There is no information about approval for other manufacturers. Check the data at points of sale, compare markings, viscosity indicators.

Engine mechanics at most service centers recommend refilling the following types of oils. For Chevrolet Lacetti 1.6 with F16D3 engine: Toyota JWS 3310, VAG G055130A3, Ford WSSM2C725A. And also, Dexron III, ZF TEML. The manufacturing quality has been tested by motorists, full compatibility with the Chevrolet Lacetti, active protection of the internal mechanisms of the automatic transmission.

The listed modifications of the liquid are synthetic and semi-synthetic. The recommended replacement interval is 100 - 120 thousand km. Such data is indicated by the manufacturer. In practice, the resource is reduced by a third, as a number of negative factors influence it: fuel quality, temperature conditions, aggressive driving style, and untimely maintenance. Experienced engine mechanics recommend replacing hydraulics every 60,000 km. mileage The maximum interval is 80,000 km, but no more.

What kind of oil to pour into a manual transmission of a Chevrolet Lacetti

Changing the oil in the gearbox of the popular Chevrolet Lacetti is not a difficult task. This procedure is available to everyone, even inexperienced car enthusiasts. It’s quite another thing to choose the right lubricant so that it provides maximum service life. This article provides recommendations on this issue using the example of a Chevrolet Lacetti with a manual transmission.

Is it worth changing the oil?

Before you buy oil, you need to decide whether it is worth replacing at all. So, first of all, let’s pay attention to the replacement regulations specified in the user manual for the Chevrolet Lacetti. Usually the manufacturer indicates a fairly large interval, which is only relevant for European countries with favorable climatic and road factors. For Russia, with its harsh climate, it is necessary to change the oil every 15-20 thousand kilometers. This is an unofficial recommendation, which is quite successfully followed by experienced owners of Chevrolet Lacetti with manual transmission.

Selection of oil by parameters

We will not delve too deeply into the topic of oil parameters, and will consider only the most optimal options. Especially for the Chevrolet Lacetti manual transmission, we can recommend Ravenol 75W90 Getriebeoel TSG GL-4 oil. This is a semi-synthetic product, which will be the best option in terms of price-quality ratio. Of course, this lubricant is much more expensive than pure mineral oil, but it has more stable beneficial properties - both at low and high temperatures. Let us highlight the following advantages of the product from Ravenol:

• Protection of manual transmission components from premature wear
• Effective cooling of all transmission parts
• Stable operation of the box under increased load
• Optimal viscosity level, adapted even to temperatures above 40 degrees
• High thermal stability
• Adaptability to extremely low temperatures
• Good compatibility with elastomers, namely resistance to the spread of corrosion
• Reducing the effect of “dry friction” of parts
• Affordable price

Other brands

The owner of a Chevrolet Cruze always has the right to choose - purchase an expensive original product, or buy something cheaper, but no worse than the original. There are many analogues on the market, the quality of which cannot be doubted. For example, among them it is worth highlighting such as Shell, Mobile, Castrol, Total, ZIK and Motul. The most important thing is to pay attention to viscosity parameters, tolerances and quality standards. The optimal parameters are indicated as API GL-4, SAE 75W-90/80W-90.

In first place in terms of wear resistance is Motul Gear 300 75W-90. Second place goes to Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W90, and third place to Mobil Mobilube 75W90.

All three oils work ideally in temperature ranges from – (minus) 35 to +35 degrees.

An alternative option is Lukoil TM-4 75W-90. This is a good semi-synthetic oil, inferior in parameters to most imported lubricants. And yet, this product is well adapted to low temperatures. This model has the lowest cost among foreign oils for Chevrolet Lacetti manual transmission.

Oil check

The best motor oil. does it exist?

• Frequent driving at high speeds, high engine speeds, and as a result - engine overheating
• Poor and dusty roads, including off-road driving, mud and slush
• Changes in temperatures, and at the same time a rapid transition from frost to thaw, or vice versa
• Driver mistakes made during gear shifting, and as a result - transmission overheating

In such conditions, Chevrolet Lacetti owners prefer to replace it every 30 thousand kilometers, or even earlier. Here everything depends on the volume and condition of the oil.