Many inexperienced owners of new cars do not even suspect that changing the gearbox oil is as necessary as changing the engine lubricant. For example, updating the oil fluid inside a Chevrolet Niva manual transmission is done after 45–50 thousand kilometers. This requires special gear oils. In addition to the manual gearbox, the transmission also includes a transfer case. There you also need to change the oil, at the same mileage interval as the gearbox.
Functioning of the checkpoint
The Niva Chevrolet gearshift mechanism is five-speed mechanical. Its main function is to change the torque transmitted from the engine to the wheels. The manual transmission has a three-shaft design. Unfortunately, the Niva Chevrolet gearbox, having a complex design, often fails. It should be noted that its repair is quite expensive. Therefore, it is important to periodically check the lubricant level and change the oil in the gearbox on time.
For this purpose, transmission fluid of API GL-4 standard with viscosity of 75W-90 and 80W-90 is used. They are produced by both domestic manufacturers (TNK and Lukoil) and foreign ones - Shell, Mobil, Castrol, Total, ZIC, Motul. Of all the above, the French lubricant Motul Gear 300 75W-90 showed the best performance in terms of protection against scuffing, film stability on contacting surfaces, and anti-wear characteristics.
In second place was Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90 transmission fluid, third was Mobil Mobilube 75W-90 oil. All of them can operate at temperatures from -35 to +35°C, ensuring easy gear shifting and stable operation of the manual transmission. The price of these products is quite high, so it is worth paying attention to the domestic semi-synthetic transmission made by Lukoil - TM-4 75W-90. It is not much inferior to foreign competitors, but at the same time it is much cheaper and better adapted to low temperatures. The manufacturer also allows the use of transmission fluids of viscosity 80W-90 and 80W-85.
It should be remembered that you cannot fill the gearbox with API GL-5 standard transmission oil. In terms of its performance, it seems to be better - it can operate at high speeds and loads, as well as high temperatures. But it contains sulfur-phosphorus extreme pressure additives, a large amount of which can simply “kill” the gearbox synchronizers. They contain bronze, not durable steel. A large number of such additives are contraindicated for her. Therefore, compositions of the GL-5 standard should be poured into axles and gearboxes.
The best semi-synthetic motor oil for Chevrolet Niva
First, let's look at synthetic motor oils for the Chevrolet Niva, which are recommended by the manufacturer and have received positive reviews from SUV owners from GM-AvtoVAZ. When compiling this review, our experts also took into account the product characteristics.
For Niva Chevrolet SUVs, you can also use semi-synthetic compounds, which are slightly cheaper than synthetics, but perfectly protect the engine from wear. Here are the best products in this category.
| Place | Name | Characteristics in the rating |
| The best inexpensive motor oil |
| Best synthetic motor oil |
| The best gear oil |
One of the most popular SUVs in the post-Soviet space is the Chevrolet Niva. Motorists appreciate this model for its accessibility, modern appearance, simple design and maintainability.
Many owners maintain their cars themselves, changing engine oil, filters and belts. Therefore, you only have to buy consumables. Lubricants are responsible for the durability of the engine, gearbox and axles. The condition of the rubbing parts depends on their quality.
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For a domestic SUV, experts recommend purchasing technical fluids with the following set of parameters.
Motor oil can be used in Russian cars as mineral and semi-synthetic, as well as pure synthetics. It all depends on the climate in a particular region, the load on the SUV, and the frequency of replacement. It is best to follow the recommendations of AvtoVAZ, which are indicated in the operating manual. It is not necessary to use original oil; there are worthy competitors that have received approval from leading automakers. A good help when choosing will be to study thematic forums or test results from reputable car portals. Someone has managed to identify the advantages or disadvantages of a lubricant from their own experience. In a real SUV, transmission units are under heavy load. To prevent damage to a critical gear or differential in a deep puddle, the transmission oil should be changed promptly
When selecting, pay attention to temperature restrictions, this is especially important for residents of the northern regions.
Our review includes the best oils for the Chevrolet Niva. When selecting a lubricant, the following criteria were taken into account:
- appointment;
- technical specifications;
- price;
- expert opinion;
- reviews from car owners.
Transfer case
This is another important transmission unit of the Chevrolet Niva. It includes a range multiplier and a lockable center differential. The transfer case also changes the amount of torque, but not in the same way as the gearbox. In addition, it distributes it between the axles, front and rear, maintaining a 50:50 ratio. The differential is locked to improve maneuverability if road conditions are very difficult.
The transfer case (in the picture its lever is 2) can be switched similarly to a gearbox, only the purpose of the lever shifts is completely different. There is a neutral position (NII–V). There is a high gear (HI) used for normal road conditions, with the differential unlocked. If it needs to be blocked, transmission (HIV) is activated. In difficult areas, the lever switches to LIII if the differential does not yet need to be locked. If it’s really difficult to drive, you need to switch to LIV, blocking the bridges between them. The wheels then rotate at the same speed.
You can switch from the Low position (L - low gear) to the High position (H - high gear) while driving. In this case, you should squeeze the clutch twice, because the transfer case does not have synchronizers. Switching from H to L positions is only possible after the vehicle has stopped. In addition, you cannot lock the differential at high speeds, as you can lose control of the car when cornering. The transfer case uses the same gear oil that is used for the gearbox.
Changing the lubricant in the manual transmission
The first oil change in the gearbox after purchasing a car is done after 60,000 km. The next time you will need to change the oil is after 45,000 km. In the future, this interval will have to be observed constantly.
How much oil do you need to fill? To optimally fill the oil into the box, you will need a transmission fluid volume of 1.6 liters. It is most convenient to immediately change the lubricant in the transfer case, since they have the same service life.
Do not forget that every 15,000 km it is necessary to check the level of transmission fluid - both in the gearbox and in the transfer case. It happens that extraneous sounds (grinding) are heard from the gearbox - when changing gears and while driving. This indicates an oil leak. The culprit may be a leaky secondary shaft oil seal, through which lubricant is leaking. Before changing the lubricant, you need to prepare the tools and available materials:
- wrench 17;
- hexagon 12;
- container with a volume of at least 2 liters;
- refill syringe;
- new transmission composition;
- special flushing fluid for gearboxes with a volume of 0.8–1 liter;
- rags.
If you also make a replacement in the transfer case, you should immediately purchase 2.5 liters of oil - 1.6 liters for the gearbox and 0.8 liters for the transfer case. Changing the oil in the gearbox involves a certain sequence of actions:
- You must first drive at least 5 km to warm up the oil in the transmission.
- The car is placed on a lift or above an inspection hole.
- The body and plugs are cleaned - drain and filler.
- The filler plug is unscrewed.
- Place a container under the drain, after which it is also unscrewed, the lubricant completely flows out.
- The drain plug magnet is cleaned of adhering chips - signs of wear on gearbox parts.
- The drain plug is screwed in, the gearbox is filled with flushing fluid with a volume of about 1 liter.
- The transfer case is switched to neutral, the engine starts, and the gearbox shifts within 3 minutes.
- The engine turns off and the flushing is completely drained.
- New lubricant is poured through the filler hole, the amount is about 1.6 liters.
- As oil arrives, its level is periodically checked.
- The engine starts, first gear is engaged and it all works for 5 minutes.
- Then the oil composition is added to the desired level.
This completes the oil change in the Chevrolet Niva gearbox.
How often to change
There are several different types of transfer cases, and depending on the type of mechanism, the frequency of replacement can vary significantly. Usually this information is contained in the technical documentation for the car and varies in the range from 50 to 100 thousand kilometers.
In addition, operating conditions affect the service life. The transfer case of a car that drives on public roads experiences much less load than that installed on a car that constantly moves off-road.
Changing the oil in the transfer case
We change the oil inside the transfer case in a similar way. For work, you should prepare the same materials and lubricant, but washing is not necessary.
You also need to warm up the car’s transmission and drive either onto an overpass or into a viewing hole.
- The filler plug is unscrewed.
- A container is placed to receive the waste liquid.
- The drain plug is unscrewed and the liquid is drained to the last drop.
- The magnet of the plug is cleaned of metal shavings.
- Approximately 1 liter of lubricant is poured with a syringe until its level reaches the filler hole.
- The filler plug is tightened, the operation of the ventilation valve is checked, and it is cleaned if necessary.
At this point, all operations for changing the oil inside the gearbox, as well as the transfer case, are completed. You can drive another 45,000 km until the next replacement.
