How to check the oil level in a grant automatic transmission

It's no secret that changing the oil in the Lada Granta gearbox is a very important procedure, on which not only the correct operation of the gearbox depends, but also its service life. Yes, the oil in a manual gearbox ages much longer than in the same automatic transmission or CVT. But this does not mean that it does not need to be changed at all. Today we will figure out how to do all the work ourselves, what is required for this and when the procedure will need to be repeated.

In today’s article we will talk to you about the reasons for the frequency of changing transmission oil in the Lada Granta gearbox, consider the lubricants recommended by the manufacturer, and of course we will consider in detail the process itself from checking to pouring new oil into the gearbox.

Reasons for changing gear oil in a LADA GRANT gearbox

An experienced driver will even understand by the behavior of the car when to change the oil in the box. At the same time, the management of AvtoVAZ abolished all the laws of physics and chemistry and recognized the oil in the gearbox as eternal and not subject to replacement for the entire service life of the car. Quite arrogant on the part of the Tolyatti manufacturer, because the oil in the box still needs to be changed.

However, signs of worn (or poor quality) gear oil should gradually appear as follows:

What kind of oil is in Lada Granta automatic

Changing the oil in an automatic transmission on a Grant

The requirements for the quality, composition and quantity of lubricant are very high. Oil life is highly dependent on operating conditions and can vary from 30,000 miles (50 thousand km) to 120,000 miles (200 thousand km).

If there is an increased load on the transmission (driving on bad roads, a fully loaded car, constant driving with a roof rack), it is necessary to regularly check the oil in the Granta automatic transmission to see if it needs partial or complete replacement. Information about what kind of oil can be filled into the Lada Granta automatic transmission is provided by the manufacturer.

Original oils

The manufacturer of the Jatco JF414E gearbox, Jatco, recommends using only Nissan ATF Matic-S 999MP-MTS00P transmission fluid of its own production for operation in the unit. It's quite expensive.

Lubricant analogues

There are alternative options for transmission fluids that are similar in parameters to those recommended by the developer. Therefore, changing the oil in an automatic transmission on a Grant can be done using an analogue that corresponds to the Matic-S classification, such as, for example, the following oils:

Castrol Full Synthetic ATF;
Castrol Transmax™ DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid;
Valvoline MaxLife Multivehicle Synthetic ATF.

Oil in automatic transmission Lada Granta

All of them, including Nissan ATF Matic-S 999MP-MTS00P, are the same substance for working in automatic transmissions, but under different brands.

Checking the oil level in the Grant gearbox

In order to check the oil level in the Lada Granta gearbox, do the following:

We place the car in a viewing hole, on a roadside overpass. Using the key “14” we unscrew the level control plug; it is located identically in the automatic transmission and manual transmission.

If the oil starts to flow when the plug is open, it means the level is sufficient. Otherwise, replenish the missing amount using a hose and funnel.

Lada Granta automatic transmission: changing the oil in an automatic transmission

Let's start with the fact that the automatic transmission on the Grant conventionally belongs to the category of so-called “maintenance-free” gearboxes. In other words, as the manufacturer himself claims, the oil in the automatic transmission of the Lada Granta is filled for the entire service life of the car. It turns out that you only need to change the oil in the Lada Granta automatic transmission if the gearbox is being repaired. Otherwise, there is no need to change the oil during operation.

Let us immediately note that in practice, the absence of the need to change the oil in the automatic transmission on Grant is more of a marketing ploy. The fact is that the warranty period for the automatic transmission expires, but the service life of the automatic transmission, provided it operates on old oil, is greatly reduced.

It should also be added that transmission fluid, although slower than motor oils, still inevitably loses its beneficial properties. Taking into account the fact that the Grant has a “classic” hydromechanical automatic transmission, the ATF oil in such a box gets very hot in the torque converter when transmitting torque.

You can also note temperature changes, wear products of the box itself, contaminating the liquid, etc. It turns out that if the owner is interested in increasing the service life of the machine, the oil in the automatic transmission of Grants and any other car needs to be changed.

How to change the oil in an automatic transmission Lada Granta

First of all, you should select the appropriate automatic transmission oil for replacement. The Lada Granta automatic transmission can be filled with either original oil (recommended by the manufacturer) or suitable analogues.

Let's move on. Having decided on the transmission fluid, you need to take into account that when changing it yourself, you can only partially change the oil in the automatic transmission. To partially change the oil, you need to purchase about 2 liters of ATF. It should be borne in mind that the total volume of oil in the Lada Granta box is just over five liters, however, as part of a partial replacement, no more than 30-35% can be drained.

So, to replace you will need:

Transmission oil in Granta automatic transmission;
Container for draining waste;
Hose and funnel;
Clean rags;
Keys: 19 and hexagon 5;

Next you will need to perform the following work and operations:

First, the automatic transmission needs to be warmed up by driving the car for about 10-15 km. Then the car needs to be lifted on a lift, driven into a pit or onto an overpass.
If the car has additional engine protection, this protection will need to be removed. Next, you need to warm up the internal combustion engine again to operating temperatures (turn on the cooling system fan 1-2 times).
After the internal combustion engine, you can turn off the engine and let the units cool a little. After cooling has occurred, we go down under the car. The automatic transmission housing has a drain plug and a filler plug.
Taking the key number 19, unscrew the drain plug. Next, use a 5 key to unscrew the overflow plug, after which the waste is drained into a container placed in advance.
After the used oil stops flowing, the areas around the plugs and the plugs themselves should be carefully wiped with a clean rag to remove dirt.
Both unscrewed plugs (drain and overflow) must be tightened with the recommended force (indicated in the manual). Now, to gain access, you will need to remove the air filter housing. This will allow you to get to the automatic transmission oil dipstick.
The specified dipstick must be removed, after which a hose with a funnel is inserted into the neck.
You need to pour the same amount of oil into the box as was drained before. When finished, the hose is removed and the dipstick is put in place. Now you can start the engine, then for 5-10 seconds the automatic transmission selector switches to the available modes.
After this, the engine can be turned off, and then the oil level in the automatic transmission is checked using the dipstick. The level should be between o and “MAX”, and the test itself is performed on a warm automatic transmission. It is important to understand that if you check “cold”, the readings will be incorrect. If the level is normal, the partial oil change in the Lada Granta automatic transmission can be considered complete.

What to look for when changing the oil in a Granta automatic transmission

As you can see, the procedure described above is not complicated. However, you need to understand that this is only a partial replacement, which does not allow you to immediately update the entire liquid. For this reason, it is recommended to carry out partial oil changes in automatic transmissions quite often (every 20 thousand km).

Another possible method of updating is in three stages, when the partial replacement procedure is performed after 2-3 thousand km. after each stage. This method allows you to “refresh” the oil as much as possible with your own hands without seriously disassembling the box.

Checking the oil level is also extremely important. Checking the oil level in the Lada Granta automatic transmission should be done on a warm box. In this case, the automatic transmission warms up later than the engine, and a fully automatic transmission reaches operating temperatures under load.

For this reason, as part of the replacement, before checking, it is necessary to at least warm up the engine until the cooling system fan turns on. The car also needs to be placed on a level surface. Then, with the engine running, the automatic transmission selector should be moved from position P to position D, R, N, etc. In each position the box should work for 10-15 seconds.

We also recommend reading the article about what type of automatic transmission is installed on the Lada Granta. From this article you will learn about the features of the unit, as well as the pros and cons of the Lada Granta with an automatic transmission.

After the driver has “walked” through all the positions, the power unit must be turned off, the air filter housing must be moved aside, after which the automatic transmission dipstick must be removed. In this case, you first need to wipe the oil dipstick with a clean rag and insert it back until it stops for 2-3 seconds. Then the dipstick is removed again and the oil level is then assessed using the dipstick.

Normally, the oil level should be between o and “max”. It is not allowed to either reduce or exceed the level above or below the specified marks. Please note that overfilling the automatic transmission with oil can lead to negative consequences in the same way as underfilling.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in a Lada Granta box

In order to change the oil in a Lada Granta box, you must perform the following procedure:

With a warm car, we drive onto a pit or lift. The used liquid must be drained immediately, because when it cools down it becomes more viscous and leaks worse.
First, we de-energize the Lada by removing the terminal from the battery;
We remove attachments that obstruct the path to the filler hole: air filter, pipes;
We unscrew either the control plug with a size 17 wrench, or the reverse switch, having first removed the wires from it (wrench 22). The location of the switch is more convenient for filling oil.
We go down, dismantle the technological hole for draining the oil from the gearbox or completely remove the engine protection (key 14 or 17);
Read also: Do-it-yourself wheel alignment on Niva 21213
We substitute a container for “working off” with a volume of 2.5 liters (2.2 to be precise);
Using a 17 wrench, unscrew the drain plug in the crankcase;
We wait for some time, let the liquid drain completely;
Screw the plug into place;
We insert a hose with a clean funnel into the switch or control hole, change the oil to the lower edge of the control plug or, more simply, until lubricant flows out of it;
After all the manipulations, close all the holes and check them for leaks. Then we install the protection in place. We remount the VF Frets, the removed pipes and terminals.

When to change the oil in an automatic transmission

The manufacturer does not provide for changing the oil in the automatic transmission on the Grant during the entire service life, including break-in, after which the mechanism must be completely replaced. The filling volume of the Jatco JF414E box is about 5 liters, but in practice it will not be possible to change everything completely at once.

Extending the service life is achieved if regular checks are carried out and subsequent partial or complete oil changes are carried out in the Granta automatic transmission, because it loses a significant part of its qualities after 50,000-70,000 km. The automatic transmission manufacturer recommends changing the oil every 30,000 miles (50,000 km), or at intervals of 3 years.

How to change gearbox oil in Lada Granta

All second-generation Ladas are equipped with the same type of gearbox - manual transmission 2180-2181 or Jatco automatic from Nissan. The boxes are made of a fairly high quality and, if used correctly, do not create problems for the driver.

The manufacturer claims that changing the oil in automatic transmissions and manual transmissions 2181 is not necessary throughout the entire service life, i.e., it should only be done during major repairs, replacing seals and gaskets. In fact, it is better to carry out the procedure every 75 thousand kilometers or 5 years of driving, whichever comes first. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer calculates the terms based on the warranty period of the machine and good operating conditions. But in Russia it is difficult to find such conditions. In addition, oil consumption and wear in the Lada Granta gearbox depends on the driving habits. This is comparable to tires: it is stupid to say that tires will last the same amount of time for a calm driver moving from home to work, and for a fan of drifting and racing. The dynamics, type, and strength of loads are displayed on all working units, and not just on the wheels and motor.

Why is new lubricant required?

Manual transmission oil 2181 and automatic transmission performs 3 main functions: reducing friction between interacting parts, removing heat, and washing parts from deposits. All three processes assume that the substance will wear out - evaporate, go to create a protective film around parts, become contaminated with metal dust, etc. Moreover, how quickly wear occurs is influenced by external factors:

Riding character. An aggressive driver of a Lada Grant, who often brakes and takes off, wears out the automatic transmission oil faster than a calm car owner. Traffic jam conditions, when the car constantly stops, are also difficult for the substance. This is due to the fact that gearbox parts interact with each other more often.
Temperature conditions, thermal changes. The viscosity of the lubricant changes with temperature. Sharp jumps and falls accelerate the process of losing its properties.
The quality of roads affects not only the chassis, but also the engine, and with it the gearbox. Therefore, those who drive a Lada Granta on bad roads need an oil change more often.

For these reasons, changing the oil in a Lada Granta automatic transmission is an individual matter. 75 thousand kilometers or 5 years of operation is an average value that will suit most. But it’s still better to monitor the quality of the oil in the automatic transmission.

How do you know when it's time to change the lubricant?

Replacing the substance in the automatic transmission is necessary in the following cases:

When reaching a low level. The level is checked using a special probe, which is provided in the design of the box.
Wear. Checking the quality of the oil is done visually and by smell. If it is black and smells like burning, then it most likely needs replacement. A dark color indicates a large amount of deposits and dirt. The filter can handle some of them, but when it gets clogged, the automatic transmission will quickly break down.

Checking the level and quality of the fluid in the box is carried out once every 1-2 months. If you need a replacement, it is better not to experiment, but to buy oil that is recommended for the automatic transmission of Lada Granta - Nissan Matic-D.

Replacement instructions

It is possible to partially or completely replace the lubricant in the Lada Granta gearbox. Both procedures can be performed independently, but it is better to turn to professionals if a complete change is planned - the use of special equipment allows them to guarantee a good result.

Partial replacement of ATP in a Lada 2181 box will require the following:

ATF;
container for collecting leaked composition;
funnel and hose;
lint-free cloth napkin;
19″ and 5″ wrenches.

Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the machine and the “automatic machine” itself. Firstly, the engine protection is removed - it will interfere. Secondly, the “automatic” warms up - to do this, you can turn on the engine and wait until the cooling works, or drive 5–10 km.

Replacement procedure

You need to do the following:

Unscrew the drain plug; for this you will need a 19″ wrench.
Using a 5″ hex key or socket, unscrew the overflow plug, place the container, and wait until the ATP flows out. The liquid will not flow out completely - that’s why the replacement is called partial. When completely changing, the composition is squeezed out using special equipment on the box.
Wipe and replace the removed plugs.
Remove the air filter housing - this will give easy access to the dipstick.
Pull out the dipstick and insert the prepared hose instead. Fill in the same amount of new oil as was poured.
Start the engine and engage each gear with a delay, then also with slight delays at each shift, return the lever to its original position.
Stop the engine and check the oil level in the box. It should be between the min and max marks. The level check is performed on a flat surface, the machine must be warmed up.

Partial change of ATF at the Lada Granta checkpoint is a temporary measure. With it, the new composition is mixed with the old one, so the latter becomes a little cleaner, its properties are partially restored. Of course, such a procedure cannot be compared in effectiveness to completely draining the liquid and adding a new one. In addition, it is recommended that partial changes in the box be carried out about 4-5 times - every 100 km, after the first one. In this way, it will be possible to bring the quality of ATP as close as possible to the original one.

There are many videos on the Internet on how to service an automatic machine. It's better to look through them to make the job easier. The video will allow you to see all the nuances that are not taken into account or explained in any article.

Full shift

A complete fluid change in the Lada Granta gearbox is performed by professionals. They use the pushing method - they place a special device in the box, which allows you to completely push all the liquid through the service hole. Then new ATP is poured into the “machine” under the supervision of a specialist.

Between draining and filling, mechanics may advise flushing the machine and installing new filters. This will become necessary if there are too many deposits in the gearbox - it is better not to skimp on this procedure, otherwise you may encounter a situation where the gearbox breaks down.

motoroilclub.ru

What oil should be used in the Lada Granta gearbox?

The optimal lubricant for Grants will be 75W-90, suitable for use in all climatic zones. For a robotic transmission, it would be optimal to use the G-Box GL-4 brand produced by Gazpromneft. It is better to use semi-synthetic oil.

For mechanics - “. An automatic from JATCO will require Genuine EJ-1 ATF oil, which is also poured into Nissan cars.

Volumes:

for a robotic gearbox - 2.2 liters;
for a manual transmission: 3.1 liters. This is a Lada Granta cable box; changing the oil requires less fluid. On older gearbox models, the working volume of the “transmission” exceeded 4 liters;
for an automatic from Jatco: about 4.5 liters.

The same parameters apply to the Lada-Kalina 2 car, since Granta is built on its basis.

How to check the oil level in an automatic transmission on a Lada Granta

Every car owner should make it a rule to regularly check the ATF level. Checking the oil level in the Lada Granta automatic transmission will not cause difficulties even for a beginner. The whole process is almost the same as checking the lubricant level in the engine. True, the dipstick in this case is located in a rather inconvenient place (under the air filter). For this reason, the filter will have to be removed to gain access to the dipstick.

To check the oil level accurately, you need to place the car on a flat surface, remove the filter, remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. Then you will need to insert and remove the dipstick again and assess the oil level. It is good when it is in the middle between the minimum and maximum marks. Also on the dipstick there is the inscription “HOT” - the norm when the engine is hot and the gearbox is warm. Actually, an accurate check should be carried out on a heated box. When inserting the dipstick back, you must position it correctly.

Changing the oil in the Lada Granta gearbox

We drive our “Grant” into the “pit”, having previously warmed up the gearbox;
We remove the plastic covers under the hood and dismantle the air filter to get to the filler hole.
We dismantle the plastic gearbox protection (on most cars with manual transmission it is not installed, so we clean the space near the drain plug on the gearbox housing from dirt and adhering sand);
Having reached the drain bolt (aka plug), we unscrew it with the “17” key, having previously prepared the container for “working off”;
We wait for all the used oil to be drained (at least 15-20 minutes);
Tighten the drain plug, first changing the sealing gasket. On an automatic transmission from Nissan, the drain bolt is changed every time the transmission is replaced;
Insert a hose with a funnel into the filler hole and add oil to the maximum level.

After changing the oil, start the Lada and, with the clutch depressed, engage the gears one by one for several minutes, starting with first and ending with reverse. After this, turn off the engine and check the oil level with a dipstick: it should be slightly below the maximum. Add liquid to about. The oil change on the Grant is completed.

When changing the lubricant on an automatic transmission, it is enough to place the gearshift lever in each position with an interval of at least 5 seconds. After this, you need to check the level using a dipstick. A level below o leads to air entering the oil pump and subsequent damage to the unit. Exceeding o can lead to serious damage to the gearbox and even fire of the car.

If the oil is drained during the repair of parts of the gearbox, chassis, or internal combustion engine, then it must be disposed of and new oil must be filled into the Granta. Re-use of the lubricant is not permitted even if the service interval mark has not been reached.